under another sun

A night of vivid nightmares. I think my subconscious is still catching up with me not working, as they all seem to be nightmare work scenarios. Got to 'work' on my poems this morning, and fairly pleased at my productivity. Lorraine off to see Pat and Maureen this morning and then to spend time with Beth and Enzo this afternoon.  I made time to catch up on the football news, and it all rather astonishing. Chelsea had been part of the Club World Cup a four year competition being played in the US. I was rather shocked that they had made the final, but also philosophical as they were playing PSG of Paris, widely regarded as the best club in the world at the moment. Woke up to confusing news... Chelsea had thrashed them 3-0. Brilliant. Almost as good as the expression on Palmer's face as Trump inserted himself into the presentation ceremony. At noon I zoomed into the gym, and made amends for some of the excesses of the weekend. These days I listen to nothing while on the cross t...

A Sundayish start to the morning, another heatwave day. Slow and luxuriating over breakfast. Listening to a voice note that Mike sent us, he has a great voice for radio or podcasts. A happy day to spend together mainly lurking in the Studio, me sorting through years of scribbles and taking ages sorting out my cache of coloured pencils. Found little line drawings of a room in Kingsbury, a room in Leamington I lived in for a year, and the fireplace when I lived in Kew, and lots of mostly unsuccessful watercolour daubs made on holiday. Lorraine sat opposite me and made a few little finger pots, and we listened to CDs on our old CD player and felt like we had escaped from the world.  Lunch on the patio, and spoke to Mum, before she went around to the neighbours next door. A mischief of magpies was making a good deal of noise at one point from Joy and Jim’s roof. There were eight of them. Lorraine happily gardening. I have been watching a documentary series on BBC called Couples Therapy...

Whew what a scorcher etc. ... Nothing better on a hot day than making an intense fire and cooking meats on it like a man. The morning involved running about like a maniac, sweating cobs cleaning the barbecue and sweeping the patio while Lorraine zipped off the supermarket, and fashioned excellent salads and coleslaw and so on. We walked to Seaford Library, where we met Mike and Zina, and then spent the whole afternoon in the back garden, shooting the breeze. I did a simple barbecue of chicken stuffed with lemon, tarragon from the pot outside the back door, and Kenny farm garlic, plus a dozen sausages. Lorraine excelled herself with new potatoes and salads, and home made pickles and sauerkraut and slaw and bread and so on. Great to hang out again with Mike and Zina who having moved to the Brighton Marina are now just a bus ride away. I showed them the back garden, and apologised for the state of the lawn, which Mike ridiculed me for some time about. Zina toured about the house by Lorrai...

An early start at the poetic coalface. Then breakfast with Lorraine, and she went off to do Story Time. Sylwia here, very cheery she is. And Lorraine and her always kiss when she comes in. I melted away to the gym, hoping to get some physical jerks in before it got too hot. En route I called in at Melissa's to hand her a sketch back. I had daubed a D minus watercolour on a piece of paper she'd handed me, to discover  as I turned it over, I found there a sketch of a dog called Benji, a much loved hound Melissa has been commissioned to do a painting of it. Then bumped into Delores on the way to the gym, as she was entering the bicycle shop 'Hello darlings!'  I spent some time in the gym, then sloped home feeling cheery, and end of term-ish.  Lorraine and I made off to the Boot where we met, Steve, Guy and Barbara, and Yvonne. Brian on a pilgrimage walk with his pal ending up at Canterbury. God knows what his knees will be like. Finding myself enjoying the company of Guy a...

Off this morning to another masterclass this morning. Melissa was trying to shake up how we approached drawing. The best exercise for me was covering a piece of paper with charcoal and then using an eraser to rub out and reveal form. While not fabulous, I quite like the picture down below where I did that. There was a straightforward paint the life figure it with a watercolour and brush - mine was pretty poor, then another go with pastels -- we were given three each of bright colours. Another poor effort for me. Then it was drawing with ink. I was expecting to be quite good at this, but the ink pen was the old dipping sort, which dried up after making a line of two centimetres. Then I found myself having a go with a gull feather that had been turned into a pen, which produced great splotches of ink. These Melissa had collected, much to her husband's disgust, from the streets of Seaford. This gave me a new found interest in the herring gulls on our roof. If I collected their feather...

