under another sun

Lorraine off this morning to take Pat and Maureen to a celebration of life, for Pat's cousin Tony, who I met only once many years ago, in the Isle of Sheppy. They stayed overnight to make things easier. So I had the day to myself. I went to the gym, then in the afternoon went to Lewes. Charlotte was having a birthday party for local poet pals. Twelve guests in all, including mutual pals Robin, SJB, Stephen Bone and Janet Sutherland. I'd never been to Charlotte's place before. I met a poet with purple hair lost like me, and we found our way to the door, was let in by Pete, Charlotte's husband, and climbed up a flight of stairs, then outside, up a zigzag path in the garden and then found ourselves on the top of a mound, overlooking all of Lewes and the downs beyond. A rather magical place that can only be accessed through Charlotte's house. It was there we all read a poem (except Robin) and had a poetic altogethery time.   There was an immediate calamity however. Ther...

Friday and some time this morning to finalise what I was going to read tonight and collect together a few books and so on. Lorraine really busy, shopping with James for the shower tomorrow, doing the last stitches of the secret project, ferried Pat and Maureen from the pub with their new friend also called Maureen. After a wee snooze, I caught the half five train to Lewes, and sauntered over to the Elephant and Castle and sat quietly for a bit and drank a shandy.  Today was the launch of Robin's The Mayday Diaries  and she had been kind enough to ask me to read with her. She also asked Catherine Smith to join us. We discussed beforehand that we wanted to make it fairly informal, and a bit chatty like the podcast. When Nick and Robin arrived, we went upstairs and Robin and I arranged the chairs for the reading. Palo arrived early, with two prints which we put on chairs to be seen. I joked to Palo that she was my show and tell. Soon people were turning up. Many of the audie...

Spent much of the day prepping for the poetry reading at the Wellington Hotel, while Lorraine zoomed off to Hove to see Paul. Came back looking glossy and glamourous. I decided to go slightly outside my comfort zone and try out some new stuff, including a bit from Gordon Road. A full moon (in Libra). I felt the right amount of nervous pre-reading. Lorraine popped in to drop something off with Pat and Maureen. I got there early and chatted to Chris Goode the organiser from Seahaven poets. Drank shandy.   Lots of Seaford friends turned up, and in the poet corner Robin and Stephen Bone. Robin gave me an advance copy of  The Mayday Diaries , her first full collection from Pindrop Press. It looks excellent, with a cover designed by Robin too. Of Seaford pals were Steve, Andrew and Kate,  Delores and her brother Dave and newer rebooters, Matthew and Andy, and Carole from the book group, and Helen and Andy.  The evening started with an open mic reader who threatened to...

Feeling somewhat sluggish, with an aching arm, caused by the shingles jab. Lorraine off to rhyme time. I did a spot of writing first thing. A after a light lunch I took the train to Brighton for a futile shopping expedition, followed another in Lewes. At four o'clock, rainsoaked and tired, I retreated to a cafe for a large coffee, and a read of a book of historical Beano front covers in full colour, that I had bought early in Seaford Post Office for a ridiculous £2.95. Repaired, I made off to the Lewes Arms to meet poet friends. SJB, Charlotte, Stephen and Robin. A cheery drink for a couple of hours, with the usual mixture of banter and poetry. I like being with my tribe. Towards the end of our session, Christmas carollers came into the small bar, and began singing. People, talking loudly to compete. Charlotte had to go as it was making her feel claustrophobic. Just as everyone was leaving, the singers asked me if there was a carol I liked, and I said Silent night. I sat there list...

Up early and was collected outside by Brian shortly after eight, with Marley in the boot. Brian had already been swimming in the sea and was generally glowing. We went to Friston forest and had a lovely walk through the trees deep in discussion about all kinds of things. We paused at the place where you can look down into the valley and see the hedgerows make a big cross in the landscape. Brian uses this place to pray briefly most days. I find this quite touching.  Home again for breakfast, and as Rosie had stayed overnight we had breakfast and long chats with her. Rosie and Lorraine went off to see Pat and Maureen, before Rosie went off to work in the afternoon.  Lorraine told me that when Rosie arrived yesterday, they were talking and there was hammering on the roof. It was two crows, pecking at bones, with seagull feathers. The current theory is that the Robert the robbing herring gull has been murdered by, or at least scavenged by, crows. Probably a murder of crows. I did ...

