under another sun

Up and breakfasting early, Calliope with me as I carried her up to be with me. She was purring all night. At lunchtime I caught the train to Brighton and met Anton and Oskar at the station. We walked down to Preston Street and stopped at The Brick for a cheeky small beer (and a wee for me). First time I've had a drink in a pub with Oskar, as he only turned 18 at the end of April. We sat outside to down our small beers, when a random guy asked to sit down with us which was a bit weird. He was harmless though. Then went down to the boules area on the beach. Quite busy but there was a free bit at the end. There was a homeless guy in a tent who started shouting at us to help him get his tent up, while also claiming to be an ex-soldier and that we were all bastards for not helping. Anton and I played one game, and then I dropped out and Oskar began to play with Anton, when an old geezer wearing a boules tie came over and insisted we join him and two other people to play a six handed gam...

A mystery this morning. Some unknown creature moved one of the plants in our wildlife pond about a foot from its original position. I suspect fowl play and think it may be a seagull beaking obnoxiously at its container. After breakfast with Pat and Maureen, Lorraine plunged into the garden, and I did sanded the ground floor window ledges and door step, like a proper DIY geezer.  Then a bit more flat hunting. The four of us piling into the car. Off to a flat that the estate agent was rather ashamed to show us once he arrived. The walls were literally sodden with damp, and there appeared to be some species of deciduous tree growing from the skirting board. Two other places potentially to be viewed were discounted unseen being similar to one already rejected. We went back to the place they looked at first, Stratheden Court with the sea view, and as this seems perfect for them in every way, the die has been cast. I spoke to a bloke sunning himself in the garden, he said he loved it in ...

Lorraine unwell this morning, feeling drained and achey.  I was okay, although a bit lifeless. Did some shopping this morning, and making sure Lorraine was okay. Called Anton to make sure he was okay for me to come, and he said he was feeling a bit rough too, so not to worry.  So in the afternoon, I made off to Anton's house and with Anne, we taxied to The Connaught in Hove. Oskar and his girlfriend Niamh, who I liked a lot, and found an intelligent, thoughtful girl, studying design. Oskar has changed again. His hair is darker, and his voice deeper. Klaudia arrived slightly later with Anna. Klaudia fresh from all kinds of travels this summer. Thailand her favourite it seems. Nice to catch up with Anna too. I tried my best to eat reasonably to my new principals, and enjoyed a Caesar Salad. Then back to Anton's for presents and cake, and some sparkling wine. Lorraine and I had got him a print of the Seven Sisters, which he has been on lots in preparation for his Camino walks. I ...

Up late, and a hearty breakfast. Called Mum for a cheery chat. Lorraine and I mooching about in Seaford to pop into The Crypt to see an exhibition of works by folks in the Seaford Art club. A fairly decent standard. We spoke to Palo Almond who seems a lovely smily woman, whose work we like.  Kissed Lorraine and walked through the churchyard to head to the station. Had one of those moments of unexpected happiness. I like living here.  To Brighton to meet Anton for a cheeky afternoon beer. I worked at some poems on train and then scuttled through the rain to the Battle of Trafalgar where there was a bizarrely dressed stag do, lots of spangly cowboy stuff, including a beefy guy in a black hat who towered over me at the bar.  Anton arrived, but it was noisy due to noisy boys, so we sauntered in the rain down to the Evening Star, where I went unmolested, enjoyed good beer and played several games of highly contested bones with Anton, played on a bakelite made in the USSR in 1...

Up early and doing a few bits of life admin and a bit of editing of the interview with Clare Best I did earlier. A bit of a disrupted week work wise of course, but nevertheless a busy and fun week. I popped into town to get a card for Lorraine's birthday tomorrow, and one or two other bits. Lorraine happily drifting about in the garden, and I planted some replacement raspberry bushes, as one of our originals was dead on arrival, while the other original one has flourished. In the berry department of our agricultural enterprise we now have strawberries, raspberries, goji berries, blueberries and gooseberries.  Lorraine met a slow worm in the back of the garden too, in a bit she was preparing for planting peas and beans, in a bit near the glasshouse we already call bean alley.  I got in touch with my old university pal Simon recently. He sent me a link to a story on the BBC about a drive by criminal throwing tomatoes out of cars in Eastbourne. Sent a few quid to Oskar lad as it ...

