under another sun

Innis and Rosie came by this morning, with two guys in a van to drop off some furniture. Then Lorraine and I drove to Robin and Nick's home in Eastbourne, and sat in their enormous garden for a small gathering. They have a party at this time of year most years. This was what Robin said was a scaled down affair with just a few friends, and it was a perfect day for it. Enjoyed meeting two of Robin's old school pals Hester and Maggie -- who call her Liz as she changed her name after she left school.  We also chatted lots with Janet and Leslie, and a very stylish woman, who Robin and Nick know through the choir, called Sally. All in all a lovely way to spend the afternoon, eating rhubarb sponge and sipping some fizzy wine.  A gorgeous drive home over Beachy head and so on back home, into the sun with gorgeous views everywhere. A lovely day.

To Eastbourne by bus, which is a beautiful journey in itself. Lorraine and I having been invited by Robin and Nick to have a lunchtime meal in the sun of their enormous back garden with their pals Jamie and Sarah -- who turned out to be very likeable. Returned five poetry books I had borrowed from Robin during the course of the last season. Lovely to be outside, strong sun, and butterflies, and dragonflies and a Spitfire overhead, in preparation for the Eastbourne Air Show next month. Sarah an old pal of Robin's is a piano teacher and an all round interesting and interested person. Jamie I liked too, quietly funny and characterful. I drank beer and then a glass of wine and sat outside, eating salmon and lovely veggies, followed by a summer fruit Pavlova, made by Nick. A cheery time, Lorraine having fun. We all walked down to the seafront, only a few minutes away.  Eastbourne seafront is new to me, and I enjoyed our mooch about before returning to their place for cups of tea. Really...