under another sun

A decent night's sleep at Le Chêne, which translates as The Oak, though found myself awake in the middle of the night, with Lorraine sleeping peacefully beside me in a very dark room feeling like we were miles from anywhere.  Up and breakfasted, fortunately Lorraine and I brought our mix of seeds and nuts with us. Beth and James up with the larks with the baby boy, had gone for a doze as Enzo was sleeping. We were visited by three pea hens who came to the glass kitchen doors.   Best thing today, I messaged Ian and First Matie, who was able to respond, and is out of immediate danger. Very cheering news. Also spoke to Mum, who has talked to the bank and found that the US pension was paid in at the beginning of this month, and last, too. This all good news. Went back to the Intermarché with Beth and James. Bought lots of stuff, as we had more time. Even in this out of the way little supermarket, you can tell you're in a superior food culture. The locals smiling ruefully at the to...

Up at a hideous five thirty and dragged myself out of bed into a rainy world. We left at six thirty, but not before Lorraine had watered the cucumbers. Arrived at Newhaven a few minutes later, with James and Beth already in the line of cars.  Waited there for about an hour before we were allowed to drive into The Seven Sisters. I'd been a bit apprehensive as I knew the weather was a bit stormy, but the boat only rolled a little gently.  We all found ourselves a pleasant place to sit, and had a really enjoyable trans manche experience. I went outside as we left, standing on a piece of deck with one or two others, looking at Newhaven and the grey sea and sky. Nice to see Seaford Head and the Seven Sisters from the sea.  We had cups of tea and some food, but the game changer was a chocolate and coffee drink which suddenly made me feel perky. Also heard on the journey from Lou, who told me that First Matie was improved today, and the doctors were more optimistic, which made m...

Off this morning to Edgware. Trains somewhat slow I ended up going viaVictoria and tubing it. While doing this I got a note from Kate's friend Lou, saying that Kate was seriously ill in hospital with liver failure, and the doctors were not hopeful. Shocked by this news, which cast a shadow on the day. Lou was seeing her today, and said did I have a message for her.  Reached Edgware, and took a looked at Mum's papers, to sort out the US pension business. Turns out that payments were made in June and July according to the bank statements, and I am fairly sure the August one will show she was paid then too. So this is good, although proved that she'd not had a problem with her payments after all.   However Mum received a delivery of a protein product that she'd been conned into, so I followed this up, and hopefully have stopped this. Then to Mum's new local, The Plough. Her pals weren't there. It is a huge and rather nicely done new pub, but it was entirely empty o...

An organising day, running about a bit doing assorted jobs. Lorraine cooking little snacks for Enzo. I heard this as smacks at first, and the phrase opening a packet of smacks made L and me chuckle. You have to make your own amusement these days. They were peanut butter and apple smacks. A spot of clearing water weed. The pond needs some serious attention, but the two fish not eaten by the egret are doing well despite heatwaves. Plenty of domestic tasks, as well as finding passports etc. ready to head off to France.   Slipped off to the gym for a bit too.  Spoke to the Tobster and Mum. Toby's getting back into the routine of work, and had just returned with Romy from staying with Joan and Dick. Mum had been to church with Wynford this morning. There is free food there too, which Mum enjoys. Otherwise I cooked roast chicken for dinner, while Lorraine did some pottery. All well. Watched highlights of Chelsea vs Arsenal this evening. Chelsea lost. And so to bed.

Lorraine opened the door to see a Spiderman car with a man at the wheel dressed head to toe in a Spiderman costume. Lorraine called out for me to come and look. Very odd when he looked over at us, with his big Spiderman eyes. He told Lorraine that he was your friendly local Spiderman, and after a while drove off in his noisily powerful car.  We drove off less spectacularly to collect Pat and Maureen and went to the Tiger Inn at nearby East Dean. There we met Ken and Claire, over from Ireland, with their three Great Danes. A nice afternoon in the sun, chatting and having lunch, and soft drinks and puddings and so on. The dogs spent most of the time in the huge air conditioned van, but when out caused quite a stir. It was a complex modern ballet piece, for two people and three Great Danes, with their leads being skilfully being handed between Ken and Claire as the dogs tangled around them.  I let them smell my hand, and they seemed very benign. Not the greatest dog fan of course...

