5575 - I’m gonna get a cold

I’m gonna get a cold if I do this 

All the time, sitting, walking in the cold 

I had a few drinks so needed a piss 

Every so often as I knew I would 

But it’s fun doing it each time I could 

This time I walked round Salford Quays again 

Not that many about there as I strolled 

But I was well wrapped up like most of them 

Humming and singing quietly to Julian

Cope. We’re now heading towards the abyss

Of midwinter when darkness has a hold

On our lives no matter who where or when

But it’s all part of seasonal fun, Christmas 

Has to be endured like disease and mould

5574 - It’s cold in Milan too

It’s cold here, but it’s cold in Milan too 

As Pearl has just confirmed now on the phone 

It’s close to the mountains- I saw the view 

When I was there. The cold air must come down 

In wintertime, though of course you’d get brown 

If you were out a long time in summer 

Stayed in with the heat on. Let’s hope that soon 

It warms up a little or I’ll be poor

After the bills I’ll get. What a bummer 

This freezing weather! It may surprise you

I watched a Brad Pitt film last night. Reason -

It was a solar system film. I’m a

Sucker for those. Might watch something now too

Mustn’t stay up late - there’s work to be done 

5573 - Leisure pleasure

I did it - went to the leisure centre

Walked there in my tracksuit trousers again 

Like the summer when I often walked there

In t shirt and shorts under the warm sun

Those barely-worn tracksuit trousers 👖 have lain

Unworn a couple of months as I retired 

From my short-lived keep fit craze. The heart pain

Scared me, I had to step back or expire

No press-ups, no sit-ups, thwarted desire

To keep slim and toned, though I’ve walked a fair

Amount this autumn. So felt I had won

An early Christmas present. Didn’t tire

Myself, moderate cycling and cross-trainer 

Session, and a swim. Snow walk later on. 

5572 - At your leisure

I didn’t go out except for shopping 

Couldn’t avoid that, there was no bog roll 

A short trip out but it was so freezing 🥶 

Read quite a bit but this cold takes its toll

Needed the heat on, much of the day. Real

Struggle to stay comfortable. Didn’t do

Much physically today. Tomorrow will

Be different though. I shall be walking to 

Clarendon Leisure Centre. At least two 

Months since gym or swim. This is exciting 

Can resume keeping fit. Seems they are still 

Doing lane swimming, Sundays. This means you 

Get value for the subscription, getting 

Back in the fitness groove is the new goal!

5571 - When you walk through a storm

The wintry weather continues apace 

Heat on in the flat, worked flat out, wanted

To finish early, natural on Fridays 

I felt I’d earned a drink or two, and did

Rush out soon after 3, got cans to sit

Out on the balcony with in the cold 🥶 

Storm Arwen was building but endured it

For an hour or so, but I had to fold

The chair up and move inside so I could 

Keep listening to the Swans, their stuff was ace

But once the beer was gone I then headed 

Out for a walk, a decision quite bold

Considering it had been too cold to face 

But in my warm clothes I felt protected 

Fri 26 Nov

5570 - Even colder nights!

By God, today felt cold even in the flat 

Heating had to go on in the morning 

Turned it off but the temperature plummet

Meant it went on again at work’s closing 

And I’m reluctant to think of turning 

It off yet, despite the potential cost 

How must poor families be managing 

To keep their kids warm? And old folks can’t roast 

In comfort, can’t sit there feeling like toast 

They can’t afford the bills to manage that 

So instead they must sit there shivering 🥶 

The gas prices have rocketed the most 

But electricity too. So now what 

Will a cold winter bring? Surely, dying 

5569 - Cold nights

Cold nights are back, I know because I went 

Out for a walk after work and some drinks 

10k tonight, round Kersal Dale, I spent 

An hour or two, some great music listening 

Interspersed with some funny messaging 

Hopefully walked off some weight gain with that 

Then came home and ate a meal of chicken 🍗 

That filled me up but shouldn’t make me fat

Lots of spinach leaves 🍃 first went on my plate 

Lubricated with ricotta, intent

On eating healthy salad and good things 

To make up for the bad things that I had

Caught up with the football. Man City sent 

A message, against PSG, winning 

5568 - Boots

My brown boots have already worn right out

Mind you they often last 6 months roughly 

So that will cost me between twenty pounds

And forty. At Salford Shopping City

It’ll be the cheaper end, definitely 

Noticed my worn out sole as I headed

Out to work at the office, more early

Than I originally intended

Chat to Fiona, then Raheel (I met

For the first time today), then heard the shout 

Of a familiar voice. Sian walked by me

Unpacked her bags, then came back for a chat

The Plastic Packaging Tax workshop ought

To be finished next week. Sounds good to me!

