under another sun

Lorraine and I up early today, as the gas pipe from the main in the road was being replaced by the gas company. I had thought they were going to be hammering on the door early. At least it meant Lorraine and I got up early, and got on with things. Lorraine made a fabric basket, and I had a good morning's writing. Chris arrived with a thermal camera, to look at a part of our wall that has damp. It's a fun toy, and he took a picture of my head with it, as well as the wall, and when he put his hand on the wall, the warmth lingered for a while later. Lorraine then off to take Pat and Maureen to Eastbourne. I had a recording with Robin at two, which was fine, except the gas people rang the bell almost as soon as we began talking. However they had done their business outside the house without having even to employ pneumatic drills etc. Win.  Recording was fine, and nice to chat to Robin. After this, I ook myself off for a brisk walk by the sea. Lovely subdued colours. Then another ha...

Friday. Breakfast, then the gym, as Sylwia was here. Then to the Lanes Eatery, where I met Lorraine for coffee and a snack before she pushed off to take Pat and Maureen some fish and chips. An afternoon of fruitful writing for me, feeling energised.   Re-booting in the Old Boot Inn this evening, where we met Brian and Yvonne, Chris, Delores, Debbie and Carole. Yvonne's cataract operation done without seeming to leave a trace. Strapped on the nosebag there too and washed it down with a couple of pints of Harvey's Old Ale. Lorraine and I home to watch The Traitors. An excellent Friday. Below, blurry in the boot with Yvonne.   

Lorraine up at six this morning, and made off to help Beth work in Churchill Square, organising the Santa and Elves grotto. I got up early, and having finished all podcast stuff, was able to revel in some time to do writing. Got settled and then had a call from Maureen worrying about Pat's catheter.  However, when speaking to me she called the local nurse who nipped round and helped. Calls between me and Maureen, and Lorraine. Then the window cleaners arrived buffeting my windows with their long hosed broom things, then Sylwia arrived, and bustled about the place. Annoying how such minor interruptions can disrupt my concentration but I managed to press on with The Kenniad, after having a chat with Mum.  The Kenniad is in five sections, four of them now in decent drafts, the last one needs me to do a bit more research before I can start it. It is unlike anything I've done before.  Lunchtime saw me nipping to Osborne's for a pensioners fish and chips for two. Read the clipp...

 Lorraine and I overslept this morning. More recording with Robin at 11, then I spent much of the day editing, and sent it to Robin at close of play. Meanwhile Lorraine had put out a plea for help with our built in wardrobe, as the day before I had tried unsuccessfully to be able to unscrew a single screw -- they had all been glued somehow into place, as well as screwed in.  However Chris and Patrick arrived with bags full of heavy tools, and managed to dismantle it with lots of effort. It was unbelievably kind of them. I continued editing, but then somehow all the lights fused due to the work. I thought for a moment I'd lost much of the day's work, but luckily once my chuggy slow mac sorted itself out, it turned out I had lost nothing. Finished this work, just as Patrick and Chris had finished their demolishing. Lorraine and I hugged them both. Really they were extremely generous. Quite tired by the editing, and enjoyed slumping in the warm, watching TV.

More editing of the interview with Martin Malone. Lots to do. No more ghostly voices today however. Yesterday I found a weird sound intruding in the recording.  I was talking to Martin and ended what I was saying with: '...I suspect it was dropped.' Then an EVP ghost voice said: 'So did I'. Martin replied: I was very much in all kinds of outfield at that moment. Did not notice it at the time. Once we had the idea of opening out our Friday night beer with Steve, the fun has grown exponentially. Tonight a very cheery night in The Boot with Steve, Brian and Yvonne, Adele and Patrick and Chris. We had food and a few drinks, and it was excellent. Just a cosy bubble of fun and friendship. Pleased we asked Chris along as he is newly single and that can be hard. Being in cheery company is a good thing at times like this.

Lorraine back home this morning. I got up early to do some freelance work in my lounge nest. Chris here working hard. Still very nippy, but it seemed warmer in the back garden when I got there. Lorraine pottering about in and outside, I  helped in the garden (very carefully due to evil back). But I am beginning to walk much more upright again. I did some of my own writing this afternoon too, which was nice. Some prose.  In the evening Lorraine and I went off to The Old Boot Inn, where we met Yvonne and Brian who were celebrating the birth of their new grandchild Sebastian -- born on the same day as his older brother Jude. As well as Patrick and Adele (who arrived late from her Seaford Cinema committee meeting) we met Brian and Yvonne's pals Rick, Gabby, Guy and Barbara. A hugely jolly evening. Amid the general banter, I had a proper heart to heart with Brian about God and the meaning of life and so on. We are going to go for a walk in the woods and talk next week. Barbara and ...

Needed aid from Lorraine to get up in the middle of the night as my back had seized up and I couldn't move without whimpering. I took a diazepam when I woke up, which is a muscle relaxant and helped with the spasming, and made me feel nonchalant about being unable to put my socks on.   I gingerly got out of bed, Lorraine was dealing with Chris the plumber arrived first thing and began the business of replacing the boiler and water tank. He had to leave this afternoon, however, to get emergency dental treatment.   Lorraine, who is looking a tad slimmer these days, off to her personal trainer at lunch. She returned with canes for the raspberries and food from Morrisons.  Bob phoned walking his dog saying we should go to see Carl.  Shortly after, Anton called to tell me he had begun the construction of his glider tailplane. Some of the balsa pieces are a few millimetres thin, and breakable balsa apparently.   Delighted to receive email from MSR for the first time s...

Got up early this morning, and did some writing. Am trying to pull a manuscript together for a competition. The last time I did this I was shortlisted. I live in hope I can go one step further.   Also spoke to Keith trying to read the runes on current work. Then the French team Keith and I have been working with got in touch. Despite our best efforts it seems one of our ideas got through to win. Heard from Betsy today too -- who has been living back in the states for several years now, and wanted me to work on a job with her despite the eight hour time difference. I declined. This time.   A bit of a Pooterish cast to the day, with lots of Cummings and Gowing.  Just after lunch Brian arrived with his chainsaw and cut some bits down for us. He's such a nice man -- and had been in church this morning as it was Ash Wednesday. Yvonne came with him, and I sat chatting to her. Her daughter Annabel is about to give birth, so everyone a bit excitable -- she may be induced tomorrow...