under another sun

Up and writing early, and I feel I am making decent some progress on my poetry MS. Robin and I were a bit late with the Podcast this time, but we got this uploaded this afternoon. It features Robin interviewing  Helen Ivory and chats about Thomas Tranströmer and Robert Hamberger.  Today was it was the last time Sonia would come around and clean for us. She has been popping in once a week for ten years now -- in fact we are her oldest customers -- and is going back to Bulgaria with Barry. We had a long chat, and she showed me more photos of Bulgaria, and talked about the loveliness of the fresh food there, and worried about Barry being eaten alive by mosquitos and midges.  I gave her the little tree of life necklace Lorraine and I had chosen for her, and a card. She put her necklace on and when we hugged goodbye she went off in tears down the road, and I felt a tear in my eye too. I have always enjoyed chatting with Sonia over the years, and her warmth and her down to eart...

Accounts off to accountant at last (there's no accounting for it). Then spent quite a bit of time editing the interview I did with John McCullough. Sonia here today. Whenever I say to her, Hi Sonia how are you? She looks at me as if it is a mad question. I will miss her. Texts with Keith. I am hoping that the freelance work hasn't not ground completely to a halt. Feast or famine is the freelance way. Did some more work on my poems and this was pleasing. Went for a bit of a walk, listening to geopolitics, and spoke to Mum about while returning back from a late afternoon walk. Ended the week on a vaguely irritable note, with lots of the simple jobs on my Monday list still incomplete through reasons behind my control. Lorraine home at a good time today. She has got herself lined up with a personal trainer starting next week to get her going gently on exercises again, which can only be a good thing. I have rejoined my gym and I will be going back in due course, once my second jab h...

Friday and a sense of a little mental space opening up. Caught up with some correspondence including a long overdue reply to Sarah Barnsley, a note to my accountant and so on. Sonia here today, and said she is going to Bulgaria in June. We will have to find another person to clean for us, but more importantly I will miss her making me laugh with her no-nonsense perspective.  Wrapped up agains all possible weathers, I sauntered down to London Road in my sunglasses, and hopped on a train to Lewes to meet Robin. Lewes under threatening dark skies however.  Lovely to see Robin IRL (in real life), and it was great to just have a beer and shoot the breeze. It made a change from the purposeful stuff to do with the podcast, although there was a wee bit of that.  Threaded through town and went to The Gardeners, somewhere I went to with Matty boy and Graeme many years ago, and also have since visited with Mark Hartley. We were outside in the little alleyway, but I had a pint of Har...

Manacled to my desk doing French work all day, about encouraging cat owners to vaccinate their cats. My own cat Calliope of course doing everything in her power to interfere.  Perhaps she is an anti-vaxer like Sonia who is convinced that the vaccine is more harmful than Covid, and spent some time kindly warning me against it. She means well. Finished on the dot at four, having started before the sparrows were up, and Lorraine collected me and we went to Gladrags for the now traditional sourcing of Santa gear. Not many Santas this year so I had my pick, including a swirly Santa cape, and buckled boots with red flames on them. I look forward to meeting the pony with antlers when I go into Lorraine's school next week.  Home and off to red chillies to pick up a takeaway. They all know Lorraine when she phones, and call hello Peter cheerily when I arrive. Rather nice.  Enjoyable evening, sitting on the gold sofa eating curry. I am worried about drinking. I had three cans of be...

Good in parts. Somewhat galled to learn, via Keith first thing this morning, that the job for next week had evaporated.  Now they want Keith for to work for two days with an in-house writer. Naturally the agency said nothing to me till I chased them. Inconsiderateness which to be industry standard for 2020.  More positively, the Planet Poetry podcast, is creeping forward, and we now have a trailer that is listenable to here . We will link to iTunes and so on shortly so that it can be downloaded like any other podcast. Sonia telling me about her visit to Stirling and Edinburgh. They went by plane which made me feel a bit twitchy as she edged into my study to share the experience.  Went for a walk and drifted into the edges of Wild Wood. Feels happy to be among trees in autumn. Everything feels precarious, but the sheer freedom of being able to walk about in woods is not to be underestimated. There has been many an autumn day over the years, when I have had my nose to some ...

