under another sun

Rainy most of the day. Mum said this evening that she woke up to a carpet of white snow up in Edgware.  Lorraine and I got up fairly early pulled the curtains on a grey sky, and made a moderately early breakfast. To the gym in the rain, leaving Lorraine to pull out her mat and did some stretches, and played some piano. The gym, meanwhile, was full of what I think of as January wankers cluttering up the equipment. My fightback against festive plumpness began in earnest. By February gym attendance will thin out again, and hopefully I will have done too. Home and as we were doing a roast, Lorraine asked me to pull some veggies from our patch. Some lovely short but sausagey carrots, and some very thin but tasty parsnips. After I'd showered and helped Lorraine prepare, Beth and James arrived, having collected Pat and Maureen. Beth and James sat with us chatting, mainly about the baby, putting names down for a nursery and so on. A tasty roast chicken and pork with lots of vegetables and ...

Taking back control of our waistlines today. I walked my 10k paces, drank nothing, and we returned to our normal diet. Felt much better for it too. Lorraine and I had breakfast and planned our meals. We both have put on lots of weight in the last month. I dropped in on Yvonne and Brian, taking Brian a belated birthday present for his birthday on the first. He seemed in good form, and was going to see Brighton play Arsenal at home this evening. Yvonne has a cataract operation on Monday, so is keen to get that over and done with. Walked home from there place down to Splash Point and then along the coast and eventually home. Lorraine just back from shopping and popping in to see Patrick and Maureen.  Some nice downtime this afternoon and evening. Watched a movie called The Holdovers , which was touching, a couple of Frasiers and then an early night.  Two snaps while walking along by the sea.

Frosty morning. Getting ready for a funeral. Appalled by suddenly being unable to fit into my formal black trousers, which only a few weeks ago I was able to enter like a seal sliding into the wide sea.  My hair is also deeply rubbish at the moment, having not had a cut for too long. Felt shabby all day.  Luckily, the day wasn't all about me. Lorraine and I hopped into the car, then picked up some sandwiches, a wreath made of flowers, then Pat and Maureen who were sitting downstairs at Stratheden waiting for us. To south London to attend Maureen's sister Bet's funeral. Reached south London fairly rapidly. The driving app took us through some windy country lanes just at edge of south London near Biggin Hill, Skid Hill Lane, and Corkscrew Hill. We arrived at Bellingham just a bit south of Lewisham, at Bet's house where her son Ted lives. Ted in his dressing gown, who said his ribs were damaged and seemed in a lot of pain. Probably not helped by us arriving very early, and...

The doorbell at five to nine. Our neighbour David, who owns a building company, had sent over two men with a ladder to take out the miniature succulent jungle living off roof run off and guano in our gutters -- as a kind of thank you for putting up with the building shenanigans in the last two years. After breakfast Lorraine went into the garden. Joy was unwell this morning, and Jim told Lorraine he found her on the floor. She experiences from vergito some times -- all well though.  I started picking up the pieces of my long poem, but the moment I slipped into a flow state, the gods or disruption in the shape of Maureen arrived. Maureen's sister in law had had a stroke, and both her brothers would not be attending tomorrow's funeral of Lorraine's aunty Betty. Lorraine called her back.  We then drove off to see Dawn and Paul, also had sombre news, about people close to them. I had a strange reaction to this. I am feeling full to the brim of difficult news. Lovely to see Dawn...

First day of the new year. Lorraine and I woke up feeling clear and sprightly having drunk very little on new years eve. Lorraine and I then did stretches on mats.  Over breakfast, we swapped texts with Anton,  Brian (whose birthday it is today), and Yvonne among other pals.  I went down to the sea at noon, which was almost exactly high tide. The strength of the wind had raised the sea level meaning there was a risk of flooding. The sky was overcast, while the sea was an expanse of rough grey waves and white foam. Clouds of drenching spray rushed inland. All quite invigorating. I took some photos, though my camera lens got quite wet pointing into the wind. Quite pleased to be home and drinking hot coffee not long after. I called Mum, who seemed in good spirits. Then a luxurious afternoon, raining heavily outside, while Lorraine crocheting a small baby hat, after having completed a baby jacket last night.  I finished reading The Sea by John Banville -- a quite brilli...