5567 - High energy (love it)

A decent night’s sleep, feel so much better 

Than yesterday, post-party and washed up

Instead I worked so hard that my dinner 

(Sorry, lunch) was delayed, I had to skip

Quickly to heat some Marks and Spencer’s soup 

At 3:15pm. Worked til 6, but

Could have continued, didn’t wanna stop

Had to, so I could cook my tea and eat

Before Gerard got home. It’s hard to fit

Two people in my tiny kitchen where 

We must cook at different times. Had to pop

Out for a bracing walk on a cool night 

I almost wished I could stay out longer

But my headphones battery sadly gave up

5566 - Birmingham

Walked round Lichfield briefly after leaving 

The Cottage on St Chad’s Road where I’d stayed 

The night after my dancing and drinking 

And attempted joke telling. Was afraid 

I’d already walked round Lichfield enough. Made

A decision therefore to catch the train 

Several hours earlier than planned. Big parade 

Around Birmingham instead was my plan 

I really enjoyed seeing its new design 

Very impressed. Couldn’t help comparing 

It favourably to Manchester. It had

So many more public spaces, more fun

Things for all ages to do, including 

Better Christmas markets and shops. Real good!

5565 - Death in Lichfield

Ok it didn’t go so well tonight 

My comedy set bombed but that’s ok

Lack of reaction leads to fight or flight

At least I stuck it out, but lost my way 

A little bit but recovered and they 

Dug it in the end, sort of. Had a good 

Time, danced to the band, danced and also swayed

Robin pounded the drums, and the neighbourhood 

Or at least the room, reverberated 

I had a good time even though despite 

My struggle, was invited anyway 

For a drink with these guys and somehow did

Get in though wearing trainers. Quite a night 

Got some love, got drunk, chatted. Not bad, eh?

5564 - Slog away Friday

My own fault really - just couldn’t get going 

With that work that had to be done today 

Tinkered with this and that, just postponing 

The priority work. Then it’s halfway 

Through the afternoon and it’s Bad Friday 

I knew I had to start, don’t really know 

Why I always put off the big things day

After day, whether work or play. It’s so

Self-limiting. Applying for jobs - go

To the back of the queue. Relegating 

My career and a salary jump way

Down the list, so far down it doesn’t show 

And is conveniently forgotten. Think

I’ll never change, just live for now, always 

5563 - Late night walk

I went on a late night walk after a

Few San Miguels out on the balcony 

I’m back now and need to rehydrate here

Just had a drink but it went down quickly 

Need more hazelnut drink and rapidly 

Catching up on the news and weather now 

I’m relying though on the BBC

Probably not the best idea anyhow 

I’ll give Newsnight five minutes, and allow 

A tiny amount of my time, but the

Remote will be used to change forcefully 

Wait - they’re going to cover the big row

Over the railway u turn. Manchester 

To Leeds is scrapped. Levelling up? Hee hee 😛 

5562 - Banging away

The neighbours were banging away today 

I thought I heard some shagging from below 

But I definitely heard DIY

From above, lasted for hours, but was so

Focused on my work, didn’t bother me though 

Didn’t do what I should - the AEO

Stuff - but by the afternoon tiredness can

Cause energy to dip and mind to slow 

However, I just couldn’t understand 

The managerial MDP programme 

In the end though I did, and found the way

To find and download documents and go

Through them and fill them in. Then I began 

The diagnostic test, did it all! They 

Will be impressed! My score was far from low!

5561 - In and out of the office

Sat in Slug and Lettuce with crap coffee

Fire alarm went off on my office day 

That’s 3 out of the last 4 when it’s me

In the office one day a week that they 

Have thrown us out! Walked in the cold and grey

To the Arndale for a much needed piss 

Met James, who ignored me and walked away 

I walked into Starbucks and there he is

Again, so I walked out. So I’ve got this

Crap coffee at an outside table. We

Now have builders by me doing a survey 

Need to put scaffolding up mate. What bliss!

