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Too hot to handle

Even hotter today. After breakfast with Lorraine, I went to the gym first thing before it got really hot. The gym is air conditioned. Lots of people there this morning and all the cross trainers clogged up. I managed all the other bits, and went briefly on a cycling machine, and one of the inferior cross trainers, till I got to the proper cross trainer, only to feel a slight pull in my leg after about ten minutes, which I thought was cramp at first, but now I think was a muscle thing, so I stopped. Meanwhile Lorraine had been to see Caroline and had done her personal training.   I have no energy in this humid heat. Did nothing that could be considered work, no writing, no form filling, editing of the podcast and all the other stuff I want to do. I read online (so it may be nonsense) that blood pressure pills make you less able to cope with extreme heat. Whatever, I don't remember feeling so lifelessly hot before. The temperatures might be as much as 40C this week -- smashing UK rec...
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To Edgware

Hoofed off to Edgware this morning. The hottest June day on record, and far worse is forecast for later in the week, all part of the deadly heatwave that is lingering over western Europe. Luckily the air conditioning on the various trains seemed to be working. Heard en route that Mum had been to the bank. She had received a letter about a suspicious activity, but all was okay. Sweltering at Mum's. I took photos of the demand that was sent to her address from California tax people, and sent these to Romy, who has really kindly said she would contact them on Mum's behalf. This is a huge help, though I feel a bit guilty asking her with her workload. Meanwhile I went through Mum's emails and found that the US social security people had sent Mum a note on the 17th saying that they had received her query and had passed it on to the right department. So three bits of good news from my perspective. I ordered a replacement death certificate for Mason, just in case this would be requ...
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Enzo's birthday

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Enzo's birthday today. It hardly seems possible really. Funny how a little thing who has only been part of everyone's life for a year is so established and loved as a little person. Innis and Rosie came around, and we all made our way around to Squirrel's End where the garden was being made ready for a teddybear's picnic. So we had to take teddybears. I took my monkey knitted for me by Maureen. We left Pippi in the kitchen. Julie and Andy and Lorenzo were there already, helping in the gazebo. Innis had brought his bubble machine and set this up, and several pals and other relatives arrived. I particularly enjoyed seeing Laura and Braheem, and their gorgeous daughter Layla now four, and Suzie, who I caught up with about the shows she and Sarah have put on. I told her what I'd seen in Trafalgar Square with it being roped off for shows, and she told me all about it.   Most importantly Beth and James were delighted with how the afternoon went.  Enzo was of course was hi...
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Bob and a day in London

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Off this morning to Trafalgar Square to meet Bob under the usual lion. However the square had been cordoned off and there was a big stage there where people were rehearsing songs from High School Musical. An affront to human decency I called it. I was early, and it was hot, but luckily Bob was already there and we hopped into Pret for a cold drink of water and a sandwich. There after a good deal of catching up, we decided to go to the Zurbarán exhibition in The National. It was rather fabulous, full of imposing and brilliant paintings, loaded with meanings, and I write  more about it here .  We went ambling about having beers and catching up. We'd not met up this year, so there was loads to discuss. He was in top form, however, and we had a good laugh. We visited the Salisbury, which of course is a trusty favourite, then off to The Seven Stars, which makes me think of Bleak House because it is deep in the legal part of town, then to the Cittie of York, where we sat conspirator...
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To Needlewriters

Enzo has discovered pointing with his finger, and he is doing things with his index finger rather than his whole hand when he was here today. Life drawing this morning. Had great fun, although I didn't produce much that was good.  Strangely upset stomach today.   At tea time off to Lewes, where I met Robin at the station and walked to the John Harvey Tavern, where the Needlewriters had an evening, featuring John McCullough reading from his new book Crowd Voltage . Strong work, and I find John has an exhilarating ability to choose a metaphor or image that is so far away from what you would expect would work, but somehow in his hands does.  Also readings from  Jackie Wills and Bethan Roberts. Jackie reading a prose work about her allotment, and Bethan, who is a very successful, reading an excerpt from her new novel. Both excellent writers but I was left with a not for me-ishness about what they'd read this evening.  Lots of the usual suspects there, Janet, Charlot...
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Clearing

