under another sun

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...

At work on Gordon Road first thing. Lots to digest and think about after my conversations with Charlotte and Steve but feeling optimistic that I could sort it. Lorraine zoomed off to Eastbourne to do a morning's pottery. At elven I was collected by Yvonne and we hopped into her mini and went to Mamoosh in Newhaven. A good chat and some coffee. She's full of good advice about grandchildren and the importance of dinosaurs. Apparently her two grandsons do a good deal of roaring when they come back from the Dinosaur Safari, at nearby Paradise Park in Newhaven.  In the afternoon Lorraine and I pressed on with sorting out the spare room, so it works as a guest room and  as Lorraine's knitting and sewing domain.  In the evening to Brighton where I met Anton at the Signalman. And a curate's egg of news to catch up on. We also talked about AI. Anton apprehensive about how it will develop. Then we nostalgically popped into the Joker and had some chicken wings -- sadly not the ...

To Stanmer Park, to pick up the results of our pottery workshop, imprinting bits of plants or lace into the clay. We were pleased with the bits we got back.  Then we drove into Brighton, down Osbourne Road where we lived, and into Preston Park. We walked across the park, which was looking lovely, to the breast clinic as Lorraine had an appointment for a scan. We had been worrying about this for a couple of weeks, but after two scans and a chat with doctor we were very reassured to learn there was nothing to worry about. Feeling greatly relieved, a saunter back across the park. We drove to Anton's house, picking him up to go off for a cheeky drink in the Brick on Preston Street. Good to see him, and play a game of bones. Anton, greatly to his satisfaction, slaughtered everyone. I barely got a point. He showed us some photos of Oskar modelling clothes, and told us he'd seen Klaudia that day, and generally caught up a bit. I drank some dark lager which was lovely. Lorraine and I h...

Lorraine off to do Rhyme Time in the Library, I fiddled with a poem, but felt at a bit of an impasse. Part of me wants to have one of those university reading weeks as I have an ever mounting pile of books to be read, but there is always something else that seems must be done. However today I re-read Freud's essay on The Uncanny , as well as one called Screen Memories (a seemingly-banal memory from early childhood, that the brain then uses as the basis for repressed feelings from later life). This I found very interesting, and set some cogs whirring in my head. I don't agree with all he says of course, but he is an amazing writer. Also I am arranging some interviews for the next season of the podcast. Trouble is reading begets more reading. Now I want to read The Sand Man by E.T.A. Hoffmann as Freud was glossing it. Also began reading Bluff by Danez Smith, a US poet, who I will interview. Made an absolute gaffe writing to the publisher's publicity, calling Danez him inst...

Pat and Maureen driven home by Lorraine today. I meanwhile had to go off the vampires at my GP for a blood test. Efficiently done by a cheery young woman. Home and then wrote for a bit, then trained off to Brighton to collect Lorraine's ring, with the replaced stone. Very pleasant people in there and the new ring looking great. Texts with Anton today, we will meet up next week. On the train back to Seaford I realised my throat was sore, and I was feeling lifeless. Dozed on the gold sofa, but was almost immediately woken up by someone talking about mobile phone contracts.  When Lorraine home, we ate the curry I'd made, and had a quiet and happy night together. Spoke to Mum at nine, who said she had been kidnapped by the ladies down the road when she was dropping off a birthday card. Lorraine read some more of A Horse and his Boy by C.S. Lewis before we fell asleep. It's one of Narnia books I have read less often, and not at all recently.

Lorraine off to Ashford this morning, after going to Rhyme Time. I spent time working on the What's Inside story, having regained faith in it. A nice note from Diana at Mariscat Press about the sampler publication some of my poems are in, which will be published early Autumn. This afternoon I spent two hours talking with Charlotte and the other Understorians Marilyn, Emma and Linda. Soon after I'd begun this little group a few months ago, I learned that Marilyn, who I'd just met, will be published in the same Mariscat sampler.   I mooched into Brighton this evening to meet Mark and Peter in the Basketmakers. Sat there eating wasabi peanuts and shooting the breeze for quite some time. The England and Netherlands semifinal besieging other pubs, but not in Baskets. Mark and Peter both shared zero interest in the footie. Off for a decentish pizza at Franco Manca.  Could tell by the roar we could hear in pizzeria that England had won. Home on the train with Mark, and then home....

