under another sun

A tetchy text from our next door neighbour, who has to wash his cars because of dust from our building work. The same neighbour whose house for the first two years of our stay was a building site, and we politely put up with months of dust, plastic waste, tools, etc coming over the fence, not to mention the constant noise and inconvenience. It made us both very angry.  I consciously had to calm down for the good of my health. He texted a bit later more politely and we replied to that one, deciding like Michelle Obama to go high when they go low.  I wanted to have some morning calm to write in, but I felt to irritable, so after speaking to Mum, I went off for an early walk. Seven miles in total today. I am now on a streak of fifteen days, and in the last seven days have walked over 40 miles. It feels good to be getting back to my old habits, and I am listening to audiobooks as I go, and my knee which had a moment a few months ago is holding up. Still on the biography of Muriel ...

Up and after two days of pubs, I prepared breakfast and thought about living in an enclosed monkish life contemplating and praying quietly. Lorraine a bit snuffly and coldy. Having eaten and doing some laundry we repaired to the garden and lurked in the open air. Another hot day, but the forecasts say rain is likely in a few days.    In the afternoon I went to Morrisons, bought some jam sugar with pectin, and a bar of chocolate for Lorraine, and then made off to various places where I'd seen blackberries on my travels. I picked a kilo of them, which doesn't sound much but takes plenty of time. The berry gods took their payment in thorn tips in my hands that are impossible to get out, and my shins being stung a good deal by stinging nettles. There is a glut of fruit this year, all a month too early and many of them dried up due to the climate crisis of a summer we have been having. So far August has seen 1% of the average rainfall for the south east of England. I noticed big ju...

Up and running about tidying as Lorraine baked some courgette bread. Last night she announced that her nursing pals were coming around this morning: Chris, Anne, Chris and her partner Gary. We sat in the garden and I gave them drinks and so on. They made off to Beachy Head to sightsee. Lorraine and I went into  town, a huge swarm of scooters driven by aging mods heading in the same direction, probably inspired by the Quadrophenia film. There was a huge gathering of them in Brighton for the weekend, also marking nostalgia for the days of the Battle of Brighton . Lorraine off to see Pat and Maureen. Maureen had been upset this morning, so Lorraine wanted to spend some time with them. I popped in to see the Seaford Art Club's exhibition. Eileen and Palo on duty, so it was nice to see them both. I then went off on a longish walk. Late afternoon Lorraine and I bussed into Brighton. Along the route an outbreak little St George's Crosses attached to lampposts. Much about this in local...

Up early again. Lorraine received a call from Maureen saying that Patrick's catheter had come out and so on, so she went round, called the catheter nurse and so on. Patrick behaving a little bit erratically, which Lorraine and I thought might be due to a bladder infection, which the nurse also thought. I talked to Luke who is doing a grand job repointing. The great clouds of dust part of the job is done, he is also putting in a little gutter too to prevent water gathering.  I went off to the station. Train cancelled but I caught the next one, after taking the opportunity to walk around the Salts for 25 minutes to up my paces. Then to Lewes where I met Messrs. Hartley and Hoibak in the Lansdowne arms, and then we made off to Chaula's for a buffet Indian lunch. Fairly good value, and decent food. Then we went on a little bit of a Lewes pub crawl, going to the Gardener's Arms, then off to the Snowdrop Inn (named after the Lewes Avalanche ) and back to the John Harvey tavern. C...

A call at 6:30 from Steve in the Waggon and Horses sounding a bit shaken and telling me that Paul had died in the night, and if I could let mum know as he thought she'd find the news upsetting. Steve and Paul had come to Mason's funeral and both are regulars and friends of Mum's at the Waggon. Too early to call Mum, so I waited till 9ish to tell her the news, then called Steve back. He'd received a call early this morning from Paul, and had rushed around to see him, but found him. He gave him CPR for 15 minutes, till the ambulance turned up, but poor Paul was already dead. Mum was obviously saddened by it, and said she was going to the pub this afternoon.   I found the whole thing somewhat triggering. Something about a sudden death, involving Mum, the day after Mason's birthday and I felt very stressed over breakfast. Lorraine gave me a hug, but it was a shadow over the day, and I only felt happier when I talked again to Mum in the evening. She'd been to the pub...

