under another sun

I got up early, Lorraine lying in a bit, and made sure Sam was up as he was travelling up to Scotland today to see Jade. Took Mrs Kenny a cup of tea, then got to work with Keith for a few hours finalising the concepts we had been working on. This done, Lorraine and I drove off to Bolney, my lightning tracker app going off in my pocket as the rain started to fall, and went to her office, and started clearing out the many presents and flowers and cards she had been given, then spent some hours throwing things away, and feeding the confidential waste bin, a bit like the Fall of Saigon but with fewer helicopters. It was  therapeutic for both of us. We broke off for a late lunch at the Eight Bells across the street. Felt strange to be going for lunch with Lorraine on a weekday. Then we went back to her office until she'd had enough sorting out, and we drove home. The slow dawning of Lorraine's new freedom still has some time to go, she'll have a lot of work to do next week, but ...

Up early and interviewed Jeremy first thing this morning. He was very fluent and it was interesting to talk to him.  In the evening Lorraine drove us and Sam off to the Eight Bells in Bolney to take part in the parent teachers association fundraiser for the school. Cheery atmosphere in the pub, and there was nothing for it but to simply drink some Harvey's bitter. Sat with Dan and Sarah and answered lots of questions.  The quiz hosted by a well known local character named Posh Bob, who I had heard about lots over the years but had never seen. He was perfectly good at it. Funny how people there were calling out his name, hey Posh, can you repeat question 11? etc. Our team, with Dan and Sarah did not win, but did okay. Lorraine had a good time, and lots of money was raised for the school. One of the teams was called Professor Quiz Whitty. I wonder if another generation of Chief Medical Officers will enter popular culture like Chris Whitty and Jonathan Van-Tam. 

Off to Bolney today, for the second time this week, this time for my annual stint as Santa. Lay in bed with Lorraine hastily googling the names of Santa's reindeer, which came in handy later when I had to indulge in Santa banter. Noticed signs outside, and that Santa charges £2.50 for the privilege of being seen. Lorraine running around as the Christmas Fair set up in the school hall, after a bit of sitting quietly in her office reading Intersectionality by Patricia Hill Collins and Sirma Bilge, I stole upstairs and changed into my gear. I only had a teeshirt and boxers on but the boots, hat trousers and jacket, belt, lined Santa cape, beard and so on were utterly sweltering. Led out by Heather the elf as in previous years, and deployed the bell to deafen people, and bellowed my ho-ho-hos and Merry Christmases in a slightly Brian Blessed style. I always feel slightly apprehensive beforehand, as if I am about to go on stage, but enjoy talking to the children a great deal. A size...