under another sun

Limp raggish this morning after an overnight fever. Lurgy now on my chest, but I am no longer streaming. Spent lots of time reading stories from The Oxford Book of Gothic Tales and dozed. Lorraine looking after me very kindly, and I had breakfast in bed and cups of tea on the gold sofa. She also popped around to Pat and Maureen and spent some time gardening as it was another lovely day. She has not shown signs of this bug, which I am pleased about. In the evening noticed I felt much better than the previous night so I am making progress. I had a nice chat with Mum. Also I felt very happy when I thought that I wasn't expected at work.

Felt increasingly sub-optimal as the day progressed, and was streaming and shivering with a fever in the evening. Lorraine mostly busy in the garden, planting things like beetroot and kale, and putting foxgloves, and native plants into our wildlife patch. I am bored of feeling ill.  Lorraine read the first draft of Gordon Road, and liked it. Watched a bit of the FA cup quarter finals. Talked to Mum, who got the Mother's Day card I sent to her, and was going to Lidl.  Pat and Maureen were going to come around today, but decided to swerve my lurgy. I put a chicken in the oven and we watched Death In Paradise. Below . It was a beautiful day. The little red chaenomeles flowers in the front garden are gorgeous, as were the magnolia flowers now unfurled.     

I have a man cold, so had a low key day. Lorraine off shopping with Beth, who although it's a bit of a cliche, had a glow about her. She has a pregnancy craze for eating apples, which makes me smile. Then L had to sort out a bedding emergency at Pat and Maureens.  Not having much energy, I channelled my inner Dilly  and lurked in my study listening to podcasts, and organising the pencils and drawing stuff I have accumulated across decades. One of two pencils I've had since school days. Threw out the dozen dried up biros and felt tips, organised the ones that still work. Took ages, but was oddly therapeutic. When everything's chaotic you don't know what you have. I have a surprising amount. Also threw away lots of scraps of paper and bits and pieces. Organising and clearing out is very calming. Otherwise a quick pop around to Pat and Maureen's flat with Lorraine, while P&M were downstairs playing bingo, to change sheets and so on. After a warm day, the temperatur...

Much better night's sleep. Then to the medical centre where I was seen immediately about problem ears (vertigo, tinnitus, and general discomfort). Then a quick shop in town, including buying some drawing paper. Then uploaded the podcast, did social media, wrote to Val, who'd asked for some help and attempt to rearrange an interview next week. Lorraine taking Maureen to the same surgery about her knees later on and spent time with them sorting out a wardrobe and spare room, washing and generally being the platonic idea of a daughter. I read some stories from the Oxford book of gothic short stories and developed a cold. Stayed in tonight. We ordered a delivery curry and watched all of a TV show called Last One Laughing. Ten comedians are locked into a room together but are not allowed to laugh. When they laugh twice they are banished. Rather fun and won by Bob Mortimer. Lorraine and I laughed lots at this. Our magnolia tree is blooming, having been massacred by snails last year. ...

A horrific night's sleep, feeling brain dead and horrid this morning. However, I mooched around the corner to a little hall to attend a life drawing session. Really enjoyed this, although felt a bit overwhelmed at first. There was very little preamble, and as I have not paid for coaching, I just got drawing. A nice group of people, all retired, and the tutor called Melissa was pleasant. Very little preamble. I had split second of thinking,  'crikey that person's got no clothes on' but almost immediately got caught up in the angles and shapes of the body. First few efforts failing to get the proportions anywhere near right. However some of the later sketches (we were in the Women's institute hall for a couple of hours) were a bit better. The model was doing what Melissa called pretzel poses, quite twisty and arms and legs doing lots. I found this quite difficult. First drawing class since I was in my teens and I could hear Ron Groom my old art teacher in my head.  Th...

A slog of a day. Up and recording with Robin, which was fun, then all day editing. Pat and Maureen came around with Lorraine this afternoon, Maureen having had a difficult morning. Lorraine drove them home before going off to do her pottery in Eastbourne.  I worked till about five thirty, and sent the episode to Robin. Then I phoned Mum and had a nice chat and went for a walk for an hour or so. Felt a bit shaky and very tired when I got home. After finishing work, I realised I had a sore throat and my already abominable ears were even worse. Ate spaghetti when I got home, and soon felt much repaired. An early night after Lorraine got home. A lovely dusk.

Writing this morning, fairly peppy after a late night training home. So much so that I finished Gordon Road's hopefully penultimate draft with a genuine sense of accomplishment. Officially pleased with myself. To finally be done with it, will be feeling of lightness and wonder. This afternoon, as part of family manoeuvres, I went to Stratheden Court to hang out with Pat while Lorraine drove herself off for a knee X-ray. Beth drove Maureen off for a heart check up. Pat and I sat watching afternoon TV, something I never do, which I found unusually fascinating despite feeling a bit brain dead: people buying antiques, people looking at houses in Wiltshire and (this one a revelation) people being helped to improve how they make and market their bespoke pottery and furniture. One thing struck me with force: they were making money. Make some token money from my artistic wits, sounds like an interesting challenge.  Maureen returned heart satisfactory, and Lorraine after dropping off some ...