Up for a bit of writing, then out to pick pears to slice into our breakfast yoghurt and seeds and nuts. Beth also arrived with Enzo, who was very cute (see below). I squeezed in a bit of writing, and chatting to Luke who was grinding out mortar between bricks in preparation for repointing them. Later in the day I discovered that he had not brought his mask with him, and couldn't be bothered to get one. I shudder to think of him breathing that dust all day.  Fond farewells to Sam setting off for the great trek north. It had done us all good to see him. Lorraine, sad he had to go so soon, sped him to Lewes, and then spent the afternoon at Beth's house.  I did some more murdering of darlings on the shorter version of the collection. This against the background disruption of wall grinding, like the sound of having your teeth cleaned at the dentist. As for the collection, I still have not landed on a name that I am completely convinced about.  The weather turned cooler, though...

Awake at three and barely slept afterwards. Heard cats fighting outside, Sam getting up, a mosquito in my ear, and had a brilliant idea which the morning light revealed to be a dud. Feeling a bit wan this morning, however walking still a priority and did 15.5K paces listening to Tolkien's letters, he is now older than me in it, and had fallen out with C.S.Lewis, which is a shame. In my mind, they were a bit like Lennon and McCartney, friends and who spurred each other onto be better. Otherwise a day with Sam, Beth and Enzo came around to see him. Sam meeting his nephew for the first time, and then going with Lorraine to see Pat and Maureen. Also Luke came around to work on our wall, removing a brick and hooking out bits of damp sand and stuff that had gathered there from the cavity. This was one theory about the damp we have in that corner. There wasn't too much of it, but the bricks are going to be repointed  When not walking, or making tea for Luke, I decided my proposed coll...

Woke up having had a significant dream. I have had lots of work related dreams lately, but in this one I was happily handing over the job to a vague but pleasant newbie. My desk had two old and battered cupboards on it, one said Metaphor and the other Healthcare. I had a feeling of cheery release as I spoke to my replacement about what an interesting job it had been. Both Lorraine and I rather sluggish after last night's reggae shenanigans. We sat in bed sipping tea for some time. An early text from Sam arrived saying he was travelling down today from Glasgow put Lorraine in a state of excitement. I also discovered my trousers had called Toby amid the fiercest of the skanking. L and I had breakfast, and did Wordle, which we do every morning over a boiled egg, I got it in two goes for the second time this week. Lorraine also does Murdle which is a murdery logic problem.  Over breakfast I also learned I hadn't been placed in a recent tiny booklet competition by Hedgehog. I had co...

Lorraine went to see Paul in Hove for a haircut, and returned looking very glamorous indeed. She also popped in to see Rosie while there. I did some writing, then had a longish walk.  Early evening off to Saltdean Lido to celebrate Yvonne's big birthday (a couple of weeks in advance). We supposed to meet the others on the bus, but L and I accidentally boarded a rogue 12X and were there early. There were twelve of us there, obviously Yvonne and Brian, and Patrick and Adele, Marek and Sally, Guy and Barbara, Rick and Gabby. It was a beautiful art deco building dating to the late thirties. Strange clientele, mainly in their sixties and one or two looked only a little younger than the Lido all merrily dancing away. In a lengthy queue for the bar, I was being sized up by a table  of mature single ladies. I briefly felt like a sardine in a shark tank. Men in pork pie hats, one or two in sharp suits, and so on. It was styled as a reggae and ska night, but there were two tone types (a...

