under another sun

Up just me and the cats as Lorraine was in Ashford with Maureen and Pat. The main business of the morning was recording an interview with Clare Best... However Clare and I could see one another, but as soon as I clicked record,  Clare's sound died, making it impossible to record. Tried to find workarounds for 40 mins until we gave up. We will have another attempt tomorrow and she will use another computer. I emailed Squadcast to ask for advice and keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. Only connect... As E.M. Forster said. At lunchtime I took a brief from my old pals in Paris and did this in the afternoon. Lorraine home this evening around eight. All well.  

Up early, and two hours of focused work on the animal diseases work, then sent off for feedback which never arrived, resulting in one of those limbo-ish annoying days. Despite new treatment on ears, which is lessening the itching in part, has not changed their internal state, and this persistent infection is making me feel a bit run down -- so I think I haven't yet reached the end of the ear saga. Did three short walks to take me up to 10k paces.  Walked past the little playground near me, which is locked and has a notice about being closed on it. Inside were dozens of children and adults. Chatted to Anton too, while out and about planning a short walk just outside town. Finding myself having to dodge people on pavements, many people, especially the younger ones, seem to have grown oblivious to social distancing on the street. A good article in the guardian today by Suzanne Moore, the title says it all:  What's more stressful than lockdown? The easing of lockdown.  Ap...

Charleston Forgot to mention yesterday that the front of the oven, which is glass, burst apart shortly after Lorraine had cooked. Lorraine thankfully insured, and mysterious glass explosions are covered amazingly enough. An atrocious night's sleep. There are two black cats who live locally who Basil and Brian have been warring with. They invaded at about 4pm and Lorraine and I started awake to the sound of a riot downstairs. Sam called Lorraine at 6:30am with the excellent news that his place at Leeds University had been secured, and called later having learned his A level grades. A fabulous two As three Bs at A level. Bookcases were delivered. These have been recycled by horny-handed gentlemen of Brighton from wood used by scaffolders. A late breakfast then with the Tobster and then off to Charleston House , home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, and haunt of the Bloomsbury crowd, including Vanessa's sister Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, John Maynard Keynes and many o...

Vodka in the rain Up early and working hard on some conceptual branding work for a Dutch Vodka. This went rather well, and had the bulk of the job done by lunchtime. A delighted client, and a few calls during the afternoon, but all well. Typically the thought they liked best was the one I had about five minutes after taking the brief. All this meant I was manacled to my desk, and only ran out to my 'larder', the Marks and Sparks in the station. The lovely rain fell steadily for the first time in a while, Calliope spent a good deal of time indoors and looking for trouble; rushing me unprovoked from across the room and wrapping her forelegs around my shins, getting a mouthful of trouser and shaking her head savagely, when not attempting to rest her head on my shoulder when typing. (It was me typing, not the cat.) I haven't heard the mysterious toad croak today. I thought that's what they did in the rain. Opened my window to listen for it, and looked down at a man in the T...

Nazguls, seagulls Final day in London. Actually felt brighter today than the rest of the week. Had to finish French work at lunchtime. Ended up rather liking Ken, who I'd worked with for the last four days, and going a bit mad this last afternoon, and snickering at silly things, having spent the last four days slogging at a particularly thin brief. Going back to Hammersmith has seemed at times like returning to the past, and is full of negative emotions. However these last few times I have not felt under the Nazgul's wing any more, and have quite enjoyed it. Felt a joyful surge of happiness and was able to leave work on time and zoom back to Brighton. Listening now to A Passage To India by EM Forster. I have always thought of this as one of my favourite books, although I've not read it for at least 25 years. It is every bit as nuanced, bitingly observed and philosophical as I remember. Home and after cleaning myself up, off to Lorraine's house where we, plus Beth and Ma...