under another sun

Friday. Lorraine off to take Pat to Eastbourne, and also do a spot of pottery with her tutor.  I made off this morning to meet Yvonne at The Grumpy Chef for coffee. She explained, rather emphatically, that she's not cut out to be a nurse. Poor Brian has been in lots of pain ever since his operation. Nevertheless Yvonne in good form, and we had a laugh over a coffee. She had to hurry back, and I pushed off to the shop a couple of doors away to discuss wheelchairs, pick up my prescription and go to Morrisons and so on. Back home I did a spot of writing, spoke to Mum and had a long chat with Anton some of it about his latest craze: horology. I'm pleased he has time for a new craze. Watch it! etc.   My latest craze is a band called Stereolab, who were active in the 90s that I knew very little about at the time. They have a compilation album called Serene Velocity , which is rather marvellous.  At tea time Lorraine and I made off to Debbie's house for the private view of her A...

Lorraine and I up early, as Lorranie had to drive Patrick to Eastbourne. Claudia and Jonas had a leisurely breakfast of cigarettes and coffee and a few bits of food this morning. They made off later to see Pat and Maureen.  I went to meet Anton, who was in Lewes having gone there to talk to a man about watch refurbishment. En route I texted Brian and Yvonne. Brian still in a lot of pain, and being kept in till his numbers realign. While having his operation his blood pressure and heart rate dropped quite dramatically. A bit of a dark night of the soul. Yvonne naturally concerned. Anton fairly chipper. But wearing a hospital tag, in case he has to go into hospital so people can see at a glance what's been going on with him. He'd had a brilliant time in Spain with Camino, but it seems as if he had a heart event in the night in Spain, but didn't wake Camino up because they had to be up early, went to the airport, drank lots of coffees, flew back to the UK, did lots of other st...

Up and finalising the manuscript for a new pamphlet I've been writing in a frenzy for the last few weeks. For better or worse it is done, and I just have to send it off now. Another private feeling of accomplishment. I've entered it into a competition so nothing much more to do with it for the time being, as the results won't be announced till next year. Then I went to the gym, now that I am over my cold. Enjoyed it. Lorraine busy, taking Pat to Eastbourne this morning. Then she brought Maureen home. In preparing a lunchtime bite for us all, I went to the glasshouse and picked a particularly gnarled, knobbly cucumber with prickles, which I showed to Maureen who was appalled by it and refused to believe it was a cucumber. She ate some of it though. A long chat with Maureen this afternoon, after she'd had an afternoon doze. It gives her a bit of a break when Pat goes off for the day, and Pat seems to enjoy it. When  Lorraine drove off to Eastbourne to collect Pat in the a...

To London this morning, arrived at Mum's about 12:30. A noticeably more relaxed mood on the train on a Friday morning. When I arrived at Mum's her table spread out with lots of papers relating to the tax form. With the help of Chat GPT, I completed it after a harrowing couple of hours. Our trip to the Waggon and 'Orses was thwarted though by the intermittent fault on her seatbelt. It had locked and wouldn't extend, Ben had looked at it for her, but the problem has returned.   Instead we sauntered up the sunny back streets to the McDonald's, which is a drive through as well as restaurant. Having swerved McDonald's for decades it was a bit of a novelty for me. Mum had a cheeseburger, and I ordered a McCrispy chicken burger with fries. Mum said you can order from a person, so I ignored all the screens and spoke to a young human who cheerily brought the meal to our table. It was clean, and once the foghorn voices of the women and children behind Mum had left, almost...

Up early and into my study with a new sense of purpose. Began looking at a story that was rejected last week, but with a highly encouraging note from the editor. Also the idea that if One Day Forever is being published, that tidies away quite a few poems, leaving room for the new project.  Being me, my mind is busy creating a thousand reasons why it will all go wrong, but I just have to ignore them. I have been contacting people slowly, as I feel superstitious about it. But today I let Carl and Bob know.   Penny came round this morning, to spend some time with Lorraine. I spoke to her for a while. Her mother died recently, and she is naturally still sad. She was very kind and congratulated me on the book. They made off into Seaford, for a bite to eat, and I had a much-needed gym session. I seem to have put on weight since Monday.  Spoke to Mum, who was fine, although there is a small problem with the car that Ben is helping her with.  In the evening, when Lorraine w...

