under another sun

Lorraine unwell this morning, feeling drained and achey.  I was okay, although a bit lifeless. Did some shopping this morning, and making sure Lorraine was okay. Called Anton to make sure he was okay for me to come, and he said he was feeling a bit rough too, so not to worry.  So in the afternoon, I made off to Anton's house and with Anne, we taxied to The Connaught in Hove. Oskar and his girlfriend Niamh, who I liked a lot, and found an intelligent, thoughtful girl, studying design. Oskar has changed again. His hair is darker, and his voice deeper. Klaudia arrived slightly later with Anna. Klaudia fresh from all kinds of travels this summer. Thailand her favourite it seems. Nice to catch up with Anna too. I tried my best to eat reasonably to my new principals, and enjoyed a Caesar Salad. Then back to Anton's for presents and cake, and some sparkling wine. Lorraine and I had got him a print of the Seven Sisters, which he has been on lots in preparation for his Camino walks. I ...

A much needed slumping day. As I am still in recovery mode. Slept and read this afternoon on the gold sofa while Lorraine played Star Dew Valley and listened to music. I had to apologise to Sarah that I wouldn't be there for her online launch of her marvellous book The Thoughts , which was tonight too.  Then off to the posh restaurant The Ivy in Brighton for  6:15 to celebrate Klaudia's 18th birthday. Lorraine and I bumped into Anne, Anton, Klaudia, Oskar and Anna as they were climbing out of their cab. Klaudia had been partying hard all weekend, as is only right and proper, going to London with a posse of her pals on Friday, and then having a party at home last night, then going out to The Green Door after midnight to stay out late. So it was a slightly wan and delicate Goddaughter who appeared tonight -- but she did very well considering.   A lovely meal, and Klaudia liked the silver bangle from Silverado I'd bought her and simply put it on straight away, and the m...

Up early, and got to work with Keith at 8:30. A bit of a slog for this early in the year. Tired by the end of the day. A couple of very brief walks in rubbish weather. In the late afternoon I had time to phone mum for a chat. In the evening, after Keith's Virgin had crashed again and I had faced the prospect of presenting alone to the Americans, all went fairly well. It makes me feel odd talking to Americans. A year on from last year's insurrection the BBC's Americast podcast was saying the majority of people who voted Republican last time, still believe that Trump won. Democracy in the US has been hanging by a thread. In fact sanity itself has been hanging by a thread. With QAnon and other conspiracies raging in the US, even down to our own Prime Minister telling  outright lies every time he opens his mouth, a sense of truth is hard to find. But for sentient Americans this must be an alarming time. Done with the Americas at eight, I flew downhill to the Shahi to join the c...

The backdrop of life is getting twitchy again, with the infection rate rocketing, not to mention the UK government prepared to break legally binding agreements it made with the EU.  However, I stopped off for a quick chat with my glass pals meeting in the park this lunchtime. They sat, as usual, in a fairy ring of chairs near the rotunda. Adele gave me another mug for Lorraine, which was very sweet of her.   Making my excuses, I made my way to Anton's house where I was put to work on the back of the house where I scrambled up the scaffolding where I gave the back of the house another coat of paint. I find painting quite therapeutic, and it was lovely bright day for such work. Then around to the front to paint his front garden wall and entrance. A brief chat with Anna, who stopped by to drop Oskar off, I'd not seen her for ages.  This done, it was one of Anton's famed pizza nights, and Lorraine and Anne joined us in the kitchen as Anton made pizza, played records from the ...

A beautiful Easter Sunday today. Lorraine and I working in the garden this morning, generally tidying and sorting things. Also assembling the table in what will be our craft room, and moving things about in there. I managed to drop a concrete paving slab on my ankle, giving my leg a scrape on the way down. No real damage done, although it hurt a lot and my anklebone ached afterwards. Showered and off in a taxi to Anton's house as it was Oskar's birthday today. He is thirteen. Did the usual reeling at the thought that my godbairns are now both teenagers. Good to see Anne too, who had been cooking up a storm. Anna there too, which was nice as I had not seen her for a while, and caught up a bit with her. Gave Oskar his pressie, and found him on fine form, and has recently joined the Army Cadets, which he seems to like a lot. It was entirely his own idea. He said he'd been learning hand signals for silent communication, and marching among other things. He is now noticeably ...

