under another sun

Saturday, and a late breakfast. Early afternoon, while Lorraine went to see Beth to discuss baby clothes, I went back to the gym. I had some trepidation having evilled my stomach muscles lifting up the tumble dryer. However I was able to trundle happily on the cross trainer and do a few other bits on weight machines without alarms or re-injuring myself. I didn't do the much needed stomach crunches however, just in case. At half past five off to the Lewes Depot cinema to see Ghost Cat Anzu a Japanese film with beautiful backdrops and anime characters. All rather lovely. The story fun too, about a girl with a deadbeat dad, and a dead mother being left with her grandfather in a temple in the country. While staying there alone with her grandfather, she is looked after by a ghost cat, who can drive a moped, and uses a mobile phone, and walks upright (and works as a masseuse). They have many adventures, including going back to the land of the dead to talk to the mother. Lots of weird cha...

Lorraine off to Story Time this morning. Otherwise a homey day, and I did some writing. Birthday celebratory drinks in the Old Boot Inn with Pat and Maureen, Beth and James, Anton, Mark and Carol, Adele and Patrick, Brian and Yvonne, and Kate and Andrew. Steve was going to come but he was unwell, however Freja came and had a good time. I really enjoyed myself, receiving very thoughtful cards and pressies. Mark gave me an eraser, which harks back to 1971 when I sat next to him at Copland school on the first day and he wouldn't lend me his rubber. Perhaps 53 years later I should now forgive this. Anton gave me some immaculately wrapped pressies, two books I had coveted, and a fold away ink pen, which he uses all the time know, with beautiful green ink. A very cheery evening indeed, and I had lots of laughs and generally felt exceedingly lucky and happy. As if to mark the occasion, Harvey's Old Ale is now on tap in the Boot. Happy days. Most of us ate there too, perfectly decent f...

Pleasantly creaky from yesterday's walk up Seaford Head. I need to do more walking again now that I haven't renewed in the gym, and you see loads more than staring at a wall while on the cross trainer.  Otherwise something approaching a perfect little day. Up fairly early, had breakfast with Lorraine, who then zoomed off to do rhyme time at the library, and then go around to her pal Helen's house. I meanwhile phoned mum then completed a good draft of my new horror story, I'm currently calling The Emptiness. Quite pleased with it, and it is an interesting scenario around wearing a giant rabbit suit in a farm shop. I based it on a job Beth had once in Kent. Then a late lunch. A spot of pottering in the garden, and Lorraine preparing dhal. A little before six Lorraine and I walked to The Crypt, where the Last Minute Artists were having a show. Adele one of these, and she was exhibiting some fabulous Punch and Judy themed glass. The crocodile eating sausages was inspired.  ...

Lorraine off for story time this morning. I was a little sluggish after last night, and mooched about tidying my office and the house after  putting in a lot of work podcasting this week. Walked this evening to Patrick's house. Lorraine and Beth went to book group, (slightly delayed by taking Micky the cat to the vet's). Bumped into Kate, Adele and a brown as a berry Brian, who gave me a manly hug, en route. Andrew arrived moments after me, and we went up to Patrick's studio where he played us three songs he had been working on. All quite different, one with a punkish energy, but more sophisticated, another slower song with a beautiful melody, and a dance track with rock guitars.  Andrew and I invited to listen and comment -- and we had a good deal of fun listening, and suggesting edits. One thing is clear Patrick has an amazing ability to write melody, and has mastery over all kinds of forms. And of course the technology is there, at one point Andrew suggested changing an ...

No work. Bliss. Up and breakfast with Lorraine, and she went off to walk and talk with Penny and other ex-headteacher friends I spent a happy couple of hours finalising my reading for tonight's Needlewriters. (Success happens when preparation meets opportunity, I reminded myself). A lunchtime walk, and the luxury of a nap this afternoon. Quite nervous, and bleating nervously to Lorraine once or twice. Pleased Robin and I were reading together which somehow made it feel better.  I'd not seen the rooms upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern so crowded. I counted about 45 people. All my favourite poet friends there, SJB, Charlotte, Janet, Stephen Bone, Antony Mair and Jeremy. Plus there was a delegation from Seaford, Adele, Patrick, Andrew and Kate. Then, greatly to my surprise, old Warwick University pals, Will Leith and Callum Murray appeared, who I first met when I was 19, and then sat in the front row. As I was being introduced by James Ellis, who did a great job all night, I some...

Morning of tidying up and hoovering. Delores came around for some lunch and a lunchtime glass of wine. She melted away in the afternoon as we were all going to the same party tonight at Kate and Andrew's house, which is near Blatchington Pond.  Kate is part of the reading group and she and Lorraine get on well, and on arrival Kate gave us each a written question to ask people, as there were lots of people who didn't know each other. Odd, and as I didn't have my glasses. But it proved a good icebreaker -- although I already knew the hosts and Adele and Patrick and Delores. Lots of nice folks there, and spoke to most of them. Enjoyed lurking in the garden despite the coolness, and saw some bats flitting about overhead. Apparently a night for the Perseids, but didn't see any. The first time I'd had a chance to chat to Andrew despite meeting him a few times in a group of people. And swapped numbers with a musician called Steve who is moving to Lewes. Had a really good t...