under another sun

A grim hosing it down sort of day, with lots of wind. I heard the door click at stupid o'clock and Giannis was gone. Lorraine and I luxuriating in a slow start, even having some breakfast in bed before forging out into the world. Went to a speciality cheese shop in Hove to buy some for Ken's birthday, and I made the mistake of asking if they had any French cheese. Pretty much nothing but and the man showed Lorraine and I about fifty types. To Ken and Janet's place in the pouring rain from Hove. A nice party, with Ken who'd not been feeling too well earlier, rallying marvellously and coming downstairs and having a bit of wine and chatting to everyone. Janet having a bit of a fraught time organising things, but the afternoon was a great success. He sat regally in his dressing gown receiving gifts and greetings, and even burst into song on occasion. A lovely spread of food and nice wine, and I saw lots of people I'd not seen in some time, such as Hus, Cesare, Ros a...

Lorraine up early and made porridge and tea for us, which I ate in bed. Then I found Giannis in the kitchen, and made toast and scrambled eggs, taking the opportunity to have a Hobbit's second breakfast with him. I made myself a tea and after the water had quickly reboiled I found that I was pouring a dilute instant coffee over my teabag, which was a bit of a surprise, but we laughed about it. Glen came around again, and another quick chat with him before he and Giannis set off into Brighton. Glen incredibly busy trying to get a whole slew of stuff sorted over here. To work, and after a few hours, I decided I needed to stop going around in circles and cut myself a bit of slack. At lunchtime I broke off to see Eleni and Glen perform a lunchtime concert in the Unitarian Church. Said hello to Giannis again and Sakis and Rita, Eleni's mum and dad. Glen and Eleni did a lovely job,  Eleni truly is a fantastic singer. I wrote about their performance here . Home again to round ...

Lorraine brought up tea and porridge for us first thing this morning. Then having got up I made Giannis more eggs and B. Not sure if he wanted them, but I forced them on him anyway. Much of the day devoted to driving myself quietly mad and going around in circles in the work I am doing. Went for a bit of a walk at lunchtime, which I thought might help. Returned to go around in circles in the afternoon to the point where I felt like pulling my hair out. Decided at the end of the day I was going to take a break from it, as the woods/trees conundrum was proving far too difficult. Walked down to the Red Roaster in the evening and watched some poets reading. Clare Best launching a small 'almost' pamphlet with a few illustrations by Michaela Ridgeway was the highlight for me. Still, nice to see some of the Lewes poetic posse of Robin, Charlotte, Clare, Stephen Bone and Catherine Smith and other poetic folks in attendance, and I had a nice chat with Marion Tracy, who I'd not p...

Lorraine up early and away. I cooked Giannis and myself a plate of eggs and b. all slightly awkward due to not being able to speak to one another but an amiable silence. Quick chat with Glen who came around to pick him up. Then a teleconference with Matt and Jo at the agency, and spent the rest of the day working at my desk on some slightly gruelling work. Beth called having been an extra with the Absolutely Fabulous people, rubbing shoulders with Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders. Nice chat with Mum later in the day, and Giannis came home after Lorraine and I had gone to bed.

A day manacled to my desk. Lots to do, and not much of it putting a song on my lips. In London however Isy has been having contractions and Matt on the cusp of fatherhood for the second time. Beth has a job being an extra on an Absolutely Fabulous film tomorrow, so she is well pleased about this. Spent some time talking about the show today while we were preparing supper. Lorraine back lateish after pilates. Then at around nine Glen stopped by briefly and dropped off Giannis, who we'd met in Kavala and who is coming to crash at our place. He's a lovely man, but it is all a tad awkward as he has very little English and my Greek is risible. Still I managed to show him my photos from Chad as he asked after my African experience, and we shared a nice drop of wine and all shuffled off to bed early as everyone was tired.