Up and did some work today, as Lorraine was having to sort some stuff out too. Then we walked down in the afternoon to Grand Central where Louise Tondeur launched informally her short story collection, Unusual Places. It was quite an informal affair, though lots of poetry pals were there, Louise's wife Sarah Barnsley obviously, but also Jeremy, Charlotte, Robin, Stephen, Janet Sutherland and John McCullough among others. Lou read a very good extract from one of the stories, as young Zach encouraged people to buy the book. Lorraine and I did, naturally. Lorraine and I talked to Bob the husband from the husband and and wife team behind Cultured Llama the publishers. Then home, after this pleasant interlude, before we headed out again to have an surprise birthday bite organised by Klaudia for Anton. We met in a newly-opened burger joint called Patty and Bun. Anne, Anna, my excellent godbairns Klaudia and Oskar and L and I tucked into various burgers and had a cheery meal. Nice to se...

A blazing day again. Lorraine phoned her hairdresser to arrange a hair appointment, only to discover that she was due there in an hour or so. I walked to Hove Park listening to a football podcast about Arsen Wenger who is about to leave Arsenal. Outside Nandos opposite Hove Park, I met my godson Oskar for today he is celebrated his 12th birthday. He arrived in the convertible driven by Anton, with Klaudia and Anne. Anna came too, which was nice as I'd not seen her for a while. We all surged in for a 'cheeky Nandos' as eating Nandos always must be. It is hard to argue with chicken in peri-peri sauces and chips with various other bits. I enjoyed a bottomless Sprite zero calorie drink too. I apologised to Oskar for not having his present yet, but gave him a lenticular card that had a picture of the Mona Lisa on it, that when you tilted it, showed a skeleton underneath, which he liked. I liked it too. He was having a good birthday, having played football in the morning, and w...

A slow morning. I have discovered an enormous capacity for doing nothing. I have no thoughts and no ambitions at the moment, and I am liking it. Next week, will be the start of doing things again, as Lorraine is going back at school and I must pick up the threads. Loved being with Lorraine so much. It was Anton's birthday today. (And Bob's.) Lorraine and I walked down to The Joker, to meet Anton and Anne, and we sat in the railway carriage section. A bit later Anna and Klaudia and Oskar arrived, having been in France at Anna's parent's house. The kids swarming on Anton, clearly delighted to see him. They were bearing presents too including a book of second world war military campaign maps, for Anton is cheered by reading about icy slaughter on the Eastern Front. Everyone on woof woofs apart from Anne. I am always pleased to see my Godbairns, Oskar starts his senior school next week, he's quite positive about it. Nice to see Anna too, and hear how her parents we...

Lorraine and I got up to go to Oskar's confirmation at an unspeakable five o'clock, which felt like four due to the clocks going back in the night too. Enjoyably enough managed to shock and appal Beth and Laura, who were just coming home after a lively night out with their top hats at an angle. Lorraine drove us nearby, and we walked in the hosing rain to St Nicholas' church. Here we found Anton, Anna and the bairns. Lorraine and I sat with Brian and Anne, and David and Stephanie (who I'd not seen for some time, and it was nice to meet again). The service started in the dark, with people finding their way to pews with their phone lights. Klaudia came and sat next to me, and we snickered together at the sight of one of the clergy bumping into the spiral of stairs up to the pulpit as he walked from a lit room in the dark of the church. The service starting in darkness and employing candles and fire to good effect.  The Bishop of Lewes was leading the service, and at o...

Got up and cooked a large breakfast, Lorraine however feeling very poor and went back to bed and slept most of the morning, and laid low all day. Feeling tired too, but there was lots to be done. Rehearsal this afternoon, with Beth. Dylan and Kitty came to our house and we did a thorough read through and a bit of work on the last scene that features them all for a few hours. Good to get to grips with it, and there is a bit of a company feel developing now, which is excellent. So Golden Ticket day today with my favourite God daughter.  I jumped into a cab and headed off to Klaudia's new house, said howdy to Anna and Oskar, and left back into the cab and headed down to Wagamamas to strap on the nosebag and we chatted about a variety of subjects. An assortment of things consumed, along with ice-cream wrapped in coconut rice. Service slow, so gulping these down rapidly, we sped off to the Dome to see Into the Hoods: Remixed . A hiphop dance performance based around a weaving of Ja...