After breakfast with Lorraine, I set off to Brighton this morning to visit Anton at the Montefiore. Just a lovely hospital. As I arrived two nurses were wheeling him away, and I sat in his room for a while. Really calm, and loads of space. The boon of having a job which includes health insurance.  Anton in good spirits and had been climbing stairs and so on. We chatted for about an hour or so, then I melted away. Tried to buy a new fleece, but after going into TK Max as recommended by Anton, I got bored and caught a 12X heading off to meet Lorraine and Pat and Maureen.  Sat at the top at the back where the seats in front face the back. A woman got on with a squirming black dog that repeatedly licked my leg. In Seaford Lorraine called, and she was in the car in front of the bus, so I hopped off. We collected Pat and Maureen who were licking ices on the Seafront, and drove off to the Pump Barn on the edge of Friston Forest. Adele was exhibiting there and was in the gallery, lots...

Lorraine and I had breakfast together and no need to rush. I had a morning of writing, Lorraine doing a bit of gardening, and we talked to a gardener who came around and will do a bit of work for us. He seemed to know about plants and was pleasant. I went for a longish lunchtime walk. I've not yet renewed my gym membership but instead while the weather's good I am doing long walks everyday instead, and feeling good for it too, and may have lost a little weight too. Anton went off to hospital to become a cyborg with a new knee. He was supposed to have his operation at ten, but had it at 4pm instead. I was rather surprised to get a text from him at three minutes past five saying he was all done, and feeling comfortably numb with shades of Steve Austin. Lorraine drove us over to Hove,  and we found him with Klaudia who I'd not seen for ages. Good to see my lovely goddaughter. Anton looking slightly pale after the op, but was in good shape and quite buoyant. He was a bit bitter...

To London, after confirming with Mum that it was okay due to the extreme heat. Flitting between shadows on the uphill walk from West Hampstead Thameslink to Hampstead station where I arrived early, but just couple of minutes before Mum. We slunk down Flask Walk where Mum really likes the houses as they are beautiful, and also remind her of her grandparent's home in Folkestone. Then into The Olde White Bear, which is proving a perfect little pub there, as there's always space and friendly and covered in pictures and prints featuring white bears in vintage advertising and so on. We lapped up some cold drinks, lager shandy seemed to be the ideal drink for me today, and some food. Mum in good spirits. So lucky that we are still able to meet up in Hampstead. Among other things, she told me her miracle herbal pills seem to be really helping her knee. After a couple of hours we sun dodged back to Hampstead station.  Trespassers on the track somewhere in south London had created train ...

Lorraine busy with Pat and Maureen, and then Beth. I less so, up and looking at my poem about marram grass and a few other bits, but sometimes it takes a while to get back into the zone. Otherwise pottering about at home, and going into the studio to think about visual things. All a bit unfocused. I need to clarify my objectives. Just because I am no longer working doesn't mean I don't need to structure and reframe what I do so I can be more productive. A longish walk this afternoon, as my gym membership has lapsed. Listening to the letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, which are fascinating. He comes across as a bit of a 'poor me' at times, whining about how much work he has to do and missing deadlines, and the absolute belief he seems to have in his created mythology -- almost as if he had discovered it rather than invented it. I was also surprised at how religious he was, a staunch catholic. After cold chicken and salads, Lorraine and I watched a film called Children of Men, ra...

Sleep paralysis again last night. I am sort of conscious but half asleep and unable to move my body before I wake up properly. Disconcerting but the morning fixed everything. After L and I had breakfast we did some gardening. I manfully mowed and strimmed the lawn before it got too hot because we are in the grip of yet another heatwave.  Then after a light lunch, to the supermarket, then an opportunist doze, then I lit the charcoal for the barbecue and cooked a chicken (which turned out to be remarkably succulent, things taste different cooked over charcoal) plus burgers and sausages. Beth, James and baby Enzo with us, and fun just to hang out. Enzo adorable of course. Beth well too. Nice to have a drink and chat with James who allowed himself a couple of ciders. I forgot to take any photos because of having a small brain. In other news all four gulls have left the roof now, and it is nice to be outside without getting dogs' abuse from the pesky things. 

