under another sun

Up and another tasty breakfast. Sun streaming through the windows first off. Enjoying the antler coat racks here and there in the pub's restaurant area. Then after packing, Lorraine having a strategic snooze, and dealign with a bit of work stuff we drove up to Harting Down where we had some magnificent views down to South Harting, and also of rainclouds drifting along to the north of us. A gorgeous moving vista of sunlight and cloud shadows that no photo can do justice to, especially when I forgot my camera and used my iPhone instead. For some reason my walking boots, which were top of the range exemplary boots I have used for about eight years, decided to fall apart after getting wet yesterday. The soles were by now flip-flopping along, and I was getting a bit twitchy as is my wont on the side of big bald hills, we had a lovely walk. Skylarks particularly at song and we saw a pair of them either competing in song or about some kind of mating business. Gorgeous liquid trilling an...

A slow start this morning, I was not feeling very well, oddly hot and sweaty.  Lorraine and I off to meet Sam in town before he headed back to Leeds. However he postponed his departure, because as President of the Philosophical society he had to cancel a planned walk about the Lake District. As L and I set off the Pride march passing by, which was as colourful as ever. Always enjoy seeing the Police marching as part of the parade. Had coffee with Sam and a glance around the shops. He bought a tub with paper gulls in them, which was rather nice. I found a leaflet about tutored drop-in life drawing sessions, which are held quite close to where I live, so may pursue this when I get a chance. Much of the rest of the day given over to moving Beth back to Kingston. Filling up a white van with Betty stuff, and then L and I took her off, and unpacked her at the other end. She has a nice new student house, far better than where she was before, and the two boys she and four girls are s...

Off today for Lorraine's secret day out, planned months in advance by Betty. We took a train up to Kingston, L facebooking like fury, and had a nice meal at Little Italy, and a sip of Pimm's before a spot of shopping. I repaired at this point to wander into All Saints Church, the site (though not the church) of the coronations of Saxon kings, including Ethelred The Unready. Then off by bus to Hampton Court where we had tickets for The Flower Show. Really enjoyable day out. Amazing amounts of people, some amazing small show gardens to look at (many of them seemed to have a Japanese influence) plus enormous tents to drift about in looking at all kinds of plants, from carnivorous, cacti to pelargoniums, orchids, ferns, roses, and a gazillion other ones. Felt quite inspired by it all. Lorraine really enjoyed herself, and Betty got top marks. Loads of sites to see, and I attach a few snaps, as they paint a thousand words and so on... Nice for me too because I bumped into my old ...

The yellow duck army Feeling sorry for myself, with endless coughing fits. Lorraine, who is feeling poorly too, rented a white van. We drove to my place, filling it with a few bits and pieces. Lorraine turned into White Van Chick and had a bit of a fracas with Zimbabweans. Then back home and packing Betty and her stuff, and yellow ducks into the van. Brian wanted to come too, and climbed into the van at one point. Off all wedged in the front to Kingston. Slighly highly charged emotioal undercurrent for Betty and Lorraine. But today wasn't the big goodbye, but was all about setting up her new room, which has a leafy view and now has Kath Kidson stuff and yellow ducks in it to make it homely for Betty. Met two of her housemates, a young couple, who seemed not the sort to say boo to geese. Once all satisfied, the three of us home via the Twitten where among bouts of swearing we dissassembled the bed. Bouts of lung-wrenching coughing making me feel wretched and grumpy. Some sleeping, a...

No dramas A bad night's sleep at Lorraine's. A massive student party in a nearby house spilled out into the back garden at 3am, with people playing drums, saxophone, guitar etc. Even after complaining, we had to move room to get some peace. Rather poor especially as it was an early start this morning as Betty asked me to go with her to Kingston College drama school. On arrival I imperiously asked the course tutor (who happened to be standing behind a counter) to make me a cup of tea. Then there was some waiting about in a room full of nervous auditioners busy filling out forms. The tension so great that even as a moral supporter it made me want to wring my hands. Then we were shown about some good facilities. After this rubbernecking Beth did her audition. She was first, and came out very pleased with how it had gone. We were back in Brighton by early afternoon. I had been filming the excursion which she has now loaded onto her facebook page. Later I met Lorraine in the Basket...