under another sun

A day Lorraine and I really enjoyed. Although I was up early to take a briefing from a team in France  first thing. I am doing this job next week. The rest of the day free after a smidge or two of business and podcast admin. A nice note from Mark Fiddes, who we featured on the podcast this week. A note from Spooner on Facebook to say they are old University friends. Lorraine in bed sorting out a last minute MOT, and found a place in Seaford just by the Duke of Wellington, so we dropped the car off and had a mooch about the tiny little town together, and even had a cup of coffee in a cafe called Pomegranate and stopped off in Gallery Uno and had a nice chat with he guy who runs it.  Being free to do this made us feel happy. The car's MOT done and dusted by this afternoon too. Then home and a spot of gardening, doing some sterling work -- digging holes in the island where Lorraine and I planted two acer trees -- also lots of other bits and pieces in the garden. Lorraine lurking ...

Got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning, and felt strangely grumpy all day, despite having lots of nice things to do. I phoned mum, and then got dressed. Lorraine and I walked down to Cote for lunch.  Lucky Lorraine had to endure a bout of me moaning about my lack of success in poetry and writing and so on. The usual litany of January stuff from me. However my lovely wife had helped me sort my head out by the time we reached the restaurant. Problem is when I have a large moan I feel much better very quickly, but make everyone else feel horrid. Nevertheless we met Catherine and Tanya, and Guy and Tim. Interesting chats with everyone, including Tanya, who is a big fan of visual art. Was approached by old friend and colleague Spooner too as I ate. Then Lorraine and I grabbed a cab, so I could get home in time to be picked up by Robin to go to the T.S.Eliot award readings. A tricky journey as part of the motorway was closed. However we managed to get to the South Bank i...

Walked up to the hospital, this time on my own account. The future holds a general anaesthetic and a couple of rather intrusive procedures aiming to pin down what's up and how to best treat my prostatitis. I welcome this as life at the moment is short of joie de vivre. Remembered Spooner's facebook description of the hospital as Gormenghastly, which made me smile as I trudged up the hill. Efficient visit though, saw the doctor, thoughtfully left them some urine and was out within 25 minutes. Home and took it easy this afternoon. Did start work on a new branding brief, and cooked a chilli. The addition of cumin and a bit of nutmeg seem to be a good thing. Lorraine late, but pleased to be home, then had the task of finding clothes for her go to school as a book character. She selected something vaguely African. Finished Blindness . An unpleasant, compulsive read, in the vein of Golding's  Lord of the Flies , or John Wyndham novels. Hungry for books lately.

Dripping Gandhi Up to Tavistock Square again. Feeling slightly brighter today than of late. Lunch with Pat we walked to a restaurant called the Palms of Goa. Pat full of bounce, and in good spirits. A whiff of sulphur from the restaurant as we approached, and there was Spooner and his art director, and we were soon joined by Bob Nash who first hired me for my old Glamoursmith agency over 10 years ago. Nice to see them, and Spooner always glinting, but the agency gossip seems all a bit remote these days. After work, still writing the unspeakable haemophilia document, met up with the old Mad dog, between heavy showers, by the dripping statue of Gandhi in the centre of Tavistock Square. Someone had put a little jar with two or three marigolds from the flower bed by his feet. Bob tetchy at first, but soon mellowed. Had a quick rain-dodging drink before we ducked into another Indian restaurant. Good to see Bob, and give him a slightly belated birthday card. After fond farewells at St Pancra...

A change is gonna come Another cheerful day's work on gut hormones with Jerry and David. Not filled with such horror now, and quite enjoying a brief sojourn in London. Another teleconference with the US, and this time they liked our ideas. A short ten minute walk by the river for lunch. Home and flung myself into the first door just behind Spooner. Walked behind him towards the front of the train, grabbing him when he looked balefully out of an open window. Neither of us wanted to talk much though. Later spoke to Pat who called to ask me to do a bit of work with him and the FB again next week. Home feeling exhausted. I have had a cold all week and a rough throat, but had some more work for my lovely French clients. However, despite things being a bit of a slog, I am thinking of the money, and this making me cheery. Also Richard has handed over the Guernsey Arts Commission stuff and all is well. The woman whose house Lorraine is buying has, after seven months of delays, decided she ...

Friends and variations Busy day today. Matt came around at noon, shortly after Lorraine and I had emerged, and we had a meeting about This concert will fall in love with you . He also played me through parts of the first five variations. It is incredibly exciting to hear them take shape, and how they interlace and enlarge on the words I've written. Even at this early stage, it is clear just how accomplished he is, and how this work will shine. We also discussed how we were going to promote it, and I've come up with a look and feel Matt's happy with. We were sat on my round table while we were talking and Calliope insisted sitting with her nose an inch away from Matt's pad. From there off to the now-traditional Basketmakers where we met Lorraine, Matty boy and Craig who'd come down from London, and Matt's pal John. A cheery afternoon in the pub, with great gusts of chatting and generally hanging out and catching up. Matty and Craig both looking splendid, and on f...

A night on the town Walking around town fairly fluently today. Wearing my walking boots is a good idea as it shores up the rubbish ankle. I bought a camera, ending the extensive period of mourning for my Lumix LX1 probably left on a bus: a splendid camera which always worked fabulously however I abused it. Now I have a Lumix DMC-TZ7 which is a sort of niece or nephew of the LX1. Naturally I have no idea what all the letters and numbers mean, but it is a very nice camera and even simpler to use than my old one. Then off to various shops, including Long Tall Sally where Lorraine is drawn like a bee to a bloom. Bumped into Spooner and Ali and their delightful bairns. All looking well after a burst of sun in Greece. Spooner positively glowing with health. Similarly Anton and Anna looking brown and very chilled after their weeks of camping in Dorset when we met them for Brian's birthday drink tonight. We all had a few drinks in the Caxton and ended up having a curry in our usual place. ...

A hullabaloo in the park Mum still in hospital today, but is a little better and more stable. Talked to Mase a couple of times, and I think everyone is a little relieved that Mum is receiving treatment. Horrible to think of Mum back in hospital which bores her to distraction. Gave most of the day up to work, as I wanted to make sure the decks were clear to return to London early next week. Lorraine called and said that I should go into town to hear some singing as it was good for the soul. It was the National Street Choir festival which was held in Brighton this year. The town was full of choirs. Until recently Lorraine was heavily involved in the Hullabaloo Community Quire and we watched them singing in the park by the Pavilion. And very excellent they were too. Their inspirational musical director (and a Lorraine chum) Kirsty was in full force and conducting with her entire body. Back home, passing several choirs. The city full of song. Paused to see one from Manchester outside the L...