Up early doors, and multitasking, doing laundry, preparing breakfast, carrying the oversized chair from my study down to the studio, while getting dogs abuse from the gulls. Looking at the absolutely bloody final poem from the full poetry collection and making some more final final tweaks. Lorraine off to Bolney to see her personal trainer.  Then spoke to Mum for a bit, before scampering to the bottom of the garden, where Rosie was bringing us some blankets. Rosie and Innis had hired a two men and a van who were dropping off furniture to Laura and Adrian from the back alley behind our house. I went to shoot the breeze with them, Innis and Rosie, and two of their neighbour friends.  The van also collected the bits of Rosie's Mum's furniture we had been storing. Rosie gave us a gorgeous chair and footstool which had been her mothers, and is exactly the right size for my study. Later, I sat on it and played a little guitar for the first time in ages, as it is perfect for that job...
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Aliens for the win

Up early and off to Edgware. Arrived at Mum's at 12:15, which was speedy. A cup of tea and some fig rolls, then we dived into the filing and paperwork. I got the details of the amounts received from her US pension from the bank statements, and totalled them up. Also got in touch with the US social security people, as Mum's last payment did not arrive, sending an email via their site. Mum has already been in touch, via some kind of on screen chat box, but they told her to wait a bit, and then never got back to her despite her waiting for an hour and a half. This all took a couple of hours, with some filing. There is lots to be done, so I will return to Edgware shortly to continue.  Spoke to Wynford and Rupa next door for a bit. Lovely people, and after this a quick jaunt off to the Waggon and 'orses for snack a pint of Guinness for me. The Waggon decked out in World Cup footy flags and so on, although it was empty on a Monday afternoon. We asked them to turn down the TV whic...
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Seaford Sunday

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An Enzo day today, as Beth and James were having a day of full on sorting house and garden.  We sat outside, where I did a bit more finishing of old drawing. And generally played with Enzo. I even made time for a delicious kip this afternoon. Up again to put on the chicken, and potatoes as Uncle Steve arrived, in good spirits having hung out with Pat and Maureen. Always good to see him.  He was telling us about having to go to a school to discuss his life with the kids, which he was obviously chuffed about. Beth and James returned, having had their day. James took Enzo for a walk in the garden and was scolded and menaced by the seagull. Uncle Steve set off for Ramsgate, and we served up some dinner. I'd cooked the chicken in the air fryer, which worked, but I'm not sure it's my favourite method, but with new Jersey potatoes, lots of mixed leaf salad with olives gherkins etc.  it did the trick. Lorraine playing with Enzo after dinner, the little lad wriggling with exciteme...
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Our little town

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Breakfast, and as Lorraine was drawing a little mind map of what we were planning for the day, an emergency call from Maureen. We zoomed around. The carers were already there, but Pat's urine bag had become detached from the overnight bag soaking the bedding, carpet and Maureen's sandals. She got very stressed about this and needed her spray a couple of times. However all was well after a bit, and we took the bedding home to wash, that the carers had stripped off the bed, and made teas and both were fine when we left. As we were already near the supermarket, we did a big shop in there, then home, to finish our coffees and plan the day. We made off to see a potter, who Lorraine was enthusing about, collecting Delores en route. The traffic was at standstill towards Newhaven due to a road traffic accident, so as the potter was having an open house tomorrow and next weekend so we cut our losses. Delores, Lorraine and I then walked to Gallery Uno, where Adele and Liza Morton were ha...
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Studio time

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Much brighter, after yesterday's migraine. Up fairly early and did some writing, then after breakfast, and speaking to Mum, I wandered down to the Bay Tree Studio at the end if the garden, where Lorraine was already at work at her wheel, and I did a bit more to the drawing I posted yesterday. Lovely to be working in the same space on creative things. Then Lorraine took popped around to take Pat and Maureen some fish and chips. I went to the gym for an enjoyable workout. I notice my clothes are a little looser than they have been of late, which is good. Home to watch a bit of World Cup football highlights from yesterday.    In the evening off to The Old Boot Inn, where there was a tableful, with Adele and Patrick, Delores, Debbie, Andy, Steve, Mandy, Chris and Julie. My first pint since last Friday, and it was all very cheerful and fun. Below Lorraine in the studio working on a pot. The drawing I posted yesterday with a little more love put into it, not perfect of course, but ...
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Spanglier and spanglier

