Thursday 8th January 2026

Its odd: mornings when there is nothing to get up for, my brain wakes me at five or half past, and days when we get up for phys, my brain would like me to lay in bed for hours more.

So it was on Thursday, the alarm waking me with a jolt of 5,000 volts into the world of the living, giving me forty minutes to get my act together so we could go to the gym.

We had coffee, got dressed and were off out at five to six, arriving at a frosty Whitfield at five past.

Quickly double to the entrance and up to the gym, where dozens were already pumping iron and lard.

We got on the bikes, programmed something to listen to, and off we went.

Time passes quickly.

Then at just gone seven, we were out and a short drive away is Tesco, where we had a few things to buy.

It is quiet at that time in the morning, and hundreds of spaces outside to choose in which to park.

We were done in twenty minutes, paid and loading up the car, passing the Duke of Yorks at half seven, just beating the school rush, getting home, where we made a brew and put the shopping away.

The forecast was shit for the next few days, to the temptation was to stay inside and hibernate. I knew we were out of guanciale, so it was agreed we would go to The Goods Shed in Canterbury and buy some, so we would have carbonara when we wanted.

Leaving the village, we entered mist and fog, which pretty much was the case all the way to the city. And yet about 20% of cars had no lights on. Quite where their brain are is anyone's guess.

We park outside the former rail depot, go inside and buy one cured cheek. On the way out we stop for a coffee at one of the three coffee shops, and have a snackeroony to go with it, before getting back in the car and driving back home.

Traffic was light, but tricky in the fog. I took things easy so we got home safe and sound.

And so to an afternoon of relaxing with Prof Alice Roberts and two editions of Digging for Britain, shows that brighten these dark New Year days.

Dinner is minted lamb, stir fry and the rest of the rice from the day before. Which was rather marvellous, and used up more leftovers.

Through the afternoon, the wind built as the storm approached. Rain began to fall, then be thrown at the back of the house as Storm Goretti swept into the Scilly Isles and then along the southern coast of England.

We got off light compared to others, and being on a hill, rain ran down past us, or down Station Road.

There was football, Arsenal v Liverpool, but was a dour dull game, that promised much more. Ended 0-0.