under another sun

Hours of coughing overnight, so a slow start. A frosty morning, Lorraine zooming off in a sparkling car, and going with Beth and Maureen to Eastbourne. I enjoyed time thinking about what I'm working on next, and feeling like I'm taking control again through mind mapping etc. Surprised myself with a few good ideas. Then I went for a walk, and for the first time this year, reached 10k paces. My back slowly unknotting, which was nice. Also listening to the BBC Radio production of I Claudius . Caligula seems a bit of a handful.   Spoke to Anton, who is having a dry January, and is also eating salads. I've not had a drink for a few days, either, because I just don't fancy it at the moment. I want to get over my cough as soon as possible. Spoke to Mum too, who is not a great fan of the cold weather. Lorraine brought Maureen home for a bit, after shopping. Delores is looking after Pat for a few hours on Mondays now, to give her a bit of a break and she clearly enjoyed this.  I...

Frosty roofs and lawns this morning, with ice in the bird baths and in thin plates on the little fish pond. I got up and toyed with a few poems, adding no value at all. Brain moving at gastropod speeds, but nice to be back at my desk at least trying.  This struggle soon interrupted by a man in a lorry, who arrived with lots of long heavy boxes and a good deal of glass, which will, when assembled by an expert next week, will create a greenhouse. We left the glass stacked, and took the rest down to what we are calling the work 'ouse. Lorraine's masterplan for the garden is taking shape.  We also moved geraniums etc into the summerhouse to stop them getting frosted again. Lorraine cooked us up a lovely veggie soup, and after I mooched off to the gym. Spoke to two people in the changing room -- one of whom gave me advice on repelling creatures that dig out your flowerpots: chilli powder apparently. Much friendlier here in Seaford, and to be in a gym where the average age isn't ...