Friday. Lorraine off to take Pat to Eastbourne, and also do a spot of pottery with her tutor.  I made off this morning to meet Yvonne at The Grumpy Chef for coffee. She explained, rather emphatically, that she's not cut out to be a nurse. Poor Brian has been in lots of pain ever since his operation. Nevertheless Yvonne in good form, and we had a laugh over a coffee. She had to hurry back, and I pushed off to the shop a couple of doors away to discuss wheelchairs, pick up my prescription and go to Morrisons and so on. Back home I did a spot of writing, spoke to Mum and had a long chat with Anton some of it about his latest craze: horology. I'm pleased he has time for a new craze. Watch it! etc.   My latest craze is a band called Stereolab, who were active in the 90s that I knew very little about at the time. They have a compilation album called Serene Velocity , which is rather marvellous.  At tea time Lorraine and I made off to Debbie's house for the private view of her A...

Up early as Enzo was at home. Breakfast while the little boy crawled about and pointing at things and opening the doors of cupboards and draws. Meanwhile, life drawing class has resumed.  I hurried around the corner to find Mike, the only other bloke in the group, had taken my spot again. Peeving in a Pooterish way. Otherwise I enjoyed myself, despite being rusty. Somehow having my book accepted has reminded me that drawing's just a nice to have, not the main course. Adele not there, but nice to see Melissa and Debbie, and some of the others, especially Kate, who I normally sit next to, who is a retired art teacher with a brilliant style.  Home, and bounced the baby boy about and at lunch time, gave Lorraine a tiny break by feeding the boy with mashed up mango and guava and another fruit I forget. He nommed it down with gusto. He pulled a really funny shocked face when Lorraine poked in a spoonful of shepherd's pie immediately after. Then an Understory Session, having had to m...

A good day. Sent a message to Bob, whose birthday it is, and in the evening Lorraine and I scooted across to Brighton, where we met Klaudia and Oskar in the Cow to celebrate Anton's birthday. Anton arrived, having cooked his mum some dinner, and we scooted over to the nearby Murasaki where we strapped on a nice Japanese nosebag. Oskar adventurously ordering octopus ball starters, and an eel main course. Lorraine and I  loved spending time with my Godbairns and Anton, who was looking pretty chipper. We gave him a lovely edition of The Count of Monte Christo. Klaudia all set to start her MA, and Oskar planning his next assault on his modelling career. The two of them are lovely, thoughtful people.  Otherwise wrote today, and went for a walk this afternoon in Tide Mills. I've fallen out of the habit of long walks as it was too hot, having preferred the air-conditioned gym during the hottest UK summer on record. But now it is cool enough to walk. The hedges are groaning with black...

Lorraine off to her personal trainer this morning. I attempted some writing, and chatted with Anton who's  much brighter that that he's not shouldering a corporation's worth of stress. Spoke to Mum, and checked in with Brian, who is still in great pain.  Feeling a bit sluggish today, but felt livelier after going to the gym.  Lorraine returned from a good session at the pottery this evening with colourful with clay flowers to put on sticks in between the garden plants, and an excellent lidded pot. Then we watched the last of the Murderbot series on Apple TV and went to bed.   

Up this morning and had coffee and breakfast with Claudia and Jonas. I think they've enjoyed picking tomatoes to have on their toast in the morning. We took them to the bus stop, and waited with them till they boarded the bus to begin their long journey home. I am very fond of them, and enjoy having them at Kenny Towers. Lorraine loves having time with them of course too, so lots of hugs as we released them back into the wild. A touch of Autumnal coolness at the bus stop. It was Pat and Maureen's 69th wedding anniversary today, so late this afternoon Lorraine cooked them dinner at their house, after having spent some time on pottery. Maureen didn't want a big fuss made, the visit to the Boot the other day being lots to deal with. Enjoyed a quiet day, as my batteries needed a recharge. Worked on a poem a little, then read some more of The Go Between by L.P. Hartley, as recommended by the Anton & Camino book club. I love it so far. Also watched highlights of Chelsea's...

