under another sun

A toast breakfast with Mum, then sloped travelled from Stanmore to Turnham Green dodging the start of torrential rain in west London. Work was fine and I was all done by 5, so made it home fairly early. The ghastly train situation I was moaning about last week resulted in a protest in Brighton Station. When I arrived there were dozens of people in a group making a good deal of noise. All very middle class though, with bemused looking transport police standing about. At least one local news source said the protest started late because of delayed trains. Lorraine picked me up from the back of the station, and just before as I was buying some skinless chicken thighs from my former 'larder' the M&S in the station, there was a cancellation announced over the loudspeakers, which was met with hearty booing and jeers. All good fun, and I was in full sympathy. Lorraine picked me up, and home where Beth was making a noodle-based repast. Nice to be home. Phoned mum later, after ...

Up to London this morning to work in Chiswick on the rabid dogs business, and to work with Bei Li with whom I haven't worked with since she was a junior art director. She's all grown up now with two kids. Very easy to work with her, so the day comparatively easy. It finally clicked that the front door of the office I work at in Chiswick, is just behind the garden of the flat I lived in in my last year in living in Chiswick before moving to Brighton. If I chose to, I could peer into my old bedroom. Strange looking at it now, and realising how far life has moved on since that unhappy year in Thornton Avenue. Weirdly, still feeling a tad groggy after the weekend's arse invasion. But I suppose it is only to be expected. After work, I rain dodged up to Stanmore on the train. Met someone I used to work with, Aaron, on the tube. Had not always seen eye to eye with him, but found myself wishing him all the best and meaning it. Walked to Mum's house and we went out for a...

Sunday, and thank God nothing to get up for at the crack of sparrows. Raining hard this morning. Up and a leisurely Quorn sausage sandwich breakfast, and after a quick chat with mum. L and I decided to go out, scoop up Rosie Taylor, and zoom off to Henfield to look at some gardens and scraps of art in the village open gardens. Nothing too spectacular, though Lorraine and I bought a slightly sinister Green Man head to smuggle among the ferns of our stumpery. It might give people a nasty turn among the ferns. Rosie in good spirits. While in Henfield we also saw Dawn, who had been visiting her parents who live in the village. Then into a pub for a late lunch where we all ate pork belly and cabbage. There were a band of old trad jazzers in there, and an appreciative snowy haired audience who clapped the stately drum solo at the appropriate moment. Swapped messages with the Tobster as Lorraine and Rosie talked passionately about education. Strangely still feeling curiously sedated after y...

Up well before seven, getting myself clean and making my ablutions ahead of colonoscopy this morning. Lorraine drove us to the hospital, keeping me calm. I was rather nervous but the staff very kind and put me at my ease. Was given a mild sedative, which I didn't seem to notice at the time, but made me feel woozy for the rest of the day. The main news is that things looked okay: no gut cancer which was a big relief. And one less thing to think about. However they had a hard job as my guts seemed to be in a tangle and they kept turning me over and rearranging my stomach. While this was going on I found myself talking to the Portuguese nurse about Pessoa the poet, and Saramago, the novelist. Conversations you don't expect to be having with a garden hose poking out of your backside. I was wearing unpleasant little shorts with a bit split in the backside. Very kind African nurse afterwards, to when she was discharging me, having given me water, tea and biscuits, gravely reminde...

Working today on rabid dogs in Africa. Made the mistake of explaining this to Sonia, who told me stories of Bulgarian dogs she has known and loved. Had to eat lots before 4pm, whereafter I drank gloopy liquids in preparation for my colonoscopy tomorrow. No beers or foods on a Friday. Watched football this evening, France vs Romania in the company of Lorraine and Betty. Whispering about food knowing I was just on the gloop. To bed fairly early, but enjoying the footy spectacle. Guts gurgling and groaning and very loose.