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Up early, after breakfast, Lorraine went off to collect wee Enzo. I went down to life drawing, arriving early. Melissa said, Peter Kenny's not the last to arrive today . But then I found I'd not packed my specs so having to double back in the rain for them so I was last. Chiz, as Nigel Molesworth would have said. Enjoyable session, and a nice model. Feeling overwhelmingly that I need to try a different approach. What I'm doing isn't terrible but it feels constricted. Home in the teeming rain. Even I have had to admit we've had rain this month, although not as much as we would have had a few miles inland.  Spoke to Mum, who double-checked with the bank that nothing untoward had happened, after her contacting the US social security site about her widow's pension. Was greatly relieved about this. I am going to see her on Monday to sort this all out. Spent a happy hour or so with Lorraine and Enzo. Lorraine keeping him entertained with shakers and juggling. Later I...
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Tangles

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Lorraine off to Rhymetime this morning. I got on with trying to finalise the full poetry MS, and did a little more of the edit. Dived at by the bastard gull on the roof, going straight for my head and veering off a couple of yards away. It's hard not to take it personally, as it ignores Lorraine. To Joy and Jim for a cup of afternoon tea. Joy had a sort of cherry sponge cake of which I ate two slices like a starving dog. Lovely couple and a cheery chat. Lorraine talking lots about pottery, and they have lots of pottery in their house too. Joy is going to have a second hip replacement soon, so we are going to keep Jim topped up with milk and cakes while she is recovering nearby.  Home and I called Mum. She had a horrible day of getting herself in a tangle talking to the US Social Security people, and having to hold on for hours and not have her call returned and so on. She said she also made a payment, which I didn't understand and she couldn't explain. Eventually she found ...
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Page puzzling

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A day mostly to my own devices, as Lorraine off to her personal trainer, an afternoon of chat with Helen, and then to the pottery studio in Eastbourne.   I spent the day working on my poetry collection -- working title Did This Happen?  -- which is the complete poems about memory and its reliability and so on. Filled a gap this morning where a poem was wanted, by working up an fragment which seemed to fit. Printed the full MS out, with this new poem in it, and realised I'm not happy still with the order of the last few poems. Much exasperated head scratching, and puzzling. Eventually I went to the gym instead for a decent work out.  Also I began editing the podcast interview with Will Harris, which is in better shape than I had imagined.  A chat with Mum, she seems not to have been paid her US pension this month as usual. I am not seeing her tomorrow, but said I will be up on Monday to help her sort it out. Tired by the end of the day, physically and mentally. Below ...
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Gardening machines

A relaxed breakfast, kippers today, watching a video of Enzo playing enthusiastically with his wonderful new toys sent by Romy and Toby. It is perfect for where he is developmentally, with balls, and little spiral tracks, and flippy two-way doors and so on. Debbie contacted me saying she could teach me the grouting technique she uses on her stained glass, which removes the need for lead.  I spent an hour writing, and Lorraine did some piano practice, then we, with Lorraine at the Vanguard, turned into an unstoppable gardening machines.  Hefting sacs of compost, and sweltering in the green house potting up tomatoes, planting cucumbers into their summer beds, stringing canes, repotting cacti, and chillies and all kinds of things. Having to scatter snail pellets as the cucumber seedlings in the greenhouse have been slaughtered by them Later planting out celeriac, leeks and so on. I repaired briefly to the gym. Lorraine still working steadily on my return, so I joined in with more...
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Going Potty

A properly rainy day today, even in Seaford, which is a miracle.  After breakfast, and a bit of piano playing, and tinkering with the new 'Interlude' section of the full manuscript.   Lorraine and I drove off to Ceramics South East, held at the The Clay Studio at Herons Ghyll, featuring leading potters from Sussex, Kent and Surrey. It was full of amazing work, and we enjoyed mooching about talking to the potters, all of whom were seriously accomplished. An incredible array of excellent work. The only thing which I don't like much are the animals, pottery dogs etc. even when done expressively, leave me cold. Lorraine, a beginning potter, mooched about absorbing information and ideas and talking enthusiastically to people. She came away with some tools, a glaze, and a signed copy of a book about glazing. The site was in the middle of the countryside, and it was supposed to have been an open air event, but it had been moved inside. Nice coffee there too.  Then to Paradise Pa...
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Happy Friday