Lorraine and I up early, leaving Claudia and Jonas to snooze and went to Lewes where we met old friends Jess and Andrew. Lorraine and I both a bit shocked to learn how ill she had been, having to stay in hospital for months. A horrible experience for both of them. Thankfully Jess is well on the mend now. We had breakfast at Bill's, which wasn't as good as I remembered it. Now they are owned by some corporation, penny pinching evident in the meals. All in all a reminder that if you don't hear from people for a while, not to just assume they're busy. Home again, and I made Claudia and Jonas some coffee before they went to spend the afternoon with Pat and Maureen. Claudia and Maureen get on very well, which is lovely to see. I spoke to Anton, who now has a cold which he blames me for despite the fact I don't have one. He is taking things easy. Brian now at home, and Yvonne looking after him. She said he was demanding and shouting for her every two minutes. I take this ...

Up reasonably early, at my desk for a short while before making breakfast. Spoke to Mum and this morning, who was going to see Robert. Chatted with Anton who was taking it fairly easy I was pleased to hear.  Pat's birthday today. Lorraine's uncle Steve having arrived at our place, Jonas and I went to collect Pat and Maureen and get them across to the Boot in the wheelchairs. I had to double back to fetch Maureen's hearing aid. Meanwhile Lorraine, Claudia, Beth, James, Enzo, and Delores and her granddaughter Azaria gathered in place. Plus there was a cake and the big balloons, one a heart, the other with nine, and the other with a three for Patrick's 93rd birthday. We all strapped on a preordered nosebag, and Lorraine phoned Sam and we sang happy birthday to him too. Enzo teething and not at his best today, and Beth and James took him home to give him some pain treatment. Otherwise a cheery gathering. I enjoyed chatting to Azaria, a bright girl who likes writing but had ...

Lorraine and I up early, as Lorranie had to drive Patrick to Eastbourne. Claudia and Jonas had a leisurely breakfast of cigarettes and coffee and a few bits of food this morning. They made off later to see Pat and Maureen.  I went to meet Anton, who was in Lewes having gone there to talk to a man about watch refurbishment. En route I texted Brian and Yvonne. Brian still in a lot of pain, and being kept in till his numbers realign. While having his operation his blood pressure and heart rate dropped quite dramatically. A bit of a dark night of the soul. Yvonne naturally concerned. Anton fairly chipper. But wearing a hospital tag, in case he has to go into hospital so people can see at a glance what's been going on with him. He'd had a brilliant time in Spain with Camino, but it seems as if he had a heart event in the night in Spain, but didn't wake Camino up because they had to be up early, went to the airport, drank lots of coffees, flew back to the UK, did lots of other st...

Started the day being Mr and Mrs Concerned of Seaford. Anton released back into the wild in the middle of the night. Oskar at home cooked for him when he got back. Signs in the blood that he may have had one or some small heart attacks. I offered to go around, but he has Oskar there. Very chipper sounding,  he called me later from the bus, when he was on his way back to the hospital to get various drugs. Importantly, however, he has now signed off sick.  Meanwhile, Brian having a torrid time, and kept in the operating room during his knee replacement due to a slow heartbeat. I texted him and Yvonne. He is in loads of pain today -- rather like Anton was after this operation. Yvonne obviously worried too.  An Enzo day. The little boy being delightful. Took him to Morrisons for a shop, which he tolerates well sitting in the little baby seat of the trolley, and we did a bit of occasional zooming in the aisles to keep him happy.  Spoke to Mum and we worked out a good way ...

