under another sun

Up early and working, before going to the gym.  Really pleased that Friday had arrived principally because it meant Lorraine wouldn't be driving around the county for hours with jet lag. Contact today from Kev Holmes, an old University pal.  By coincidence one of his children just started Warwick this term, doing the same computer science course that Kev had done. In the afternoon, off to drink tea and eat tasty Japanese cookies given me by Hitomi with Janet and Ken. Both not feeling in the most robust of health, and Janet keen to get her medications properly balanced after her stents were put in. They were interested in hearing about Japan, and we had lots of good chats with them, including regulation beardy kisses from Ken on the way out. Back home to find Lorraine finished for the week, and having a light snooze. In the evening off to The Sussex Yeoman. Here Lorraine and I met Betty, Anton, Rosie and Cath and for drinks and some good pub grub. Matt came by later, to...

Woke up feeling strangely despondent. Once I had moaned to the lucky Lorraine, I began to cheer up. I seem to need to voice negative feelings to get rid of them.  But if I can't talk about them they fester instead. Thus purged, at last a good day's writing. Getting to grips with the final section of the book. Looking forward to being able to edit and tie up the loose ends on the complete manuscript in a matter of weeks. Later heard from Chiara in Guernsey, who says planning is underway for the piece setting my poem A Return. Feeling a tad coldy or something but to the gym anyway, where one of the staff actually came over for a chat, much to my amazement. Lorraine home early for once. Hurray for Friday. After a snooze we met Cath at the Shahi, and strapped on the nosebag with her. She had been to Ireland, and then walking in the north for many weeks over the school holiday, and looked fit and well. Everyone a bit drained by the week, so Cath went home and L and I r...

Gorgeous day, sunny with a nice breeze. Dawn brought L and I a cup of tea in bed this morning, before she melting away like a little elf. I got up and made us breakfast in bed, feeling a tad jaded from last night's drinking. Another house viewing this afternoon, so we tidied up somewhat, and went to meet Betty who was passing through Brighton. She was a bit sorry for herself, having done a late show last night, got up at the crack of dawn to take a drama class in Redhill, back to Brighton to pick up her case, and then off to Kingston to do her five hour pub shift. For Lorraine and I had a classic Basketmakers session from tea time, people joining us to celebrate, via the medium of beer, our engagement. First Matie was down from London, treating herself to a hotel room with a four poster bed and walking around the North Laine looking chic in a red raincoat. Anton was free and joined us despite for altogether wrong headed reasons not being a lover of the Basketmakers, Matt and Jo...

In no rest for the wicked mode, a day of painting the hall, stairs and landing white. Up early and a light breakfast, moving things around out of the way, Soon Cath and then Dawn came around to help us and we four worked really well and got the job done in good time. Cath and Dawn worked incredibly hard and efficiently. First Matie came down to help, but we were so speedy we had finished a few minutes before she arrived. After we made good, I popped out to get some drinks, and had an altercation with the obnoxious man who runs the local off license, so I had to go to another rather than give money to a rude man. A happy evening with of lots of friends in an early celebration of Lorraine's birthday. As well as Cath, Dawn and First Matie, Rosie and Tim joined us, fresh from cycling on the Downs. John, sporting blue shades in preparation for his cataract operation, and Matt brandishing a large bunch of flowers. Anton came a bit later on, after the rest of us had dined heartily o...

A busy Friday, still absorbed by Andrew Rawnsley's End of the Party on the train. Makes you realise what a shambles the business of government is. Meanwhile much of the media still going on about Thatcher. Into work, and an almost unremittingly busy day. However did manage some lunch with others of a gourmet fish finger sandwich, sitting chatting with Karam, Sarah and First Matie. Then back to an afternoon of business and finding that the hour between 3pm and 4pm seemed to last for 200 minutes. Soaked by a downpour as soon as I left work. Train delayed, and stuffed full of smelly dripping people, though at one point I saw a rainbow against the bluish grey clouds. Home at last, and capered across to The Shahi to find Lorraine, Jane and Cath already in place, and a cold lager brought to me as soon as sat down. A fun night talking with everyone, and feeling very buoyant to have finished the week's work. Cath left early, being rather tired having flow in from surfing on the wes...