The joy of going into the garden before breakfast and picking a bowl of fresh blueberries to have with yoghurt, and assorted nuts and seeds. Otherwise, picking up the pieces, chatting to mum, laundry and so on. Lorraine on her rounds seeing Pat and Maureen, and Beth and wanting to squeeze little baby Enzo. Everyone okay and very pleased to see her.   Breakfast blueberries, and some Kenny farm apples; a glimpse into the glasshouse where there were cucumbers and a glut of tomatoes, which I used in a fresh tomato sauce for some pasta tonight.   

Up and after eating scrambled eggs on toast Romy had made, we packed as the others went for a short walk over the dunes. Later we drove in a convoy slightly southeast Henne Kirkeby Cro (Cro translates as Inn in Danish). A beautiful place in its own grounds, with a big garden at the back where many of the  fruits and herbs and so on were grown. A lovely restaurant room, tasteful minimal decoration, crisp white tablecloths, artfully selected flowers, and interesting Danish recent art on the walls. I was looking at two pictures of the backs of heads. A meal of many little courses, all exquisite sweetbread, mackerel, cod, little crumpets served with cream and caviare, sauces with wonderful delicate flavours, lemon and herbs for example, all served with style. As we were three drivers we drank kombucha in different flavours (mine a lovely cherry flavour. A cheery meal and good to get to know Nori and Verna better. Romy and Toby treated us to it, to say goodbye to us, and hello to Nori a...

Up early expecting an empty black house, but Gillian surprised me. Her flight had been cancelled in the middle of the night and bumped till the next morning. Another goodbye to Gillian, who I'd really enjoyed meeting again. Still she had to travel to Copenhagen today, so Toby drove her there and back with Romy.  Lorraine and I drove up to Hvide Sande, and had a look many shops although bought nothing other than a wee pressie for baby Enzo. I was tempted for myself by a teeshirt with a seagull version of The Scream by Edvard Munch. Then we went to look at the people fishing on the harbour walls in the water that links the Rinkøbing Fjord to the North Sea, then to the nearby Akvarium and fishing museum. Many tanks of drab looking North Sea fish, but I was happy. Then north to the next town where there was a more upmarket food store called Meny, where we bought a chicken and some provisions. Home again, and after a spot of a late and sausagey lunch I went for a walk over the dune, and...

A beautiful morning, I went up onto the dunes for a bit of drawing. Absolutely fascinated by the wind and the marram grass and the dunes. Lorraine and I popped into the hot tub, which was like having a bubble massage. In the afternoon we all drove off to the oldest town in this part of Denmark, Ribe . First job was for us all to go into a cafe restaurant, to wolf down an open sandwich. I  chose one with herring and pickles and salads and dab of curry sauce. Very yummy. I wanted the herring as Romy had lent be a book of short stories by a Danish writer, the first of which featured herring. Then we walked through the old town, looking very lovely and not dissimilar to  places in England, however the doors had a flavour of their own, some of them looking quite Tolkeinesque. The cathedral rather nice and made out of bricks. Some gorgeous glass inside, and the doors very interesting too. I loved the symbols for the evangelists on the heavy doors (eagle, bull, lion and man/ angel)....

Properly rainy morning, all a bit wild. Toby and Romy slipped into the hot tub. I went for a longish walk and did a bit of sketching. Just the way the wind blows over the dune grass is lovely. All looked pleasingly bleak. In the late afternoon we all piled into Lorraine's car to Nymindegab Kro -- a hotel restaurant Romy had been recommended. Good food there, and a nice atmosphere with attentive service.  Below  the Kenny bros in the restaurant, a damp start, Toby and Romy in the hot tub, which Lorraine and I went into too. I took a pleasingly bleak looking walk along the beach, and our party in the restaurant.