Time for another check on re-entry

Chas isn’t in either. Bad choice Tuesday 

5560 - Sodding hard work

Hard work to work at all, the way I felt 

It’s self-inflicted, drinking like crazy 

Sank a large bottle of sambucca. Melt

My liver, if I kept it up. Scary

When I first turned on my computer, the

Effort to get started hurt my brain bad

But achieved my main goals, and they were three 

A process statement for Customs that had

Been postponed so often, and I just could 

Not get started for ages, but I filled 

It in a minute before had to be

In a People Group meeting. But my dread

Was reserved mainly- I say without guilt -

For process mapping of SCDP!!!!

5559 - More trips

My first trip was today and done on foot 

My second was planned today. Next weekend 

I’ll be in Lichfield. Premier Inn sold out

So resorted to Air BnB and

Found somewhere easily without big spend

Excited I’ll be staying near Stowe Pool

A part of my home town I never went 

To very often. I intend that I’ll 

Have a good look around, sightseeing stroll 

Before or after my comedy spot

Back to today’s walk - got lost trying to find 

The chemist’s where my booster jab was. Fool!

Down Seymour Grove, Old Trafford, got all hot

And sweaty, was late, but jabbed in the end!

5558 - Spending spree

The main thing I needed was a kettle 

But first I took a long walk in the sun

One of my favourite walks, that’s to Kersal 

Then Salford Shopping City - that’s often 

What I do now, two birds killed with one stone 

A pleasant keep fit walk and some shopping 

And at SCC I had shopping fun

No kettle bought, but I bought two hangings

A rug and a wrap for my bedroom - things

To make videos look better, covering all

My old CD collection when I’ve done 

Music or comedy in there. Going 

Out again, finally got my kettle 

Protecting us from electrocution 

5557 - England

Great day, in office, met Helen for drinks 

Tried the Oasthouse, ended up in The Bridge 

Left the office early, because methinks 

I could get drunk on Sambucca, and did 

Listening to music like the Grateful Dead

Idles new album, Bolan and some Charles 

Aznavour. Cooked some tasty teatime food 

Then not long to wait until the footballs

Got kicked by England in the net. Those fools

In Albania’s defence are on the brink

Of a thrashing, if England can indeed 

Maintain momentum and provide more thrills 

Kane’s got a hat trick in the first half. King

Scorer, he should soon beat Rooney’s record 

5556 - High energy day

One of those great days when you’ve energy 

And will to do most anything you feel 

Put in a decent day’s work, then I see

I’m in the office tomorrow and I’ll 

Look awful if I don’t cut my hair. Well 

I did just that, then cooked and ate some fish

(Kippers), then recycled. Sainsbury’s to fill

My bag with much needed greens 🥬. Not had much

Of those on my Italian trip. Finished 

All my holiday sonnet typing. Spree

Of messaging to various, a big deal 

For me, don’t do that often. I’m rubbish 

At keeping in touch. Now I’m happily 

Ready to read some Rebus. Clues, reveal!!!

5555 - Salford Day 1

Joke title, that is! I live in Salford! 

Too much limoncello last night, for sure 

Nearly the whole bottle, but it was good 

Relaxing after all those walking tours

My feet pounding Italian streets and floors

But I felt ok while working- surprised!!!

Very chatty and lucid, and the cause

Of tax was never better served. Reprised

My airport trip, for Day 2 test. It’s prized

Nostalgia for my hols, and on the head

Phones was the Jarvis Cocker stuff Pearl saw

Fit to play in her kitchen as I sized

Up her wine collection. And then we played 

Monopoly. But being home’s not a bore

Tue 10 Nov

5554 - Milan Day 5

Slept well again on Pearl’s comfortable bed

While she slept on the sofa, which was kind 

I did offer to swap- not such a cad!!

But we stayed where we were all of the time 

Last day in Milan. Today I was flyin’

Home. On this last day, saw The Last Supper

Was almost too late to get in, though I’m 

In possession of a ticket. Next the

Design Museum in Sempione. A

Treat, but I’m afraid, still not quite as good 

As Copenhagen’s. Next, had lunch in mind!

It was in Chinatown. Then, Centrale 

To catch bus to Bergamo Airport. Sped

Thru the evening, flying an hour back in time 

Tue 9 Nov

5553 - Milan Day 4

Pearl was working today, and so I had

My day planned for me by her at breakfast 

First, Sant Ambrogio Church, and I was glad

I went. Then back the way I came, Castle 

Sforzesco and Sempione Park just 

Before it rained. Walked towards the Duomo

Not been in before. Bought tickets and passed

An hour or more inside. Fantastic view

From the rooftop. The Rinascente shore

Was amazing, specially the household goods

San Bernardino Church, a shocking past 

Full of human skulls and bones!! Crazy, no?

