under another sun

Worked really hard on the poem this morning, and in rewriting managed to completely wreck one of the sections. Felt somewhat cheesed off by this. I will have to give it a break and revisit when I can see the wood for the trees. Feeling a bit drained this afternoon. A cheery evening in The Old Boot Inn, however, celebrating Steve's 71st birthday in the Boot. Brian and Yvonne, Delores, Matthew, and Steve's Cameroonian pal Gilbert, who I met a couple of years ago. Gilbert had some interesting takes on politics. While I was there Toby called from DC. Following the news over here in Blighty, it seems what's going on in the US sounds like a dystopian novel. 

Up and breakfasted early, leaving Lorraine in bed and was collected by Brian who drove us off to Friston Forest. A lovely walk, the going soft and puddly, and the chat excellent. Brian stopping and making me look at things, like the colour of leaves under the beech trees. Marley the dog zooming about happily. Then back to Brian and Yvonne's house for a cuppa and to try on their Santa clothes. They want me to go around next week while their grandchildren are there and BE Santa. A man with my years of Santa experience couldn't really say no.  Then I walked home. A beautiful clear day, and not raining which was rather miraculous. Lorraine off at lunchtime to see Laura, and meet her baby Layla, and then on to hang out with Beth, and help her get her flat ready for the buyers who are coming around again tomorrow. I simply did some bits of work, billing and so on but wasn't in the mood to apply myself to anything.  I made off to meet Steve and his dutch pal Mike again, for a few ...

Woke up very, early and went to my desk -- and got to work. But not before sending an email to Matt about the idea for flute and voice we'd been talking about in Slaithwaite. He sent me an email in the evening -- wishing we could pop out for a beer and a brainstorm. Apparently snow in Yorkshire, which Phoebe revels in. Great to be in touch properly again. Later in the morning I had a good chat with Valérie, looking chic even when working from home. She was very kind about me, saying they always thought of me as a member of their team. We have worked together often over the years, and it's like checking in with an old friend. Happily chugged on with her brief during the day. Working with Val is always calm and productive. Nipped out at lunch with Lorraine to do a spot of shopping, dipping into a few shops and buying a stool.  Then I spoke to Mum who was okay, and Mas not too bad. Luckily Mason was happy to stay at home. Then took a call from Gabriel.  Finished at 4 as I had bee...

Working with Keith again. Another day I found stressful. Lorraine off to her personal trainer in the afternoon, then went around to see Rosie and had dinner with her in the Giggling Squid. Steve, who has been ill ventured back into the world today. I met him for an hour in The Old Boot Inn after work. Nice to throw off the desk manacles over a cheeky pint of mother in law. Steve mainly repaired. He blames the convention of harmonica players in Brighton he went to recently at the Brunswick, where he spent hours in a darkened room with lots of people wheezing through their mouth organs. Many were ill afterwards apparently.  Home at seven, and Lorraine arrived later. To bed, cheered by the idea that I have only one more day on the current job. Arranged to meet Anton on Friday, which I am greatly looking forward to. Star Trek Voyager with Lorraine, then bed.

Chatting with Keith for an hour or so this morning. Pat got in touch to ask if I was free to pick up a job with Keith, starting tomorrow, so that was good. Did more editing on the podcast. Seemed to spend hours doing tidying the house, and doing things like carrying Lorraine's car door into the house so that people can collect it. The people never came. Also pulled out the large Christmas tree out through the porch into the front garden and then pulled it around to the side of the house. It shed a bazillion needles in the porch and in the house. Hoovered them. The needles blocked the hoover so I had to dismantle this, sweep the front garden and so on. One of those thirty second jobs that actually took well over an hour.  Actually tweaked a poem for a few minutes too. Chatting to Lorraine. Maureen at home and okay, but very tired today. I don't like waking up without Lorraine there.  A bizarre evening. Forged off to The Old Boot early, in drenching muzzle. Good to see Steve aft...

A quick podcast email and a few bits first thing, before I readied myself head north.  Pat and Maureen here. But I went up to Elstree, to meet Mum and Mas in The Waggon and 'orses on Watling Street. A slow journey with lots of changes. Seaford to Lewes, Lewes to East Croydon, East Croydon to St Pancras, St Pancras to Elstree and then a pleasant stroll from Elstree. The platform at Elstree had grit and salt on it, and it was noticeably colder than Seaford was when I set out.  Mum and Mas happily installed in the best seat by the fire when I arrived at 12:25. Enjoyable time with them, warmed by the fire and sipping a decent pint of Guinness and telling them all my news. Mum and Mas are really well known there. The chef who calls them mummy and daddy appeared, and I shook his hand as his 'stepbrother' and thanked him for being so nice to them. He made a nice chicken soup for Mason, which was nicer than anything on the menu. I had a sip and it was spicy with nutmeg, and rather ...