Checking in with Mum twice a day these days.  Tomorrow the doctors are meeting to plan what needs to be done with Mas. Be good to know. I feel worried about him and I wish they could get him sorted and release him back into the wild. Mum tired by the constant visiting. Also had time to talk to Janet this evening too. She'd lost a friend this week, and had a couple of days of hospital and other appointments with Ken. Also have my own medical stuff to worry about for this Saturday with the colonoscopy. Studying the sheet with the preparatory mixtures they give you to clean out your bowel. Looking forward to getting this one, um, behind me. Otherwise a bright sunny day. Woke up after a horrible night of dreams. I found myself living back in Guernsey in my Grandmother's house, with mum, but we were being evicted. Into London for a meeting this morning, then after a couple of hours talking about rabies turned around again, and headed home. Train delays again (as they has been ev...

Working on sepsis first thing this morning, then off to the gym for a fairly mild-mannered workout as I figured there may not be much chance to go much soon, as freelance work is stacking up in the weeks ahead. Hot there and sweating. Then home again to shower and change, then off to see Bob in London. Arrived at Embankment station to a dark sky and thick drops of rain, which soon turned into an absolute downpour. As I cowered in the shelter to text Bob, I noticed I had a voicemail. Managed to arrange my colonoscopy for Saturday morning, as the thunder crackled overhead. Eventually danced through the rain to meet Bob upstairs at the Chandos. Had a sensible drink there till the rain cleared and we went wandering about. Caught up on all the gossip and news. Had a good conversation about Brexit too, sharing the view that there is a lack of clarity about the debate. Nobody knows what will happen either way. Eventually we stopped at the pub near the poetry café, and as we were ...

Slept well at Mum’s place. Then up and working straight away for a few hours.  Another very hot day. When I was finally free of work, Mum and I walked to Edgware to buy ant killer 'bait station' to deal with the bazillion tiny ants walking about in the kitchen. Mum very conflicted about killing them, and wanted to try using talcum powder, which apparently is a top class ant repeller. Later we left for the hospital on the bus, a slow route through the glories of Borehamwood and Elstree.   Arrived at Barnet  Hospital under what Mum called a sulphurous sky, which obligingly began to flash and thunder. Mas has been sleeping really badly, and is falling asleep mid sentence. Not good to see him so tired. He tried to go to sleep while we were there, but his breathing machine he uses to help with his sleep apnoea was making him feel claustrophobic. We stayed with him for three hours, he felt like he couldn’t breathe but this I think was anxiety because they tested his blood...

Up at six after a poor night's sleep, and Lorraine dropped me off at Preston Park station in plenty of time for the 7:17. A short formation so I had to stand all the way to Victoria, and most of the way to Turnham Green. To Chiswick and a day thinking about rabid dogs, and writing certain bits for them after being briefed by a slightly sadder and wiser Matty. A very hot day spent in an office room mostly on my own. Then a train to Gunnersbury, doubled back to Brondesbury then up to Stanmore. A woman briefly fainted on the train, and a man took it on himself to shout for a doctor, to no avail. And the woman was fine. Heard from my French clients who were happy. And was offered some work later in the month too from another source. All good. I also had to do some more work while waiting for mum. Home to Mum's and let myself in, speaking to George the next door neighbour, then Poppy who called before Mum returned from the hospital. Mas had spent the day at the Royal Free, and w...

Lorraine woke up with a mission: sun loungers, for it was another blazing day. A large breakfast, and fond farewells with Sue and John, off to see John's daughter. I'd enjoyed having them to stay. Lorraine and Beth then went off to buy sun loungers, while I  had to do some work for my French clients, and also arranging  Telltale Reading, which took me far longer than I'd hoped. Feeling frustrated trying to get everything sorted while Lorraine and Beth were basking in the back garden. Eventually made it into the garden, and even dozed in the sun for half an hour. Later had some griddle turkey marinaded in some Jamaican jerk seasoning I bought yesterday. Rather good. In the evening getting everything sorted out as I was going to work in London tomorrow and stay with Mum. Lorraine reluctant to go to bed as it brings the starting back at work thing closer.