Finishing off the job this morning, chatting with Keith and having to tweak a mind map. Lorraine and Sam drove off to Basingstoke to see Glenice.   Anton and Bob's birthdays today. Off into town this afternoon to do some shopping, including a speciality booze shop where I bought a bottle of Linie Aquavit for Anton. A message to Bob and a promise of a meet up. Running about in a bit of a frenzy in town.  My background stress levels are absurdly high, with all this house uncertainty. However, our buyers are coming around this weekend so it will be good to see the whites of their eyes. In the early evening I sauntered around to Anton's place, and hung out with Anton and Oskar, who had been to Reading Festival and had a lively time and he was telling me about the music he liked. I impressed him a little saying I had met  Aitch  - who is a big hero these days - which surprised him.  Lorraine arrived, and Klaudia and Anne filtered downstairs too. A cheery evening. Kla...

Sticky night, and a hot start to the day. Up and sipping coffee and eating breakfast. Called Mum, who was being helped by Ben to fix the car. Mum and Mas certainly have angelic neighbours. Off to Anton for an afternoon barbecue. I sprang out of the taxi at seven dials to go to the Magduisa Polski Sklep to pick up some cold beers. Sweltering heat that was forecast. But the heatwave came to an abrupt end as the afternoon progressed and I did not once have to deploy my new Panama hat. Had a really nice time chatting to Anne and Klaudia and Oskar drinking Polish beers and eating paella cooked outside. Oskar finally receiving the present we had bought for him months before his birthday, a wallet with a bit of cash in it which he liked despite it being a bit old school in these days of cashless payments. I loved the way Oskar was calling Anton Father too with a mixture of affection and Victorian flavoured irony. Lorraine saying how excellent Klaudia and Oskar are when we got home early in t...

A much needed slumping day. As I am still in recovery mode. Slept and read this afternoon on the gold sofa while Lorraine played Star Dew Valley and listened to music. I had to apologise to Sarah that I wouldn't be there for her online launch of her marvellous book The Thoughts , which was tonight too.  Then off to the posh restaurant The Ivy in Brighton for  6:15 to celebrate Klaudia's 18th birthday. Lorraine and I bumped into Anne, Anton, Klaudia, Oskar and Anna as they were climbing out of their cab. Klaudia had been partying hard all weekend, as is only right and proper, going to London with a posse of her pals on Friday, and then having a party at home last night, then going out to The Green Door after midnight to stay out late. So it was a slightly wan and delicate Goddaughter who appeared tonight -- but she did very well considering.   A lovely meal, and Klaudia liked the silver bangle from Silverado I'd bought her and simply put it on straight away, and the m...

Up early, and got to work with Keith at 8:30. A bit of a slog for this early in the year. Tired by the end of the day. A couple of very brief walks in rubbish weather. In the late afternoon I had time to phone mum for a chat. In the evening, after Keith's Virgin had crashed again and I had faced the prospect of presenting alone to the Americans, all went fairly well. It makes me feel odd talking to Americans. A year on from last year's insurrection the BBC's Americast podcast was saying the majority of people who voted Republican last time, still believe that Trump won. Democracy in the US has been hanging by a thread. In fact sanity itself has been hanging by a thread. With QAnon and other conspiracies raging in the US, even down to our own Prime Minister telling  outright lies every time he opens his mouth, a sense of truth is hard to find. But for sentient Americans this must be an alarming time. Done with the Americas at eight, I flew downhill to the Shahi to join the c...

An enjoyable birthday, not overburdened by the usual existential crises. A busy day. Breakfast with Lorraine, and then an early morning coffee with Beth and Sam who got up too. Gifts of high-quality socks too from Beth, and Sam and Pat and Maureen. Lorraine is going to buy me a camera, and I am going to consult with Innis on a good one to get. I love taking snaps, and it would be nice to have an excellent camera.  Messages from Toby and a beautiful e-card from Mum. Maureen and Dawn both phoned me to sing happy birthday, and facebook full of nice messages too. A lovely text from Rosie. I took delivery of a box from Fortnum, which contained a small library of beers from Catherine and Tanya. Also a poem and a St. Martin's parish an old magazine on memories the Occupation from Richard and Jane.  In the evening after Lorraine had returned home with a birthday carrot cake with a candle, and I had put on some high quality socks, Sam, Lorraine and I drove down to the Shahi, where we m...