Recording this morning with Robin, then a bit of editing, and a walk down by the sea. To London this evening, met Robin at Lewes station and we made off to The Artworker's Guild Hall in Queen's Square, in London. Very grand room, and full of folks to hear the winners of the Poetry Society's  National Poetry Competition. Robin is on the committee and she got me in for nowt. People floating around with trays with microdotted with canapés, and free wine or champers. I stuck to red. The walls of the room covered in famous Artworkers of the past. A poetry reading of the top ten entrants. Good poems. The winner was Fiona Larkin, who Robin knew a bit, with a very neat poem called  Absence has a grammar about both the Finnish language, and missing her son who was travelling in Australia. Mingled a bit. One of the younger poets, Sorrel Briggs, had covid, but her twin sister read her poem instead and rather well too so spoke to her and her family.  I chatted to Chris Beckett, one ...

More editing this morning. I just didn't do a very good job in this interview. Sent it off to Robin anyway. Meanwhile Lorraine happily celebrating this morning, having finally mastered a tune from Les Misérables  on the piano she has been trying for weeks. She dropped me off at the gym, for an afternoon trundle, while she popped into the garden centre. I decided need to push myself harder. When I got onto the lat pull machine, I found the small boy before me had been pulling about three times as much as me. On the way back I bought some eyedrops for Lorraine's eye which has burst blood vessel. When I got home another small burst of activity, moving the big pots containing the fig (aka Little Miss Figgy) and the olive tree out of the porch where they have overwintered into the back. Also, when Lorraine was busy cooking a delicious meal, I put the shelves back up in the kitchen, now the kitchen has been fully painted. Have been haunted by a song I only heard a few days ago by De...

Salisbury Road a hive of industry. Editing for seven hours. Cheerlessly re-listening to one of my poorest interviews. Not my guest's fault however.   Meanwhile Amanda did her last day of painting the spare room, in chestnut mushroomy taupe which will look very nice with the Inca Gold carpet. Sylwia cheerily cleaning this morning.  I had intended to go to the gym or a long walk, but I just wanted to finish the edit, which I did at 5:15pm.  Lorraine very busy today, showering Pat this morning, then delivering Story Time at the library and later taking Pat to see Cóilín the nice dentist.  I spoke to Mum and we were really pleased that Toby had not travelled today. A huge fire disabled all the electricity, causing disruption to a thousand flights. I was keen to get out and drink beer. Lorraine got home just in time for us to go to the pub for the usual Friday Night shenanigans in the Old Boot Inn with assorted 're-booters'. Another tableful, and a new woman called Andy, ...

Toby flew back to the New World. I spoke to Mum this afternoon, and we were sad he'd gone.  However, sunshine drew Lorraine and I out into the garden. I moved the garden furniture back to the patio, and we even had some lunch outside. I had lots of things I should be getting on with, but preferred to be outside. I even caught the sun a bit on my neck. Especially as Amanda was decorating and I'm easily distracted. She started painting some taupe today. I haven't often been excited by taupe, but I am now.  Arranged to interview a Faber poet in a couple of weeks. I paused at one point to snap this daffodil. I had to fight off the urge to drink a cold beer in the sun, I need to lose more weight before I can put it back on again.

A glorious Spring day. Up early, Lorraine doing rhymetime. Amanda here for painting and decorating. I did assorted bits of writing and admin for a couple of hours before, unable to concentrate much, I headed off to the gym. On the way back I met Lorraine with Patrick and Maureen in Pomegranate for lunch. They are very friendly in there, and excellent with older folk. I wolfed down a very passable sourdough with smashed avocado and a bit of smoked salmon. After I crossed the road with Maureen to Specsavers, staying on to translate the incomprehensible phrases the young Specsavers woman was saying to Maureen. 'Are they alright for yourself on the bridge' etc.  I left her entering Peacocks saying she was going to spend money. And went home and made snail's progress on the big poem. Lorraine off to pottery tonight, delighted to be throwing clay on a wheel. I had a chilled evening.   Below, blue skies and Blatchington Pond on the way to the gym.

To Hampstead this morning. A smooth journey, did a little writing on the train, and read a couple of entertaining chapters of Headlong Hall by Thomas Love Peacock. A star spot: Romy Madley Croft (of the group The XX) getting up from a seat near me as the train pulled into St Pancras.  Walked up from West Hampstead tube to to meet Toby and Mum in the cafe in Waterstones in Hampstead proper. After a coffee we decided to hop up the hill to The Holly Bush, a pub I've not been to since deep in the twentieth century. We had some lunch there and a drink, and it was all very pleasant. First time we three had been together since August 23. Toby bought us lunch there which was kind of him. We walked back to Hampstead Station, but the trains were kaput, so we had to bus to Swiss Cottage where Mum went north to Stanmore, and Toby went south to see Mike Sassarini. I had a smooth journey from West Hampstead to Seaford -- with no wait between trains longer than five minutes. Home and Lorrain...