Apart from a pre-breakfast lope to Morrisons to buy breakfast eggs and a later foray down to the sea to take a spare key to Lorraine, who'd contrived to lock herself out of the car parked outside Pat and Maureen's place, I happily drew all my tentacles into the house and lurked indoors. All I wanted to do is read The Sea by John Banville which is a magnificent book. I had no desire at all to go out and party, and it was a wild night too with strong gales roaring into Seaford. Instead Lorraine and I preferred to stay indoors and count our blessings. During the day I had a go at writing this blog in a kind of an accounting for the year way. But it ended up being like one of those cringy letters people send you inside Christmas cards. Enough to say that I'm not entirely sorry to see 2024 slink off. There were lots of events: Mason dying in February and me spending lots of time with Mum. Pat and Maureen and Beth and James are all now settled in Seaford. I ended my copywriting ...

To Edgware by car with Lorraine today to see Mum on her birthday. A decent drive up there. We stopped for a cup of tea, and to give her some presents. The throw and pillows had already arrived, and we gave her some new pots and pans, to replace the venerable ones she uses. Lorraine drove us to The Waggon and Horses where we got a seat by the fire. Curtis, behind the bar, and Mum's crew, who call her a geezerbird, all cheerily greeting her and Steve shaking my hand and wishing me merry Christmas and happy new year. Just after we'd eaten Toby called  from Bali fresh from a yoga session-- thinking that we'd be together. So Mum got to speak to him on her birthday too. Very cheery in the Waggon, and Lorraine had a chicken shish like me, and was surprised at how genuinely excellent they are there. Home again and we sat by her fire in the living room. Neighours Emma and Gail dropped off some presents for her, and Wynford dropped in too with a gift. He sat chatting with us for a wh...

Up really late this morning, around eleven. Foggy day in Seaford. Rosie and Innis called around in the afternoon, and we had a walk from Edinburgh Road to splash point. At one point Pippi joined a kind of cockapoo convention, with three or four cockapoos of several shades. Cold in the foggy conditions. Grateful when we called in on Pat and Maureen for a cup of tea, as Maureen was very keen to see Pippi the dog. She had not met Innis before and gave Rosie her approval. Home to eat pies that Lorraine had made from turkey and ham, and sit about the kitchen table chatting about books and stuff for some time. Lorraine also getting ready for the book coven where were gathering here tonight. I kept myself to myself while they convened downstairs. But after some welcome time in my study for a couple of hours,  I went downstairs and chatted and grazed on book coven snacks. There were Adele, just back from Ireland, Kate, Debbie, and Frances. A lovely bunch of people.  Below Rosie, Pipp...

Ahh... And relax. A call from the Tobster in Bali while I was fishing through the bones of a turkey stock. Other than taking a walk for an hour or so, I did little. Lorraine making a bag from fabric, I finally finished my book A Natural History of Ghosts -- 500 Years of Hunting for Proof , by Roger Clarke. I also read Che -- A Graphic Biography by Spain Rodriguez Anton had got me for Xmas.  Made a large of turkey soup made with assorted peas and pulses and vegetables, with the thick and meaty turkey stock I made last night. Surprisingly delicious dinner, with Christmas pudding again afterwards. My tongue tingling with the almonds afterwards but it was worth it. An interesting character, who had trained as a doctor, with an interest in leprosy.

Spoke to Mum, who was bright as a button and pleased she could now picture our house in Seaford. To Brighton this afternoon, Lorraine off to see Rosie, while I enjoyed a few beers and lost three games of bones to Anton in the Brick on Preston Street. Turns out he has been watching YouTube dominoes channel to refine his game. Walking to the pub, having been dropped off by Lorraine I passed the i360, known by local curmudgeons as the iSore, which is now closed leaving the City of Brighton with a large unpaid debt from the people who ran it.  After Lorraine collected me, and a turkey leftovers nestling on the gold sofa. I also made another stock with Turkey bones for a soup.