Up and at 'em this morning, submitting two short stories. I've had a big burst of writing lately, and felt like my brain needs refuelling.  I have half an idea for another story.  Lorraine took Pat to Eastbourne and then did Rhymetime, about a dozen babies and their adults this morning. Beth had to go to physio briefly this morning so the little lad was with us for a spell around lunchtime. Off to the gym this afternoon, and then home to chat to Mum who was quite chipper, and off to see her pals up the road this evening. I assembled a salad for supper for Lorraine and I. Sat on the gold sofa chatting for a while.  Then to the Cinque Ports to meet Steve, who'd been in Leicester for much of July as his mother is recovering from a broken leg and a broken foot on the other limb. While we were in the pub, the jukebox played a song by Yes, called South Side of the Sky. I have never heard anything from Yes's classic period played in a pub before.   Then to Steamworks. Weird...

To London this morning, via Brighton as the line from Lewes is still not safe. Doing some writing on the train, also asking Chat GPT about potential markets for my short stories. It is brilliant, like having a an efficient assistant. Arrived at Hampstead a little early and got chatting to the transport for London staff member, while waiting. She pointed out two people running through the barriers, who had just stolen things from the little confectioner newsagents in the station.  When Mum arrived we made off to The Old White Bear. She told me she has been in touch with Steve from the Waggon, who was pleased to hear from her, and told her where they now drink. Which is a pub on the same route that she drives to the Waggon. It had closed for a few years, but has now reopened.  This is great as Mum can see her drinking pals again. Mum had pea soup again, and I had an arancini. We sat next to a woman with a dog, which Mum liked lots. The Polish woman told us in her loud and cheery...

A monkish Monday, as Lorraine was with Maureen all day, and was a bit zonko when she returned. However she did arrive with a present for me: a new jam thermometer, one with a sensible metal prong, with a dial at the top of it. Sometimes, and this is one of them, I feel like this has been ghost written by Charles Pooter.  I completed proofing and tweaking a short story called Good Boy, and is, among other things, about unspeakable canines. If published (I sent it off this evening) it won't play well in Barking or the Isle of Dogs.  Otherwise: to the gym. Later, I cooked us a cheeky curry and watched a documentary about Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. How City have done so well under Pep beats me. I wonder how his players can understand what he says in his briefings. Luckily Amazon have subtitled it. We went to bed early to read. Blissfully cool night air. All well.  Charles Pooter, on the right of the drawing.

A  'jam Sunday' where L and I allow ourselves an extra toast with jam, today it was my homemade plum jam. I am boastful about the jam.  Then L and I surged out into the garden. Lorraine busy with lots of bits above my pay grade such as pruning raspberries, and re-seeding our trug with salad vegetables.  I attended to what's left of the raised veggie beds after the relentless heatwaves.The beans did really well, partially because the wretched snails have had to hide.  I picked a few more to have with our dinner (beans not snails), plus a few leaves of spinach which have recovered after laying their leaves on the ground like limp rags. The celeriacs have not balled up at all, a few leeks have survived, but are thin and small. Perhaps they will all plump up now that there is lots of rain in the forecast.    I deadheaded roses in the front garden, wondering if we should make rose hip syrup, like Mum did once or twice. Under Lorraine's supervision I also took cu...

Lorraine off to Hove to get her hair cut today. I finalised the pamphlet-length MS and sent it off. It contains poems that mess with the fabric of reality, they are very marmite. I hope they like marmite. Then off to Brighton to meet Mrs Kenny, with her lovely glossy hair. We mooched up St James's road, and stopped in the pub called The Saint James, where we went on our first date for a quick drink before heading to the restaurant that used to be across the road. A chaotic, but friendly pub these days. A large blue and yellow macaw had pride of place on a tall stand at the back of the room, and apparently had form in stealing people's earrings. Someone having their photo taken with it, while their dog barking continuously at it. Another dog joined in and there was an ear splitting cacophony. Meanwhile a bloke sat on our tabletop to look at the racing scores. The pizza we had ordered to share took an age to come, but was excellent when it did. We drank some lemonade shandy there...