No work. Bliss. Up and breakfast with Lorraine, and she went off to walk and talk with Penny and other ex-headteacher friends I spent a happy couple of hours finalising my reading for tonight's Needlewriters. (Success happens when preparation meets opportunity, I reminded myself). A lunchtime walk, and the luxury of a nap this afternoon. Quite nervous, and bleating nervously to Lorraine once or twice. Pleased Robin and I were reading together which somehow made it feel better.  I'd not seen the rooms upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern so crowded. I counted about 45 people. All my favourite poet friends there, SJB, Charlotte, Janet, Stephen Bone, Antony Mair and Jeremy. Plus there was a delegation from Seaford, Adele, Patrick, Andrew and Kate. Then, greatly to my surprise, old Warwick University pals, Will Leith and Callum Murray appeared, who I first met when I was 19, and then sat in the front row. As I was being introduced by James Ellis, who did a great job all night, I some...

A chat with Sam today, talking about how he is feeling a good deal better these days and is looking forward to moving back with Jade at the end of the Summer. We are really pleased for him.   Exceedingly hot.Lorraine drove us off to Robin and Nick's garden party this afternoon. Very elegant, with two young folks serving Prosecco and alcohol free Nosecco to assorted poets and musicians. Robin and Nick have an enormous shared garden, the size of a small park. Robin was wearing a dress Lorraine almost wore, plus the same Panama hat as mine she bought from Mad Hatters too.  People sippingo in the shade. I enjoyed catching up with Janet, Jeremy, Antony and Stephen. Lorraine particularly chatting to Stephen lots. He lives in Newhaven which is the next little town along from Seaford.  Drove home with the air conditioning on in the car. Watched a bit of the Tory leadership debate, and watched the tumbleweed blowing through the voids where the ideas should have been. Spoke to Tobs...

So back to my desk, while Lorraine worked downstairs with Emma the head who will be replacing her at her school, and the two Sarahs. I had a quick meeting with Keith and then got on with finishing the work I was doing for Pat, Michel and Perky. Had a meeting with them virtually and was done by one, thankfully as I felt a bit wan and tired. Lorraine was finding work hard today. Just a few more weeks for her to go -- but getting to the end of the year, even in the best of years, is always tough. I had a spot of lunch with the teachers, and then did admin and other stuff.   In the evening sauntered down to London Road station and from there to Lewes, where SJB was having a launch party for her fabulous book The Thoughts.  With typical generosity she invited some friends to read poems too: Stephen, Charlotte, Jeremy, Robin and me -- as well as Louise who read excellently and also hosted. I really enjoyed the event -- Sarah's book is wonderful and she read with great humour and emo...

So a limboish work day. Sent somewhat irritatingly phrased demands from folks in Munich and Paris.  Then was booked again on the annoying job Keith and I had been doing now extended from tomorrow till mid next week. Hoping that I can be in a better frame of mind about it all soon. In the evening, I went to Lewes to the Needlewriters at the John Harvey Tavern, the fountainhead of Harvey's beer. I had forgotten I had double booked with Ben and Rick around the corner, so sent apologies to them yesterday. Rick did not get his, which was a bit awkward as I spoke to him on the train heading towards Lewes. Reading were two poets Kay Syrad and Sonya Smith who were enjoyable, and a prose writer whose work I did not enjoy in the least.  Nice to be out, saying howdy to Stephen Bone and Jeremy and others. Best part was sitting with Charlotte afterwards and having a good talk about poetry life etc. The result was I felt more optimistic and was reminded of what was important about the whole...

Up feeling fresh and working with Keith from early on. Early afternoon, and possibly the worst brief I have ever been taken. Full of irrelevant information and no clarity at all about what they were asking us to do. Cue assorted creatives from both side of the pond trying to make sense of it, asking questions that were not able to be answered. I had to leave early today, so missed a subsequent meeting with the poor CD attempting to re-explain it.  Late afternoon a months-planned meet up with Robin, Charlotte, Sarah and Stephen at the Open House.  I had just escaped from work and it took me a moment or two to tune out of that drivel. But having a beer and putting the world to right about life, managing (or otherwise) the pandemic, the good the bad and the ugly of poetry. Robin, Charlotte and Stephen already there when I arrived and we were soon joined by SJB fresh from the hairdresser and very proud of it. Sarah also has her first collection in the pipeline, which we toasted. I...