Up early, and writing, while Lorraine made off to do Storytime in the Library. When she got back we caught a train to Brighton. We had a fresh and zesty lunch at Wahaca restaurant, and we drank some kind of fruity water with hibiscus, and lots of lovely bits of picky food. Lorraine popped off to do some lengthy bank business, I went to Caffè Nero and had a cup of coffee and stared blankly at my notebook.  I was thinking about something that Brian Eno wrote in A Year With Swollen Appendices , about the book you have already written.  I have several projects that are near the touchline, I just need to focus and do some hard work. I have quite a few published short stories, which I could collect for example. Lorraine found me and we mooched happily through the Lanes, ending up in a shop called Julian Stephens. Lorraine made magpie noises while looking at the shiny things, and soon I bought a nice ring as a late birthday present.  Then we walked up to the Evening Star where w...

Woke up feeling stressed. But sitting talking to Lorraine made me feel much better, however. Up for an unhurried breakfast, called Mum and eventually Lorraine and I made off to Brighton. I went to Clippers to have my hair cut by Stacy, who had squeezed me into his Saturday schedule. I asked him about his nosebleeds (he was bleeding last time I saw him) and he told me that he went to A&E and had to have his nose cauterised, twice, as the first time it didn't work. Apart from a sore nose, he's all good now. Met Lorraine and then a rather wild bout of retail therapy. Went to Jones and bought a pair of tan ankle boots for loafing about in. Lorraine and I popped into Joe Malone, where Lorraine bought some perfume off a very sweet man with lots of makeup. Another man working there in lots of makeup and bell bottoms took tiny little steps like a geisha. Rather fascinating. Then off to Clarkes in Churchill Square. Strange in there, very little stock on show, but what there was artf...

Lorraine in Ashford this morning. I got up early, thanks to the pesky cats standing on me, and after breakfast went to my desk and had a productive morning, and got another short MS sent off. Feeling a bit under the weather still. In the afternoon, made my way to Brighton. Just missed the train at Seaford so I caught a bus, and enjoyed its pootle along the coastal road, looking down from the top deck at the white sea, and waves breaking over the Marina. Grey loveliness. Went to see Stacy to get a haircut. He told me he had been having worryingly heavy nosebleeds, and had a small one while he cut my hair, finishing my cut with a wad of tissue in his nose. Felt sorry for him, and suggested he go to the quack if they continue. Just missed the train at Brighton.  Home, and I cooked and lurked in waiting for Lorraine to get home.  Very happy to have her back.  Reflected light in Brighton station. Just liked the evening blue of the sky and the yellow light inside. 

Fewer 'must-dos'. I spent much of the morning happily about the dusty business of placing books in my bookcase, two sides one broadly about philosophy, history, Guernsey, religion and a shelf for my must read pile. The other mainly poetry, with a bit of literary theory and stuff.  Otherwise a bit of straightening out. Then a brief doze with Lorraine before zooming off to Brighton. A flash of light shopping, and then up to the Batty to meet Anton for a cheeky beer. Lots to catch up on. Anton finally stopped slogging today, and is numbed and tired. Chatting about stuff, a bit light on laughs. Stav's funeral next month and so on. However we soon cheered up, Lorraine drinking her first quarter of a pint in one gulp as usual, just because that is the best taste of all. And we played a three-way game of bones.  Anton had to leave and cook for Anne, and Lorraine and I took a chance and ate in the Batty. As it is under new ownership, I had a delicious Caribbean chicken curry served...

