under another sun

Up early and had another morning looking at Mum's hoard of photographs. I am finding this quite therapeutic in a way, seeing all those familiar faces many of them now having joined the majority.  I like the idea of good times in the past, and seeing myself looking fairly cheery in a variety of situations. I like seeing things just at the edge of what I can remember. I think Mum felt a bit sad seeing all those people too, she is aware of her aloneness at the moment.  Unlike yesterday, it was rainy and cool again. Mum and I went to the Jolly Badger for lunch, very crowded for rainy Tuesday afternoon. Enjoyed the bowls of salad, and chicken there, washed down with a solitary Guinness.    There was a worry about thunder too, and Mum unplugged things when she went back. I walked off in the rain to Mill Hill Broadway station, and had another smooth journey home. I listened to Will's book and I am still enjoying it. Texted Simon, as I found a photo of him and another friend...

Up to Edgware. A beautiful warm, sunny day. Peskily missed the train I had earmarked. Then because of working to rule of railway folks, a majorly reduced train service. Had to go to Brighton, then a train to Victoria and tube to Stanmore. Arrived at 12:45 to find Mum chatting with Wynford, now out of hospital but dealing with an unpleasant   autoimmune condition. He is a lovely caring man, with a strong faith that sustains him. Mum and I had a chat, then zoomed off to The Waggon for some lunch. I had cider with Mum which was sweet and refreshing, then my usual chicken shish with decent salad and chips. Home again, and I dropped off at the garage Tescos by the roundabout to buy some bits for this evening. We had a happy hour and a half looking at old photos, although Mum a little sad when she saw photos of Betty Tostevin. There were some snaps there I did not remember.  Then some supper and a watch of MASH, but I pushed off after the first episode. Better journey back, as I had...

Very nippy still. Didn't do nothing, but did next to nothing. Lurked at home, Lorraine and I slipped out to the supermarket to do some shopping. Lorraine then cooked an absolutely delicious chicken biryani curry and a green lentil dhal. Ate like a Raja. Pat and Maureen watching snooker on TV most of the day. Reminded me of my grandmother Gwen, who liked snooker a lot in her later years. Something about the mental arithmetic which she was always excellent at. Read some poetry for the podcast, but it was mainly a day for staring at the walls.

A good night's sleep in my own bed, and cooler overnight too. Lorraine and I with a list of things that must be done. I had a work offer for the time I was on holiday to reject in a way that encourages future business, and to write to Robin about guests next season on Planet Poetry. We got on a bus together and I hopped off at the Stein and dropped of our 'wet' signed contracts with the solicitor in case we are able to swap them while we are on holds. Then I walked up to the vampire section of hospital outpatients. A ticketing system, with only one phlebotomist there. I was told the wait would be an hour or an hour and a half. Looked at my ticket and there were twenty people ahead of me. After twenty five minutes only three people had been seen so I walked down the road and found a cafe where I was passive aggressively served a cup of tea and a sandwich in the Portland cafe. When I returned to the waiting room there were three phlebotomists and my number had just gone. Argh...

I found it hard to concentrate... Several Estate Agents calls adding to a general background twitchiness which wasn't conducive to my own writing, or completing my accounts. Seems there is one strong lead from the weekend for our own house, and the interested party will visit again on Wednesday. I told them to go live with the property from tomorrow, and have another open day this Saturday. Other conversations I had about Seaford properties and so on. Lorraine and I having conversations about patience and steadiness. Mercury is retrograde too, which certain astrologers slows and confuses negotiations.  Spoke to the vet. Calliope's thyroid level seems to be right now, thanks to the stuff they gave me to squirt down her throat. All being well now she won't need to be seen for three months. A chat with a cheerful Anton. And a walk late this afternoon around my usual places. Home and cooked, after sitting outside in the sunshine for a few moments. Spoke to Mum this evening, exp...