 Edited the interview with Elizabeth this morning, and chatted a little with Sonia. She told me about seeing a young homeless guy in a doorway crying when the rain started, and how she felt helpless to help. She has altered her time to come, to avoid the children on the bus. Made off to see my glass buddies at 12. There had been a conspiracy led of course by the huge hearted Adele to surprise Ben with a thank you present from all of us, partly because there can be no class this autumn. There was a card, and a tee-shirt with an eleven pointed star symbolising the eleven people involved in the glass group. I had to get there early to inscribe a, ahem, poeticalish thank you in the card.  Best of all three of them, Adele, had created windows with the letters B E & N on them. Ben was a bit overwhelmed I think. We had gathered in our usual place in the park, and there was a very cold wind and so on, but it was a lovely thing to have a small part in. Afterwards I came back home, ...

Another night of  frustration dreams.  Although quite chirpy once up. Having decided exactly what needs doing this week, I have been slightly side tracked by poems, a bit of a novelty as I have not really written them much this year. Sometimes a few of them will blurt out in a row. A chat with Maureen this morning, as Lorraine heard her loaf tin for baking banana bread was not going to be delivered. Chirpy she was.  Mum chirpy too this evening, as their car miraculously got through its MOT again, and Mason got his expensive hearing aid adjusted for free.  Sonia back today having been in Bulgaria for months. Her husband Barry wanted to stay out there. A luxury to have a clean house without having to do it yourself.  I made off to the park at lunchtime to hang with my glassmates. Adele brought me a loaf baked with cheese and marmite. The new Rule of Six says we should not gather in groups of six even outside-- however it being a rule from Boris and his idiots ther...

Friday, and Sonia came here for the first time in Months this morning. She said she had been cleaning at other clients for weeks, and generally gave the impression that Coronavirus was not too much to worry about. Nice to see her and chat, but I, a-hem, kept my distance.  Working still on the short story, which I am still polishing. Everything takes so long. In the afternoon another saunter, up the hill and then when Lorraine came home, she drove Beth off to the seafront at Hove where she was meeting some socially distanced pals, including Amy she is about to live with. We said hello, and then bumped into Lorraine's old choir pal Lesley, who was ambling along with a Brazilian pal. I remarked to Lorraine afterwards that it was nice of Lesley to show us her Brazilian.  Home and Lorraine and I had a curry, and a chilled night in watching a cop show on TV. So photos... Flowers in the hill fort. My black and white shot of the day, then a rejected black and white shot for the day, a...

A Friday that saw me getting out of the wrong side of the bed. Feeling irritable and the Brexit day hogwash not helping. Phoned by Pat and will be surging off to Hampton on Monday morning, which is good news. At lunchtime I dragged myself off to the gym, but when I got changed and stowed everything in the locker, I realised I had not brought my padlock. Unwilling to leave computer there I left again, feeling cross with myself. Went to a cafe called Cafe Domenica for a cup of coffee and a tuna melt at Preston Circus which gives work experience to young people with learning disabilities. A really good project. I was given a numbered spoon, and brought the wrong drink, followed by the wrong food, but all was good. Pleasant place, although I found I was in entirely the wrong mood to write a line of anything, and discovered that my fossil of a laptop really is on its last legs. Decided to come home again, my mood not greatly improved by being attacked one of three barking  dogs, o...

