under another sun

Up at 7:30 this morning to gird my loins to be ready for Anton at 8:30. Leaving Lorraine, on the first morning of half term, in bed. Anton drove us off to Ashdown Forest where we walked about without pause for about three hours or so. A beautiful day for walking, coolish with quite a bit of sun. Great to be walking (brisk walking is Anton's new fitness tip and he has been doing lots of it in the Cotswolds and other places lately). There is something great about just sloping along and chatting, as we passed into woods under tree canopies, sandy paths lined with gorse, past a small recently burnt bit, across buttercup fields, the path of a disused railway, where with nothing in sight for half a mile in either direction we had a judicious wee in the bushes, only to discover that a poor woman was sitting tucked away on a bench about ten yards away. Also crossed Pooh bridge, with a little clot of tourists there looking down at the penny coloured water. Discussed lots of stuff that nee...

Less nervy today, although naturally nerves started at around 5pm. A taxi with James and Lorraine to The Marlborough, which was packed and had people conducting some kind of a Christmas Gift auction downstairs. More people tonight, and the room felt very full.  Catherine and Tanya and Steve Cartwright, Rosie and Innis were all there. A big day for Beth as Gary was there with Sophie, having been unable to see her during the Festival.  Emily and Eliza, two of her university besties came too. John came tonight too. The show went excellently. Less nervy than yesterday, and always fascinating to see how different audiences react to the same play. They really tuned into the dark side for the final section of A Glass of Nothing . Beth really on point tonight. Spectacular. Very proud of her and Dylan, Kitty and James. I couldn't have asked more of them, and they consistently did better than I imagined they could. Sad that we were done after just two nights. I have to get my thinki...

A hearty breakfast this morning, although I was talking about pitch matters with Yas briefly, before coming down to scarf my bacon sandwich. Krys somewhat better this morning and with her architect's eye looked at our kitchen and gave us some insightful thoughts on how to extend it. Then Lorraine, Krys and I went off to visit some more Open Houses. I fell into conversation with several people, including most interestingly with a man called Brian Mander, who has an extraordinary garden, with a plethora of concrete heads, stag antlers a caravan stage, and a huge tree with chains depending weird antlered heads. Had a short chat with him about Shakespeare among other things. Krys bought some ceramics during the tour too. Then to The Park View where we met up with Betty and John, and John's uncle Martin for a Sunday roast.  Back to ours for a bit, before fond farewells to Krys who left for the station with John and Martin in a taxi. Lorraine and I then walked back down to ...

Saturday woke up and had a large breakfast and walked down to the walled garden in Preston Park, which is the one we visit lots, which was having an open day which meant there was a couple of trestle tables with home made cakes and a few plants in pots for sale. Then a bit of food shopping, and home via buying some plants from someone's garden stall, before devoting the afternoon to intensive gardening, planting dozens of plants, many of which we were not even particularly sure what they were. Betty laughing at our garden frenzy. A really nice way to spend the time poking things into the earth and watering them heavily. A sunny gorgeous afternoon, not too warm and perfect for working in. At tea time John and Krys arrived, but unfortunately Krys had begun to feel really rough on the journey down,  so had to go to bed early, and eat little or nothing.  John, Betty, Lorraine and I however played some hands of Euchre and Lorraine and I drank some rum and coke, and we had a reall...

Up and writing this morning. Breaking off for a pancake breakfast cooked by Beth. She made some with slightly crazed blueberry smiles. Lorraine, John and I scarfing them, and plain ones with bacon and maple syrup, which was all rather delicious. After breakfast noticed a large fox, possibly a pregnant female relaxing in our garden. It seemed to appreciate the newly dug earth, and employed it as a lavatory. Managed also to work on a poem, which if I say so myself, is one of the best I have written. So quite chuffed with that. Also spoke to Mum. Lorraine and Beth off shopping, but I met up with them and John, his mum Krys and sister Jo who were down in Brighton today in Côte for a lunchtime bite, which was cheery. I went back home, and Beth and Lorraine arrived later, armed with a new coat for Beth. From Côte to coat. Below a Blueberry smile, the fox in question, and light through the side gate of the Pavilion Gardens.

All about property again today. Lorraine and I up early scouring the house clean, as we have not had the benefits of Sonya for a few weeks, before our meeting with the nice folks who are buying our house, and then drove around Brighton to view five other houses, and discuss houses at great length. One house was promising, and had excellent views. Much needed snooze at the end of the day before heading out for what the Gods of Randomness had decreed would be my third curry in a row. (Now officially OFF curry for a while). To the Shahi, with Lorrine and Betty, and John and his family: Krys his mum, Jo his sister, and Joey her boyfriend plus Martin, John's uncle. A pleasant evening, and everyone except Martin returned to our place afterwards for chats. Beth feeling ill and disconcertingly quiet. For Lorraine and I the evening was notable in that was Dr Rahmen's last night at The Shahi, and he will now will be based in Birmingham with his family, starting his career on the acad...