Up and after breakfast a general bustling  as Amanda had arrived to do some decorating. Lorraine and I dug out the paint from the garage. Also Mark from Flowers came to measure up for the carpet in the guest room. I noticed he was wearing a very nice watch. Later Chris arrived to take off the radiator. All fairly disrupting for any kind of writing. I spoke to Mum and Toby who were drinking morning coffees. I popped back to Flowers for a book of carpet samples, then went to Lewes to meet Robin. Looked at the London Review of Books on the train, which Steve wangled a free year's subscription for us. Arriving early, I popped into The Bow Windows Bookshop and bought two second hand books: one on pond life, and the other a collection of three short novels by Thomas Love Peacock.  Then to The Rights of Man pub almost next door. Was called 'mate' by the barmaid who looked about twelve. Nursed a single pint of Harveys Sisters , a so called table beer, mild mannered at 3.4%. Turns o...

Breakfast with the Tobster, before walking him off to Seaford Station early this morning, as he was meeting friends in London at lunchtime. After yesterday's liveliness a quieter day.  I watched a bit of rugby, the last day of the six nations, where England routed Wales in Cardiff, and France won overall. Then Lorraine and I set about sorting out the spare room, and began peeling wallpaper off in preparation for Amanda coming next week to decorate followed by the carpet fitting. Beth dropped in with her old pal Emily, who was down to spend the day. I'd not seen her for years, she looked very well and is engaged. 

Breakfast. Lorraine zooming off to do Story Time at the library, and take Pat and Maureen some fish and chips. A bright pleasant morning. Tobs and I went into the garden, and then went for a decent stroll by the sea. Passed Maureen and we waved at her. Then continued to Splash Point. There the sky, which had been steadily darkening, unleashed hail and icy rain on us quite enthusiastically. Stood dripping in a shelter for a bit, but ended up legging it back into town and going to a small cafe, one of those time travelling moments where you feel you have stepped back into the 1960. You are waved away from the counter, and when the person arrives, her first question is will we be paying together or separately. A quick beverage there, and then off to Pat and Maureen's place, where Lorraine was. Maureen on sparkly charming form, and both of them happy to see Toby. I don't think they've met him before -- but Maureen seems to think so. After a bit, Lorraine Toby and I made off and...

I had a Understory conversation this afternoon, discussing poetic matters with other poets. Linda, one of our number who has been in hospital, restored enough to attend, and it was nice to see her. They were kind enough to allow me to talk about the long poem for  a bit, before I left halfway to collect a perky looking Toby from Seaford station. Spent the rest of the day and evening talk and lurking about eating a satisfying curry Lorraine cooked for us and then watching a couple of Fraziers before a fairly early bedtime. Everyone a bit tired, especially Toby who had seem some of the Rabbits the night before.  It always amazes me how quickly having Toby around becomes utterly normal. In under five minutes it's like he's here every day, except with lots to catch up on. Hearing how Romy's doing, and trips to see Joan and Dick, and zipping off to Japan, and visiting Danny and Heidi a few days ago. The Tobster, as ever, born under a wandering star. In other news, Adele had put ...

Awake at 6:30 and already light. Breakfast, then to Baca to meet Palo for coffee. Nice to see her. She showed me some pictures she's been making combining painting with pressed flowers, which I liked. I like Palo lots and we talked about having dinner with our other halves soon. Palo also said  she will come along to the reading I am doing in Lewes to launch Robin's book on the May 9th and also to belatedly celebrate my Mariscat publication, and Snow which I did with Palo.  In fact I have a mini tour:  a reading in Seaford on April 12th, one in Greenwich on June 24th. I will have to shout about these from the social media rooftops soon. Then I met Lorraine after she'd finished story time and we went for another coffee in the Lanes Eatery. As we were leaving the cafe we met two mums (plus small gleamy-eyed babies) who had attended Lorraine's library session.  Lorraine and I went to Flowers to look at carpets, and booked a fitter to size it up on Monday for the s...

Up early, as Lorraine left with Beth at seven. I got up shortly after. Wrote for an hour or so, then faffed about preparing for talking to Peter Daniels at 11. Nice to meet him again for the first time in decades. He was associated with the Oscars, who were a pioneering gay writers group in London in the late 80s and 90s - and who knew and published my friend Tim Gallagher.  At noon Lorraine was back, Beth's pregnancy blood sugar tests all good. Lorraine off this afternoon to her personal trainer. I went for an over two hour walk around the north part of town, and walking at the edge of flinty-looking fields ending up in Seaford Cemetery. I love cemetery for some reason. There commonwealth graves there too -- West Indian soldiers who died in World War One, and graves with daffodils bursting out of them, and children's graves planted in circles. As I did so, I managed to listen to the whole of the short novel by Alan Garner called Treacle Walker . Garner's story is rich in l...