under another sun

Much better sleep last night, and as Lorraine was up and off early I was too. Spent the day closeted in my office, which I love. I kept looking outside thinking I must go for a walk, but the short interludes of strong sun were overwhelmed by rain and hail and so on. Worked on a poem first thing, finalised some first materials for Helen Russell which I sent her about our music project. This involved another close reading of the story The Centaur by Jose Saramago. This sent I read an interview Robin had done for a magazine before she sent it back to them. Received news about a new agency and have been invited to its inaugural meeting in a few weeks. I also heard from Chiara Beebe who sent me a sound file with a good recording of A Return to Sarnia on it - and the day rounded off by receiving notice of a fair and positive review of The Nightwork here in London Grip . Also spoke to Mum and Anton during the day. Beth had a day off and we ate noodles together for lunch on the gold so...

Gave in this morning and had a full Guernsey Breakfast. Delicious it was too. Lorraine and I caught a bus into town and spent some happy time lurking in the lower gardens of Candie Gardens, which I'd never properly visited, and were quite lovely, and full of vibrant colours and plants. Lorraine and I are working ourselves into a frenzy planning what plants we will have in our new garden if the house sale goes though.  Then walked down to the shops where we did a spot of shopping. Lorraine, appropriately enough, brought a leaf green shirt. Then we walked into the Town Church where the Guernsey Sinfonietta were rehearsing for tonight's concert. They sounded very accomplished. We'd arranged to meet Chiara afterwards, and she called me outside as I was standing next to her. Lorraine, Chiara and I then had a quick drink in a cafe nearby. It was nice to meet her properly, after having emailed and so on for many months. She introduced me to Sebastian Grand, who was conducting...

Working obsessively on new poems for many hours on a particular submission I have in mind. Boosted too by some kind words about The Nightwork from Richard. Tremendously hot day here in sunny Brighton, and I was pleased to finally escape the study if only for another doctor's appointment this afternoon, which coincided with feeling better today than I have done for some weeks. He weighed me and adjusted his records to show me a over a stone lighter. Then I called in on Anton a refreshing glass of water in his back garden. Nice to shoot the breeze for a bit. He is relieved to have been released from jury duty. Aparently Oskar feels hard done-to because Klaudia had an afternoon with me, so I will have to sort something out with him. Amazing really that my Godchildren actually want to spend time with me. I'm very lucky. We also toyed with Oskar's One Ring on a chain, just like Frodo Baggins's, except that Oskar's had been through the washing machine a few times. Anto...

Another recovery day, I am - touch wood - inching back towards health and every day without a flare up is good. Small amounts of work done but little physical or mental energy. Consequently little to report other than receiving the score for A Return to Sarnia by Chiara Beebe, a very accomplished 22 year old born in Guernsey. She has used my poem A Return for what looks to be, with my rudimentary score reading skills, a rather beautiful piece that also quotes the song Sarnia Cherie. The song is going to be performed in the Guernsey Sinfonietta's Terra Nova concert of modern and new music on, I think, August 6th. This of course made me feel quite cheery - with the prospect of whipping over to Guernsey to see it, thrown in for good measure. It will be good to meet Chiara too, who seems very switched on and sorted and, all being well, to see the bronzed and Italianate Flemings. Finished The sense of an ending by Julian Barnes. I found it very enjoyable, despite its contrivances...