Up early, with Lorraine, who scuttled off early. Beth off for another day of flat clearing. I worked quietly in the morning, and then went to the gym. Did my usual round of lightish weights and then started on the cross trainer. After about four minutes stabbing chest pains began, which I put down to indigestion. After a few minutes of this I made myself rather alarmed, to the extent I climbed off the cross trainer and mooched towards my doctor's surgery which, now it has moved happens to be across the road. However by the time I got near its door I was fine, and then burped, curing everything. I went straight back to the gym feeling sheepish, and picked up where I left off.  Lorraine home a bit early today, and we had a nice chat before I travelled to Lewes on a windy night to the needle makers reading. There were four readers among them Clare Best, and Robert Hamberger, both of whom were excellent. Another chap read prose, and there was a woman reading the sort of poems I find...

Working well today, had a nice chat with Beth this morning, and a good chat with Sonia before I loped off to the gym where I had a decent session. Think I have sorted out the cover using the image I got from my secret squirrel artist. Happy to be mooching off to the Preston Park Tavern for 5:30, where I met my best poetry buddies Robin, Sarah, Charlotte and Stephen for a beer and long chat. Lovely to see everyone. I always feel uplifted and reassured by these folks. Having other writer chums essential if you are not to go mad. Not much actual poetry discussed, as we mainly talked about life. Stephen, arriving a little later said he had already read The Dream House in Frogmore Papers, and it had scared him, which pleased me lots. I told him how much I liked his erotic curry poem too. We all got stuck into a drink, and Beth and Lorraine joined us a couple of hours later as the poets were beginning to think about melting away. A happy evening all around. Will be seeing the poets again...

Woke up this morning with the solution to the problem of a short story I have been rewriting called The Inheritor. My subconscious has been doing lots of this nocturnal sorting out for me. I simply rewrote the story today, and also sent off a proposal to a US agent about my children's book. My watch battery ran out  and I looked at my wrist 100 times, and I popped along to the gym. Chatted with Betty about her new business/acting wheeze she is starting with a pal. Really excited for her. In the evening down to the Grand Central for the launch of a new poetry magazine, called Finished Creatures edited by Jan Heritage. Lots of poet pals there, including Robin, Sarah, Stephen, Charlotte, Jeremy, Janet Sutherland, Catherine Smith, I also met Charlotte's colleague Lizzie who edits Viva Brighton. The readings were fine, but I didn't seem to be able to tune into it all tonight. Great to see everyone though. Charlotte, Sarah and I got chips afterwards and went our separate way...

Up and working in a focused way this morning, getting everything in order. Extender legs were delivered for the table in our new craft room. This means I can work standing up on my glass pieces. All rather exciting. Made off to the gym, surged in a whipped off my trousers, and only then realised I had not brought my shorts. Gah. Had to come home again. Chatting to Betty today about her plans to start an improv-based business. Stopped work at five and went to the Preston Park Tavern. Had drinks there with my poet pals Robin, Sarah and Stephen. Nice to sit about gossiping, and catching up. Email from Charlotte this morning too, and she is doing a reading on Wednesday so will zoom along to it. Turns out Robin, Sarah and Stephen are going to it too. I was quite forthright in my opinions as the beer went straight to my head, but luckily, I was among friends so that was okay. Then I jumped into cab and zoomed over to The Station at Hove, and met Lorraine, Beth and Dawn there. John'...

A happy Friday. Working fairly productively this morning. Also had a couple of hours working on stuff for my agency pals in Chiswick, and sauntered into town for a haircut, as it was all getting a bit Art Garfunkley. In the evening off to Lewes to meet up with the Telltale & Friends posse, Robin, Sarah, Charlotte, Catherine Smith and Stephen Bone. A hugely enjoyable and altogethery evening in the lovely Lewes Arms catching up on everyone's news. It did lots to make me feel less alone and weird in this mad pursuit of writing.  A fair amount of drinking done too. Also reminded me that people had lots to cope with lately. Both Charlotte and Sarah's mothers had died last year, and life is full of challenges. I just felt I drew great strength from my fellow writers. Fond farewells, and Sarah and I hopped on the Brighton train, and I got off at London Road. Spoke to Lorraine, and scored a curry. Home at around 9:30 although it seemed much later due to being in the dead of win...

