under another sun

Up and prepping for this afternoon's visit to St Marks, which means getting a suitcase, and putting a box of books in it, as well paintings of characters, etc. Then I finished The True Confession of Karma Chameleon, and sent it to Black Static, then I paid the last of my year's taxes while doing laundry and so on. Then Betty kindly drove me and my suitcase off to St Mark's C of E school in Staplefield. She drives very well, and conditions were dubious too, with dense fog and wetness abounding. As is usual with these schools, it is right behind the village church. I had to stand in a  puddle with my suitcase while pressing a buzzer outside the playground. Eventually gained access and went to the office. A very friendly little school, with a cramped little reception area where I knocked over several things including something called a gift tree. Fetched by likeable class teacher Dan Holmes, and was soon launching into a spirited reading of the first chapter. The kids lapp...

Friday, and no work to be done. Lorraine lost her car keys so all up and tearing the place apart for half an hour before we found them. Then I pottered about tidying up before getting ready and walking off to a prearranged spot on the edge of Brighton to be collected by Lorraine. A gorgeous blue-skied day, and we drove off to Staplefield. We parked near the village green, past the Victory pub, where we'd had a drink with Jo and Dave to celebrate their wedding last year, to the village hall. In this little room with its plaque mentioning it had been used by the red-cross during the war was a gathering in the village hall in remembrance of Jo. Jo's mother and sister gave eloquent and touching speeches. Jo's son Sam had someone else read his speech, but it certainly brought a lump to my throat. Also speeches from three friends including Lorraine's chum Penny. I'd only met Jo three times, but I liked her, and she was a kind and generous person without a shred of self-...

To Brighton this morning to meet Beth during her lunchtime break, and I quickly went to the bank, and bought a couple of books. Felt great to be in our home town, even if it is just for a flying visit. Off this afternoon off to Staplefield, a village with a pub in it called The Victory. Jo, whose house we are currently renting and a work pal of Lorraine's, got married to her husband David quietly on Friday and gathered a few friends this afternoon. Our new next door neighbours were there too, and were very pleasant. Chatting with people working in education (several knew Lorraine) fell in with one of the locals too. Pleasant afternoon, and I enjoyed a few pints of Harveys. Then to to collect Beth from the station. Plan A was go to a nearby firework display -- a controlled display as Lorraine can't abide the uncontrolled ones. It was however hosing down with rain, so instead the three of us ended up playing Euchre till late. I taught them the three handed game and it brought...