under another sun

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...

I spent the morning writing in a blur of productivity. I am feeling really happy with it all at the moment. Spent time with Lorraine in the studio, where she was doing pottery, but all the pots ended up being squished.  Off to Brighton this afternoon. Getting on the train at Seaford, I bumped into Adrian and Laura. Had a nice chat with them. Adrian asked me if my teeshirt was a fashion thing. No it was inside out. Later I put on my bifocals, and they simply collapsed with the lens and screw popping out. Luckily I found it. A  spot of shopping, and then a cheeky haircut. My teeshirt soaking with sweat after sitting under the little nylon cape, and on a leather chair for almost an hour. Tracy labouring in the heat, and some bloke back from Australia after splitting from his wife who wouldn't stop talking to him meant it all took much longer.  Home to change my teeshirt, and see Lorraine, who'd collected Enzo from nursery. The little boy very coldy. Beth and James were celeb...

A sweltering night, and only fitful sleep. An Enzo day, and his cold is much better. Lorraine off early and returned with the baby boy, and we spent much of the day indoors avoiding the peak of this incredible heatwave, 38.1C at Kew today. This is the fifth heatwave of the summer. It's beginning to remind me of Chad. A little cooler in Seaford but extremely uncomfortable, and barely any wind. Clothes are bone dry when we hang them outside in no time. Mum is managing as well as can be expected. But it is all getting too much for everyone. The heat also caused buckling on the train lines near Lewes. In the afternoon I heard the sirens of emergency vehicles and it seemed like a big shout. Turns out the Victoria to Eastbourne train had derailed and two people were seriously injured. Luckily the train was approaching Lewes so was moving fairly slowly.  A bit sobering  as this is the train from Lewes I catch to see Mum in London.  When not playing with Enzo I was frenziedly wri...

Infernally hot, which made me feel better about not seeing Mum today.  Also seven very itchy mosquito bites from somewhere. Otherwise I had another brilliant morning's work, until in the afternoon it was too hot to do much. Lorraine taking Pat off to Eastbourne this morning. He was sick on the way there and on the way back. Otherwise Maureen lurked with us in the back garden for a while, and enjoyed it there. At five thirty I made my way to Seaford Beach and went off to the Martello, where a large crowd had gathered, around a stand for Lewes Astronomical Society. Apparently they had a few safety glasses to look at the sun, but there were literally hundreds there, so some of the people giving them away was shouting in alarm due to the press of people. This sudden popular uprising of astronomers, seemed mad to me.  I sauntered along to Frankie's where I bumped into Steve and his friend Francesca. As I'd been walking along, I began to conceive of the idea of a cold drink of la...

At my desk shortly after seven, mad for poems. Had breakfast with Lorraine. Enzo isn't well today, so he is not going to Nursery. Instead Beth worked from here, and we played with the little lad, who has a summer cold. Adrian and Laura called round this morning, with lots of art magazines, that they have no room for. I think Adrain was a little sad to see them go. Sat in the back garden with Enzo and them, drinking coffee. Laura is phobic about butterflies, and there were loads of them today. Had a chat about phobias, in which of course I have a personal interest.  Then they left, I worked all morning, and broke off at around two for lunch. Had an hour's sleep in the afternoon, as I am feeling a bit throaty and tired. Glorious that I can simply do that if I fancy it.  Playing with the little boy this afternoon. He is almost standing and was leaning against the gold sofa and standing for ages. He is always asking me to pick him up. It is very sweet. Lorraine off to her pottery ...

Neither of us felt fresh as daisies after a sweltering night and yesterday's boozes. Assembling poems like a maniac this morning. Marvellous fun. The project so far called So What, You're Weird Too .  To the gym this lunchtime to make up for the sausages and beer snarfed on the beach. Very enjoyable, and I was able to get on the lat pull machine this time. Home and a bit more writing, before meeting Lorraine in Morrisons. I think I am weird because I love shopping with Lorraine. Home and I made a rather excellent veggie chilli. I put nutmeg, cumin and lots of black pepper in mine, as well as fresh chillies and chilli powder.  No Babylon 5. We urgently need a new supply of people dressed as aliens, plus spaceships. An early night. Started re-reading R.S. Thomas in bed. I love his stuff.  A sweaty out of focus selfie on the cross trainer in the gym. That's two selfies in two days. A record.

