July 2

4.39 AM, full daylight here in London and I wake to the voice of a man saying “I’ve turned off your alarm clock.” Panic-stricken I fumble for the clock, only to realize the voice was only a dream.

7.15 AM- I am roused from a fitful sleep by my alarm clock.

7.30-8.29 AM- I board the number 44 bus along with about a hundred other people and we slowly make our way to Victoria station, where I wait in line at a Starbucks with another hundred others who all order skinny lattes. My brewed coffee is quite weak by Vancouver standards.

8.30 – I push open the swinging doors and make a grand entrance into the kitchen proper, where I commence the ritual “Lighting of the Burners”. This involves lighting a wooden skewer on fire and delicately, oh so delicately taking it over to my stove where I have to gently coax the pilot lights into life. This can take some time.

8.45-11.59 AM- Pilots lit, I start chopping vegetables, peeling prawns, gutting fish, slicing things, and frying things. Vigorously.

12.00-3.00 PM- Lunch service

3.10 PM -sit outside for 5 minutes and breathe the sweet sweet air.

3.15 PM-5.45- Much chopping, frying, and assembly of various ingredients. Much use of a large mortar and pestle.

5.45- Sandwich crammed into mouth and double espresso to help it get down.

7.00-11.30- a furious dinner service.

11.45- As I’m speeding towards the bus stop a creepy man says very earnestly “I like your boobs.” Thanks!

12.05 AM – Once I get home I have a strict routine: kick shoes across the hall, fling off sweaty clothes, don pajamas, and crack a beer.