Friday 23rd January 2026

We have reached the end of the week, and its time to slow down so we can really enjoy the weekend.

Because we live life at 100mph or something.

Or not.

Friday isn't a phys day for me, but Jools does yoga, and the class starts at half six, so she is up and about at five. I heard her get up and thought I was never going back to sleep.

An hour later I woke again to hear Jools driving out of the car port, leaving for the class.

And she had done the bins.

So all I had to do was make my coffee and check up on the world.

We're still screwed.

I take things easy, ready and listening to podcasts, then make sure the kettle had boiled when Jools came home, so she could have a brew and breakfast.

For her art group at the local library, she took the car as the forecast was for yet more rain. I would stay home to make curried butternut squash for our lunch.

Whilst working in the kitchen, I take part in the great bird count, and see plenty. But no goldfinches, which was a shame.

Squash was peeled, cubed, and tossed in oil, seasoned and put into a medium oven for an hour to soften and get a nice dark colour.

I add them to some softened onions and garlic, top up with stock, pop in some curry spices and simmer for half an hour.

Man that was some good soup.

We have it when Jools returned at one, with some buttered seeded sourdough bread.

More spy action in the afternoon, then switch to Bangers and Cash at two.

Rock and roll.

At least the rain eased, and late in the afternoon the sun came out, so casting long shadows in the golden light.

For the evening there was the Hamburg derby: St Pauli v Hamburg. Should have been a great game, both teams in relegation trouble as well as being city rivals. But it was a poor game between two poor teams. A hard watch, and a 0-0 bore-draw.

Oh well.