A curiously frustrating day, feeling stressed and unable to make progress in any direction.  Anton and I investigated the walking around Guernsey plan but the price the Barbarie were charging was too hefty so we have parked that for the time being. Also plane fares start at a very reasonable £59 each way, but as soon as you want to take a small suitcase with you, you can expect to pay an extra sixty quid for the round trip. Had another go at sorting out the Natwestisögur but failed. Was told my existing complaints person would get back to me.  Anton and Bob's birthdays today. I sent fond messages to Bob, and in the evening Lorraine, Sam and I made off down to the Shahi to have a celebratory curry with Anton, Anne, Klaudia and Oskar. A cheery evening, Anton on good form. We had got him a historical print of a map of Poland when we were in Hay on Wye.  Meanwhile young Klaudia very businesslike these days, having given up her job in McDonalds for a better paid gig on the Pie...

Rain but nevertheless off to Bolney village day on the green. Once we were over the downs it wasn't raining. I did my Dennis Thatcher/Prince Phillip impressions while trailing the VIP. Fun though, lots of dogs Lowry style, little stands, little fairylike children dancing around a maypole. We bought a very boozy Christmas cake, and I made small talk with folks about the weather and so on as Lorraine progressed around the place. Lorraine was working on a stall where people threw beanbags at piles of cans, which was fun. Next stand along Sarah and Dan had boules and we were chucking them at a stump with a hole in it, containing a tomato, and the aim was to explode the tomato. Despite my recent boule action I failed in this despite repeated attempts. We won two bottles of wine in the booze raffle too, cleverly going back late to discover there were few tickets but lots of bottles remaining.  Then home, and into a Cab off to Anton's place. Drank beer and ate beautiful lamb kebabs, a...

A storm of wind and rain overnight. The job that was mooted for next week definitely not happening now. Working through a list of to dos for Friday.  Was finally sent the log on details to my new business bank account (it has taken about a month) only to find someone had already taken funds out of it with a cheque.  I don't have a chequebook and so had to phone up the bank, and be passed from person to person for almost half an hour. Eventually I got through to the fraud department. After twenty seconds of talking to this bloke I was cut off. Repeat the process and finally, after well over half an hour I was refunded the money. It seems like it was a bank error, rather than someone trying to defraud me.   A lunchtime treat. I sauntered back down to the Open House and met Reuben for a bite to eat.  I had a vegan club sandwich which was incredibly filling, we also had a Guinness and cup of coffee. Just lovely to catch up. I hadn't had a proper chat with him for ages. J...

New briefing this morning. However I got up with the larks and walked over to Anton's place and managed to catch Oskar, whose fifteenth birthday it was today. He is now observably taller than Anton, and will soon have a helicopter view of the area of concern on the top of my head before long.  Nice to mooch back through the park. Stopped to look at tadpoles in the pond by the cafe for a moment.  Then it was all business and no play. Another vague briefing. Keith and I puzzling on it and scratching out some first ideas during the day. Also a chat with a nice guy called Amir from the agency we are working with re the IR 35 malarkey. Having to upload some bits during the day too, for the new business account I have started. Quite nice to finish, and go for a short saunter up to the top of the hill, to give me a good day's walking.   Lorraine with a bad tooth, and taking painkillers. Jade cooked a nice curry tonight.  Otherwise all quiet in Kenny Towers. Below: tadpoles ...

Up early, and shortly after Lorraine left for school, I sauntered over to Anton's house to help out for a day. Anton and Oskar not there when I arrived, however. When they came, and we all worked on the front of the house, doing and I did sanding and filling the wooden window frames with a noxious smelling wood filler all day. This enlivened by listening to lectures on the fate of slaves in ancient Greece. Anton rustled up a fine lunch of french fries, and bratwurst, and it was nice to chat to him and Oskar, whose look now includes a small rucksack to be worn indoors as well as in transit. Lovely to see how encouraging Anton is with Oskar, and how hard Oskar has been grafting. Anton took him back to Anna's house early afternoon, and we did a bit more before drinking a couple of cold beers in his back garden. Tormentingly there were a couple of spits of rain, but luckily no deluge to wash out the rendering Anton had been doing all day. Anton pretty exhausted, rendered speechless...