L and I to the Twitten this morning, and met Sonia there who had agreed to do a deep clean on the house. Lorraine took the car home, and I sloped off to the obnoxious Budgens by the station, where I had to browbeat them into helping me find oven cleaner. I painted out a small gold tag scrawled on the green wood. But the green I painted on was the wrong green, so I will have to repaint the pesky thing when it isn't raining. D'oh. Met Hilary one of my old neighbours and had a chat with her while her dog, who has always disliked me, barked and strained malignantly at its leash. Unfathomable are the suspicions of hounds. Mooched around town town, where I encountered Adrian carrying a bag of fresh fish. Chatted about work, and photographing the contents of women's handbags. A brave man. Pressed on buying a plug adaptor and drain unblocker. Met Lorraine in the Laines and we snacked in the Délice before Lorraine left for an afternoon of song with Hullabaloo. Home to tinker wit...

Lorraine had a few bits of work to do today, but otherwise we took an extended lunch. A fire had led to signalling chaos and so we drove Beth off to Eastbourne, from where she is going to Switzerland with pals for Christmas. Stopped off at the garden centre to buy plants for the aquarium, food for cats and so on, and to drop some broken things at the dump and then to Middle Farm where we nosed about in the farm shop, paused to look at cows being striped by the low sun falling through wooden walls of the cowsheds. Some of them were heavily pregnant. After fond farewells with Beth, having delivered her into the hands of her pals Sarah and Matt, off to a nearby butcher to sort out some meaty goodness for Christmas. In the evening Cath called around and we went down to see the burning of the clocks. This event always makes me cheery and proud of the creativity that is present in abundance in Brighton. Hundreds of people  in the parade of drummers, musicians dancers, costumes and of c...

Pervaded with the Friday feeling today, despite it being grey and rainy. Nicola, with whom I walked out to buy a sandwich, said it was proper Manchester weather. I had a cheery day, having enjoyed working on worms this week, even feeling quite fond of the little blighters by the end of it. Also enjoyed working with Slug again, who I always knew was a bit of a synthesizer nerd, and prog rock fancier. What I had not expected was that he has an alter ego: Dieter Banal, who with his musical partner, Hans Glib, have an immense back catalogue of decades of challenging 'experimental sonic attack' music as The New Cow . Am working again next week, and probably the week after. The Kenny coffers are in a much better shape than they have of late, which is making me feel more in control of events again. This is a happy place to be, and I feel like so much of the logjam that blocked so much creativity this year is going. Sprinting off to catch the train in the rain after work, ...

Normal day of working on the New Idea, and a spot of listening to Moby-Dick. Feeling better in myself than I have done for a while this Friday. Afore I headed uphill to The Signalman this evening, with Lorraine, Beth and Cath to watch Eng-er-land play football against the Swedes. Much better seeing it in a boozer than in the tranquillity of one's own home.  England won 3-2 after a close fought match. A few folks I knew in the bar, including Rick out of the Hi-Sides. A lively atmosphere, and fairly good fun. Equally nice to leave the sweary hurly burly and slope home. Nobody has expected England to do well this time, and they haven't utterly embarrassed themselves so far, as they did in the World Cup two years ago. But as sure as eggs is eggs, a debacle awaits. Ankle better than it has been in two weeks today, but just before bed I trod on a stone in my sock and jarred the screaming bejasus out of it anew.

