under another sun

Early breakfast, and then out into town, to watch the children's parade. Always lots of fun, and reminds me of how great Brighton is. This year on the theme of poetry in motion, and so many parents joining in. Lots of drumming and music too of course. We saw our former  next door neighbours in the Old Church Hall on the parade with their sons, and Lorraine saying howdy to a few teacher pals. Then off to the Marwood for a coffee, and we did shopping looked at tea plates, which Lorraine had a pressing need for but we couldn't find the perfect ones. I bought my yearly pair of shades, destined no doubt to be sat on or lost, and Lorraine went into Specsavers to sort out her specs order. Then spontaneously off to Kommedia, had a bite to eat and a drink of lager and watched the afternoon showing of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, which was great fun. I don't much like superhero films, but this is fresh, ironic, visually surprising and puts being entertaining front and centre. L...

Into town this morning to see the Children's Parade with Lorraine. Always makes me feel cheery and proud of Brighton when we see them do this. So much effort goes into this parade, and I could picture, this year better than previously, just how many unpaid teacher hours go into it. In the afternoon, Lorraine drove me down to the school where we are rehearsing for a couple of hours. After flying in the previous rehearsal, this one a bit of a reality check, and back to earth with a bump. But no reason to panic, as not having such a good rehearsal simply serves to focus everyone's mind's for the next few, and then the actual performance. Also showed up that the cast have a good team spirit. A fast drink afterwards with Betty, Kitty and Dylan. Then I bussed home. Ken, Lorraine's brother who lives in Ireland, had called round. It was only the second time I'd ever met him, and Lorraine and Ken were in the kitchen chatting. Good to see him. Ken had phoned me, not being...

L and I up early and I zoomed around the corner for a Saturday loaf of chewy brown, and we snarfed down Quorn sausage and fried onion sandwiches. Made off then into town to see the children's parade, the North Laine packed with children waiting in sidestreets. Down one was Dawn, with a W pinned to her teeshirt and a large Wallace from Wallace & Gromit towering over the children. We shuffled along to New Road and watched the parade. After a while though spots of rain began and eventually there was a fine but soaking rain on the parade, which was a shame. Cold and wet, L and I returned home via the supermarket and L began cooking a spinach and potato and goats cheese quiche for the arrival of Sue and John. Toby called this afternoon and we had a long chat. He is thinking of moving schools after nine years. Then Sue and John arrived from the Cotswolds and we sat about shooting the breeze for a few hours before eating another of Lorraine's delicious tagines. In the even...

Brighton bursts into life A great start to the day, getting a note from Catriona in Guernsey saying that my Guernsey anthology proposal is well received so far, and will be taken to the next arts commission meeting. Fingers crossed. Also worked on my Skelton story for a couple of hours. Anton, Oskar and Anne called around and we all went to see the Children's Parade. Anton had to double back to get his camera, and I ended up having to carry Oskar after he fell down and bumped his head. Quite touched that he turned to me for comfort. Brighton sunny and full of life, on the first day of the Brighton Festival. This year's theme was the elements so there were people as fishes and birds and insects and clouds and so on. Loads of drumming and dozens of schools parading through, and half the town out to see them. Noticed Spooner pushing a pushchair cigarette in hand as part of the parade. I bumped into him and Ali afterwards and had a brief chat. He is looking very perky and well. Lor...

The children's parade The children's parade through Brighton this morning. Marching drumming bands which always seem to produce really funky beats, and children from every school. This year's theme was children's games, so there were hundreds of kids dressed up as, for example, elements from Mousetrap, or as noughts and crosses, or characters from computer games. It's the sort of event that's full of life and fun, which makes you feel proud to live in Brighton. Lorraine and I met up with Anna and Anton and my soon-to-be-official godchildren who were watching the parade. Their friend Anna was there too, and she is going to be a godmother. I told her that with Christianne being in Australia, I was pleased there was someone sensible on the Godparenting team with me and Brian. After the human crocodiles, and pirates, and skittles etc. went by, Lorraine and I snuck off for a brace of GSK burgers, I then got my stuff together and travelled up to London. Spent a few h...