under another sun

Saturday -- and a gorgeous sunny day here in Brighton. Lorraine and I got up fairly late, not having to open the door to anyone today. I popped around the corner to collect my sliced chewy brown, and bumped into Rick. The glassmates had gone to the pub yesterday lunchtime.  In other news Prince Phillip was buried today. I am not a royalist, but the sight of the Queen on alone on a pew was rather touching and sad.  After I'd made breakfast, Lorraine and I then went outside. I took advantage of the scaffolding for a few rooftop capers, washing my study window from the outside, and climbing onto my flat roof. I scooped out a third of a bucketload of gravel and dusty soil, rusty screws and bits of peanut shells from the gutter. Meanwhile Lorraine busy planting and potting. I scooped earth out of the bottom of the composter. There is something quietly miraculous about the rich dark soil that emerges from all the peelings and bits and pieces you sling in. Teabags leave frail ghost b...

Up on the roof Off this morning for another blood test, and got into a mild disagreement with the nurse over an energy generating windmill. She mentioned Glyndebourne and I told her I had interviewed its CEO recently. She thought the planned wind turbine would be an eyesore, and I said that the Christie only had the best environmental interests at heart. She jabbed me in the arm rather smartly after that. Then home to break my cafetiere, and resume work on the Skelton Yawngrave novel, before Toby emerged from bed. Worked hard in the morning, and Toby went out for a short walk. Unfortunately the weather was unspeakable again, with lots of rain. After a lunch of fried tomatoes on toast, I went for a swim, and found I seemed to suddenly have a great deal more energy. Surged up and down happily. Bought a new cafetiere and then hung about with Toby listening to bits and pieces of music and generally chatting. As the day wore on the weather finally cheered up. Lorraine invited Toby and myse...