Sue and John down from the Cotswolds today. They came around, we had a bite to eat then sauntered through the lanes for the afternoon. Walking by the sea and on the pier. John wondering how I'd enjoyed the football season with Chelsea languishing in tenth place. Sue looking even slimmer than before. She has lost an enormous amount over the last couple of years and looks great on it. We stopped at The Cricketers and had a cheeky beer or two there, as it was where Lorraine and I had our reception upstairs. Then home for supper and lots of chats, listening to spotify and eating. John, testing out Spotify, putting on Paddy McGinty's Goat , sung by Val Doonican. We ate Lorraine's lovely chicken & prawns dish she got from a Japanese cook recommended to her by Romy. Lorraine and Sue reliving their old nursing days. The stuff they had to do at the age of 18 seems quite extraordinary to me now.

Writing about sepsis, taking a briefing at 8:30 in the morning from Matt, and working on it the best part of the day on it. I also spoke to mum, and am planning to to up to London soon. Had to tell Matt I wouldn't be coming to his Birthday party, where all my pals would be meeting, because I had not told Lorraine about it, and she had asked Sue and John down from the Cotswolds this weekend. All completely my fault, and I felt like a chump as I made my excuses. Sepsis done (with no bad blood), and after a brief call with Val in Paris (all happy with my work luckily) off to the shops. I bought some smalls from M&S. Used shocking language as instructed by the title of the menswear department (arf) and we went on a hunt for a US flag that Beth is going to use in a show. I needed a haircut, but pitched up at the hairdresser five minutes after closing. Stacey, who often does my hair, legged out and said he'd do it anyway which was kind of him. His partner is a dog walker but...

Still unnaturally cold for June. Lorraine at home, which made working on cat fleas and worms happier. Still went into the garden and stood about in the cold, composing a letter of complaint to the gods, that this is supposed to be June 2nd. Also called by Matty and will have a little more work to do with him tomorrow and early next week. In the evening, sorting out some Telltale stuff. Lorraine and I went to The Park View for a bite to eat and a chat, after we went to the Preston Park Tavern and they had another sign about not being able to pay with a card. I love having Lorraine about so much in half term. Mason's stay in hospital is dragging on. It is very tiring for Mum to be visiting him every day, and generally worrying for everyone.

June the first, and bloody freezing in Brighton. So cold in fact that I had to give in this afternoon and put the heating on having sat in my chilly office working on concepts for cat fleas all day. Went outside and stood in the cold wind once or twice, for some fresh air and to curse the cat-trampled marigolds I planted the other day. Spoke to Mum again this morning and afternoon. Mixed signals from the hospital about Mason. They sound disorganised. Like when Ken was in hospital, nobody seems to have an overview of what is happening to a particular patient if they have more than one medical condition. Talk of him possibly having pneumonia, but also of being released back into the wild. Chatted with Janet. Lorraine at school working, and allowing people to fix up the old chimney in the building. A quiet evening otherwise, Lorraine and I listening to music. Beth home this evening, and a quick chat about the show. Lorraine and Beth both in bed very early. So I watched a TV programme ...

Up fairly early and topping and tailing the day with chats with Mum, before setting off in the rain to collect young Oskar for his golden ticket day. Luckily the rain abated and we drove off to The Observatory Science Centre, near Herstmonceux Castle. Oskar chatty in the car, telling me about his pal Alex and the fact they had their own You Tube channel. The Science Centre had five towering verdigris coloured observatories, and an science exhibitions full of things like magnets, and pulleys, and things about planets and stars, and bits of meteorite and water flow and so on.  Also two dishes opposite each other at some distance that you could whisper into and be heard by the other person. Spent some time there doing this sort of thing, pausing for a bite to eat. Then an appalling session of being trained to juggle and spin plates, and tops on strings and so on. None of these skills Oskar nor I were able to master. Then Lorraine drove us home, via Stanmer House where we paused ...