Very hot. Enervated by the heat, and not up to much. Wished Romy a happy birthday. I did stuff about the house and garden first thing. Carrying compost and moving the withered potatoes out of the sun. Then as Robin had sent me some useful feedback on my full poetry collection, I um-ed and ah-ed about this for a while. The working title for a while has been Did This Happen? and I've been increasingly disliking it. Robin agrees it doesn't do it justice. So I am putting it into the airlock and opening the space doors on it.  Into the studio this afternoon. Lorraine pottering about. Me experimenting with things. Had a bit of a funny turn sitting by the window, when my eyes suddenly had double vision. Drank lots of water and everything came quickly back into focus. Naturally I thought the worst, but Lorraine was on hand to radiate calm. It was very hot in there. Drank lots of water afterwards and felt right as rain. Rebooting tonight, we spoke to Adele and Patrick, Guy, Debbie and R...

Faffing about. Sent the tax things to Romy, who will kindly file them for me. This has been such a weight off my mind. Some tweaking of the new poem and wondering where it might lead me. Some more editing of the podcast, till I got bored. Laundry. Made off for the gym, but then left late, and half way there realised I didn't have my entrance card, and gave up the idea, as I'd arranged to meet Lorraine to go shopping, but she had to pick up Enzo early from nursery, and he hung out with us for a bit.   Rebooting tonight. Andrew and Kate there, which was nice. Patrick clearly bolstered by his musical trip to Ireland and playing a gig in the arts centre of his hometown, good to see Adele and Delores, and Andy, and a pal of Andy's and Kate and Andrews called Hilary. Enjoyed a few beers and my top hat not quite vertical when we all left. Below in the little wild patch of the garden, we have some teasels, which the insects love.

Much brighter, after yesterday's migraine. Up fairly early and did some writing, then after breakfast, and speaking to Mum, I wandered down to the Bay Tree Studio at the end if the garden, where Lorraine was already at work at her wheel, and I did a bit more to the drawing I posted yesterday. Lovely to be working in the same space on creative things. Then Lorraine took popped around to take Pat and Maureen some fish and chips. I went to the gym for an enjoyable workout. I notice my clothes are a little looser than they have been of late, which is good. Home to watch a bit of World Cup football highlights from yesterday.    In the evening off to The Old Boot Inn, where there was a tableful, with Adele and Patrick, Delores, Debbie, Andy, Steve, Mandy, Chris and Julie. My first pint since last Friday, and it was all very cheerful and fun. Below Lorraine in the studio working on a pot. The drawing I posted yesterday with a little more love put into it, not perfect of course, but ...

A happy Friday, doing some actual writing this morning, which is very nice. To the gym at lunchtime, when Lorraine zoomed off to take Pat and Maureen fish and chips. I am enjoying being in the gym again. I am using my decades old neoprene knee support, which stops my knee clicking when I trundle on the cross trainer. I was reflecting that my knee support is probably over twice the age of many of the people around me. I am doing some more weights and upper body stuff, as this isn't currently a pretty sight. I am already beginning to notice a little less flabbiness, and it helps generally with health anxiety. If I can survive a workout, I might be less fragile than I think.   Met Lorraine at Gallery Uno, where Adele is having a show of her work, along with another artist called Liza Morton. I am really thrilled for Adele, who seems to be becoming a really accomplished artist in glass and other media before our eyes. To the Old Boot tonight. Adele and Patrick there for a bit, Chris an...

Up early again, and writing first thing. A gorgeous hot day. Sloped off to the gym where I finished listening to When You Are Engulfed In Flames another of collection of David Sedaris's stories. I enjoy his autobiographical anecdotes which seem polished to perfection. A man hogging the lat pull machine, who walked around the edge of the gym, before doing yet another set. I noticed, in a very Sedaris way, that he was bulky about the arms so I said nothing, even though that is the one machine that helps sort my back out.  Tried to arrange meeting up with Anton tomorrow, but he is unwell. Home, and a shower, off to Stratheden court with Lorraine, to pick up Pat and Maureen and meet Maxine and Simon just by Frankie's beach cafe.  Maureen rather critical of my wheelchair technique. Lovely to see Max and Simon again, and they were very affectionate with Maureen. Lorraine and Pat, sporting a nifty Spitfire cap, joined us shortly after and we had a quick drink then went for a saunter...