Lorraine had arranged for a supermarket delivery to come this morning between 7 and 9. So up before the sparrows. However, when she checked it, the delivery was going to be made to our old address in Brighton. Lorraine having to make lots of phone calls, where she was assured she could drive to Hove and collect the order this afternoon. This a 40 minute drive. She drove off, and she'd been told a load of bollocks on the helpline, and so had to do the whole shop from scratch. Basically sorting this out took hours and was very frustrating considering the whole idea of a delivery was to save time. Meanwhile, I did the stuff for my client and sent it off to France around lunchtime.  Broke off so that Robin and I could re-record a conversation where on playback the channels recorded two Robins instead of both of us. Late feedback from the client, who tryingly true to form, wanted to make changes. Means I am going to have to do it tomorrow morning, which left me feeling a tad irritated. ...

Awake before dawn, and pulled the curtains to see the dawn over a grey and Lorraine-less Seaford.  A shower, and breakfast with sleepy cats. A bit tired and wan. Spoke to Lorraine this morning.  First order of the day was a bit of Santa business. Brian called around with the costume, which I put on at home, and then we drove across Seaford to his house, nobody we passed even noticed Santa was sat in the passenger seat. At Brian's a three year old Jude and baby Sebastian with their mum Annabelle and Yvonne. I found it quite easy to get back into Santa mode, and enjoyed myself immensely. Brian had a list that Jude had written containing two items, a dinosaur and a train. I clarified if the dinosaur was a toy dinosaur otherwise it would be hard to get down the chimney and liberally deployed the ho-ho-hos and Santa banter and the whole thing ended in a certain amount of comedy dancing. Yvonne handed me a glass of port, with a straw, and I sipped it through my nylon beard. Then sli...

Up early, sending off the latest version of the podcast to Robin for a final edit, and (finally) my books to my accountant, and getting my ducks in a row for Clare Best's book launch in London, where I am to be MC. Clare has sent meticulous notes about it.  Lorraine took a morning stroll and did a spot of shopping. Then, after picking more tomatoes, Lorraine and I moving stuff and unscrewing curtain rails and so on in our bedroom, and a bathroom cabinet, and moved beds and cupboards and so on, so our bedroom can be painted by Amanda. Off this afternoon to Brighton, passing a shrine of photos and flowers on Queen's Road where a young 17 year old boy called Mustafa was stabbed to death last Thursday. I mooched down and had my hair cut by Stacy. He said there had been a second stabbing last night in Trafalgar Street -- after discussing the attacks on Israel by Hamas, we eventually had a more cheery talk.  Home in Seaford some time later, and I made arrangements with Mum to meetin...

Lorraine off to Chichester this morning to see her pals Carolyn and Leslie. I gathered myself slowly, then went off to Brighton to get a hair cut. I arrived a couple of hours early, as Anton wasn't free, I had an enjoyable time mooching about Brighton in the sun, and also sitting in the ideologically unsound Starbucks, where I read a poetry pamphlet by Ian McMillan and more of the Essays of Idleness by the Japanese monk Kenko. Enjoyed revisiting old haunts. Then a saunter to the seafront which was full of colour and busyness, the sea a bright blue green, and also looked at the fire-ruined Albion Hotel. Seeing an open door in the ruin, made me think that during the Blitz this sort of thing must have been an everyday sight. Lorraine on her way back from Chichester came down to find me in the Barbers, Stacy hard at work who was giving me his usual excellently perfectionist haircut. Toby called me when I was in the chair, and said he'd be down south on Monday. Back with Lorraine o...

So a rather excellent Monday, lots of sunshine helping. Got up and started a new poem, but more importantly my head in a good place, and feeling much less agitated than of late. At midday, Lorraine went off to her gym, and I caught a bus to Brighton, the route following the sea. Maybe it was my mood, but it was all rather lovely. Got off the bus at the Old Stein and cheery to be strolling up through the North Laine to see Stacy, who cut my hair with his usual perfectionism. I have often noticed the little plastic figure of Speedy Gonzales on his shelf, but today it made me wonder if it is placed there to remind him to get a wiggle on.  Back by train, as the timings worked well. I got off at Newhaven Town, however, where Lorraine was waiting for me, and we went into places like Homebase and Screwfix to buy a special drill head for M10 bolt screws which we will be building our raised beds with. When we were in Homebase I looked at their garden section and saw Beech, Hornbeam and Holl...