Mason now being treated with antibiotics for a lung infection, and he hasn't been feeling particularly well. Mum obviously worried about him. Despite these family worries, I really enjoyed spending the day with Lorraine. More gardening. Weirdly cool and windy, as befits a bank holiday. To the garden centre to buy bedding plants, an idea that had also occurred to everyone over forty in Sussex. Brooding on snails today. Nematodes worms released into the environment apparently mess them up, but these weren't on sale. And don't want to be strewing poisons into the environment, so we just have to lump 'em. It's either that or go out there with a whip and a chair. Happily digging holes and putting things in, and filling sacks with weeds. I must be getting middle aged, because I find myself saying things to Lorraine, like 'I'm really enjoying that clematis'. Gave the garden a good watering, before repairing indoors, even though the clouds had gathered there...

Lorraine and in gardening mode for the day, a sunny pleasant day too. The back garden needed lots of work. As we don't have a lawn mower, I cut the patch of grass with shears and we weeded and took stock. Lots of plants didn't seem to overwinter, while the snail population at present is enormous. Worked in the garden for a few hours, and then repaired indoors to the gold sofa, where we promptly fell asleep and woke up feeling stiff, the gardening apparently employing every muscles the gym doesn't. Lorraine and I very much enjoying time together today. With work and plays and so on, we've not seen much of each other lately. Gardening really does put you into a different frame of mind. Otherwise talking to Mum, Mason still in hospital and not feeling too well. We're all hoping he can be released back into the wild soon. This is naturally all a worry for everyone at the moment. Also spoke to Toby's ceiling via FaceTime and was shown a view of High Park lookin...

Spoke to Mum in the morning and evening. She went to see Mas with Robert and Tanya today. He's doing pretty well, but understandably a bit tired. A heatwave forecast, but what we got was rain and thunder for a good part of the day. After a breakfast of tomatoes on toast, Lorraine and I dropped Beth off at the station in the rain so she could travel up to London to hang with her bestie Olivia. Once she got through the downs it was all sun. L and I went to experience the glories of Sainsbury's. Actually I like shopping with Lorraine, and we hadn't shopped together for a while. A restful day, but in the evening we sauntered down to The Duke of York's Picturehouse to see Sing Street , a highly enjoyable film about teenagers setting up a band in Dublin in the 1980s. But it was also about the power of the imagination and creativity to transcend the mundane, and brotherhood, and lots of other stuff. Lorraine and I really enjoyed it. Then as we'd not eaten, it seeme...

Up to Mill Hill this morning. Lorraine gave me a lift in the rain to Preston Park station where I secured a croissant and cup of tea. Slow journey up to Mill Hill, enlivened only by me finding an unattended bag on a seat when I stepped into the carriage at St Pancras. Nobody else bothered much by it, but I spoke to the driver just in case. He told me that things were less likely to be dodgy if they are left in plain sight. It is the hidden away things you need to watch for. Mum came to collect me from the station, and she drove us up to Barnet Hospital. No parking spaces there, so we had to drive off to park in a Barnet street. Into the hospital, and Mason sitting up and I was relieved to see him looking cheery and fairly well. He'd been talking to all the nurses, and was pleased to see us. Hung around with Mas chatting for a couple of hours, then Mum and I drove off to a pub on the way home for lunch. Mum later visited him again. Sat outside eating fish and chips with mushy pe...

Mason still in hospital today. He had a minor heart attack while he was there, but he was in exactly the right place for it to be treated immediately, so there apparently is little damage done. I made plans to travel up tomorrow to visit, and spoke to mum several times during the day, and messages with Toby too. Obviously, I'm worried about him and Mum. Spoke to Val, my French Agency friend, who has some work for me, which is a boon. Such a cheery and nice woman. I will be working on cat fleas and worms. Also trying to sort out Telltale stuff today too, as Robin is taking time off. In the afternoon walked over to see Janet and Ken, and give Janet a belated birthday bunch of flowers. Cheery woman in the florist in seven dials, who made me up a lovely little bunch.  Ken on good form I thought, and has put on weight lately. Ate ginger biscuits and sipped tea and chatted about many and various subjects. In the evening off to a regular meeting called Nerd Nite Brighton (staged as ...