San Siro Stadium, then Cenisio and

Meeting Pearl again. Then her dancing class!

Mon 8 Nov

5552 - Milan Day 3

Lazy morning, woke at 9, then breakfast 

Cooked by Pearl - poached eggs in yoghurt. Quite nice 

The first place we went was one of the best 

Cemeteries I’ve ever seen. Sculptures twice 

As high as say in France. It made my eyes

Pop out. Monumentale was it’s name. 

Then Porta de Venezia was the place 

We hung out that afternoon. It is famed

For ornate 20s/30s buildings. Lame 

Ideas like ears by doors. Caught tram. We passed 

Thru neighbourhoods til Isola, and twice 

Or 3 times took wrong turns. Frida bar came 

Into view finally. 3 drinks, then haste 

Homewards to warm up. Meal of peas and rice

Sun 7 Nov

5551 - Milan Day 2

Breakfast of a pastry and espresso 

Then bus to Centrale, and then the train 

Quite a long journey then to Torino 

And it was so sunny - no sign of rain

Did the tourist thing, did it once again 

So nice to be back in Europe, with Pearl

As guide and translator. Hunger ingrained 

After some sightseeing, sat at table 

And had lunch in the sun. Now fairly full

We headed for the pretty River Po

With yellow and red autumn leaves, insane 

Warmth and beauty for November. A real

Enjoyable first full day. There’s more though

Italian Monopoly played! My gain!

Sat 6 Nov

5550 - Milan Day 1

Excited but nervous, the Italy

Trip begins today, but have I done all 

The paperwork correctly? We will see!

Bummed around, firstly packing, then a stroll

To Sainsbury’s for perfume. Then grabbed all 

My stuff in my black bag - I’m airport bound 

Got on the plane ok. I was enthralled 

By great views of cloud, sea and land. The ground 

Safely reached.  Thru passport checks in seconds

Caught the train to Bovisa, Milan. We

Met at the station, walked to her flat, full 

Of excitement that I’d made it there. Sound

Start to the holiday. Nice meal out, free

Limoncello at the end. That’s so cool!

Fri 5 Nov

5549 - Eve of trip

So it’s been hard, these last couple of days 

Couldn’t have done it without Pearl’s help, no

After working hard, had to make my way 

To Manchester before shops shut. I’d go 

To the printing shop on Deansgate but oh

Their colour printer wasn’t working. I

Ended up at Ryman’s but even though 

I got a good colour printout of my

Passport, they didn’t give it me back. Why

I don’t know, but I checked my bag. Always 

Worth doing. Retraced my steps, I had to know 

If they had my passport so I could fly 

And yes they did. Had to have a few beers 

Cos I’ll be in Italy tomorrow! 

5548 - Hard day’s flight

It’s been a hard day’s preparation but

Things are nearly ready for Italy 🇮🇹 

Thanks mainly to Pearl’s help I have now got 

A negative test result. She helped me 

With the Passenger Locator Form. We

Did that fairly fast, but my boarding pass

Proved somewhat elusive, rather tricky 

Did it in the end though. The airport was

Relatively deserted as I passed

From my Covid test location there at

The station, to Terminal 1 to see

The EasyJet check-in people. Then fast

Train back to Manchester to sort this out

With Pearl’s help. I’ll be in Milan, Friday!! 

5547 - Tuesday again

Tuesday again, so many Tuesdays gone 

Each Tuesday is new unlike earlier days 

Each day is special but Tuesdays are one

No one celebrates them but I see ways 

I’ve had a good Tuesday in inner space 

I went to the office, met Chas at last 

The day as usual went at quite a pace 

Rushed home and sank beers and I felt relaxed 

But time was short and so I made some tracks 

In the dark to the Quays and had some fun 

Not used to this darkness though in the Quays 

So many summer strolls, now they are past

And the sun is now once more upon the run 

Still we remember when it was ablaze 

5546 - Preparation for the trip

My trip to Italy is very near 

Not organised it yet, until today 

Booked Covid tests, one for the departure 

And one for my return to the UK

A lot to do on Wednesday and Thursday 

Going to the airport for a Covid test 

If it goes well I’ll have my holiday 

Still feel okay if not quite at my best 

I hope the result will make me impressed 

By Milan and Turin when I get there 

Pizza pasta made the Italian way 

I can’t wait until I become Pearl’s guest 

It will be my first flight somewhere this year 

And we’re in dark November already