Now that the One Day Forever material has been swept away for future publication, a pamphlet's worth of funnier material is miraculously assembling. In Brian Eno's A Year With Swollen Appendices , he reports advice given to him by his friend Stewart Brand: 'Why don’t you assume you’ve written your book already, and all you have to do now is find it?’ I love this thought.  After a morning of enthusiastic work, we made off for the beach this afternoon, going via Morrisons. We ended up near Splash Point end, where we met Rosie and Innis, Adrian and Laura. A jolly afternoon barbecue, with several drinks and splash in the channel. I barely screamed at all getting into it, as it was the warmest channel dip I'd ever taken. Still quite refreshing. Utterly relaxed this afternoon. Now I know Adrian and Laura better, I'm really liking them. Home and Lorraine and I watched the last two episodes of Babylon 5. Lorraine and I bereft now. It was a brilliant show. Five (including P...

I wrote freely and with some gusto this morning. At lunchtime Lorraine gave me a lift to the gym, before she collected Betty and they made off to Eastbourne to see a musical theatre show Project Mincemeat, which they both loved. I went to the gym, passing Blatchington Pond which is now drying out. It's like the sub Sahara here.  I enjoyed the gym, apart from  the giant shouldered man who arriving at the lat pull machine two seconds before me, squatted on it like a toad till I had to go. Bah. Home and relaxed. Chatted to Mum. Apparently it is going to be incredibly hot again next week. So we will have to take a view on what happens to our plan to meet at the White Bear on Wednesday.   Into the garden to pick plums from the tiny tree and this time they turned out to be worm free. The jam, three jars of it, set nicely and tasted fine. I always feel a real sense of achievement about making jam, I don't know why. Then I put together a quick stir fry and L and I happily scarfed...

To London this morning, arrived at Mum's about 12:30. A noticeably more relaxed mood on the train on a Friday morning. When I arrived at Mum's her table spread out with lots of papers relating to the tax form. With the help of Chat GPT, I completed it after a harrowing couple of hours. Our trip to the Waggon and 'Orses was thwarted though by the intermittent fault on her seatbelt. It had locked and wouldn't extend, Ben had looked at it for her, but the problem has returned.   Instead we sauntered up the sunny back streets to the McDonald's, which is a drive through as well as restaurant. Having swerved McDonald's for decades it was a bit of a novelty for me. Mum had a cheeseburger, and I ordered a McCrispy chicken burger with fries. Mum said you can order from a person, so I ignored all the screens and spoke to a young human who cheerily brought the meal to our table. It was clean, and once the foghorn voices of the women and children behind Mum had left, almost...

Enzo this morning, then with Enzo, Lorraine and I went around to Pat and Maureen's where Handy Kate was going to do some work in their flat. Lorraine drove Pat and Maureen home, and I pushed the wee boy home. On the way back I saw that Melissa was doing her art installation from her window, so we stopped to see her. Enzo being shy. Melissa sitting by a sign she'd made saying The Department of Boundaries is now closed.  As were chatting a woman, with some kind of special needs came by and started going through her tray of things. I couldn't stay long as I we had to get back. A day of looking after folks, playing with Enzo, making Pat and Maureen teas and so on. I did have a little time to think here and there.  We took Pat and Maureen back, and spent an hour or so settling Pat down, as he'd had a toilet accident. The love and care Maureen and Lorraine give him is heartwarming.  Was able to call Mum too, to confirm I'm coming up tomorrow. Home and I cooked a curry fo...

Up at my desk, and sent the file of One Day Forever to Wolfgang first thing. Breakfast with Sue and John, then off to Bateman's, where Rudyard Kipling had lived. John wanted to drive, in his electric car, so that was nice. Lots of road diversions and we found ourselves going down all kinds of tight country lanes. Bateman's itself was lovely. Gorgeous but sun parched gardens, little rivers and an old mill. The house itself first built in 1634, he wrote Kim there, and he clearly had already made huge sums from his writing, enough to buy this country pile and finance a Rolls Royce habit. I have read The Light That Died, and versions of the Jungle Book and Kim. But there's clearly more to explore, including poetry. An easier drive back. Once home, John preoccupied by charging his car at Morrisons. I barbecued a chicken and some sausages. I had put the funnel with the burning charcoal onto one of the concrete tiles of the patio and the concrete loudly exploded a circle shattered...