Saturday and a good deal more cheery. Lovely day spent with Lorraine, even though it was spent doing things like taking stuff to the tip, and beginning to sort out the front room in readiness for the carpet people now coming on Tuesday. In the afternoon walked across to Anton's house to give Klaudia her birthday present, which was a golden ticket. With Beth's help I hunted down a street dancing show at The Dome, which will be fun for both of us. Klaudia 12 today, which is a shaker. She had also been on the ghastly and terrifying ride at the end of the pier today, three times, with her pal Mia. Anna came round while we were there too, I'd not seen her for a while. She, Anton, Anne and the bairns off for a birthday feed. Lorraine and I went to the Shakespeare's Head for a quick glass or two of beer, before going to the Shahi. Really enjoyed sitting in there chatting. Felt like a bit of a date night, and I felt the Nazgûl wing lifting. We were all done and on our way h...

Up early on Christmas Eve. Lorraine, Beth and I went off to collect the turkey from the Choice Cuts butcher first thing. We were made to educate our noses to the smell of a fresh turkey. Very fresh, but distinct. Told a parable about how certain mother in laws are unable to recognise the smell of fresh turkeys, and reduce daughters-in-law to tears and visions of a spoiled Christmas because of it. Box tied up securely as apparently a turkey was dropped outside the shop once, to great consternation. On return Lorraine and I cooked up a big breakfast for everyone, I was on enjoyable griddle duties, sizzling up lots of newly bought sausages and bacon, while Lorraine scrambled eggs and made toast. Cooking for eight is not something I've done much. It all gets quite industrial in scale. Then fond farewells to Sam and Jade, who were taking off back to London. Lorraine and I drove them to the station. Lovely to see both of them. A sudden tiredness this afternoon and slept for an hour...

Up at an utterly appalling 4:25am, after a few hours sleep full of nightmares and ghastliness. Scrabbled around, amid confused cats, and found my suit, a tie, overcoat and my wedding shoes, and made off to the Church of St Nicholas. Arrived there at 5:15, having passed a few stragglers returning home after a night out. And and walked into the unlit church and was found by Oskar, and guided to the others by a woman with a little torch like an usherette. Joined up with Anton, Anna, Anne and Oskar, and of course Klaudia whose Confirmation it was this morning. Sitting in a darkened rustling church perfect for the post-nightmare mood. The service started in darkness, with a fire lit at the back of the church and candles being lit one from the other as the day brightened all around the church. Readings from Genesis rather magical, although the Exodus bit about Pharaoh's army drowning, and celebrating over the dead bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore I find barbaric. My ado...

Feeling slightly unwell, lethargic and wanting sleep. Lorraine off for most of the afternoon having her hair done by Paul, her hairdresser with a dog that sings in the salon when the radio is on. Apparently it likes all the same tunes as its owner, who has to listen with headphones whenever he wants to enjoy his music. I mooched over to Anna's house where Anton was there helping to prepare for Klaudia's entire class to come for her birthday party. Anna showed me the cover of the book she has written with two others and a large beehive cake she made for the party.  Klaudia happy with the presents bought to Anton's specifications, which were clothes for a doll called Violet. Klaudia and Oskar both have skateboards too, as does Anton. Good to see my Godbairns who bless them always seem pleased to see me too. Later, received texts from a shattered Anton, after having been challenged by looking after around 26 or more children for two hours. On return I did some reading rese...

Frustrated by an IT rebellion wasting the precious morning hours and generally workin' my nerve following an iTunes update failure. Sorted it out this afternoon with a system restore and by reinstalling all the Apple software. Off to Starbucks full of IT rage where I, slightly depressingly, found the section I was working on to be a load of tripe and onions. Then to the gym for a grrr-reducing workout. Followed by some shopping for a birthday present for Klaudia as recommended by Anton. Later I spoke to my Goddaughter on the phone, who was about to go off skateboarding on her new skateboard, and signing off with an affectionate 'bye weasel' to me as we finished talking, which I liked. Chatted to Anna too, for the first time in a while. Hard to believe it is ten years since I first saw Klaudia on her first day in the world. Quite focused this afternoon. Spoke to mum by phone and then using facetime from the iPad Toby and Romy bought her.  This was fun. More computer stuf...

