under another sun

Woke up feeling a little sadder and wiser thanks to the Slivovitz. Chatting to Ken before he made off to Pat and Maureen's place. If in doubt, tidy up. I proposed we heroically clean the fridges and Lorraine and I set about them, Lorraine then suggested the immense double cupboard, redistributing and sorting. I am a fan of Dilly Carter (a home-grown tidying up guru) so I find this increasingly therapeutic.  Beth came around for a chat after shopping, with a sudden gusto for a seafood dressing. Apparently the smell of roasting chicken makes her feel a bit weird now she is pregnant.  After these exertions, plus laundry and so on, we watched a little FA cup action. Lorraine cooked a gorgeous curry. I stepped outside and saw Venus, Jupiter and Mars, having nipped out earlier to catch the slither of the new moon lying on its back.  Both of us felt happy to be indoors. Ken returned from a day with Pat and Maureen, plus a session of playing Bingo downstairs with other denizens ...

Morning spent doing bits of admin, like securing a new interviewee for the podcast, and a little bit of writing. Lorraine doing story time in the Library, then taking fish and chips around to Pat and Maureen and hanging out with them for a bit. Then this evening she collected Ken from Lewes Station, who is here to spend a day with Pat and Maureen tomorrow. Early evening off to meet Anton in Brighton. Fascinated by a woman talking loudly from Bishopstone to Brighton about the care of dogs, including the benefits of feeding them cumin.   Brighton lively and the pubs full, it being a pay day Friday. Had a bite to eat in The Hampton, and then drifted down to the Brick looking out for the great parade of planets. Before ducking in for a glasses of their two thirds of a pint beers, and played some bones, where I continued my losing streak. Great to catch up despite having to devoted a few minutes to raging about Trump and the end of the postwar order.  Anton doing a little painting ...

Up early for a bank holiday, and we drove off into the countryside towards Great Dixter Gardens , where we spent a happy few hours poking about in the gardens there, and briefly into the house, and having coffee and giant eccles cakes in the cafe area. The weather bracing for May, and apparently it was the coldest May Bank holiday for some time. It did not rain however. Love being with Lorraine in places like this, she drifts about so happily loving the form of plants, and touching them. Some amazing colour combinations there too in the planting. Texts with Carl whose birthday it was today, who reported he was being taken around the shops because, according to Jayne, this is what he enjoys. This done, we drove the shortish distance into Kent and popped into see Pat and Maureen, and Ken was there too. Had fish and chips with them, and we were given lots of pots for our back garden, which was kind. Then the drive home listening to Kermode and Mayo's film podcast. Chelsea won toda...

Off to see Pat and Maureen today. Drove off into the blue day, a bit of a slow progress today due to speed restrictions and so on. However, we arrived safely. Ken was there too and was cooking up a big Sunday lunch. Lurking around chatting and watched a Wallace and Grommet film, A story of loaf and death on TV. Maureen had cooked a lovely apple pie too, which was sweet of her. I love apple pies. Had a discussion about apple pie beds. I had always thought these were beds with apple pies in them. However Lorraine explained they are simply beds made with the sheet folded back in on itself so you can't climb into it properly. I assembled a little plastic greenhouse thing to put Maureen's azaleas in. Lorraine and I had an identical one, so this was fairly straightforward. Lorraine and I drove home listening to an old Mayo and Kermode podcast about films. Below not a very good picture of Basil blending into Pat and Maureen's new carpet. And some weirdness on the roadside. ...

To continue Maureen's celebrations today, Lorraine's brother Ken drove over from Ashford, where he has been looking after poor Basil, who has hurt her leg, at Pat and Maureen's house. We had tea booked at the Grand Hotel, as part two of Maureen's celebrations. Ken was a surprise guest. Ken and I walked down to the seafront together.  Nice to chat with him, as we've not had the opportunity to spend much time together over the years. Ken and I arrived at the Grand, and Pat and Maureen, Beth and Lorraine already installed at a table. A view over the sea, albeit through scaffolding, and plush surroundings. Little sandwiches, followed by some amazing cakes and scones. So much of it, that we had to take lots away in the little cardboard boxes they provide for that purpose. All rather nice, and Maureen and Pat enjoyed themselves. Afterwards, Beth went back home and met John, who had been in London seeing his father, to pack. The rest of us home in the Qashqai. Later,...

To Ashford to see Pat and Maureen, before all kinds of complex things happen, such as them coming to Brighton while we are up in Edinburgh, and us all meeting up in Leeds for Sam's wedding. John and Beth came with us, and John had not been to see Pat and Maureen before. John doing very well considering he had been doing a gig and travelling through the night. A threatening sky on then way to Kent, but a warm welcome from Pat and Maureen, who was wearing cherries over her ears. Apparently, this is what you do with cherries, and there is nothing eccentric about this at all. A happy day, and it was good to see Ken, Lorraine's brother, who I've only met a few times. He's quite into his photography, and he showed me his cool Canon camera. He takes photos of his exhibition dogs in Ireland and says that by studying a photo of the dog, you can tell what needs to be improved more easily than just by looking at it. A tasty duck and salad lunch. Pat pointing out that the duck ...

Into town this morning to see the Children's Parade with Lorraine. Always makes me feel cheery and proud of Brighton when we see them do this. So much effort goes into this parade, and I could picture, this year better than previously, just how many unpaid teacher hours go into it. In the afternoon, Lorraine drove me down to the school where we are rehearsing for a couple of hours. After flying in the previous rehearsal, this one a bit of a reality check, and back to earth with a bump. But no reason to panic, as not having such a good rehearsal simply serves to focus everyone's mind's for the next few, and then the actual performance. Also showed up that the cast have a good team spirit. A fast drink afterwards with Betty, Kitty and Dylan. Then I bussed home. Ken, Lorraine's brother who lives in Ireland, had called round. It was only the second time I'd ever met him, and Lorraine and Ken were in the kitchen chatting. Good to see him. Ken had phoned me, not being...