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A happy Friday, doing some actual writing this morning, which is very nice. To the gym at lunchtime, when Lorraine zoomed off to take Pat and Maureen fish and chips. I am enjoying being in the gym again. I am using my decades old neoprene knee support, which stops my knee clicking when I trundle on the cross trainer. I was reflecting that my knee support is probably over twice the age of many of the people around me. I am doing some more weights and upper body stuff, as this isn't currently a pretty sight. I am already beginning to notice a little less flabbiness, and it helps generally with health anxiety. If I can survive a workout, I might be less fragile than I think.   Met Lorraine at Gallery Uno, where Adele is having a show of her work, along with another artist called Liza Morton. I am really thrilled for Adele, who seems to be becoming a really accomplished artist in glass and other media before our eyes. To the Old Boot tonight. Adele and Patrick there for a bit, Chris an...
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Naughty poets at the back

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An Enzo for breakfast. Lorraine zooming off to the get the little lad first thing. I had a busy day, but enjoyed spending time with him in between going to my Life Drawing Class. A decent session this morning, I used coloured pencils and a pleasant woman model. Adele not there this morning as she was laying out her show at Gallery Uno. Sat next between a new bloke John, whose work I think is good, and Kate, who is always very accomplished and free and brilliant. Nice session.  Hurried home to see the wee boy, who has a new tooth and is full of beans generally. In the afternoon off to see Cóilín. When I got there I said I was sorry for her loss and gave her a kiss, and she went very quiet for a bit while the nurse settled me into the seat. But we had a lovely conversation about her dad for ten minutes after the scraping was done. Home and a bit of bouncing Enzo on my knee and then off to Brighton, where I went to the Walrus to see Robin, SJB, Stephen and Antony Mair. We went upstair...
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Bear in the Rain

To Hampstead, while Lorraine made off to Rhymetime in the Library. An easy journey this morning. Bumped into Jackie and Felicity from the life drawing class at Lewes, with a bunch of their mates off to see an art show in London. I slipped away and wrote some bits on my laptop. A rainy day, although not so much in Seaford.  Met Mum at a damp Hampstead station, and we repaired to the Old White Bear, in light rain. The shouty but friendly woman was there this time, her voice echoing in the emptiness. A nice chat with mum in our usual corner. They are doing sandwiches there again, and talked about going there with Toby. We shared a giant sourdough one with fish in it, with a side of chips. Mum didn't much enjoy it, but enjoyed the wine. Eventually a few souls crept in out of the rain, but to Mum's disappointment no Parson sighting.  Toddled back to the Hampstead station after a few hours. Fond farewells. A spot of train chaos so I reached home at 6:30. Having listened to a few of ...
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In an English garden waiting for the rain

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Heard some rain overnight. The weather app had promised hours of it, the reality was half an hour or so. I seem to be obsessed with rain these days. There has been so little of it here.   Had a good morning's work. Looking again at the full collection of poems, and putting it aside did me some good, as I saw a couple of rearrangements in the structure that might help it. Mainly I just want it done. Just a few bits in the final section to think about now. Also sent off a couple of poems for the first time since January, though I've not started a new poem for months now.  Lorraine home today, Pat and Maureen altogether better, and her personal trainer in Paris. After writing, I planted up some ground cover plants, using my knee pads, while Lorraine worked on pots, and went to pottery later in the evening. A walk in the evening, a giant thunder cloud to the north. Looking inland, the light was  low and bright, picking houses out against the dark backdrop.  Of the prom...
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A pinch and a punch

For the first of the month... Cooler night, and a comparatively wonderful night's sleep. Lorraine and I on the first of the month, in an unhurried fashion. This calm shattered by an alarming call from Maureen about Pat. Lorraine dropped everything mid breakfast and went around to see them. Pat ended the day with antibiotics for a chest infection.  I called Mum a bit later, and arranged to see her on Wednesday, she told me that Steve from the pub had been to Germany on holiday, and had two heart attacks, and was treated in hospital there. I was a  bit shocked to hear, this. He is back home now. Will meet Robin, Stephen B, and SJB on Thursday for a poet's get-together. Slightly put off my stroke this morning, so did mundane tasks: laundry, food shopping and going to the gym. Lorraine home after a full day, cooked a tasty aubergine dish  Watched Babylon 5 this evening, sipping sparkling water. The story arc is genuinely interesting. The weather forecast promises heavy rain o...
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