under another sun

Lorraine and I celebrating our eighth wedding anniversary today. A swap of cards this morning, and flowers. In the afternoon we bussed into town, and had a walk by the sea and then popped into the Royal Sovereign before a delicious Japanese meal at Bincho Yakatori. Busy place, and lovely food and excellent Japanese sake and beers. Only downside is they rush you through, which I found irritating, and we were only able to stay for an hour and a half. Nevertheless the food was great. Curiously despite things like sea bass tempura and grilled mackerel and melt in the mouth pork belly cubes, the one thing that brought the taste of Japan home most was the cabbage with black garlic sauce on it. Beautiful. We jumped on a bus and were happily home, having eaten really well. A happy day with Lorraine, ending as  all the best days do, on the gold sofa. Again, pretty useless on the photo front. Snapped this bottle of red rice beer that Lorraine ordered. A beautiful -- and it turned out quite p...

Our seventh wedding anniversary, and the first day of L's half term. So I was mainly on holiday. A leisurely start to the day, although we had to get up eventually as Lorraine had to go to the dentist. In the afternoon we went for a brisk walk and took advantage of some sunshine. Then to M&S to buy ourselves a few nice bits of food. We stayed in and had a candlelit dinner, played cards and even performed a spot of romantic dancing. All nice. Wine, and starters, and main course of fish pie, and micro greens, dressed with Sicilian balsamic vinegar (bought last year at the price of liquid gold) and was very delicious, then little strawberry tarts for dessert, and cheese even. Lovely. Cats sat on empty chairs for lots of the meal, which was a bit comical. Spoke to Mum, who was pleased to receive a kokeshi doll from Toby and Romy.  Below Lorraine and I out and about, and the present Lorraine gave me for our anniversary, which now sits proudly on my desk.

Lorraine and I celebrated six years of being wed today. A slow start with cards and breakfast in bed, and as the day was rainy and uninviting, we lurked at home. Beth off to London for a party today. Lorraine and I even playing the Sherlock Holmes game. Then we walked in the rain down to Mediterraneo for a romantic Sicilian meal for two. The food there is gorgeous, and we shared a bottle of wine that was as lovely as the stuff we were lapping up on Sicily with Toby and Romy. A judicious cab home that took us round Sark to get to Home, but at least we were dry. A lovely time, and back in time for Match of the Day.

Lorraine and my wedding anniversary today. Five years of marriage now. Took Lorraine up a tea and a card, and got a lovely card back. Opened a present that Maureen and Pat had got us, which was a little door to go on the skirting board and labelled Miniature World. This made me laugh lots. An alcohol-affected night's sleep, cups of tea and breakfast for Lorraine and I, a cup of coffee for Anton then I made off on the bus to go to my glass class, Anton staying to work for the morning before returning home to his nice polished and revarnished floors. I was early so had a cup of tea in Cafe Nero first where I met Chris, whose opinion of La Traviata matched mine somewhat. An enjoyable session. After I met Lorraine outside the cafe, and she met Chris, Yvonne, Adele, Rick who lives around the corner from us, and Frances. Then Lorraine and I pushed on into town. Lorraine sorted out her phone contract and went off for a flu vaccine, and I went to Healy's solicitors to get some do...

So today was our wedding anniversary. Getting married to Lorraine clearly the best thing I've done.  I took my snoozing lovely a cup of tea and a card, and then melted away somewhat regretfully into the mizzley morning. Journey to Victoria fine, despite leaving a little later. The circle line doomed at Victoria, however, so after failing to find another way to the office I had to get a taxi. I was late, but luckily there had been a fire drill, and staff were outside on the street, so I cleverly blended in with them and nobody was any the wiser. Work okay. I have realised that the way they want me to write for this project is in the tone of completely soulless corporate guff. Now I have understood this, the job should be fairly straightforward. The chief pain of it, will be as we get nearer the event, I will be called on at all hours to update copy and help with presentations and so on, which I think I can cope with. Home, at last, and Lorraine had prepared us a romantic three c...

Two years ago today, Lorraine and I got married. Clearly the best life decision I've ever taken. I never thought that being married would be so fantastic. Nor did I expect that being married would improve our relationship still further. Up early and off for La Barbarie's breakfast. A full Guernsey Breakfast for me, despite confirmation in the news that red meat, and processed meat such as sausages and bacon are bad for you.  I almost never eat red meat, and very little processed meat, so I took my life in my own hands. Very tasty as usual. Another unexpectedly beautiful day. We took ourselves off to town on the bus. I went to the joke shop, stuffed full of witches costumes, rubber spiders and ghost masks and asked if they had a Frankenstein's head. 'No, we don't have anything like that here,' said the woman behind the counter unhelpfully, with no attempt to cross sell me on, say, a zombie head. A spot of shopping here and there, some wine for tonight and s...

A year today It has been exactly a year since I began my new life as a freelance writer. My quality of life has soared: I feel in control of my destiny, and above all I have been free to devote time to writing things I find important. The year has gone by in a flash and, happily, I have survived. Almost all the work I have been given has been through friends. I was having a chat with Anton the other day and saying how important networking was. He said something to the effect that you can network all you like, but what is really important is reputation. And I think that is right. I have two aims for next year. The first is to add to my stable of clients, and second push on with my own projects and see if I can translate lots of hard work into a successful outcomes.