Day 2653

Day 2653
Wednesday February 4th 2026
Winchester

A day of respite from the incessant rain! HALLELUJAH! Down at Nando’s, Cherrio came by. He was waiting a few yards to the left, near the flower seller’s stall and rummaging round his wallet and I’m thinking “What’s his name? I can’t call him Cheerio…what’s his name?” and I’m going through the alphabet – Arthur, Bert, Charlie, David, Eroll(!?), Frank…no, none of those…then he’s upon me –
‘Alright here? Having a bit of sun aren’t we?’
‘Yeah! Just a brief respite until the rain starts tomorrow.’
‘Oh no, it’s not is it?’
‘Oh yeah, tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day.’
‘Oh…and the weekend?’
‘Yeah. It’s to do with the jet stream which has moved further south than it usually is. And that’s to do with climate change.’
‘But you’re alright?’
‘Yeah, I’m alright.’
‘Well, I’ve had a birthday. I was 79.’
‘Well, you’re looking good, you haven’t got a cane, you’re walking around.’
‘I was born in…1947. Well, you’ve got to keep it up, haven’t you? You gotta keep going.’
‘Yeah, you have to keep going or else you’ll fall down.’
‘Well, I always like what you play…I can remember those songs, you know, when they were out.’
‘Yeah, well thank you!’
‘You take care…cheerio.’
‘Cheerio.’ And then it came to me – Andrew! Too late today but next time…

What is it with the Chinese and their shrapnel? It happens every time. A group of three donate – two gave a penny each and the third gave, wait for it…a 2p coin!

Well, the rain-free day didn’t seem to increase the general generosity as I made a meagre £13.66 for an hour and a half.

On the ride back I could hear a strange sound from up in The Square. When I got there, there were two young Chinese women sitting down playing what I think were a Pipa and Erhu – stringed and bowed instruments. I thought “that makes a change from the usual crap you hear on the weekend” – haha!