under another sun

Up early and a fast breakfast, swapping Valentine's cards with Lorraine. Then off to Edgware this sunny Valentine's morning. En route, Mum texted to say she wasn't seeing Robert as planned as she was feeling unwell. I found her very sleepy with the evil cough bug, a sore throat, very sore eyes and so on.  Soon after I arrived, Wynford popped in, and Maheena dropped in soon after I returned from shopping in Sainsbury's and Superdrug. I also spoke to Lorraine and Toby.  Mum fast asleep when I got back from Edgware. She was discombobulated when she woke up thinking she'd slept through the night. I gave her some teas and a hot cross bun and paracetamol, and then in the evening I cooked a bolognese with turkey mince. We watched TV but the signal was erratic. Mum had some wine, and we watched Dirty Dancing which for some reason I'd never seen. I was probably feeling irritable, but the lead female character I found insipid.    Mum fed the foxes and slowly got ready for...

Friday the 13th. Up early a glance at Kansas before making breakfast and Lorraine and I moved things from a to b now that the carpets have been laid. The house smells of weird new carpets.   I called Mum, and she was unwell. A bit later Wynford phoned me saying he'd seen her and I resolved to go up tomorrow. We went on  quick trip to the Long Man brewery and bought Steve the sensible present of some beer, and a beer glass, for his belated birthday. Then I walked by the sea listening to more of the Three Body Problem . Home and Lorraine and I did a bit more of the a to b business.   To the Boot this evening and met assorted cheery rebooters there. Andy, just returned from cycling in Vietnam for ten days, Adele and Patrick, Steve happy to be back from Leicester and enjoying having done some invigilation work: a cookery exam, with the children doing all kinds of exotic nosh. Also Chris and Julie. Not seen Chris since Christmas Eve when we were in the Boot with Mum. Tonight L...

Speedy Gonzales style, Lorraine and I got up at seven and immediately began hauling things around the house before the carpet layers came. Meanwhile Lorraine also dropped her car off to be serviced. When they arrived the men were moaning about the weight of the carpets, and the layout of the rooms,  the piano etc. but once Lorraine returned from the garage she employed her special powers and made everything smooth. She is brilliant. Especially with people who are doing jobs for us, which for some reason makes me feel cringey.  Carpets were laid in the living room (grey blue), the stairs and landing (green) and our big bedroom (a slightly reddish dark blue). We're pleased with the results, but now have to move everything back to place.   Otherwise a day at the aesthetic coalface. Life drawing for a couple of hours, a woman at last although athletic and slim, which is, the consensus among my predominantly female classmates, less interesting than curves. I agree. Home again....

Snoozed in this morning after a lively night. Called mum a couple of times as she is unwell with the horrid sore throat cough bug. Lorraine seeing Dawn after she went to her personal trainer.  One of my poems, called Gardening with my Wife accepted this morning by  Channel Magazine . They are based in Ireland and so they pay, due to Ireland being a civilised country that values culture. It's a short poem, and one of the few that mentions Lorraine. Like many other writers, what gets me writing is what's unresolved or in some way troubling, so Lorraine rarely makes the cut. Out for a walk this afternoon. The business of replacing all the pebbles on the beach going on slowly. At the Seaford end of the bay, the sand is still visible. I'm not sure I quite understand the process, but the pebbles defend the beach and absorb the power of the waves. The little beauties keep chaos at bay. Somewhat rainy towards the end of my walk but I wasn't utterly drenched. Otherwise I was li...