Lorraine and I into Brighton together this morning. Lorraine off to have her hair cut. I popped into Churchill Square and saw an exhibition Beth had organised, on up cycling clothes. From there I went to my old ideologically unsound Starbucks and sat there sipping their largest oat milk latte and working on some poems for a couple of hours. Lorraine on her way, I mooched across the road into the Library where they were holding a poetry and spoken word performance, by trans writers. I stayed for a bit. There is a hard polarisation happening these days. Trans exclusionary feminists who don't think calling yourself a woman suddenly makes you a woman and that trans women who are really men in women's spaces is threatening. Meanwhile trans folks, especially trans women who most of the ire seems directed at,  feel victimised and don't feel that their reality is acknowledged, and that they really are women. I have no dog in this fight and just look on aghast at the viciousness tha...

 Another really cheerful day. Lorraine and I caught the train into Brighton, and did a spot of shopping. I bought sunglasses, as mine had given up the ghost -- or should I say shade -- a few days ago. Then after a spot of shopping, and witnessing the Police unsuccessfully chasing a sprinting villain  down the centre of North Street we mooched into The Ivy, where Lorraine had a voucher for a £100. We had a meal there, which was nice enough. Lorraine had a cocktail called a Passionate Spritz (apparently a bit like a Porn Star) and I had a fancy G&T and a decent meal. The Ivy, because it is expensive and snobby, attracts the idle rich. The staff were professional and pleasant however. Then into the old lanes where I bought Lorraine her long-promised eternity ring -- which was quite blingy and has pinky red rubies and little diamonds in it. We were able to get it resized and done within an hour or so. We did a bit more shopping and then dropped into The Cricketers where Lorrai...

Woke up irritably this morning after stressful dreams. Then looked at my phone and realised after tracking the delivery of my new phone, they were about to deliver it to my old address despite having provided the new one. Gah. Up and sorted this out. Then did things like billing, arranging a dentist visit, writing to my accountant etc. Felt a bit better for doing these small things.  Then sorting things out in the house with Lorraine. Then Lorraine off to her personal trainer and I made off to Brighton for a haircut. As there was supposed to be a train strike today, but was recently revoked, trains were not running from the Seaford today.  I jumped on a 12 bus and it took me along the coastal road, through assorted havens and deans till we reached Brighton. Amazing colours over the stormy sea. Khaki with white foam near the shore, then green then steel blue towards the horizon.  First time in Brighton since the 27th September -- seven weeks. Stacy in a miserable mood, but...

The great Exodus today. I had a terrible night's sleep, barely sleeping, Lorraine little better.  But up before seven this morning and to work with a cup of tea and a rapid bacon sandwich. The removal people, Bearded Bros arrived on time, four guys with two big vans, a pleasant can-do bunch.  They got to work instantly and made great progress. We cleaned and hoovered as we went. Beth dropped by to collect some stuff for the tip despite having a stressy day. Then when the Bros had filled their lorries, they drove off to unload them and send one back. At 12 o'clock however the buyer's lorry arrived. An impasse. The waiting was stressing me lots, so I went for a short walk around Blaker's Park and by the time I returned the  new owners had arrived and they were bringing stuff in. Our guys turned up and at some points there were two lots of removal people, and the galling business of other people ordering people about in your own home. However, mercifully, this crossover wa...

Into Brighton this afternoon. Lorraine and I went into Churchill Square where we went to a wellness exhibition that Beth was involved in running. Lorraine and I went in there and attended a meditation. Rather a nice interlude to sit on a beanbag and unplug for a while. My brain took me to Moulin Huet where I was looking at worm casts.  Then Lorraine and I did some shopping, and then found ourselves drifting into The Basketmakers Arms for a beer. Then to Wahaca restaurant where we had a decent bite of Mexican food. Lorraine and a cocktail too and it all felt like a bit of a celebration.   Brighton at its best today. Thronging with liveliness thanks to the festival. Massed drummers in New Road, singers here and there and the feeling there was music and fun everywhere. As we walked down Gardiner Street a mob of people wearing headphones, streaming towards us, all breaking out to sing 'Everybody dance... Clap your hands clap your hands' the Chic song, which was great but slightly...