Made good progress today on the editing. Two, maybe three days work left on this absolutely bloody final edit. A chat with Sonia, before pushing off to the London Road branch of my gym, which I found I could simply enter with my pin. A spacious well equipped gym on two floors and, above all, pleasingly cool. However did a couple of exercises and stepped on the cross trainer and felt a bit shaky and odd. Simply got off and got changed and left. Once outside I felt more myself again, as I had drunk lots of water. I bought a banana ate it, and simply went back to the gym and completed what I wanted to do without an issue. This was good for my self respect.  A second note from Thomas Krecht in Hamburg today, who L and I met in La Barbarie. I had mentioned that I had been listening to King Crimson now its all on Spotify, and he said he had been listening to the track Starless and Bible Black , which he said is the saddest of their songs, and in my opinion the best of them too.  ...

A cold and rainy day. I had a minor sinus/ears/throat/headache thing going on, felt wussy when I woke up. However worked all day, having received the text of The Second Kind of Darkness from Charlotte Norman, the editor. Hundreds of wee changes in the copy edit,  plus she made a few thoughtful suggestions about bringing the story into better focus. Really helpful, to get a fresh perspective. Her changes were very helpful. I decided that the title is too long, before I sent it to Charlotte. Now before I brief a cover designer, I need to think of a snappier name. Freelance job working with Keith to be confirmed for next week, and just a cheeky three-dayer if it does, starting midweek.  Sonia arrived with a bashed face, arms and knees. She quickly told me this was after falling nastily a few doors from her house, while starting an early morning bike ride at the weekend. Typical of Sonia, she laughed lots while telling me how she had literally crawled back covered in blood,...

Lorraine and I got the house sorted this morning. Lots to be done and organised.  Bob and I had planned to meet this afternoon in London, but Bob had to biff this, as his Mum had been ill the night before and had spent the night with her.  Sonia came for her last clean of the year, bringing a big chocolate cake that she had made. It was delicious. Lorraine and I slipped out for a late lunch in the PPT, which felt like a special treat. After a while, we went home to watch Toy Story 3, a film I very much enjoy. I fell asleep for a bit, and discovered I was starting a cold.  Woke up snuffling to the sad end of the film. It is an amazing trilogy.

Distinctly off colour this morning. Off to my glass class, and finally finished the blooming piece I'd been working on. However an unforeseen problem struck during the very last thing I did to it, which meant that some chalk dust has got between the double glass bits. D'oh. The only thing to do was to take it apart again, and I am happy to live with it, and felt pleased I had finished the thing. A coffee afterwards with Chris, Adele, Yvonne, Mick and Frances. There is talk of a meal next week, which is the last of the current course. I am not sure I can commit to it again next year, but as I will have my own home studio I shall be free to press on. Home clutching my piece, which I showed to Sonia who said I would have to get another house to put it in. Then on with some bits and pieces of writing, then a bit of design work on new ideas for a stained glass piece. I fancy doing something to do with an angel, maybe the Annunciation . Lorraine called, and said she had been fe...

Working from 7:30 on polishing one of the ideas I had yesterday to send off to mes amis in Paris, before going off to my stained glass class. I had the idea I'd have to do more work in the afternoon, but they loved the idea I sent them, so could relax. Having struggled a bit yesterday, pleased with this demonstration that I still have it. Enjoyed my class. Had a coffee with Chris, Yvonne and Adele after the class, but was called by irate plumbers, as I was supposed to be in this afternoon. Sonia here this afternoon, the first time I'd seen her in quite a while. Lots to say, and she told me about various archeological finds in Bulgaria and about a bridge called the Devil's Bridge, Sonia never fails to entertain me.  Luckily the plumbers turned up promptly, and did the job rapidly and left. Finally we are rid of plumbers. After a wee bit of admin then, flushed with success, I took myself out for a walk. Stopped to have a cup of coffee, feeling free and cheerfu...

