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Monday night out

Slept in a bit later than usual, and then had breakfast with Lorraine before preparing myself for the interview with Ruth Padel. Lorraine playing a Bob Dylan song downstairs on the piano before I started recording. Interesting conversation with her, but slightly tricky, lots of extraneous noises, and a car alarm going off, which meant she had to re-record and move into another room and so on. Pleased to have got it recorded. Fingers crossed it will sound okay in the edit.  In the afternoon, Lorraine and I steeled ourselves, and tackled the spare room. It has a wall spanning built in cupboard, which we emptied and began to dissemble. We made a decent start on it. Then I made off to meet Peter and Mark in The Evening Star. Despite Peter telling us his sister in law had died suddenly recently, we had a cheery night. He seems very phlegmatic and philosophical about such things, probably due to his Police work.   We strapped on a nosebag at the Lucky Star at the bottom of Trafalgar Street.
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Wellington and Winkles

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Lorraine and I up early, and had breakfast with Sian. Lorraine stayed at home, making a delicious mushroom wellington and collecting Pat and Maureen. Sian and I went for a stroll along the sunny seafront starting at the happiness sign and walking along to Splash point. I enjoyed having a long chat with her, about all kinds of things from the Gaza situation, Trump, to therapy and the nature of memory.  Back for Sunday lunch. The wellington was delicious. Lorraine had also made an apple and sponge cake, which we ate with custard. Maureen telling stories of childhood to Sian and Lorraine saying these need to be recorded, like Maureen's memory of cooking as a young one, with her sister Rose preparing winkles, and them sticking the little protective discs that winkles have to their faces as decoration. Then Lorraine drove Sian to the station and Pat and Maureen back home, and Lorraine and I with a happy sigh, sank into the gold sofa having had a quiet evening, both quite tired and happy
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A happy Saturday with Sian

Sian arrived today, Lorraine met her at the station and they enjoyed doing some shopping together -- and they popped in to see Pat and Maureen's flat. Meanwhile I did a few bits of my own writing, and went to the gym... where yay! I was able to reclaim my lost ear plug case, without which my earphones don't work. Felt good doing some exercise after the excesses of recent days. I seem to be in a very sociable phase. We all hung out in the afternoon chatting, and then I cooked dinner, a tasty chilli even if I say so myself. In the evening we watched a movie called Arbitrage together, starring Richard Gere as a morally dubious money driven guy in extremis. He was excellent in it.
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Full moon hovers over our house

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Able to do lots of my own writing -- and had some clear ideas to incorporate. Lorraine off to do Storytime, and see Pat and Maureen. Lorraine and I went out tonight to the Boot where we met, Steve, Patrick, Yvonne and Brian. An interlude of jollity and cheer. Lorraine and I ate there and then sloped home, leaving Patrick and Steve. A nice way to round off the week. The full moon over our house, when Lorraine and I got home.
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On learning things about bog oak

Got up early and spent the morning prepping an interview I am going to do next Monday with Ruth Padel, rereading the poems formulating questions, and listening to a recent broadcast on R4 she was on. This done by one o'clock. Spoke to Anton this morning. Will see him next week all being well. Lorraine and I rearranged the living room for winter, we also fiddled with radiators, some don't seem to work despite twiddling the twisty things.  A good chat with Toby this afternoon too. He's feeling more settled in D.C. and looking forward to some holidays. Then off to Lewes this evening, and starting a book called Feline Philosophy  by John Grey that Catherine and Tanya bought me. A philosophy book about cats. Purrfect.  Sauntered up the hill at Lewes to the Lewes Arms where I met Mark. We were soon joined by his friend  Keith A Pettit , who Lorraine and I are fans of, and I have a print by him over my desk Lorraine bought me as a present. I found him a deeply interesting guy. At
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Ben again