Boxing Day. A more relaxed start. Up and preparing turkey stock this morning, and then Lorraine put in the Turkey crown. At lunchtime, Mum arrived, having been driven down my Monika and Octay. A really cheery afternoon with them. Finally able to show mum around new Kenny towers, even into the garden despite the slippery paths. Monika and Octay brought lots of food, homemade Czech Christmas cookies, stollen bread, wine, open sandwiches and so on. They are lovely people, and very kind. We sat chatting int he kitchen. Pat and Maureen in the other room. Today's excitement. At one point there was a cry from the living room, and Lorraine went in and called me. Lorraine was putting Patrick into recovery position having found him on the floor with his eyes closed, and Maureen crying out about her leg. Turns out Patrick had a bit of a light headed moment standing up from the sofa and fell down, fall partly broken by Maureen. We picked him up and he was right as rain, and Maureen's leg w...

Christmas Day a tad lively. It started calmly enough with Beth phoning, and me taking teas into Pat and Maureen and Lorraine. There had been a problem with Pat's catheter overnight, which meant some sorting. Then Maureen got a bit het up and needed her heart spray. Everyone soon right as rain, and we got on with a perfectly nice day. Lorraine and I started cooking, and then opened some presents. I got a brown corduroy jacket and a collected George Seferis from Lorraine. Lorraine liked the necklaces I bought her.  Anton got us a bonsai tree, which Lorraine loved.  Chatted a couple of times with Mum. I was pleased she had been invited to her friends Emma and Gail down the road to have a Christmas meal in the evening.   Steve came around a bit after mid day, bearing a bottles of wine, and a game tureen and gravlax salmon with delicious sauces of his own invention. Really nice to have him with us. He is very good with Pat and Maureen, and he was very cheery company. Our Chris...

Mainly getting ready, collecting Pat and Maureen, doing some last minute shopping in Morrisons. Lorraine doing cooking. I made off this afternoon to Brighton, to deliver Anton the pressies that hadn't arrived in time. Quite enjoyed the interlude on the train, sipping a cappuccino on the way home to liven up a bit.  Home and Beth and James had arrived. We had a simple dinner, there was a present swapping. I did rather well with nice pressies from Beth and James: a sharp new cap and bottles of beer and a book of AI written horror, a bizarre and fascinating prospect. Happy now that all the pre-Christmas scrabbling is done, and Christmas is here.  I love this photo I took of Beth holding some Christmas decorations Lorraine had made; Maureen, Pat and Lorraine as Pat opens some socks, James brandishing his Christmas stocking.

So Lorraine and making ready this morning for Christmas, which included a spot of Santa business. Once I'd got into the gear, Lorraine drove us to Brian and Yvonne's place. We parked outside and phoned Brian, and then we had an interval of speaking to our old friend Brian Bell, before we phoned Brian and Yvonne and we went inside to Ho Ho Ho with Brian and Yvonne's grandchildren Jude and Sebastian. This great fun of course, and even Sebastian got over the shock of a giant red man coming into the room to approach me.  In the afternoon off to Brighton to buy a few cards for Anton and my Godbairns, and then I met Anton in the Evening Star for a few games of bones, a long overdue catch up and some beers. Anton handed me a bag of presents but mine in return were meagre, as some hadn't arrived yet. I will pop to Brighton tomorrow to deliver them. Fond farewells with Anton, then I hopped onto the Brighton train and was home in no time.

