under another sun

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...

Up and finalising the manuscript for a new pamphlet I've been writing in a frenzy for the last few weeks. For better or worse it is done, and I just have to send it off now. Another private feeling of accomplishment. I've entered it into a competition so nothing much more to do with it for the time being, as the results won't be announced till next year. Then I went to the gym, now that I am over my cold. Enjoyed it. Lorraine busy, taking Pat to Eastbourne this morning. Then she brought Maureen home. In preparing a lunchtime bite for us all, I went to the glasshouse and picked a particularly gnarled, knobbly cucumber with prickles, which I showed to Maureen who was appalled by it and refused to believe it was a cucumber. She ate some of it though. A long chat with Maureen this afternoon, after she'd had an afternoon doze. It gives her a bit of a break when Pat goes off for the day, and Pat seems to enjoy it. When  Lorraine drove off to Eastbourne to collect Pat in the a...

Occasional bursts of torrential rain from about 4 am -- and excited by more heavy rain this morning. Love it. I wore long trousers for the first time in months. My writing is still flowing and it would be absurd not to just go with that flow.  Lorraine took Enzo for a swimming lesson this morning, which he enjoyed greatly, and so did Lorraine. Other than writing, I made some more plum jam. I added too much pectin, so the jam is quite thick, but spreadable. It tastes good though, and I chucked in a cinnamon stick while it was cooking, and lots of lemon.  Then, as Enzo seems mad for transport, especially cars, we took him on a train ride to Lewes, which he quite enjoyed. We had a quick drink in a cafe, and brought him back again. He was very interested in the journey and in our fellow passengers.

It was raining in the early hours of the morning, and it rained on and off most satisfactorily until midday. Wonderful rain in just the right amount. At 8am I opened the kitchen door to enjoy the aromas of the petrichor. The rain seems almost miraculous after months of drought. A cold this morning, sneezing and snuffling somewhat. I had to cancel seeing Brian, as the last thing he needs is a cold a few days before his knee op. Although I wasn't feeling physically wonderful, I had a wonderful day's writing.  Lunch with Lorraine, while Beth and Enzo were here. They'd been swimming this morning. Beth said Enzo has no fear and swims happily underwater. Then an afternoon nap.  Afterwards editing a story I'd written about seven years ago, but hadn't been able to sort out. Have the feeling I am a better writer now, and what I needed to do was crystal clear. This is sort of exhilarating. Chatted to Mum. Lorraine and I in the garden before dinner, picking tomatoes and green ...

Up early to go to Hampstead. Moisture in the air, a light, minuscule drops that didn't darken the pavement or my shirt.  Had to travel via Brighton after the crash on the Lewes line. The train stopped on the viaduct in Brighton, and I got a view of Preston Park, which was baked earth between the trees. Did some editing of poems on the train, but began to feel out of sorts on the way up to Hampstead. I have a bit of a cold, which I hope I didn't give to Mum.  Muggy in Hampstead. I met Mum at the station as usual, and we toddled down to the Old White Bear, which we both like as our special meeting place. Her amigos at the Waggon seem to have abandoned that place, and perhaps drink elsewhere. Toby called me while we were in the Bear, saying he hadn't been able to reach Mum, but they said hello. We sat in a different seat today, with views of different bears, as interlopers had moved into our usual corner, and we had our usual fare, pea and lovage soup for Mum, and a sourdough ...

Lorraine and Beth taking Enzo off to his hospital appointment today. It seems he has a condition where certain foods, such as cows milk, react badly with him, not immediately but in half an hour or so. It's a kind of juvenile protein intolerance, which should right itself as he grows up. Beth, Lorraine and Enzo spent time with Pat and Maureen after, with Lorraine not returning till five. A quiet day for me, I heard from Robin, spoke to Mum, and worked intermittently at writing. Yvonne contacted me. She will have extensive nursing duties when Brian gets back from hospital after his knee replacement. I arranged to see Brian later in the week. I also went to the gym and had a good workout, to sweatily atone for the weekend wrongs.  Lorraine got to the bottom of her mysterious shoulder rash. From the greenhouse, brushing against cucumber leaves.  

Up and about feeling a bit jaded. The sky somewhat overcast today, but with no rain. Soon Lorraine was driving us off to Mark and Carol's house, down country lanes three miles outside Lewes. Peter and Julie had already arrived, and Mark was soon matter-of-factly hosing the barbecue with lighter fluid to get it going, and soon he was busy cooking big prawns and salmon and burgers and sausages, add these to excellent salads and plenty of beer and good conversation and it was a happy afternoon. Their garden was a kind of English idyll, with established apple trees, and burgeoning flower beds. Cheery banter about children and grandchildren and so on, Mark telling the story of how the actor Bob Hoskins admired his Dame, when he was dressed in drag as part of the local theatre group in support of  a charity, and everyone pleased for me when I mentioned the book, Mr Hoibak shaking me warmly by the hand.   We all left around 7, and on returning home, I simply sat about on the gold sof...

Enzo first thing. Sitting between us on the bed. All very sweet. I fed him this morning with his breakfast mashed Weetabix and blueberries, after he'd shown no interest in it half an hour before. Beth and James called round and hung out chatting while the bambino had a nap. We are going to go to France soon for a cheeky week.   Lorraine potting again today, and having a much needed day of downtime. Chatted to Mum to decide on what day I'm seeing her. I went to the gym, then I made off in the evening to Brighton to meet up with Anton.    A lot to discuss. Work has been hell and it has been making him consider his options. We mooched about in Brighton, shooting the breeze. He said he had found a YouTube video of Psychobilly band called Guano Batz, that had played in the Klub Foot in the Albany pub in 1987. It had been close to  Hammersmith Station, but long gone now. He had found film of himself in the crowd. It's like time travel.  We stopped at an Afghani take a...