Up early, after a horrible night's sleep. Lorraine to her personal trainer, and then popped around to see Pat and Maureen. I worked a bit on the acknowledgements section of the book, then made off to the gym, and was back in time to have a cheeky shower before Sue and John arrived with Whiskey dog, who was on exemplary behaviour. We had a happy evening chatting in the garden, drinking some cold drinks. And then it rained. Like fifty or sixty invisible gnats spitting on us for a minute, and then it was all over.  It was much cooler this evening, thankfully.  Lorraine cooked a nice flan for our dinner. Whiskey behaving in an exemplary manner. Lovely to catch up, hearing about weddings and travels and so on. Everyone tired at the end of the day. 

A text from Mum just as I was getting up, saying it was dangerously hot today, and maybe I shouldn't travel. I agreed, as six hours travelling in the stifling heat left something to be desired. She had the gas engineers looking at her boiler this morning.  Anyway, after yesterday's paranoia, I decided to send Wolfgang a letter. Shortly after, bedraggled with heat, having returned home, I received an email from him. What a palaver, and I wished I hadn't sent the letter too. Bang goes any impression of insouciance. I've got to have a word with myself. I spent happy time in the day putting finishing touches to the MS.  Otherwise it was uncomfortably hot and humid. Lorraine spent much of the day with Pat and Maureen, and Delores. Sylwia came today too, to make things presentable for Sue and John.  Still no rain in the forecast. Sweltering humid night, but the drought goes on. It barely looks like England.   

Today I discovered Wolfgang did not receive my reply to his book offer. His inbox had been over quota, so my email was not delivered. I discovered the notification in my spam folder. It's perfect anxiety dream stuff: you are blocked from accepting what you've worked for years to achieve. I had thought it a bit odd I'd not received a reply. And now I know why. So I resent the email, and am going also to post him a letter. Only this email has gone astray, all year. I expect it will all be okay, but bloody hell, not to mention all the other kinds of hell. In other news, it was enervatingly hot with no end in sight.  Lorraine was kept awake with a really painful hip. A spasming muscle, probably caused by hefting people around. She was in pain all day despite stretches on the floor and so on. Despite this, we had a purposeful morning, tidying, preparing the guest room for Sue and John who are arriving on Tuesday. Under Lorraine's supervision I drilled two holes in the bathro...

Seized the opportunity for a quiet day. Next week is busy for us. Lorraine repaired to the studio and worked on her pottery, but returned frustrated after several hours as nothing had worked properly and she had to recycle everything. The life of an artist. I tidied my study! I filed, put books back on shelves, rationalised files on my trusty old computer and dusted my desk. There is nothing more appealing than a clean and tidy desk. While listening to Jazz saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders. I discovered a late album made in 2021, a year before he died, called  Promises.  It features Pharaoh with   a UK  electronic musician called Floating Points and the London Symphony Orchestra. A lush mix of minimal ambient and jazz. Also heard his album  Pharaoh . I first heard Pharaoh Sanders, who was an acolyte of John Coltrane, on Alice Coltrane's albums. Also read London Magazine ... A Catalan issue, which I'd file under the not for me category: some decent poetry and a woefu...

Up early and into my study with a new sense of purpose. Began looking at a story that was rejected last week, but with a highly encouraging note from the editor. Also the idea that if One Day Forever is being published, that tidies away quite a few poems, leaving room for the new project.  Being me, my mind is busy creating a thousand reasons why it will all go wrong, but I just have to ignore them. I have been contacting people slowly, as I feel superstitious about it. But today I let Carl and Bob know.   Penny came round this morning, to spend some time with Lorraine. I spoke to her for a while. Her mother died recently, and she is naturally still sad. She was very kind and congratulated me on the book. They made off into Seaford, for a bite to eat, and I had a much-needed gym session. I seem to have put on weight since Monday.  Spoke to Mum, who was fine, although there is a small problem with the car that Ben is helping her with.  In the evening, when Lorraine w...