Out of bed fairly late for a Monday. Calls with Mum, who has a sore throat and a cough. She was able to pick her prescription up however, and I am going to arrange to have them delivered from henceforth. Otherwise a decent morning's writing. Slow progress on the Kansas story and it feels like hard work.  This makes me wonder if it's any good, as most of the published stories have slipped out easily. Then a few housekeeping jobs, and a walk.  Something has been eating the goldfish. There are only  handful left now. I did see an egret there recently looking down his long beak into the water, and I've seen foxes and cats taking an interest.   Lorraine spending much of the day with Maureen, and they called around on Beth. I made off to The Evening Star, where I met Messrs Hoibak and Hartley for several beers. Mark is about to become a grandfather, as his lovely daughter Melissa has passed her due date. Peter radiating good cheer as usual.  We drifted down to Fato a ...

Shopping first thing, then as we are going to have new carpets next week, Lorraine and I spent a few hours moving things from the rooms which are about to be carpeted into other rooms. Unearthed my dusty wedding shoes which have a very pointy middle ages look among the dead sea scrolls, and other lost treasures.   A walk to get up to ten thousand paces, although I had done lots in the house already walking things from room to room. Listening to a rest is history podcast about Romans vs Carthaginians in Spain. I know next to nothing about the Carthaginians, who were big dogs in the western Mediterranean for centuries until 146BC when things all went horribly wrong with the Romans.  Just as I reached home, Toby called. He said that, factoring in the wind chill, it was minus 35 in Toronto. He'd been out for a coffee but it was almost too cold go outside.  He's happily installed back home now living in an echoey minimalism as he awaits eclectic Frasier-style furniture (source...

By bus to Brighton just after noon. Unusually, it was not pouring with rain. I got off at the Sealife Centre, and walked along the front, enjoying the crashing heavy waves, and the seagulls flocking above the hardy tourists on the pebbles.  I cut up to The Hole In the Wall, the hidden local's pub Anton and I have managed to overlook over the years. Met Anton for a leisurely afternoon, setting the world to rights over several beers and a couple of games of dominoes. The woman behind the bar was wearing a teeshirt with skeletons on it, and I asked her about it, and she replied a bit warily as if I was trying to chat her up. As I payed for the beer I found myself saying, 'I like skeletons', confirming all her worst suspicions of me.      We moved on to another pub, then to The Hampton where we ate some Indian street food, and played another game of bones, at which I beat Anton like a ginger stepchild. Meanwhile I heard about his time with Camino in snowy Spain, and lear...

More on the story this morning. Nothing about the poetry competition. Two walks today, by the sea. Later at the end of the road I saw a tree where I counted16 magpies. Never seen that before.  The Boot tonight, not having been there for a few weeks. A cheery evening with Adele and Patrick, Carole, Mandy, and Matthew, who I chatted to lots, and learned he had lots of sailing experience, working on an Isle of Wight lifeboat among other things. I knew he lived on a boat, but didn't realise how deeply the sea ran in him. Adele and Patrick smartly dressed having been at a funeral. Mandy won a local photography competition so was pleased.  A mischief of magpies  

Woke up after a nightmare, where I had suddenly remembered that I had murdered two people, and felt (still in the dream) utterly horrified at myself.  Up and off to Melissa's drawing class... Another older male model. I tried something different: not taking my pencil off the page and trying to draw in a continuous line, and not be afraid to make mistakes. I quite enjoyed it. Off this afternoon to see Stacy, to get my hair cut. Raining of course, so I got home with wet hat hair. Stacy less stressed than when I last saw him. Happy to be staying in tonight, as the weather was foul again. Below some sketches keeping the pencil on the page, and Sydney Street in the rain.

To Edgware a  slow journey and an infernal wait at Mill Hill Broadway station so I didn't get there till almost one o'clock. Had printed out a hard copy of Kansas, and did some proofing and rewriting. Couldn't listen to anything as my earphones no longer work, having left the case on the bus yesterday.  The new key box outside Mum's house is up and working, and I confirmed on the journey up that the lifeline people had the code should they ever need it. All well. Also talking to Mum about the power of attorney business we will set up. She is going to ask Wynford and one other if they will witness it. Good to see Mum looking well,  her eye much improved now, and what's left covered up artfully by makeup. We zoomed off to The Waggon and Horses, where we had a bite to eat and a drink. One of the regulars, Tim, was there sitting in Paul's old seat. We chatted to him too as he was on his own and Steve and other pals were elsewhere. He told me he had thought about mov...