Up early editing the podcast, and then writing the blurb. Felt great for Robin and I to have got it done early, and with little stressing. Lorraine doing Rhymetime.  At tea time we went to Pat and Maureen's place. A fireplace surround had been delivered, and Lorraine and I screwed it all together, and slotted in a fire-effect heater in there, which Maureen put on. We are of course in the middle of another heatwave. We had brought our sturdy metal trolly with us, and wheeled away the old storage heater, and the extremely heavy bricks that are inside it. Maureen worried that it all would be too much for the car, but we were fine.  In thanks for this, Maureen paid for Lorraine and I to have a meal, which was very sweet of her. We went to Lin's Sushi , which, unusually, specialises in both Japanese and Chinese food. We had a few pieces of good sushi then switched to Chinese for  Singapore noodles, with lemon chicken and shredded beef which were really delicious. Lorraine thou...

Lorraine off to her personal trainer. I did some writing, then quickly recorded the podcast intro with Robin which we had forgotten to do earlier. Then off to meet Yvonne for coffee in the Grumpy chef. As usual a good laugh, and we sat in the secret corner which Yvonne seems to favour. Home again and in the afternoon I went for a longish walk nosing about the edges of cornfields, and then down to the sea and eventually home again. Home and Robin had sent the full episode to listen to. Below cornfields and cloudless skies above Bishopstone.  

Recording with Robin after breakfast, did the rest of the show in one session, which was pleasing. Then I gathered my bits of recent drawings and went to Melissa's house at lunchtime, just across from the graveyard in the centre of town. She lives in a bright yellow house, and we talked for almost an hour about what I'd done. Nice to have this chat with her, as she gave me some good advice, for example about shading up to the line. I had to smile, as at school Ron Groom used to get me to paint up to the line too. I always seemed to want to leave gaps between areas of colour, and a bazillion years later I'm still doing this. These old tendencies seem to be hard wired in. Left and bumped into Adele on the street, who was just on her way to have her own feedback sesh too. I always love bumping into friends on the street. Makes me feel at home. Otherwise a quiet day for me, some writing this afternoon. Lorraine busy with Pat and Maureen. I spoke to Mum, and cooked in the evenin...

A little rain overnight. A little time in the garden for Lorraine, and in the studio I picked up my pencils and did some drawing for fun. Innis and Rosie came around this afternoon, dropping off Pippi, and going around to see Beth and James. Lorraine, Pippi and I went around to Palo and Martin's house, to look at their lovely garden, which they had opened for the day, and Palo's lovely paintings. Lovely to see Palo again, and I really liked some of her new work.  While mooching in the garden, I was holding Pippi's lead, and surprising how many people start talking to you because you happen to be sporting a nice cockapoo. Soon we were back home and Rosie and Innis were sitting in the garden. We drove off to the Plough and Harrow, for a late Sunday lunch. I decided to eat Sunday lunch like an Englishman. Roast beef washed down with a couple of pints of Long Man, from the brewery across the lane. Very nice food. And lovely to catch up with Rosie and Innis. My lightning app goi...

Lorraine off to do Story Time, I did some writing. Then Lorraine arrived with Beth Silwia still here and delighted to see the baby. We hung out in the garden for a while. Young Enzo well behaved and when not sleeping eating constantly.  Good to see with my own eyes how well Beth is doing. Later, I went out for a longish walk in the afternoon. A beautiful day, and I walked at northern edge of Seaford, sometimes on the edge of the fields. Gorgeous golden corn and a beautiful blue sky. In the evening, off to the Boot for food and. few drinks. Today Chris and his friend Julie, Andy, Guy, and Carole were there.  Below Enzo being burped, and the blue and gold of corn in glowing black and white.

Up and off to see Mum this morning. During the journey I finished reading The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again , by M. John Harrison which I think is a fine book highly enigmatic and haunting, and much of it set in my old stomping ground in West London.  A bus from Mill Hill the short hop to Edgware, and such a beautiful day. I sat on the top deck, and felt a moment of unalloyed happiness looking at the children's drawing style puffy white clouds and deep blue sky. Feeling strangely free today. I found mum in good spirits, having had a busy day yesterday. She has managed to sort out a call with the tax people to do her accounts next Tuesday. Also the woman who comes to clean a bit, and the gardeners came yesterday. We drove off to the Waggon and Horses and had a chat with Paul at the bar, and some food. She asked about Gordon Road, and I told her what it was all about, and how it had been sparked in part by her remembering the name of the street, Gordon Road, where my paternal gran...

Lorraine and I got up late. I did some editing this morning, and for the first time this year sent out a couple of poems and did a final brush down of Gordon Road. As Paul Valéry said, 'A poem is never finished, only abandoned'. I am more than ready now to leave it in a basket and sprint off. In the afternoon, which was very hot, Lorraine and I did some more stuff in the studio, Lorraine working on her pinch pot, and me trying to charcoal her while moving. Not so great. But we sat there listening to a classical music CD and sipping tea, and feeling pleased with ourselves.  A bit of gardening today too. Pulled up the garlic bulbs which lorraine wove together to dry. Also many beetroots and some radishes. The cucumbers are going gangbusters too, we're already had about six or seven of them. And the seagull barely screamed at me today, and didn't dive at me once. We keep an eye on each other, and it definitely crossed his mind to have a go when I was bringing the washing i...

