under another sun

Sluggish start, somewhat hungover and worse for going to bed some time after 2am. Cats, however, are no respecters of regrettable heads, and were demanding food till I relented and slouched downstairs at 8:45. Lorraine and I up later for a big breakfast with Sam and Jade, who wanly repaired back to bed for a hobbit's second sleep. Anton called with news of a hideous morning, the wooden window frame in the front of the house catching fire when he was stripping paint from it, and filling the room inside with smoke.  He had to call the fire brigade, who arrived five minutes later. I said, 'that was quick. 'Not when you're watching your house on fire,' said Anton. What a nightmare, and obviously entertaining for others in the street. Still, nobody hurt and little damage was done. Sam and Jade got up shortly before they left to catch the four o'clock train. Lorraine drove them off after fond farewells. I had been reading A History of Ancient Egypt, volume one by ...

Lorraine got up this morning to make some tea, and saw that there was a fire in one of the houses in the streets below us. Soon there was the sound of many sirens. I read on a local news site that the people in the flat had been taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. A relaxed morning, and Lorraine and I got up late. I was achey and tired. But I had a rejuvenating  doze in the afternoon. Lorraine and I set off to Anton's house for four o'clock to celebrate Klaudia's 13th birthday, which is tomorrow. I enjoyed spending time hanging out with Klaudia and Oskar. Lots of screens and games. Klaudia heavily involved in one where you could either be a prison officer, a convict or a criminal, and was  yelping about tasering people. Oskar playing one which had amazing graphics about the early days of the Romans. I don't think I would have left my room if they had been available when I was a bairn. We shared a really nice meal with ribs and poussin with amazing egg fried ri...