under another sun

Up this morning and off to Friston Forest with Guy, and his two small and elderly dogs sporting day glow coats with handles on the backs so you could pick them up like suitacases. I told Lorraine that I was off dogging with Guy. A glorious crisp cold morning. Nice to get to know Guy a little better. He's very friendly and easy to chat with and I enjoyed our walk. Thanks to things like a nice walk in the forest, noticing that I am feeling more motivated, and cheerier. Arranged to meet people, to go for a walk with Brian on Wednesday, to see Anton on Thursday, to arrange a date with Messrs Hoibak and Hartley.  Lorraine spent much of the day with Beth and went to a Christmas Wreath pottery workshop this evening, which they both enjoyed. I sat at home and watched some documentaries about the end of civilisations. 

Up as usual. Lorraine off early to have breakfast with Beth and her new NCT pal Lucy. Brian miaowed soulfully when Lorraine left and I had to go and comfort him. Sylvia was here this morning, and after phoning Mum I decided to use my new bus pass and went off to Friston Forest for a walk. While I was waiting for the bus, I bumped into Beth and Lucy, with the babies off to Rhyme Time. After that I met Eileen Counsell again, and her husband. Eileen is a former professional musician, who is active in the local arts community, and a good egg. Lovely to walk in the forest, to green bathe and crunch on autumn leaves. I took lots of photos. A call from Lorraine who had been contacted by Sylvia. Brian had had another terrible fit, foaming at the mouth and had tumbled downstairs and hurt his leg. Sylvia was in tears when Lorraine found her. Lorraine stayed with him and we made a vet's appointment for this afternoon, and we went to the vet and took the hard decision to have him put down. The...

Up early and off to Friston Forest for a walk with Brian and Marley the dog. A lovely day for it, and I always enjoy chatting to Brian, he is a great listener as well as talker, and that is a rare thing. I really like getting to the bit towards the top of the hill where he prays and meditates. I just love the fact there is someone doing that there, and more that I know him.  Brian drove me home, and then I did a bit of writing, but also spoke to Ben and Mum. Ben was looking at the fireplace and says we might not need the fire I ordered, and his mate was a gas engineer. He is going to investigate. Ben has returned from a week away, and Mum is pleased he's back. We'll see what he suggests. In the afternoon, Lorraine and I off to Lewes to meet Dawn and Paul at the Depot. We had a quick drink with them, then went to see a film called Dead of Winter, starring Emma Thompson. Set on and around an icy lake, with lots of shooting. Emma saving the day. Most of the main protagonists, inc...

Up early this morning. Caroline was going to come around to do personal training with Lorraine, but cancelled due to a heavy cold. I however was picked up by Brian, who drove us off to Friston Forest for a hour's forest walk. Marley shooting about collecting sticks. Lots to chat about, and Brian pausing as ever over the valley in contemplation. I always enjoy Brian's company.  Home for more coffee, and a bit of desk work, and even looked at a poem. Also popped out to get a passport photo taken. To Brighton, where I bought some trainers designed for feet that tend to over pronation. Having researched my own feet using chat GTP, I strode authoritatively into Runnersneed and soon was slipping on a pair of ASICS GT 2000 14's and it was like treading on clouds. A quick cup of tea in a cafe, and a bit of a scribble and began a new instagram page for my assorted scribbles. Then to The Evening Star where Anton and Oskar arrived just after me. Excellent to see Oskar. He's prepar...

A little rain overnight. A little time in the garden for Lorraine, and in the studio I picked up my pencils and did some drawing for fun. Innis and Rosie came around this afternoon, dropping off Pippi, and going around to see Beth and James. Lorraine, Pippi and I went around to Palo and Martin's house, to look at their lovely garden, which they had opened for the day, and Palo's lovely paintings. Lovely to see Palo again, and I really liked some of her new work.  While mooching in the garden, I was holding Pippi's lead, and surprising how many people start talking to you because you happen to be sporting a nice cockapoo. Soon we were back home and Rosie and Innis were sitting in the garden. We drove off to the Plough and Harrow, for a late Sunday lunch. I decided to eat Sunday lunch like an Englishman. Roast beef washed down with a couple of pints of Long Man, from the brewery across the lane. Very nice food. And lovely to catch up with Rosie and Innis. My lightning app goi...

A good day for me. Up fairly early and tinkering, before breakfast with Lorraine. Actually raining today in Seaford.  Strapped on my neoprene knee, and Brian collected me for a walk in Friston Forest. Brian had already been for a swim and had been up since six. Always lots to talk about, with Marley the dog zooming after sticks, and we tree bathed in the green light. The earth very dry, although there was some fine rain, and it had been raining overnight a little. I always enjoy how Brian is unafraid to talk about the big stuff, like death and religion and art and so on -- and of course we have a laugh too.  Collecting Yvonne and Sebastian, Brian then gave me a lift back, before they went off to look at dinosaurs in the afternoon. Lorraine back, and we snatched a bit of lunch together, between rhyme time, and her having to go round to be with Pat and Maureen, as they waited for the nurse to come and sort out his blocked catheter. Poor Patrick had been in some discomfort. I mad...

Up and breakfasted early, leaving Lorraine in bed and was collected by Brian who drove us off to Friston Forest. A lovely walk, the going soft and puddly, and the chat excellent. Brian stopping and making me look at things, like the colour of leaves under the beech trees. Marley the dog zooming about happily. Then back to Brian and Yvonne's house for a cuppa and to try on their Santa clothes. They want me to go around next week while their grandchildren are there and BE Santa. A man with my years of Santa experience couldn't really say no.  Then I walked home. A beautiful clear day, and not raining which was rather miraculous. Lorraine off at lunchtime to see Laura, and meet her baby Layla, and then on to hang out with Beth, and help her get her flat ready for the buyers who are coming around again tomorrow. I simply did some bits of work, billing and so on but wasn't in the mood to apply myself to anything.  I made off to meet Steve and his dutch pal Mike again, for a few ...

Up early and Brian called round for me at 8:15 this morning, and we drove off to Friston Forest for an hour's walk. Brian, hardy soul, had already been for swim before he collected me. A lovely walk through the trees, with Marley the dog racing ahead and back again, and pleading with Brian to throw sticks for her.  Always a profoundly interesting conversation with Brian. We tree bathed in the beech forest, and talked about kindness, and responsibilities. Brian said I was a calm person, which I liked as I think of myself as a bit of a hysteric. We looked down at valley Brian told me was called Charleston Bottom. Beautiful sight, and suddenly dozens of birds in the sky over one of the far fields -- herring gulls and starlings and crows, and amid them a bird of prey, too far away for me to identify it, but obviously causing the commotion. Home and worked more on the seven new poems. Then joined in the frenzy of housework day. Members of Lorraine's book group were coming around. I ...