The hour come round at last, Lorraine sloping off to her first ever two-day interview for a real headteacher post. I meanwhile spent the day placidly, went to the gym, worked on The New Idea and prepared salad-based fare for Lorraine to eat when she returned, and generally tried to be supportive. A nice letter from Richard today, along with a copy of a Thomas Tallis CD to complement my Hilary Mantel craze. Cath arrived a little before Lorraine did, armed with a pot of yellow roses. Lorraine getting loads of reinforcement and encouragement from Dawn and Rosie and others too. Then she worked late getting things ready for day two tomorrow. I kept her company working on my stuff upstairs. I really admire Lorraine's capacity to grit her teeth and get on with things. Spoke to Janet who said an owner of a local gallery had visited her open house on the last day and had liked some of Mum's work, fish pictures and cat heads. Could be the start of something good. Also spoke to Mum...

Waking early again, but not able, this morning at least, to accuse Lorraine of infidelity with Bear Grylls which was nice. Spent much of the day revamping and simplifying my website. It now looks like this , which I think is an improvement. Even if I say so myself, I particularly like the use of a photo I took in Japan for the homepage. Had to reorganise plumber for the Twitten and then to the post office, sending off more CDs of Clameur to the US. Then to the gym. Having felt as wan and feeble in the last couple of weeks, I was pleased to survive, albeit in a slightly oversweaty way. Lorraine home early, and we scooted off to the Shahi with Cath. The ladies mostly talked educational shop and I applied myself to two pints of cooling lager, basking in a feeling of quiet satisfaction with the week as I forked down bhuna jhal. Below Jane has been at her lookey-likey business again. Here she is having had a day of pampering during a secret project, with a Kate lookey-likey Gabriel...

Very welcome Friday - a bank holiday on Monday too. My six day week arduous due to sore throat. Listening with increasing enjoyment to the Claire Tomalin's Dickens biography. He sounds half inspirational wonder, half massive pain in the neck. Work fine, broken only by a walkabout at lunchtime talking to Anton on the phone. Home a little before eight to find Mum and Cath with Lorraine. Soon joined by Rosie and we sloped off to The Shahi where Lorraine had booked us afor a nice curry. A cheery night out, followed by a fairly early night. 

Up early to buy some green paint, for no Easter is complete without a spot of DIY. At lunchtime into town where we met Anton, Klaudia and Oskar. We did some milling about in the Brighton Food Fair, which was filling the air in New Road with sizzles and mouthwatering aromas. Curiously we didn't eat any. Went to the Pavilion Gardens, had a cup of tea and I played a good deal with my Godchildren, especially Klaudia who was demanding to be carried about a good deal. Then off to The Battle of Trafalgar , where we sat in the garden in the back and sipped a beer before Anton took the bairns home. A warm and lovely day, before the sun set. Lorraine and I waited for a short while before being joined by Paul and his son VJ. VJ being a reading prodigy at 7 or 8 and already an expert in train and tram stations. Then Betty and Amy arrived, to make for an eclectic gathering. But good to see Paul, who was his usual characterful self. After Paul left, Lorraine and I continu...

Friday fun Feeling disinclined to work today, but pressed on with my various bits, including writing some templates for covering letters for the CD. Slugged then off to the gym and did some sweaty workout stuff, and felt much improved for it. Lorraine working at home this afternoon, but I was a bit of a shirker, falling deliciously asleep late in the afternoon. An enjoyable evening to celebrate Lorraine's National Professional Qualification for Headship success. Dawn and Cath came around and we drank some sparkling wine Dawn had bought, and then made off into town, to meet up with Betty who was coming home and Rosie. We went to a restaurant called Englishes and had some more bubbly and oysters. I had one, but am not really a big lover of oysters. Lorraine in her element, and very happy surrounded by her friends and Beth and me too. We then all snuck off to the basketmakers for a more general chats. Lovely to see Beth again and hear her news. It's very lucky that we get on so...

Ducks in a row Back to the gym and not before time. Enjoying the rowing machine which I think is good for fat blokes and listening to a Melvyn Bragg podcast about the Kama Sutra. Also was booked for a single day in Tavistock Square tomorrow, which was nice. Cath called around this morning becore Lorraine left in preparation for an overnight stay before her big day tomorrow. Beth returned to University too. A quiet night in sorting out my portfolio and getting my unruly business ducks in a row, which seems only sensible.