A full day for Lorraine today at school. Also Beth was being interviewed for a teaching assistant role there. She phoned me after to tell me how it went. By all accounts she did excellently, but after long debate in the school, (not involving Lorraine) and another candidate just edged it.  In the evening Lorraine and I  went to Hove to meet Beth and John, after collecting some pizzas and we had a couple of beers, pizza and salad down on the beach. A beautiful long and clear evening, although surprisingly cool down by the water. Beth very resilient about her disappointment today as usual. Otherwise, I had got up early and started work for a bit, before Clem came around at just after eight. I walked to Hove to meet Chris Williams, one of my new friends made doing Stained Glass. Interesting man, who has now just finally retired. Keeps himself very fit, and does vast walks and cycling rides. He is interested in geography, geology and history, and has been a teacher, and now he h...

Lorraine's last day today, then all the packing to be done, and general tying up of loose ends. I wanted also to get a couple of poems sent off, but I had no printer ink. Off to Argos then, and back, before I could print anything. Chatting to Sonia, and then packing bits of my case. We are going to travel light, which means I won't be taking my computer. Lorraine home late, and we went to the Preston Park Tavern cheerfully for food and a quick drink before returning home to finish packing, and going to bed with our alarms set for a repugnant 3 o'clock.

Up early and working hard on the French stuff straight away all morning. My pals there said they loved what I had done, which always makes you feel good and valued. A fast early sandwich and watched Lorraine (the morning TV show starring Lorraine Kelly) and today's episode featured royal lookalikes. Spotted Jane of course. There was an item at the end of the program where some designer had suggested what clothes the royals should be wearing. Jane was modelling clothes on TV, which is something new to add to her list of accomplishments. Had done and dusted by two o'clock. A chat with Sonia about something she'd read in the home country about worms that burrow in people's eyes having visited Africa, and then I walked over to Hove to see Janet and Ken. Scored some hazelnut brownies en route. Nice to chat with them.  Janet always so full of ideas. Ken looking well too. Back home and a quick discussion with Clem who is going to re-deck our back garden, with excellent sta...

Working from home, and fairly busy. Some French work about diseases that jump from animals to humans for my pals in Paris, interspersed with some hairy-chested crowbarring of the decking, and carrying of bags of garden rubbish into the front garden. Peering underneath the decking with Clem my next door neighbour. Cats immediately exploring and popping their heads out of the missing planks like meerkats. After this outbreak of manly stuff, chatting to Sonia about the glories of communism, and how everyone worked and nobody was idle. She liked working with animals most, and cows have strong personalities. Lorraine home, and we mooched off to pick up a curry and slurp a single beer in the Park View and chat. Was really in the mood for that curry.

Up early this morning. Had a bit of an ah-ha moment about my forthcoming poetry readings. Simply to position myself not as the great bard giving forth my poems, but remembering the audience are fellow travellers (most of them will be poets) about 35 years of poems including the failed experiments and some of the cul-de-sacs I found myself lost in. On another lofty literary note, finished the Diary of Adrian Mole, which was very nicely done. I walked down to the gym this morning, but had to clamber off the cross trainer after a while as I was feeling tired and hot, and my leg hurt. Home feeling a bit ancient as a consequence. I also have a flare up of eczema in my groin. The tube of cream has to be kept in the fridge. Luckily I was done applying the unguents to my privates in the kitchen before Sonia let herself in. Began my period of gainful employment this afternoon, a few hours writing about comforting pheromones for dogs who are left home alone. Had another bout of juggling date...

Foot somewhat better, and the weird exhaustion that comes with my flare-up on the way out. Spent a very productive day working at my desk. I managed to get lots done. Amusing discussions with Sonia about property. She showed me photos of a nice property in Bulgaria which she and her husband are doing up. She's told me about the good times under communism some time ago. Makes me laugh about what a capitalist she is now. John came around this evening, and I got a Shahi curry delivered. Nice to see him and we played some cards. There must have been a malformation in The Force, as Beth and I were badly defeated at Euchre for the first time ever by Lorraine and John. Beth and I less competitive so it's always a pleasure to beat people that care. Fun evening, although Lorraine and I pretty shattered, and sloped off to bed fairly early and soberly for a Friday night.