under another sun

Lorraine and I off to Sheffield Park today for a stroll about. First we stopped by Trading Boundaries and almost bought a single curtain, but when we found it cost £160 we declined. Off then to  Sheffield Park and a nice interlude in the fresh air and a chance to walk and talk. A few early daffs, and snowdrops out, and one or two camillas. But mostly as the rain started, a reassuring English grey. In the afternoon home again, and Beth and I had a first script read-through the first early draft of A Glass of Nothing , and extracted a section for use in the auditions we are starting this week. Good feeling to get going on it -- and Beth pleased at where we're heading. A chat with Mum this evening, then I cooked a chicken and roast veggies, while Lorraine did Headteacher stuff on our new table. A reassuringly expensive free range blighter bought round the corner. Tasted good though. Remembered eating chicken out in Oum Hadjer, where the chicken, which we heard being slaughtered ea...

Stressful morning, with Beth's phone not working and Lorraine trying to download software to fix it and running out of time, the shower running out of hot water leaving Beth half washed and frozen, then rushing Beth off to the station to meet John's train, but being caught in a remembrance Sunday traffic jam to make it just in the nick of time, only for John and Beth to miss each other at the station, John getting off the train while Beth got on it. Attempting to introduce some peace into our lives,  Lorraine and I went for a walk in Sheffield Park around the gorgeous gardens in their autumnal glory, and tried to talk about nice things such as what we will do with our little garden once we move in, and the kinds of flowers we will have and so on as the water flamed with the trees' reflections. In the afternoon and evening, poor Lorraine had loads of work to do.  I read most of Hangover Square, subtitled A Story of Darkest Earl's Court, by Patrick Hamilton. Publishe...

So back from the emotional Narnia that was the wedding and honeymoon. For Lorraine that meant getting up shortly after 6:30 and driving off into the county for meetings. For me it meant the prospect of spending the next couple of days doing my accounts, and doing what I can to progress the house sale. Broke off to go to the gym, and then pressed on with getting my accounts ready, looking at invoices and so on. A small part of me -- a very small part -- quite likes the necessity of having to do this once a year. It is a kind of spring clean and makes you feel rather virtuous after a while, and the feeling that you can account for yourself is quite satisfying. Although that is not to say I wasn't yearning to slip back into the wardrobe with Lorraine and dance with Mr Tumnus and the talking beavers again. Lorraine home briefly this evening before going off to sing in the choir. I walked with her along London Road, and as I returned a back a fox scooted across the road and down a s...

Up and working on concepts for one of my sudden freelance jobs this morning for an hour or so. Then L, Beth and I off to Sheffield Park for a wander around the lakes, for the sun was out and the sky was a hopeful blue. Wonderful to be out in fresh air and feeling some semblance of sun on our faces. We were not alone in this keen plan as half of Sussex was milling about, but still, lovely to look at snowdrops and the odd brave daffodil anticipating spring, and the sky mirrored in the lakes and appreciate the evergreens. Stopped off on the way home at a Farm shop, walking past four gleeful grunting pigs in a pen, and a huge bull with a big brass ring through its nose. Into a smallish shop festooned with rosettes for its prize animals, some of whom made it into the giant, and still warm sausage rolls we bought there, along with some veggies. These sausage rolls were the simply the best ones I have ever tasted. A meal in themselves, which we scarfed in the car, with pastry made with la...