under another sun

Thursday... A bit bleary this morning having gone to bed after one last night. A slowish morning. At lunchtime we walked to Waves gym and bought a couple's membership for a year, we celebrated by having a cup of splosh in the gym cafe, and gave each other pep talks about the value of gym membership. Mooched home and as the weather had improved I cleared the big rocks and garden ornaments away from the area we are going to put our raised beds. Lorraine meanwhile hung solar lights and pricked out assorted seedlings. I then had a work meeting with Gabriel, in France and later had to discuss another work offer with Keith which I am not going to accept.  Carl got in touch -- confirming he is coming down to London on the first of August. And also Carl said that Ellie had referred to me as her 'stand in dad' -- which made him laugh. As he has often in the past been a stunt man Kenny -- such as the time Toby had a party which got utterly out of hand. I was at university at the time...

Lorraine's penultimate week started today. A few bits of work, then the gym this morning. At teatime I made off to Eastbourne, where I met Robin at the station. We were going to do some recording in a pub, but every venue was not quite right in town. Every likely spot outside was also home to a straining air conditioner. We jumped in a taxi and went up to the Beachy Head pub. I had never been there before. We sat outside on a bench looking at the amazing view with Seaford head and Brighton in the far distance in the lowering sun. Bloody hot still. We clicked on the recorder and began our end of season banter, but were beset by dozens of flying ants crawling over us and the table and through the open packets of crisps. But it was a small price to pay. Then a celebratory pint to celebrate before a taxi (difficult to obtain) back. It was nice to actually meet in person to record, and also to actually slap ourselves on the back a bit for our efforts. I managed to miss my train at Eastb...

Off colour and coughing this morning. Hard to separate the hypochondria from reality. I returned a dab of poo through the post to the bowel screening folks. It seems rude really. Keith and I started what was supposed to be seven days work with Americans this afternoon. The job was only confirmed at noon, and we were given a briefing late afternoon, on a particularly depressing medical matter. We were asked to reconvene at 10pm and where -- announced as good news -- the project was biffed till January. Somewhat galling as we had both put off other work to do this project. Business dealings in the last week or so are chaotic.  Lorraine at home, and officially off sick. She did, however, conduct a Governor's meeting from bed this evening, where it was officially confirmed she was going to finish in the summer. Otherwise she seems a mite brighter today. Sam prepping his trip up to Scotland tomorrow, and went out shopping and bought Lorraine chocolate and treats. I uploaded the new epis...

Busy day. More cat concepts for the French agency, chats with David about winding up my Ltd company.  I like David and he speaks human, a noble trait in an accountant. Also uploaded the latest episode of Planet Poetry, which required last minute stuff with Robin, but we both felt a sense of accomplishment. Wrote to Rishi to let him know. Zoomed off across the park to pick up a prescription at lunchtime. Only half the pills as I have to have a blood test now, and a phone in consultation in the next couple of weeks. Walking back I saw a young black man wearing what seemed to me to be traditional African clothes and a man-high stick performing some sort of ritual with a woman in the rose garden. Brighton, eh? I was curious but had to hurry home for work again.  Lorraine out this evening at a work related thing, so I did dinner early, and then went back to doing a bit of French stuff, and had an early evening walk to get to more than 10k. Also confirmed that I will be working with...

Lorraine working from home today. I had to get up for an 8 o'clock start, but brought her a cup of tea in bed before having the morning to catch up on various jobs she wanted to do, before starting work again. Somewhat gruelling day with Keith, and various creative presentations via Microsoft teams. A generally positive response to the work we have been doing however. A nice bunch of people. Then after work, a spot of recording with Robin for the next episode of Planet Poetry. Only time for a quick 15 minute walk today. And an opinion needed from mes amis in Paris about a forthcoming job. Lorraine and I played a few games of cards this evening, before settling down to another episode of The Wire. The week seems to have been going on for ages, even though it is Wednesday.  An email today from the Romster after I'd sent her congratulations on the huge role she has landed in the Canadian Finance Industry. Toby regularly updated me on the resilience she has shown through a process ...

Woke up at five and could not go back to sleep. A few loose ends today, publishing and promoting the last Planet Poetry podcast of the year, billing mes amis in France (God bless them) and of course doing some writing.  Anton calling, wondering if he and I should take up pétanque/boules, as an outdoor sport. I saw no good reason not to. A walk up to the Hollingbury Hillfort while listening to podcasts. A cool haze over Brighton below, and rather beautiful in its own way. Lots of golfers walking about the course like they owned it. And one man with a radio controlled car, zooming on a green that wasn't in use just that minute, which must have been annoying to the 18 holers. I sloped along the prescribed paths, and felt a bit worn out. I am looking forward to Lorraine stopping work at the end of the week, as it will help me feel more relaxed too I think. Lorraine home after penultimate day of school. Feeling really proud of what she has achieved this year.

Got up early, gave Calliope her antibiotic, which she ate up with no problem. Lorraine working from home this morning. Reading the TES is part of her objectives now, and she did it in bed first thing. I was working on Doctor Spotlight first thing, which is falling into place very nicely. It is anxious and horrific, which is what you want in a dark tale. It is about a comedian being ambushed on stage. Betty phoned today, and I was able to consult her about the names of lights.  Robin and I had a meeting at 11.00pm and decided to press the big button and publish our first Planet Poetry podcast this afternoon. All rather exciting. A much brighter Calliope joined the call too, after scratching the door like a poltergeist. Robin and I recorded a bit more banter about a poem, and then got on with the day. A brisk lunchtime walk in the sunshine, around my usual haunts. This time unmolested by dogs.  Home and then pressed go on the podcast, and the Robin and I sent out tweets, blog, ...