under another sun

I got to bed late last night, but Lorraine and I up with a sense of purpose despite being robbed of an hour as the clocks had sprung forwards. Working together we painted some walls snowy white in the garden for a couple of hours. Certain insects attracted by the white, which was a bit sad.  Gave us a sense of achievement. Mother's day so I called Mum, and was disappointed her card hadn't arrived despite being posted in good time. I shall zoom up to see her next week. Lorraine calling Maureen. Beth, sounding a good deal better, calling Lorraine.  The Tobster sending her a message just as he and Romy were jetting off to Mexico. Otherwise not too much to report. Looking forward to picking up the threads of my own stuff tomorrow. 

First day of autumn. Up early as usual. Porridge breakfast again. Up and struggling with podcast names. I can't believe how difficult this is being, given that I have named a many products and services as a copywriter, and that Robin and I are both poets to boot. Prepped questions for Elizabeth, an editor based in Cork. Also worked on the new Grace book, and had a quick squint at the idea for the short story I blurted out yesterday.  Since saying I was open to persuasion about doing some work with my pals in Paddington, an entirely predictable absence of response.  Watched Boris Johnson in the commons at lunchtime, announcing 6 more months of restrictions. Not sure what else he can do really.   Then I prepped and painted the downstairs bathroom walls, a lighter shade of grey than they are now -- lots of nooks and crannies -- I did not go for a walk today and I have to balance productivity with the psychological boon taking myself out for walkies gives me. Listened to an i...

Lorraine at home, so no six-something start. I got up and worked on various bits and pieces in my office after bringing my lovely wife some breakfast in bed. In the afternoon Lorraine and I drove off in the icy rain to buy some paint for the kitchen, some compost, a bag of stones, pansies and so on. In the evening Lorraine and I did some painting in the kitchen, adding some zingy bright green colour, Lorraine also fiddling about happily with the pansies. In the evening, I hobbled off to the poetry workshop session. Left my pesky wallet at home, too which meant I had to borrow some cash to catch the bus home. Some excellent work by some of the attendees today. Sadly mine (an old one) not quite up to scratch. Home and Beth, back from London and having her bad heel treated, bemoaning the fact that the amount of stitches she's knitting started off at 40, but is now 46.

Lorraine working from home, which was splendid. A good start on the book, then broke off to walk in the sunshine to buy a black tie from M&S for tomorrow's funeral. A sunny and cool spring day, the streets quite busy. Bussed back for speed and cooked a delicious miso and noodle soup for lunch. Heard from Mark Hill, who has jumped the next hurdle on his book, and shared some glowing feedback from the publisher. Inspiring. In the evening, L and I finished painting the main room downstairs, and it looks white and larger. We work as a good team. Painting the ceiling and got a good deal of paint on my face. To The Basketmakers for a late pint with Matt. He has a new and promising business wheeze for himself, and is gradually adjusting to his new life as a singleton. Discovered  Lorraine still up having watched some nordic noir crime drama. It makes me laugh that L can't cope with the political arguments on question time as it stresses her, but is quite happy to watch peopl...

In no rest for the wicked mode, a day of painting the hall, stairs and landing white. Up early and a light breakfast, moving things around out of the way, Soon Cath and then Dawn came around to help us and we four worked really well and got the job done in good time. Cath and Dawn worked incredibly hard and efficiently. First Matie came down to help, but we were so speedy we had finished a few minutes before she arrived. After we made good, I popped out to get some drinks, and had an altercation with the obnoxious man who runs the local off license, so I had to go to another rather than give money to a rude man. A happy evening with of lots of friends in an early celebration of Lorraine's birthday. As well as Cath, Dawn and First Matie, Rosie and Tim joined us, fresh from cycling on the Downs. John, sporting blue shades in preparation for his cataract operation, and Matt brandishing a large bunch of flowers. Anton came a bit later on, after the rest of us had dined heartily o...

The colour of Sunday Up at early and painted my green fence green. This was to cover some numpty tagger's purple addition. Needed a painting anyway, and it felt a virtuous way to start a Sunday. Finished painting and stepped back to admire my handiwork. Cue old testament style clouds gathering overhead and I paused then to read the tin which said do not use if the weather is wet. Visions of the fence running onto the white wall beneath like green mascara, and passersby and neighbours gathering to point and laugh. Mercifully the rain held off. Then painted the inside of my front door white. I will paint the outside blue shortly. Long chat with Mum, discussing plans and wheezes on our book project, she had also received the flowers I'd sent her too. Spent the afternoon pottering about listening to the audiobook (a mere two hours) of 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Likeable stuff, and of course transatlantic dialogue quite resonant for me. Made time for Bianca my white guit...