Free as birds to wander where we will

A deluge of wind and rain. Drove around Brighton looking for a parking spot with Lorraine, having to park miles from anywhere, then walked off cheerfully in the rain, to eat a belly-busting mash of hash potatoes, beans, sausage, bacon, mushroom topped with a fried egg and melted cheese at Billies. I'm pleased to say that I left quite a bit of mine. Very nice in a 5,000 calories on a plate sort of way. Then a fond farewell to Lorraine, and I set off to see Anton.

We'd long planned a massive 15 mile walk today, as the bairns were at Anton's mum and Anna was on her coaching course. However, the weather was so unspeakable and as neither of us was feeling on top form physically, that we decided to forgo it.

Anton instead was very busy taking his turntable apart and installing a new and heavier platter with all the anxious concentration of someone performing a heart transplant. Once reassembled we had to roadtest a few records. Anton's face was glowing with Virgoan pleasure, so there must have been quite a difference.

Then off in the rain to the Caxton pub for a few games of pool. Having played well against Mad dog the other night, I was keen to take to green cloth again. Had a very close game with Anton, but Stirling friend that he is, he was compelled to taste the bitter pill of defeat in one of my very few victories.

Then off for a light Chinese snack, followed by a spot of intense record shopping in the Lanes, then back to Anton's to play records. Sadly enough I bought an album of Yes remixes by Virgil Howe (aka "The Verge") which is an interesting curio. Can't help feeling there is a brilliant album to be made along these lines. Then more hanging out listening to records, before Anton and I went our own ways for a bit.

Later in the evening we went in search of live music, found none and ended up having a cheerful beer in the St James discussing among other thing's Anton's aristocratic monocle-sporting Polish grandfather, author of a two books, one of which being a history of Poland.

Then finally, via the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, to the Eddy for a last drink after an excellent day. There is something magnificent about being as free as a bird.

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