The big sleep Narcoleptic morning, achy and unable to get out of bed. Neurotic about being ill before my concert next week, I decided to hermetically seal myself indoors and take it easy. Lorraine, who of course is really ill, did the same. I also biffed a night out with the Music boys I had planned, which was a shame. A cheery seeming Cath popped by for a cup of cocoa and a chat. Lorraine spoke to Sam who fell off his bike skidding on black ice and has a badly bruised hip and wrist. For me it was a sofa day, watching Rugby on TV, and then Borgen, a well-acted Danish TV series about a woman prime minister. The rest of the country it seems had snow, but down in the valley of Brighton we had teeming rain. Lorraine and I and Calliope went to sleep listening to the lovely sound of it falling on velux windows.

Happy house day Finally Lorraine and I had time to do house things and hang pictures and going about the important business of moving a picture a foot to the left, and hanging some others. We had a great mess cull too. All this immensely satisfying. We went shopping for fish food flakes and on the way home up a couple of hundred yards away from where we live, and found the exact bookcase/storage unit we had been admiring online for half the price. In the same shop we also found a coatstand, which replaces the huge ancient and badly designed wardrobe in our hall. We simply bought them. The owner agreed to drive it round the corner for us, and he and I lifted the immensely heavy thing indoors from the back of his big van. Much grunting and straining of back from me, and effortless lifting from the stringy little man in the shop. However we have a new hallway and the house much improved. Cath who had come around for the evening, and we ate roasted vegetables and couscous dribbled with a ...

Positive sausages Sordid hangover this morning, and up at 4.00am drinking sparkling water and sparking hissy fits among the disconcerted cats. Hideous drag off to work, but felt steadily improved as the day wore on, starting with a mustardy sausage sandwich from an Italian cafe, and was told that it (the sausage sandwich) represented a positive start to the day, and that it would be a good one. It was, and working hard on stuff with Keith, culminating in a late presentation that went well. Then The FB gave a funny speech to his agency, and we all glugged some champagne for a bit. Then off to a pub for their agency drinks. I sensibly bolted before harm was done, and schlepped home. Popped into the Evening Star for half an hour to say hello to Fingers, Steve Cartwright, Claudius and the Shakespeare Trio before going down to The Basketmakers to meet Lorraine, Cath and Rosie. Beth and Sam arrived too. A cheery spell before heading home and eating some pie before bed. Rather craving a night...

White night Lazy morning with Lorraine. Then off to town. I went to Waterstones with the token Brian had given me for my Birthday and bought a book by Patti Smith. Then off to the gym, where I had a good workout. The structure of the weekend is beginning to change, as Chelsea were again beaten today, which means Match of the Day is to be avoided. Instead, however, a fantastic night out. Seems half of Brighton emptied out into the streets. Lorraine put on a pointy witches hat, spider earrings and a bat called boris dangled from her waist. I donned a grinning skull mask, and we set off into the night with Cath, and a pal of Lorraine's called Wendy. Walked down London Road and came across Klaudia walking along with a posse of her pals and Anna the Godmother. Klaudia dressed as a witch. Anna recognised me despite having a grinning skull mask. Klaudia giving me a hug when she saw it was me. Quite enjoyed wearing a mask, feeling in a tiny way I was adding to the fun. Then to The Basketma...

Monday Limboish monday, feeling that I am driving with the handbrake on. Posted shoes to Beth, went to the gym, and while there people began replying to my Gumtree house ad, which cheered me up somewhat. Some seeming geniunely interested, and others offering to take money from you to readvertise it. Card from Beth extolling the virtues of beer. Otherwise the weather taking a turn for the worse. Cath came around this afternoon just as it began to pour. She has got a new job and is contemplating a holiday in Cuba, and flashing about her new Blackberry. Looking forward greatly to going to Guernsey this weekend with Lorraine. To bed early, rain drumming on the velux windows.