More on the story this morning. Nothing about the poetry competition. Two walks today, by the sea. Later at the end of the road I saw a tree where I counted16 magpies. Never seen that before.  The Boot tonight, not having been there for a few weeks. A cheery evening with Adele and Patrick, Carole, Mandy, and Matthew, who I chatted to lots, and learned he had lots of sailing experience, working on an Isle of Wight lifeboat among other things. I knew he lived on a boat, but didn't realise how deeply the sea ran in him. Adele and Patrick smartly dressed having been at a funeral. Mandy won a local photography competition so was pleased.  A mischief of magpies  

Writing Kansas this morning and using Chat GPT which I am using as a fast way of understanding the geography, and history of Kansas, then known as an Unorganized Territory, in the early 1820s. Now that I am a --ahem-- mature man, whose own life and recollections span the 20th and 21st centuries, the nineteenth century seems quite close.  Then I went to hang out with Pat, while Lorraine took Maureen for a blood test. Chatting with him, making him a cup of tea and laughing at an estate agent's haircut on some long running daytime TV show featuring  property developers buying down at heel properties and doing them up and selling them at a profit. Home again, and then Delores sent me some of the work she had been doing, on which I offered  comments and tweaks, which took a while and was an unpleasant return to copywriting. Then off for a longish walk to shake it all off. A pleasant evening in the Boot with today's cast of Adele and Patrick, Helen and Andy, and Andy. Talking l...

Up early, and sorted out the contract for a phone I was taking to Mum, then left early for to Edgware, but early as I'd arranged for the Mediquip people to meet Mum and I between twelve and one. I showed mum the phone I'd got for her. But it turns out that her old phone, which I thought was broken, was still in working order, but just has a crack in the plastic. So we decided to stick with the old one, rather than learn a whole new phone.  The pleasant mediquip person installed the lifeline terminal, which links to a responder, and mum had a pendant that you can press if you need help. We tested it, and someone answered from the terminal in the kitchen within seconds. This rather good. This will help Mum maintain her independence but also give me peace of mind.  To the Waggon and Horses, and had lunch and sat gratefully by the wood fire. Mum sad that she hadn't been able to colour her hair recently. But of her usual pals, only Steve Davis there for a bit, and we had a chat ...

Some work this morning first thing, getting another poetry proposal together. Less depressed now, and able to countenance at least trying again. Met Lorraine for coffee at the Church Lane eatery, where I also had a rather paltry looking tuna melt. We noticed a large centipede walking across the floor, only to see it meet its end underfoot. Wished I'd scooped it out and taken it across the road to the graveyard before it met its maker. Then across the road to The Crypt, which had its Christmas of local artists makers including Adele and Mandy. Bought some Christmas things, and one of the exhibitors liked Lorraine's bag so much, she had to have a ten minute conversation with her about it. Then made off to Pat and Maureen's place. I sat with Pat for a couple of hours looking at the sea and chatting with the carers. One of them in a hijab, who Maureen calls Vee was very sweet and told me to just rest myself, when I said let me know if they needed anything. I said she should spe...

A bit more lively today. Lorraine at home this morning, and it was nice to hang out. Visited the Government Gateway and found out a simple way to pay, and talked to her about that first thing. A little bit of writing and organising, this morning and a walk in the winter sun for me this afternoon, after Lorraine and I had the bright idea of cashing in our unspent Euros in the post office. Lorraine home and too tired to go out tonight. The Rebooters, nine of us, off to Eastbourne this evening by bus, to a pub called The Lamb. A nice old place. Missing Lorraine, but I had a good time. Brian and Yvonne, Adele and Patrick, Guy and Barbara, Steve, myself and Matthew arrived with Rumi the dog. One of the three allowable dogs.   Feeling low again, this evening but excellent company a pint or three of Harveys and a decent fish and chips perked me up.. Bussed back to Seaford, fond farewells to everyone. Steve and I sneaked off to the Union Club a place I am now a member for an absolute blood...

