under another sun

Lorraine preoccupied all day with working out the various scenarios of children returning to school. The government has had three months to work this out, but beyond issuing a few dictates that are then withdrawn due to their ineptitude and lack of consultation. Even the dogs in the street could have told you that if you require two meters between each child, for example, you are going to need double the amount of rooms (not to mention the staff to supervise this). Nothing has been thought through. Just one example of Government by this inept band of intellectual Lilliputians. Up early, as Beth had bounced into the kitchen and begun to make pancakes, which I had with bacon and maple syrup. A taste combination that reminds me of Mason, and assorted North American adventures. Lorraine and I went to Marks & Sparks food hall at Patcham, and mooched around together. Some folks simply do not get the idea of social distancing. I was standing in an isle and felt something around my ank...

Up and a boiled egg breakfast with Lorraine. Two foxes passing through our garden. A day for sending manuscripts out. Spent several hours assembling three poetry submissions and a short story submission. The short story was rejected in less time than it took to get it ready by a magazine in the US. A rapidity never experienced,  I had resubmitted it by the end of the day. Off to Marks and Sparks today, to replace the boxer shorts Lorraine had got for me at the weekend. I chose the right size and presented them along with the wrong un's and receipt for a box of shortbread. not having noticed the receipt Lorraine had left me was wrong. They were fine about it though. Went to see Helen, buying some fancy biscuits en route. They were coconut and Helen doesn't like coconut. Met her son Josh again briefly. Listened to the new and hard to compose section of the Opera she has been working on. Part of it is a musical interpretation of a helicopter which is interesting, and strangely...

Pies and Pride My larder (aka the station Marks & Spencers) had rearranged itself this weekend. The big deep refrigerator which normally houses cheese and milk and a variety of chilled products was given over to pink champagne. For it was Pride weekend. At lunchtime Lorraine and I sauntered down to the bottom of Trafalgar Street to see the parade pass by in the rain. I actually found myself quite moved by it: everyone was smiling and it was a very happy occasion. The fact that the Pride march is such a part of Brighton life and so widely supported is a cause for celebration. People since the dawn of time have moaned that things are getting worse. But I think a society where the gay police officers association leads the parade is a much better and saner than it used to be. Nothing like watching a parade of gaudy colours to get your appetite up, so Lorraine and I went off to eat pie and mash and peas in Pokeno pies. Then after a few cups of tea at home, did a little work in the aft...

Damp in the larder Marks and Sparks by Brighton station (a.k.a. my larder) got flooded on Friday morning as Brighton caught some of the current deluge. Here is an opportune shot through the window at some of the staff mopping up cheerfully after the shop was closed.