under another sun

Antsy this morning, feeling the need to be doing things. It was a beautiful clear day, and L and I drove off to see Angie and Patrick, former neighbours of Lorraine, in their new house in Hove. They are extending their new detached house and adding a garden office. They live upstairs in comfort, while the the ground floor has been gutted and forested by poles keeping the top floor in place. It is what Angie called a project, and Patrick completely untroubled by having builders milling about underneath him and calling on him for decisions as he worked. Then to the station to buy a ticket to London, to Sainsbury's to buy food, then to the garden centre for me to buy aquatic plants for the fish tanks then home. Worked downstairs carrying buckets or water about. Emptied the smaller tank completely, and transferred fish into the big tank. Brian, who is much recovered, is a big fish fancier and helped me catch the fish in the tank by batting the glass as I caught them. Removing the tan...

Jesus heads Dreary weather, me coldy and slightly hungover but cheerful. Lorraine drove us off to Lewes. We sat in the car park listening to end of The News Quiz on R4. I really like how Lorraine likes the same stuff as me. Although when she went to a shop specialising in fabrics, buttons etc. I realised that this was a world of pain and went instead to a flea market, a misnomer as I saw no bartering parasites. After some time Lorraine came to collect me, armed with fabrics, and then drove us off to the garden centre by the racecourse. Here I bought new plants for my aquarium, and two new fish called pitbull plecs, which my unspeakable angelfish tried to eat when introduced to the aquarium later. Without success, so far, but their thoughts are persistently evil. In the evening to Lorraine's house. Saw Betty, Mark and their pals Jo and Kayleigh, plus a tired-looking Sam. Chatted to Mark about writing for a while, and the monologue he has written for the Wrong nights. I think he has ...

Angelic feet Still feeling rough, but up early to do some French work. Lorraine and I went for a walk down to the sea in the afternoon. The sun bright and the sea green and rough in the strong wind. Lovely feeling. I'm now walking much better: aches and pains subsiding. However cold now in full flow and going onto my chest leaving me sweaty and hot. Undeterred Lorraine and I bought shoes. Managed to by some new grey Vans, and also some oxblood leather slip-ons which look rather smart, and feel like angels are kissing your feet once you've slid them on. Expensive but worth it. Went to Lorriane's house tonight, and decided that a hot curry would be the thing. I was craving some heat to cut through the cold, and it is perfect cold fodder. Chatting to our waiter who is just completing his PhD with something to do with carbon footprints. I like the idea that the person serving your poppadoms could one day save the planet. Here's hoping. Below brave swimmers.

13 Triskaidekaphobia is one of the few phobias I do not have. So I got a grip this morning, and sent out invoices and dealt with one or two business matters in a reasonably butt bruising manner. Then up to Preston Drove to work with Simon for the rest of the day on a stunningly laborious presentation document. Simon is a really good guy, which helped considering I felt braindead. Trying to find some time to work on my own projects at the moment is proving very difficult. However financially things are not too bad, and I have some more freelance work at Kate's agency coming up next week. But far better to be busy than have nothing on at all. Walked home at about six, and found myself desperate for a cheeky Friday night curry and beer. Luckly Lorraine was happy to oblige, and sitting in the Cricketers sipping a pre-curry beer, life felt several degrees more cheery.