As just thinking about poetry gives me the ick and makes my skin crawl, after breakfast and Lorraine's scoot off to deliver Story Time, I called Mum for a chat, and then made off for a longish walk, ending up at Wynnes where I bought a large bag of fish food for the goldfish and then mooched back, alongside fields. Perhaps it was the return of a day of sunshine, or that I was laughing out loud to the Jeeves story I was listening to, but I strangely full of cheer, and ended up walking about seven miles.  My gut gripes have abated as mysteriously as they arrived. And apart from a bout of tidying the house did not too much otherwise. Lorraine spent much of the afternoon with Pat and Maureen.  Lorraine home, and I popped down the road to collect her pottery experiments. She is learning about the use of various glazes and slips and so on, and very handily there is a woman with a kiln just around the corner from our road. Two boxes, and some of the glaze combinations look very lovel...

After breakfast with Lorraine, I set off to Brighton this morning to visit Anton at the Montefiore. Just a lovely hospital. As I arrived two nurses were wheeling him away, and I sat in his room for a while. Really calm, and loads of space. The boon of having a job which includes health insurance.  Anton in good spirits and had been climbing stairs and so on. We chatted for about an hour or so, then I melted away. Tried to buy a new fleece, but after going into TK Max as recommended by Anton, I got bored and caught a 12X heading off to meet Lorraine and Pat and Maureen.  Sat at the top at the back where the seats in front face the back. A woman got on with a squirming black dog that repeatedly licked my leg. In Seaford Lorraine called, and she was in the car in front of the bus, so I hopped off. We collected Pat and Maureen who were licking ices on the Seafront, and drove off to the Pump Barn on the edge of Friston Forest. Adele was exhibiting there and was in the gallery, lots...

Feeling a bit meh due to the shingles jab I think. My arm is the most painful it has ever been after a jab, Really hot and inflamed and my whole upper arm is sensitive to touch. A blood test this morning, but was in and out in two flicks of a vampire's cloak. Otherwise a bit of ineffectual writing this morning. Just not on it today. Lorraine and I managed to make a bit of progress in the garage and we scooted off to the tip again with a load of drawers and broken bits of cupboards and so on. Could easily have just slept this afternoon, but really needed to have achieved something. And we did. Lorraine and I to The Old Boot Inn this evening. We met Steve, Andy, Chris, back from Dubai, brought his friend Julie, a warm friendly Irish woman who within minutes was reciting W.B.Yeats for the win. Also Debbie, who I am getting to know and finding very nice.  Friday's revolving cast of rebooters is great.  Ate a fish pie there, with too many peas. 

Up early and wanting to write this morning. Lorraine scampering to be with Maureen when she took a medical call.  Writing some bits and pieces, and seeing if Gordon Road can be built into my bigger collection and so on. Wrote to Mariscat recently asking for more copies of the Sampler , but they are able to send me only two copies. This suggests the print run was minimal. It does mean that if I put some of the poems from that into a fuller MS most people won't have seen them. Then off to the gym, where I did quite an enthusiastic session on the cross trainer, but the weight machines were all clogged up with geezers, so I cut my losses and sloped home in the heat.  Lorraine and I had a rather idyllic afternoon, lounging outside under the big parasol.  Rebooting tonight. We met Helen and Andy, Matthew and Andy for a drink. Just as I was sitting down the Tobster called. He's secured a pied-à-terre in Toronto for when he resumes teaching.  After a couple of burgers and a...

Working all morning on Gordon Road, tinkering, and pruning. Requiring brainwork.  A relaxed afternoon, Lorraine went off to see the poet Hollie McNish in Brighton with Rosie and two other pals and I snuck off to the Old Boot where there were Adele and Patrick, Chris and Matthew. A low key evening till Delores arrived. She told us about a horrible experience she had in the week involving a rescue cat. The cat became immediately ill with a cold, Delores phoned the cat rehoming people and told them about it, then took the cat to the vet the next morning, where the cat rehoming people decided to try to physically seize back the cat. There were unseemly scenes at the vets. Police were called.  Luckily Delores was shaken but okay, and her money was refunded but the cat is back with the dodgy cat people. This story told, and much sympathy shown by us all. Minus Matthew, who'd had a stent put in last week and now feels great. We repaired to the Cinque Ports where Delores enjoyed a cou...