Busy day. I went up to give Oskar his Nerf Gun, which instantly sent a bullety thing with some velocity at Anna. I fear for Klaudia and the cats, but the boy was well pleased. Anton showed me a squadron of construction kit aircraft that he and Oskar had built, and Anton had painted through the watches of the night. Anna told me she is having problems with her kidneys and extremely high blood pressure and is seeing the doctor regularly to control it. Thence down to the Twitten to leave a door knocker to replace the one purloined by the Brighton door knocker thief. They weren't in so I poked it into the back garden and left a note.   Home and a lazy afternoon chatting with Lorraine (sporting this morning's hair cut) and Betty before she went back to London, via a party. L and I spent our evening exhaustingly organising the house, ready to take off excess clutter to store in Pat and Maureen's garage tomorrow. Below L and I went to the local van hire place to hire a...

Back on the business book, and investigating markets for different kinds of writing. Time is a great editor, and I can see disconcerting errors that were invisible a month or so ago. Dogged by the cats as I worked, who are busy hating their food choices, which is causing them to sit on or near my desk and create trouble. Especially Calliope, who now has learnt how to pick up scissors and play with them. Off this afternoon to give Klaudia her birthday present. Hard to believe that she is nine now, if it weren't for the large 9-shaped balloon in the room. She liked the Lego I'd got her, and showed me some of her other presents including a fluffy white mechanical dog, which she seemed particularly keen on. I asked Anton if it had bitten him yet, but got no reply. Sat with Oskar and Klaudia playing games on iPhones. Klaudia and Oskar playing Temple Run 2. Oskar used my iPhone and instantly got a high score. I played with a species of 3D supermario on a Nintendo. A piece o...

Doing plenty of writing of a variety of kinds for most of the day. Filed free of the desk manacles at lunchtime for a walk in the park. No snow, but frosty ground and the ponds icy, and the fish deep under the ice in the winter sunlight. In the evening off to babysit Oskar and Klaudia, had a nice chat with Anna before she went out. Went in to chat to Oskar, who is transforming into a proper boy now. When Anton returned, he made pizzas for us and talked feverishly about his new craze: synthesizers and synthesizer music. He has downloaded synthesizers onto his iPad and has a keyboard to plug in, on this set up he is learning chords, listening to tutorials about the structure of synthesized sounds and about attack, sustain and decay, sound envelopes and so on. While we ate admirable pizzas we also listened to Kraftwerk , music for which Anton has found a sudden and powerful affection. It is a long time since I have seen Anton so be-crazed. After listening to excerpts from The Examined...

A variety of minor missions this morning. Off to Pembertons in Seven Dials to discuss renting the Twitten, to the jewellers to collect the adjusted necklace I'd bought Lorraine for Christmas, down to the Cinema to let myself in through a side door and wander about till challenged and I could retrieve my cap, which I'd left on the floor yesterday. Luckily it was the first item that came to hand in a box behind the main desk. Then to Sainsbury's, bumping into Anna, Klaudia and Oskar in the street, and stopped for a chat. The barins back at school tomorrow, and Anna looking well. Still feeling woefully underpowered. Mum called saying that Toby and Romy have returned from their south American travels. This time they were in Bolivia, home of the famous marching powder. The Tobster had glossed over their destination to Mum in case she would worry about him being kidnapped by stare-eyed drug barons. Watched a documentary about Delius this evening, as Lorraine has rejoined th...

Woke up convinced Lorraine preferred TV adventurer  Bear Grylls to me after a vivid dream. The fact that L and I know little about him only added to the strangeness of this.  Got to work accompanied by the screeching of bricks being cut in half under the infernal viaduct. Spent the day working on revamping my personal website. My cyberpresence has been a long-running sore, unfocused and confusing. I realised this is because I am eclectic in what I do and this should be seen as the defining thing. I love Brian Eno's description of himself as 'a drifting clarifier'. In the afternoon off to Marwood cafe to meet Anna for a long chat over coffee and a slice of cake each. Then home via Sainsbury's to cook a vegetarian chilli for Lorraine. Also prescribed chocolate for Lorraine. Below: the rain continues unabashed. Quite like the murkiness this brings. Brighton is hilly, so the tops of streets disappear, and individual roofs penetrate into...