Felt like a back to school day, and Lorraine hard at work doing unspeakable work. I spent the morning doing various bits of preparations for interviews, and also chatted to Val in France who gave me a new wee job. Then, after a light avocado-based lunch, I walked over to Anton's house in the sunshine. Anton on the scaffolding at the front of his house, showed me the scene of the fire, a nasty charred hole on a window frame, which all things considered was a good deal better than the alternative. I went to the back of the house where Oskar was working and nipped up the scaffolding and began painting the window at the top of the house. Ten minutes into this job it was raining hard, and so we simply had to come on. Anton resigned to the ire of the gods. Poor guy has had little luck. He blamed both me and Oskar for the weather however. Spoke to Mum, Mason not too well today with an upset stomach. I walked back home in the rain, grateful for a bit of a stroll at least. At 7 o'...

Friday and a long-postponed walk with Anton. Who called around for me at 9:30. We did about 14 or 15 miles eventually, walking up past the Hillfort, into Stanmer Woods, down to the Amex Stadium in Falmer, then up over the Downs towards the sea at Rottingdean, which I just looked up and means the valley of Rota's people. From there a brief pause, a snack and then along the seafront back to Brighton. It was a walk full of variety, from the iron age hill fort, crossing the bridge into Woodland at Stanmer Park, passing Brighton's new football stadium, designed to be in sympathy with the downs, and across farmed downland, and alongside the sea into the buzz of Brighton's seafront. Anton eyeing with approval the little powered scooters ridden by some rather well groomed men driving up and down Marine Parade.  Up the last haul up a hill to The Crescent Pub where we went into a pub together for the first time since February 12th. All sensibly run. Had to add your name and phone num...

Today was Lorraine's birthday. An early cup of tea in bed, I gave her my card and and a little Japanese fan I had bought some time ago, in lieu of future travels. Beth bounced up as the Birthday Elf with presents and cards from a few other folks. Including a nice picture of three grey hearts she had bought. After breakfast, Beth had organised a series of zoom chats throughout the day, with Pat and Maureen, Rosie and Innis (and Pippi). Nice to see people's faces on screens. I also worked on the SKTV, uploading an episode this morning. I also spoke to Anton and young Oskar whose birthday it was yesterday. Lorraine and I went for a quick walk this afternoon, around Blakers Park. Lovely day. Had drinks outside early evening, and then spoke to Sam and Jade. Sam's beard now grown to OT prophet proportions. Felt full of affection for them. We had a delivery curry this evening, and we drank some bubbly and I drank several beers. Beth Lorraine and I played Euchre and the card ca...

Lorraine and I chatting in bed this morning, having tea and breakfast and discussing how we need to make more of the weekends again now that Lorraine is more on top of her weekends and has not worked on Sundays as standard any more. We resolved to go to the Sea Life Centre aquarium down by the pier today, and took photos of ourself so we could pick up passes. By the time we got there however, we were too late, as in January the last admittance is at 3 o'clock. Instead we went for a stroll on the pier, and were rewarded with the sight of murmurations of starlings as the sun began to slide towards setting. From there we made our way, via a brief stop at the Evening Star where some Brighton footie fans were just whetting their post match whistles after a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. We fell into conversation with one of them briefly before we set off up the hill for an evening with Anton and Ann and (intermittently) Oskar eating Anton's excellent pizzas. Lovely time there as ...

Showering Lorraine this morning, which requires taping up her arm in plastic bags, and standing in the shower and shampooing her hair and so on. I am becoming exceptional at putting on bras. Looked at a lovely book which Rosie had bought for Beth for her birthday. It is called T he boy, the mole, the fox and the horse by Charlie Mackesy a cartoon book which is selling by the truckload at the moment. I can see why. A lovely drawing style combined with simple wisdoms. It is a lovely thing. A quiet afternoon, Sam and Jade going out. Lorraine and I grabbed a bit of quiet time before girding our loins for the evening when  Anton and Oskar came around. Beth, Sam and Jade we were a merry company. Lots of games played, like charades and Funemployed  and beers and bubbly drunk and snacks consumed. Oskar having fun I hope, and soaking up a few red bulls. A cheerful way to see in a new year and definitely one of my favourite new year's eves. Quite some time after midnight, Anton a...