Reading poetry by Ruth Padel for the podcast, and doing a bit of my own work. Lorraine off to do Rhyme time and then hang out with her pal Kate for a couple of hours. Then we went to Pat and Maureen's and I sat with Pat while Lorraine took Maureen off to the surgery for an appointment. Pat and I sat chatting looking at the sea, and watching the sunset. I was asking Pat about his love of athletics and how he was a sprinter when young. He said he sometimes thinks about starting running again -- just a mile or so to begin with. You have to admire his ambition at 91. Off this evening out to see Ben. Met him in the Open House and talked in depth for the first time in years -- although we had seen each other at Rick around the corner's party. Really good to catch up with him, he is such a gentle and deep character, interested in things like divine geometry, trans-humanism, ghosts and lots of other stuff that I find really interesting too. We had pizza in the Open House, but I made th
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Gym again

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Happy to be writing the Kenniad again this morning. Lorraine with her hands full helping Pat and Maureen after having to turn back from driving to her personal trainer due to road blockages Me happily writing, then off to the gym after a light lunch. A mild mannered trundle on the cross trainer for half an hour, but the weights covered in schoolboys, so I came home, wanting to press on with my stuff. Realised I had left the recharging case for my special earphones at the gym, so walked back and looked around and asked behind the desk. They were gone. Gah. This means my earphones will no longer work. Lorraine a bit drained this evening, but I enjoyed cooking a chicken stew tonight, and settling on the gold sofa with Mrs Kenny. All well. Did 15.5k paces today. Below Blatchington pond at 4:34 pm.
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Bumper birthday beano

Sunday, up fairly bright and early and made off to Brighton by train. It being Rememberance Sunday there were lots of people wearing poppies and sombre clothes. I feel a bit conflicted about this. I think those who died in wars should be remembered. But there seems to be a nasty reactionary whiff about it all these days, as if it were some kind of loyalty test. But maybe this is just my own prejudices speaking. In Brighton we met Guy and Tim, Catherine and Tanya in Petit Pois for Sunday lunch. We were early so did a bit of window shopping. Lorraine has her eye on some side tables. We met in the restaurant, and a jolly time was had. We celebrated a belated bumper birthday for Catherine, Guy and me. I got lots of presents, some excellent books, a jar of St Peter's honey and chocolates. Had a really tasty lunch, and then as is now traditional floated off to Brass Monkey's for ice cream and coffee outside. Lovely conversation with all of them as usual. Lorraine and I made our way h
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Smooth journey home

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Up fairly early and a last breakfast at La Barbarie: scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and some toast, plus cereal fruit and teas. Back to the room to pack and pay up. A lovely stay, and we were very sorry to go so quickly. Then a slow toddle to Icart, and sat looking at the sea, still fairly calm. Walked around the clifftop and took in views of Moulin Huet bay and the Dog and Lion and Saints Bay and then headed back to the hotel. Had a last sandwich there, thick ham, Guernsey butter and English mustard, plus a pint of Liberation. We had been made to feel extremely welcome at La Barbarie. A slightly amazing journey back. The travel Gods firmly on our side. The taxi was early, the Auringy plane took off ten minutes early, the flight smooth and fast climbing up eastwards from Guernsey so that I could look out on St Martin's Point and Moulin Huet Bay one more time before we slipped up above the low, still layer of clouds. Before we knew it back at Gatwick and were shortly on a train to Ea
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All right with the world

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Feeling brighter and rested this morning. A vegetarian Guernsey breakfast this morning. And a bit of writing of the Kenniad before a lovely walk down to Moulin Huet, but cut left along the cliff path instead of going the last bit down to the sea. Gorgeous views, of course, and we sat listening to the sighing of the sea and deeply feeling that all was right with the world. Like the rest of the channel and most of the UK we had not seen the sun so far, but it made no difference. Then back on the path, and cut up and went down the back lanes to where the wishing well. However it was full of dry leaves, and so wishing was impossible. Walked back down dog lane. Still can picture the savage canine criminal in the first house from about fifty five years ago, then past the shell of La Bella Luce on towards the Captains where Lorraine and I simply had a couple of beers. Not many people there and they weren't serving lunch by the time we arrived. A lovely pint of Butcombe however, and I coul
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Old pals, and ancient grandmothers