In bed, and plotting the day when Lorraine heard that Delores had just discovered that her lodger had died overnight.  Lorraine nipped up the road to support her, and soon Kate and Andrew arrived too. It is heartening that there is so much kindness to be found in Seaford.   I stayed at doing assorted house cleaning laundry etc. And when Lorraine got back we did some more sorting of the spare room. Dog tired again today. Rallied after a delicious soup Lorraine made.  To St Michael's in Lewes this evening to see The Lewes Singers , directed and conducted by Nick Haughton, Robin's other half. Robin sings alto with the choir. As well as a fine choir, there was a chamber organist and a string quartet led by Julia Bishop . By some fluke Lorraine and I got to sit in the front pew, with Lorraine about a yard away from Julia Bishop, who led the performance of a barnstorming Winter from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Nick an excellent conductor. I particularly loved their version of The L...

After the longest night, Lorraine and I lay in bed sorting out things for Christmas (thank God for online shopping) and had breakfast, making lists about food and so on as the sun slipped into Capricorn for the winter solstice. Spoke to Mum whose conjunctivitis seems improved, and her eyes no longer photosensitive. Vampire mode off. Then Lorraine and got to work in the spare room, and I did the loft clambering. I made some lunch and we were just digesting this when Lorraine had to go and help Pat and Maureen. I tried some yoga style stretches and so on from an app I bought in bed this morning, and slept for an hour. Lorraine when she came home with fish and chips. I am festively plump at the moment, with all the socialising. Already part of me is looking forward to getting back on the Zoe waggon after Christmas. In the evening we made off in our Christmas jumpers to the Welly for beer and carols with Yvonne and Brian, Beth and James were supposed to be there too, but Beth was shattered...

Another bright morning. Bumped into Chris at Seaford station, who was off to Nottingham, and chatted with him as far as Lewes. Then trained up to Mill Hill, and bussed to Edgware reading A Natural History of Ghosts by Roger Clarke. I put it down for a few months, halfway through. Enjoying the second half much more than the first.  Tired by the time I reached Mum's house a little after noon. I found Mum in vampire mode, unable to stand light, and with irritated sore eyes. She has conjunctivitis, and she had eyedrops for it, but had only taken one dose. She insisted she was okay to drive to the pub, and when we arrived in the pub she made for the darkest corner and I went to the car to retrieve the shades she had found in the car en route. Briefly she sat there in exactly the way a vampire would. However, after half a cider things improved and her eyes no longer stung so much. We left the dark corner and she sat happily with her back to the fire, and much more cheerful. We had lunch,...

Up early and the sun was out. A glorious brisk and breezy day. We met Jess and Andrew and walked along the seafront from Edinburgh Road to splash point and then back to pop into see Pat and Maureen, as she was keen to meet their little cockapoo dog. After a cup of tea I had to slope off to see Coílín to show her my broken tooth. She is brilliant, and we have a good laugh together. She put a temporary filling in it, made of an excellent Japanese substance and she polyfillered a bit of tooth. This is my worst tooth, mostly smoke and mirrors, made from unnecessary drilling done in my teens -- so it may have to come out eventually or be replaced by an implant, or involve elective root canal surgery, which I told Coílín sounded appalling and she agreed. I gave her a copy of Snow, as she is such a talker that we know loads about each other now, and she knows Lorraine, Pat and Maureen too. I think of Lucinda up on Strand on the Green as my ex -dentist now.  A much needed quiet afternoon a...

Feeling somewhat sluggish, with an aching arm, caused by the shingles jab. Lorraine off to rhyme time. I did a spot of writing first thing. A after a light lunch I took the train to Brighton for a futile shopping expedition, followed another in Lewes. At four o'clock, rainsoaked and tired, I retreated to a cafe for a large coffee, and a read of a book of historical Beano front covers in full colour, that I had bought early in Seaford Post Office for a ridiculous £2.95. Repaired, I made off to the Lewes Arms to meet poet friends. SJB, Charlotte, Stephen and Robin. A cheery drink for a couple of hours, with the usual mixture of banter and poetry. I like being with my tribe. Towards the end of our session, Christmas carollers came into the small bar, and began singing. People, talking loudly to compete. Charlotte had to go as it was making her feel claustrophobic. Just as everyone was leaving, the singers asked me if there was a carol I liked, and I said Silent night. I sat there list...