Quite motivated this morning, sent my children's novel off to a U.S. literary agent, entered Sin Cycle into the Magma pamphlet competition, among other stuff. Then walked over to see Janet in Hove, as there was a respite carer in to look after Ken. Janet somewhat tired, so she hopped aboard Ken's wheelchair and we trundled up the road to a restaurant called Third Avenue, where we had a bite to eat, and two glasses each of a non-alcoholic berry and crushed ice drink. Service was snailish, but we had a good chat, and Janet is wisely getting her affairs in order. Back at Janet's house we sat in the back room, as Ken and Janet shared a crafty cigarette. I saw that the tomatoes Janet had put in were full of fruit, and she asked me to pick them. She has always had green fingers, and her new little garden was full of  stripy, and red, and yellow tomatoes. When I picked them, the smell took me back to childhood. Janet gave me a big bag of them to take away. I hopped on a bus...

Up and did some work today, as Lorraine was having to sort some stuff out too. Then we walked down in the afternoon to Grand Central where Louise Tondeur launched informally her short story collection, Unusual Places. It was quite an informal affair, though lots of poetry pals were there, Louise's wife Sarah Barnsley obviously, but also Jeremy, Charlotte, Robin, Stephen, Janet Sutherland and John McCullough among others. Lou read a very good extract from one of the stories, as young Zach encouraged people to buy the book. Lorraine and I did, naturally. Lorraine and I talked to Bob the husband from the husband and and wife team behind Cultured Llama the publishers. Then home, after this pleasant interlude, before we headed out again to have an surprise birthday bite organised by Klaudia for Anton. We met in a newly-opened burger joint called Patty and Bun. Anne, Anna, my excellent godbairns Klaudia and Oskar and L and I tucked into various burgers and had a cheery meal. Nice to se...

Finally sent off the manuscript Sin Cycle to the Poetry Business Competition, which is the preeminent poetry pamphlet competition. Good to send this off, if only that it frees me up to do other things. Like other poems. Off in the evening to Eastbourne. Walked down to London Road, where I met Sarah Barnsley and Marion Tracey on the train. Chugged off to Eastbourne talking about poems, and found the venue where Robin Houghton and Stephen Bone were about to launch their new pamphlets, 'All the relevant gods,' by Robin, and 'Plainsong' by Stephen. Robin worrying about the positioning of fairy lights when I arrived. Chose this moment to nip into a burger restaurant, where I had a chicken burger and left half of my fries, and we met Antony Mair and a pal. Sarah Barnsley and Antony were giving supporting readings and did really well. Several poetry pals in the audience including Charlotte, and Jeremy Page and Catherine Smith. Readings really good, everyone read well and ...

A dreary grey day. Made Lorraine breakfast in bed, and then we got up and zoomed into town, where I had booked Lorraine an hour's massage. I took myself to my favourite non-ideologically sound Starbucks, and read poetry by Stephen Bone and James Sheard, enjoying both. Then I collected Lorraine, who said that she was coming back next week as she was only half done. There was a lot of work to be done on her apparently. We sauntered up to Foodilic where we met Betty for a healthy lunch in her lunch break (vegetarian moussaka with two kinds of salad for L and I) chicken and two kinds of salad for Betty. Nice to catch up with her for a bit. Then she had to go back to work, and we did shopping and looked at curtains and other bits and pieces in various shops for some time, before grabbing a bus home. A cozy evening in, with the weather being full of rain and drear outside. Read a bit of poetry wunderkind Kate Tempest's book Hold Your Own . Patchy so far, but not without interest....

Felt  cheerful this morning still. Up and doing stuff of one kind or another. Even getting a cut and paste book rejection (from the large agent I sent the children's book to yesterday) didn't phase me. I think they were just bouncing that kind of book at the moment. Resilience. Put a chicken in the oven, and waited till Lorraine had got home, (Dawn was staying the night) before boofing off to Lewes to the John Harvey Tavern to a Needlewriters event to hear three poets: Jeremy Page, Mark Urbanowicz and Robert Seatter. Enjoyed the readings. Robert's was from The Book of Snow , a beautifully produced book mostly about snow and paper. He read very well too, so I bought the book. Jeremy read a short story which was quite funny, and about life on campus. I noticed a woman in the audience who I thought looked just like Caroline Lucas who, when she left, turned out to have been Caroline Lucas. Also enjoyed hanging out with my poet pals in general, and Robin, Sarah, Stephen ...