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So a lovely breakfast in La Barbarie and then a bit of a toddle around the parish, all very overcast however. I popped into the graveyard to say hello to my grandparents, and into the supermarket to buy Richard a bottle of wine for his birthday. And myself a bottle of coke, aka the black doctor, as I was feeling the need for sugar or liquid or something.  On the way back to the hotel, we paused to say hello to La Gran'mère, as is only right and proper. Back to the hotel, where we met Richard and Jane for lunch. A very cheery time, and lovely to see the pair of them.  Richard looking as twinkly eyed as ever, and Jane regal. Lots to catch up on. They always seem to be having adventures, but also have had a very testing time after their home was flooded from above -- they had to move out for months, and now there is more work due upstairs. Still they were both in fine form, and busy being creative as ever.  Afterwards a bit of flaking out for Lorraine and I, enjoying a quiet evening i
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Guernsey at last

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An alarming start: 6:45. I'd had a wretched night's sleep. Seems the that orange faced malignant narcissistic rapist racist criminal devil Trump has beaten Kamala Harris to the presidency. Shameful.  Lorraine and I up blearily, and after breakfast and faffing about, caught a train to Brighton, and arrived delayed at Gatwick. Realised at Seaford station I had left my phone at home. No trains via Lewes due to a points failure, so via Brighton to Gatwick. However planes delayed here due to fog, probably mixed up with yesterday's gunpowder. Astonishingly, however, our boarding was only delayed by half an hour of so.  The flight was fine. The small twin engined prop taking off like a flying coach all very smooth. Cramped inside however, but very happy to see Guernsey for the first time in two and a half years as we finally dropped below the low blanket of cloud.  A taxi from the airport. The most miserable taxi driver I've ever met, completely down on every aspect of Guernse
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The infuriating business of trying to keep calm

Uncle Steve again for breakfast. Lorraine microwaved some porridge for him, till it exploded. Then Lorraine off to Eastbourne with Maureen for occupational therapy discussions about showers. Steve hung out with Pat, then made his way home. I had enjoyed getting to know him better.  I spent the morning working on the Kenniad, also getting ready for tomorrow's journey. Also wasted hours having ordered some diazepam from the surgery some time ago. I like to have one with me just in case when I am flying.  After three visits to the pharmacy, three visits to the surgery where just before close of play,  my doctor appeared to explain that I couldn't prescribed this, due to the fact that they couldn't be insured in case someone was drowsy when they needed to escape the plane. Infuriating waste of time.  Meanwhile an email from Auringy saying that there might be a problem with the flight tomorrow.  Home from the futile business at the surgery pausing to quaff a  pint, and buy some
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Quietly getting on with it

A pretty quiet, getting on with it sort of day. Lorraine's Uncle Steve with us for Breakfast, who shared a graphic account of his stroke a few years ago, which, as a hypochondriac I found a bit twitch inspiring. Lorraine and Steve made off to Pat and Maureen's place. I did a spot more recording with Robin, and later some editing. Also did more work on the Kenniad between things. Trying to not talk about this too much, just work.  Off to the gym, at lunchtime. First time in a while, which was pleasing. Then a few more bits till Uncle Steve and Lorraine came back having taken Pat and Maureen off to get their injections. A quiet night in, chatting with Steve and watching a spot of telly. Nice to get to know him a bit better.  The US election voting tomorrow. God help us if Trump wins.
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A big relief

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To Stanmer Park, to pick up the results of our pottery workshop, imprinting bits of plants or lace into the clay. We were pleased with the bits we got back.  Then we drove into Brighton, down Osbourne Road where we lived, and into Preston Park. We walked across the park, which was looking lovely, to the breast clinic as Lorraine had an appointment for a scan. We had been worrying about this for a couple of weeks, but after two scans and a chat with doctor we were very reassured to learn there was nothing to worry about. Feeling greatly relieved, a saunter back across the park. We drove to Anton's house, picking him up to go off for a cheeky drink in the Brick on Preston Street. Good to see him, and play a game of bones. Anton, greatly to his satisfaction, slaughtered everyone. I barely got a point. He showed us some photos of Oskar modelling clothes, and told us he'd seen Klaudia that day, and generally caught up a bit. I drank some dark lager which was lovely. Lorraine and I h
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Off to Frighton

