27/02/25 10:25

BKNK.  The kind of coffee shop I’d run.  If I were to run a coffee shop.  It’s early.  It’s February.  It’s a Thursday.  Will this place get busier?  Last Thursday says it will, around lunchtime.  It’s already had two tables turnover and another one join.  At €4.50 a coffee – my latte was €5 – it’s difficult to know if the draw is the coffee, the location or the ambience.  For me, it’s the ambience.  Although it’s full of coffee tables so writing takes place on my lap in a nook.  Not truly uncomfortable, simply not what I’m used to.  Yet…

This trip to Paris is different in many ways for me.  Yes, I’m alone.  I was also alone last week.  Yes, it’s for the podcast.  As was last week.  Even Nev being away doesn’t make a difference, especially as it’s the same break she was on last week.  But this week sees me here for quite literally a day.  Whilst there’s been plenty of walking, not all of it had me talking on the clips.  These are roughly 5-10 seconds each and even though not great quality in terms of contextual b-roll footage, at the minute, a blind minute, I’m very happy with what I’ve gotten so far.  Except it means more sifting through material and additional file storage logistics.

My itinerary has changed far too often, already.  Even today I’ve altered it.  I don’t know if it’s because I got through things quicker or less thoroughly than anticipated, but I’m here at Book Nook on rue Blanche two hours earlier than planned.  That said, I altered the starting time as I thought it would be later after all the hold-ups and delays at Dover.  I’ve also not really, fully, totally stuck to the plan.  Or the route.  But it’s fine.  I’ve been able to place alternatives in a still be comfortable enough not to panic when grabbing the bus home.

I just don’t want to suffer as broken a sleep as I had this morning.  I know it’s fun and all that jazz and it’s not even my age.  It’s the continued lack of sleep and broken sleep that combines with mental fatigue that hits the mind and body hard.  Next weekend we’re off to Nottingham for Rory to try and get a motivational grasp for his university and career, erm, career.  Then another 3 weeks and it’s his rugby tour.  4 weeks later, Jasper’s final mini’s tour, marking the possible end of Isle of Wight rugby for us since 2019. And then 3 weeks afterwards, it’s the Hackney Half Marathon. My wrist is killing me from this writing so I’m stopping for now.