Up early, and a calmer start to a day of hosing rain. Lorraine off to her physical trainer. I slunk indoors. Still no news about the Poetry Canon pamphlet winners, now over a week late. Luckily I've got the Kansas short story on the go to distract me. Spoke to Mum to confirm I'm coming up tomorrow. Late in the afternoon, I bussed to Eastbourne to meet a cheery, if dripping, Robin in the Dolphin, which we quickly left for The Dew Drop inn across the road, for inexplicably the beer in the Dolphin was all off. I ordered a pint of Old Man, and it tasted like vinegar.  Over bags of peanuts and crisps bought with our meagre podcast profits.We chatted about the podcast and tentatively explored the idea of a new project over a couple of drinks.  Bus took me home in no time, and I was happy to be out of the rain and booting onto the gold sofa with Lorraine for the evening. 

Up at seven, feeling like starting the week with a good dose of early morning writing. By springing out of bed, I woke Lorraine up. This was fortunate, as we immediately got a call from Maureen saying Pat was on the floor having slipped out of bed. We drove around, and popped him back in, and afterwards enjoyed a spell by the seaside, looking at the lovely colours of the early morning. Home again, and I got on with writing more of Kansas . The first draft is almost done, but the end still needs work. It comes in at about six thousand words. I also called Mum arranging to see her on Wednesday.  A walk this afternoon, unremarkable, but I was listening to a the rest is politics interview with former labour leader Neil Kinnock, which was quite touching. I always liked him, and he seemed a man of principle and sometimes raw courage.  Lorraine and I in the warmth tonight, eating chicken stew I'd made, which was rather good. We are watching Dexter now, and enjoying it. Early to bed....

Running about this morning, as we were entertaining this afternoon. I zoomed to Morrisons, then spent the rest of the day drinking Prosecco with Guy, Tim and Tanya and tucking into the Guy's mushroom pate starter, and Lorraine's exemplary lasagnas (one meat, one veggie) and Tanya's almondy pudding. Catherine unable to make it, which was a shame. Guy and Tim have been travelling lots to Whitley Bay where Guy's mum died recently. Tim becoming prominent in the swimming club, Tanya indexing like fury and becoming expert in the economics of Singapore. A general sense of putting the world to rights, which you can with old friends. 

I was up fairly early, having dreamt that Enzo could speak, and that he said 'Harry Potter!' First time Enzo has been in one of my dreams. Spoke to Mum to remind her that a key box was being affixed to her wall today. They had given me a four hour window. They arrived literally at the last minute, and in the afternoon I spoke to the guy who was installing it and Mum.  Made breakfast. Yvonne came by to take me out for coffee, pausing to give Lorraine an excellent hand-me-down toy for Enzo, a sort of animal piano that when you press them make animal noises, it barks, and miaows, and oinks and moos, and is hours of fun.  Yvonne drove us off to Mamoosh in Newhaven, where we enjoyed coffee, and a chat, and I had a pain au raison. I bought one to bring home for Lorraine too, which she had later. Also managed to give Yvonne back the Santa beard I've had in my study for about 13 months. Then Lorraine into Seaford walked into Seaford where picked up my prescriptions, while Lorraine ...

My best night sleep in days. Woke up feeling chipper, made breakfast for Lorraine and I then slid off to Life Drawing class. A nice model called Sadie, it was her first time modelling so was a bit nervous. She was a history of art graduate, who was feeling her way back into work after having children. My drawings weren't as good as I hoped, but switching to coloured pencils again helped. I was drawing next to Adele, which was fun. Helped Melissa tidy up afterwards. She's a good egg and rather a kind person I think. In the late afternoon, Steve, Adele and Patrick arrived for a Shakespeare session. Today's play, All's Well That Ends Well . A pretty unpleasant play all round. With a little bit of comedy in it. Helena is in love with Bertram, who is high born and noble and barely knows she's alive. However, by managing to cure the King of France of his anal fistula, she is rewarded by her choice of men. She chooses Bertram who marries her, does not consummate the relati...