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Up and off to de-fright myself for Halloween by training off to Brighton. A coffee around the corner from the barbers, the bought more green ink from Pen to Paper for the wee pen Anton got me. Despite its association with poison pen letters I am loving writing in my favourite colour. Then into Clippers to let Stacy do his thing. Lots of banter today. I like being so much a part of the wallpaper there. Harry the Bastard due next week.   Then back to Seaford for a two hour on the understory conversation. It was only Emma and Charlotte today for various health reasons. Read them the first part of the Kenniad. Nevertheless a good session, and they liked my poem very much and so I was much encouraged.  A walk afterwards, and reached my daily step target. Walked out later to the station to pick up Lorraine who had been hanging out with Rosie this afternoon, and they had egged each other on to do a spot of retail therapy. I got some new underpants, so was well happy.   Lorraine snapped this o
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A bit more Bardic business

More work on the big poem, before breakfast with Lorraine, Maxine, Simon and Amelia. A cheery start to the day, with coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast. They all nipped off to see Pat and Maureen while I prepared a bean jar, and got that going. Said a fond farewell to Maxine, Simon and Amelia, having really enjoyed their visit.  Later more writing, and reached a complete first draft of the first of what I hope will be three parts to the Kenniad. Showed it to Lorraine who liked it lots. Then Steve, Adele and Patrick arrived and we spent the next few hours reading Henry IV part one. I was reading Falstaff, which was fun. Our guests struggled down my bean jar with good grace, and then we had a gorgeous crumble Lorraine had made. Much enjoyment of the play, and it was good having Steve as part of the ensemble. This bardic business done by ten, and Lorraine and I had a quiet hour to ourselves on the gold sofa before bed.
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Vibrant vibrato

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Up early, and working on the Kenniad this morning, it is going well. Lorraine round to help Pat and Maureen sort out some legal stuff on the flat purchase, and also cook for them as Maureen has picked up a cold. Had strangely stiff buns today, whatever I was doing in the garden yesterday made my bum quite sore. To Gyndebourne this afternoon, a rather grand and marvellous thing to be doing on a Monday afternoon.  We were supposed to go with Yvonne and Brian, who had bought me my ticket as a birthday present, but Yvonne had a vomiting bug caught from her grandchildren, so we were collected by Guy and Barbara who used their tickets instead. Guy and Barbara collected us, and drove us there, which is only about fifteen minutes or so from here. Lorraine and I were convinced we had not seen La Traviata before, but as soon as I saw the set, I recognised it from the last opera we had seen, La Traviata, here, in October 2018. The set, costumes and so on pretty minimal and underwhelming. But I en
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Fish business

Both feeling brighter. Lorraine and I worked in the garden for a couple of hours, sweeping the patio of leaves, and doing things to the fish pond, like cutting back the irises, which were crowding out the fish, cleaning the filter and cutting back lots of the overgrowing elodea and so on. A trip to the supermarket, buying our stuff plus Pat and Maureen's in two trolleys. I walked the bags into Pat and Maureen's place, and Pat walked me back to the lifts, which was nice. Spoke to Mum, who had met Robert in the Waggon and Horses, and ate roast lamb which she found disgusting. I am going to meet her in Hampstead next week. Lorraine cooked a gorgeous lentil and chicken curry tonight. I tidied my study a bit. Chelsea beat Newcastle, meaning Match of the Day was all watchable. Chelsea's Cole Palmer is currently the best player in the league. An astonishing talent, and Chelsea are building the team around him and look fantastic. He is a joy to watch. Another episode of The Bear. F
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Surging gurgling

Lorraine and I got married 11 years ago today. We had planned to go out for a meal, and be adventurous, but we both had a weird surging gurgling stomach bug so simply lay low instead. A really enjoyable day nevertheless. 
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