under another sun

Pleasantly creaky from yesterday's walk up Seaford Head. I need to do more walking again now that I haven't renewed in the gym, and you see loads more than staring at a wall while on the cross trainer.  Otherwise something approaching a perfect little day. Up fairly early, had breakfast with Lorraine, who then zoomed off to do rhyme time at the library, and then go around to her pal Helen's house. I meanwhile phoned mum then completed a good draft of my new horror story, I'm currently calling The Emptiness. Quite pleased with it, and it is an interesting scenario around wearing a giant rabbit suit in a farm shop. I based it on a job Beth had once in Kent. Then a late lunch. A spot of pottering in the garden, and Lorraine preparing dhal. A little before six Lorraine and I walked to The Crypt, where the Last Minute Artists were having a show. Adele one of these, and she was exhibiting some fabulous Punch and Judy themed glass. The crocodile eating sausages was inspired.  ...

 Lorraine off to Ashford today. A beautiful day, which I was supposed to be editing, and sat at my desk for hours, but one of those days where your brain goes off at tangents however hard you try. I met Palo for lunch, and we sat in Baca cafe signing copies of Snow , and making a few plans. Palo suggested we shoot down to Gallery Uno and sign the copies there, seeing as we had our signing boots on.  She suggested that maybe I could go to the private viewing of the art show next week, and read poems. She will check if this is okay.  I like Palo, and she is a can-do person, and this little collaboration is fun. Went for a long walk this afternoon, eventually, having been frustrated by my own lack of progress on the editing. A gorgeous evening, with blue skies. Mooched along the seafront. A murder of crows at one point.  Very blue and lovely. Home, and not long before Lorraine arrived home safely. We are watching The Orville all over again.  Below Palo and I in Gal...

Preparing for our trip to Scotland, lots of jobs done by Lorraine especially. Feeling okay, apart from my heavy cold. I popped out to the shops and got flour from the shops, and nosed about, and queued for Lorraine's prescription, which was not in yet. Into Gallery Uno, where I had a chat with two artists who were manning the shop. Palo and my Snow pamphlets stored there at floor level which is not ideal, but at least they are there. On the way home, spoke to a neighbour Jenny, and talk quickly turned to how to remove cat excrement and pee from carpets. Pee conversations seem inescapable at the moment. Had a nice chat with Mum, and Lorraine talked to Pat and Maureen recovering from the nasty stomach bug they probably got from Lorraine.  I saw I am on the shortlist for a pamphlet competition, but have decided not try not get excitable about it as I have been down this road many times before. It's hard not to have the odd gleam of optimism though. I also spent a couple of hours ...

Lorraine and I discussing colours this morning. Our chosen off white for the kitchen is coming out a bit mauve and nobody wants that. Irritable morning, disrupted by having to clear up for the brothers to continue their decorating, then having to go off for a blood test, where the medical assistant told me that he'd lived in Seaford as a child but hated it as a teenager as there was nothing to do. Greg and Dan did not return due to reasons and say the quote underestimated the amount of work, so we are adjusting our ask a bit.  Straight to the gym from the surgery, where I did a fairly (for me) substantial workout which got the grrrrs out. I am pressing the refresh button on my own health, as I am too fat at the moment, and would, on balance, prefer to continue living for a bit longer. Listening as I mooched to a BBC series of podcasts called Marianna in Conspiracyland where the BBC's misinformation correspondent talks to lots of lunatics about their conspiracies and their dang...