Pat and Maureen taken by Lorraine to see Enzo. Obviously they loved seeing their little great grandson. And the fact that Enzo's middle name is Patrick after Pat, also wonderful.  Otherwise a day in the studio and garden with Lorraine, and in my study this morning. Photos taken by Beth.

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. 

Over breakfast, a call from Maureen about Pat's catheter which was playing up and making him uncomfortable. Lorraine, rather fancying a quiet morning, had to zoom off.  In contrast, I had a three hour portrait masterclass. Melissa drew a self portrait in the first hour, after explaining certain principles, talking us through her process. Then we all stood at easels, and I used my charcoal pencils, and did drawings of two models. Somehow the timings went awry, so we spent most of our time on one model, and I had only 15 mins on the second one. I captured a likeness but so much to learn. It was my first go, however. Adele and Debbie there. Adele bullying me by deliberately getting in my way when we were hustling for position with the easels.   A shingles jab, next. The young nurse kept calling me lovely... thanks lovely... please sit down lovely... Last time I had my shingles jab I felt slightly peculiar afterwards so they told me to wait for 10 minutes. Anton sent me a news ite...

Lorraine off to be with Beth.  James had to travel to London for his first day in the new job. He got up with the sparrows, this morning and got there almost two hours early.   I spent all day indoors waiting for the irritating electrician. He never did showed up, and Lorraine was unable to reach him. Luckily I was writing, looking and thinking about the stuff Robin had said to me the day before.  A nice chat with Anton. He has a very bad knee, but otherwise cheery. Made him laugh telling him about the seagull on the roof that flies at me raging as soon as it sees me. Later I walked over to Squirrel's End to be with Beth and Lorraine, and held little Enzo while he was dozing happily. Lovely little chap. Beth much brighter, and sitting downstairs with Lorraine and the baby when I arrived. Then after chatting with Beth, and holding the baby, Lorraine and I zoomed off to Moon of India to get a takeaway, as Beth had really fancied something a bit spicy. Lorraine and I pushed ...

Lorraine off to the gym this morning, when she came home I cooked a largish lunch for us, as I would only be snacking later. Then Lorraine off to Squirrel's End. James to start his new job tomorrow.  Met Robin in The Depot at Lewes, had cups of tea and Robin gave me some feedback on Gordon Road. Really useful for me, and a few things to think about, as well as a sprinkling of proofing catches and a few small cuts. Then we made off by train to Haywards Heath and jumped on a train and found SJB, and we travelled up to London Bridge and then Greenwich. Lots of talk about babies, and AI and much more (too much for some fellow passengers who moved huffily away). Sarah also showed us her wonderful SUNY book 'Mary Barnard: Complete Poems and Selected Translations', which she edited and is just published. A very handsome thing indeed, and a culmination of huge amounts of work.  We arrived early and popped into a nearby pub for a half, and a sort through of papers and so on. Then to...

Getting some questions together for an interview Robin and I will be doing next week, and a bit of prep for the reading tomorrow. Popped over with Lorraine to give Enzo a cuddle and to see Beth. Beth bed based at the moment, still recovering from the c-section, three days ago. Beth doing well, but Lorraine always says that the third day after anything medical is always a challenge.  I loved looking at Enzo's face and into his eyes, wondering if anything he sees makes any sense. It's all a rather mysterious business, and amazing to think that Beth was still carrying him on Friday morning.   Then I slipped off to the gym. Trundling on the cross trainer, a steady somewhat dubious clicking coming from my knee. Then home again to be there in time for the delivery of a new hob. A relaxed evening with Lorraine, who took the snaps below. 

Awake early, with thunder rolling in the distance, but only a light, brief downpour here. Then someone trouser called Lorraine at about 5:30 and I was awake from then on. A quiet interlude, Lorraine and I down in the garage, sorting and tidying for a while. It is beginning to take shape as a place we can do crafty arty things in now that all the shelves are made. We need another trip to the dump though. Lorraine went to Squirrel's End to be with Beth and the baby while James had a much needed sleep. Beth after the c-section has to move very carefully, and is still on painkillers. The Midwife visited this morning, however, and reassured them that everything was going well.  Meanwhile I sat by the sea. Felt a bit restless but the walk helped. Beth sent me a message that she wants me to come and cuddle Vincenzo soon. All is well. Below Lorraine and I were having breakfast, playing Wordle etc. and I snapped these vases of dried flowers we have in our kitchen.