Had to get up bright and early on Monday morning as Bob Onions came to replace our bedroom window. Same on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's also been freexing and we felt we needed to be in so haven't done much. James has had a paper published that he co-authored. Had a band practice on Thursday. The snow is still around in London.Madaline went to an aquarium in Toronto.

We had a problem with the EQ unit on Saturday at RSAC so I popped in to pick it up. Then went to The Nags to meet up with Steve and Patrick to watch Japan v Croatia. They had a Thornbridge thing going on. 

It was a lovely morning on Monday so kicked the week off with my 5 hills ride. Quite chilly on Tuesday but still did an extended version of my Playhatch loop. Along to Binfield Heath and back down Blackmore Lane. Bought some new gloves on the way back. England beat Wales 3 0 to top group B. We've got Senegal in the next round. They are the African champions so wont be easy. Had a band practice on Wednesday and went to see Gemma Rogers in the evening at the Face Bar. Sid Siddle who promotes stuff at RSAC had been pushing the gig and so it was free entry for me and any guests. The highlight for me was the second support act Jopy who I'd seen before at RSAC but this time they were amazing. I think the sound system helped. At RSAC they just have a pair of speakers for the PA. They had 4 pairs. Jopy are the singer/guitarist and drummer from the Keep Cats with a bassist. Uncle Peanut was also very good, a Reading rapper. This is Sid with his customary ruck sack.

England got off to a great start in the World Cup by beating Iran 6 2. There last goal was the last kick of the game penalty awarded by VAR. It was for some minor shirt pulling, the sort of thing that happens all the time and usually goes unpunished. At 0 0 Harry Maguire was clearly wrestled to the ground but nothing was given. The only worrying thing was that on the few occasions they did manage an attack they seemed to open us up quite easily. Did my Southcote Lock walk afterwards. Later Wales drew 1 1 with the USA. They are the other 2 teams in our group. On Tuesday did my route out past the Lodden Brewery but extended out to Kidmore End. Picked up the monitor from Bob Noyse. He couldn't replicate the problem so can't fix it. Saudia Arabia beat Argentina. On Wednesday did a short rude out to The Cunning Man after it finished raining. Just about caught this double rainbow. Japan beat Germany. Watched Canada v Belgium in the evening. The Canucks were unlucky to lose 1 0. I've adopted them as a home team for obvious reasons and also because Junior Hoilett plays for them. Went swimming on Thursday lunchtime. Watched Wales lose 2 0 to Iran on Friday morning. Their keeper was sent off towards the end ofvthe game and both goals came in extra time. Had a band practice after but Tony couldn't make it so it was a bit flat. England drew 0 0 with the US. Madeline put is in a box on Saturday morning. In the evening I helped out with the sound at RSAC for Ben Marwood, Non Canon and Jay Newton. All singer song writers but all remarkably good. It was a sell out and I was surprised at how well known a lot of the songs were. An easy set up, just a couple of mics and a DI box. Possibly had a pint too many. Bit of a lazy day on Sunday watched some world cup Morocco beat Belgium 2 0. Unfortunately Canada got thrashed 4 1 by Croatia despite going ahead in under 2 mins.

Went for a swim on Monday but just me as M still has a bit of a cold. I discovered on Sunday that I had a broken reed in my D harmonica so went to Hickies to buy a new one. I got a Marine Band instead of a Blues Harp as the chap said they were pretty much the same but better quality. Did some googling when I got back though and found out there are some subtle differences so took it back and ordered a Blues Harp from amazon. Joined the goolie zoom in the evening. On Tuesday I picked up the bad monitor from RSAC and took it round to Bob Noyse to see if he could find out what's wrong and fix it. The woofer did breifly stop working but from then on it was OK so left it with him to see if he could replicate. The tree men came to prune the judas and hawthorn. My Blues Harp turned up. Went to the Boileroom in Guildford in the evening with Steve to see bdrmm supported by bloody/bath. Excellent venue, neither of us had been before. Not sure if it was deliberate but the sound seemed a bit off for bdrmm. No kick drum or bass. Probably had a pint too many hence a lazy day on Wednesday. M went up to London for a talk at the Institute of Historical Research. Did my 5 hills ride on Thurs morning. I designed a fair process for band song selection on the way round and wrote it up after. Ordered a metal kazoo on Thurs as Cracking Up are planning to use them in a version of Stop The Cavalry and my cheap plastic ones don't seem to be up to the job. Went for a swim on Friday. My kazoo turned up but apart from the fact its metal it seems just a flimsy as the plastic ones. Madeline can walk up stairs. Did the sound at RSAC for The May, Holy SMS and Boredoms in the Bathroom. OK but a bit too knob twiddly for me. Madeline gave us a tour of the flat on Sunday.

Not great weather on Monday and Tuesday so stayed in and mostly worked on my animation. Had a goolie zoom on Monday evening.We did go to The Biscuit Factory on Tuesday night to see The Banshees Of Inisherin. Good film and good to see the place being so well used. Did a good ride with Kelvin and Stuart on Wednesday to Watlington and stopped off at the Spire and Spoke for lunch. Lovely autumnal day.Went to the Nags in the evening and met up with Kevin, Adrienne and Penno. M had a cold so did a covid test but it was -ve.  Mainly guitar practice on Thursday and first Thursday drinks at the Fox n Hounds. Band practice on Friday followed by a dental appointment to glue a broken tooth back together. Emailed about doing a spot in Tribute Night at RSAC. Didn't do much during the day on Saturday but sent my animation to the goolies. URZ won their last game before the world cup by a 94th minute og. Went to Daniel (Murphy) and Steph's first wedding aniversary bash at Sonning Golf Club in the evening. Didn't stay late as we didn't really know anyone but did managed a mum and dad dance to Brown Sugar. Lazy day for me on Sunday. Got to know Tribute Night is full up.

Ian and Fran went back fairly early on Monday and I chilled out for the rest of the day. On Tuesday I did my old lockdown walk along the Kennet to Southcote Lock and back through Coley Park. The question was could I get back before the downpour.The answer was no. We met up with Mike and Abby in the evening. They are over from Australia for his mum's 90th, delayed for 2 years because of covid. On Wednesday morning I cycled out to Maker Space at Nuffield with Andy, Kelvin and Stuart. Wanted to check it out for an up coming gig. Spotted a couple of late raspberries when I got back.