under another sun

Lorraine up at sixish this morning, and so was I up early to London working on the train, but feeling absolutely shattered and sore throaty and only in the end ten minutes early. Dragged by butt through the day, which seemed to go on forever. Yawning in the airless office, I melted away to stand in Tavistock Square for a few minutes just try to wake myself up a bit. Eventually home, in a crowded delayed train, listening to the Martin Amis book Zone of Interest , which I think should be much more interesting than it is. It is relentlessly banal but maybe that is the point. Then straight to The Shakespeare's Head to meet Lorraine, Betty, John, and Rosie where we had some sausages and mash and a few quiet beers. A real thank God it's Friday feeling. Later joined by Betty's pal Laura, and Matt and a Turkish friend Yasin who I really enjoyed talking to about his participated in the Gezi Park protests last year. Much gossiping and chatting, and very pleased to have got to the...

Nightmares of frustration and anxiety. Woke early and read in bed. A short burst of palpitations made me feel disproportionately rattled. Still got up and had a nice breakfast with Mum and Mas, despite the fact the cat had brought in a mouse, and Mas drove me off to Edgware station.  Chugged in on time on the Metropolitan Line to Euston Square. Into work and discovered that the file I had worked on all yesterday afternoon, after personally promising the client would be done by this morning, had vanished from the server. IT people and others helping, but all to no avail, so had to start from scratch. Lunchtime out for a walk to a bookshop with First Matie, and had a chat with Matty boy next to the statue of the Mahatma about Graeme, who will be having his operation soon. My heart goes out to him. We sloped off and bought a short life of Dante for £2.99, which was a bargain. Nice to hang out with Kate, who helped me feel a lot more normal after a weirdly  twitchy morning. ...

Gratefully back to work Up at 6:30 after a night of thunder and heavy rain, with Calliope curled up at the back of my knees. Of to Brighton station in the dark feeling sorry that I was not in Guernsey still. Typically, as Lorraine had a day off work, I had a job in London. Very pleased to have it, however. Had started my kindle trial download of The Guardian and read the paper on it as we trundled slowly off to London. The driver warning us of leaves on the line, or as I began to think of it, old chestnuts on the line. Reading the paper on the kindle is less good than having the actual paper, but means that you don't elbow your neighbours nor have a newspaper to dispose of afterwards. Working enjoyably with Keith on a tick and flea collar. Working in a room overlooking the plane trees of Tavistock square. From where I was sitting the whole window appeared full of leaves, falling around Gandhi's feet below like damp, tawny offerings. Inside, however, Keith kept drawing dogs spor...

Cyber-yokel Up to London again, working on a few concepts on the train, before turning gratefully to listen to my Graham Greene's The End of the Affair again, or at least I would have if the iPod battery hadn't instantly died. Listened to it on the way home, however. A wonderful book, a tortured mix of God and love, jealousy and bitterness. Work was pleasant again, and pressed on with bits and pieces quite happily. Had a small walk in Tavistock Square looking at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi with a pigeon resting peacefully on its head. After work I went down to the Salisbury where I met Mex for a quick drink, as we'd not seen each other for ages. She was detained at work, and this made me realise that the last few times I have met anyone there, they have been late. She was full of news about her new job, which is to do with haut cuisine online, and about social media in particular. So much so that I began to feel a bit of a cyber-yokel. It was good to see her, however, and...

A square Mum has returned home from hospital this afternoon. I'm very pleased and relieved. Otherwise a dreary Monday up to London, the top of buildings like the gherkin, and the BT office tower grazed by clouds. Reading my paper about the election of the unappetising geek Ed Milliband as leader of the Labour party. Miliband E narrowly beat his older brother Miliband D to the job, which should make for some lively family gatherings. Working hard all day on the blood clot site. Almost done, thank God. Walked up to buy a sandwich with Katie at lunchtime, and then I took a short stroll around Tavistock Square snapping a few shots. And feeling momentary flares of cheer remembering that I am going to take some PK time soon. Home tonight before eight which was fantastic. Below All from Tavistock Square the BT tower, statue of Gandhi, and a peaky neurotic looking Virginia Woolf.

Mahatma in a London Square Tired and coldy, but off to the smoke. Decided to get the train to Embankment and walk up, and arrived on time and pleasantly refreshed. Just before I reached the office happened upon PK personal favourite Desi B outside a cafe. Hugs and chats. Very good to see her. She and her colleague were about to attend a course on email marketing, which I thought Desiree could have given herself. Had a quiet day. Pat and the FB in Spain. I just simply got on with a few things quietly and chatted to April. At lunch crept out and got a sandwich and lurked in Tavistock Square taking the photos below. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in its centre, and in one corner a bust of Virginia Woolf. Also a big block of stone to remember Conscientious Objectors, and a cherry tree planted in the fifties to remember victims of the atomic bombs in Japan. Home late, bumping into neighbours Jen and Martin as I was taking rubbish out. Calliope going far afield now, and following me out into the...