Joined the wide awake club at six, which was a tad peeving. Sat in bed watching TV drinking instant coffee, then showered and packed up. Decided to treat myself to a half decent breakfast instead of the grim hotel food, and found somewhere called Deja Brew. After I went for a fairly aimless mooch round and about, and another look at the Mersey. this is where the Manchester Ship canal starts too. I noticed lots of fire engines outside a low rise block by the river.  Hopped on a fairly empty train at Runcorn, and pootled down to Euston, then Victoria where I missed the Lewes train by a minute, and then home straightforwardly enough. Journey took about five hours in all, but was stress free. I arrived home at 4:30ish, replacing the Mersey with the Channel.  Very happy to see Lorraine and be at home. Lorraine preparing for her pottery class. I then spoke to Mum,  and deciding I was too knackered to cook, and went to trawlers for fish and chips. Scoffed these on the gold sofa....

In the hotel, the late jalfrezi with Carl, a fiery making itself felt through the night, but the bed was comfortable enough. Walked out into the murdery bit, and discovered my door had been slightly open all night.  Greeted by a scowling woman at reception, who demanded 'What do you want?' I explained I was staying there and wanted some breakfast. She was the cook, so blurted out I wanted scrambled eggs and beans. I watched one of the maintenance guys eating his toast over the meagre display of cheese and ham. Self service faux coffee, and toast with sunflower spread. To be fair the plate covered in rubbery scrambled eggs and about a tin of beans. Back to my room to do some work on Kansas.  Then off to explore the old town of Runcorn. Looked at murals under the bridge, which were really rather lovely, see below, and marvelled at the gorgeous gold of the Chedi outside of the temple, an exotic contrast to the Englishness of the scene around it. I then had a coffee in Costa, and ...

Kissed Lorraine, and made off for Runcorn. Felt unusually stressed this morning, not helped by clowns on the line between Clapham Junction and East Croydon causing delays. I relaxed once I was aboard the Runcorn train, which is only couple of hours from St Pancras. Tried to find the Campanile Hotel just by Runcorn Station but couldn't. Google maps had a breakdown saying, barking out, turn left, turn right, turn left, while I stood on the pavement. Turns out the hotel has new owners.  The reception area staffed by one person, the duty manager. She told me to expect a 'motel' feel. The room, when I got there, very basic but the sheets were clean. Outside was a bit of lawn, and a few trees and the roundabout. It looked like where a body is found in mysterious circumstance in an ITV crime drama. I went back to reception after a short cat nap and awaited Carl. The duty manger, a pleasant woman called Kit told me she had degree in law, and was very chatty. I said about the murder...

Peaceful day, although a bit low on energy. Counting our blessings though, which we do on a regular basis. A lovely marriage, a lovely house in a pleasant little town, lots of people we love and care about. Lorraine and I getting organised for our respective trips tomorrow. Spoke to Mum, who was on good form. In the afternoon we collected Pat and Maureen and brought them home, for a Sunday roast, and we put some in Tupperware for them tomorrow. Pat a bit more mobile, and the transfer from wheelchair to car to wheelchair to chair and back fairly smooth. Maureen enjoying a change of scene, and quickly boofed onto the gold sofa awaiting cups of tea. After dinner, we all started watching the Magnificent Seven as I have been thinking about cowboys lately.   Robin had got together an archive episode for Planet Poetry. I'd suggested we repeat the Danez Smith interview, given the Trump-inspired carnage in Minneapolis. Even Danez's 'Afropessimism' seems a missive from a more opt...