Into the Open Houses

Bleary start to the day caused, in my mind at least, entirely by Brian insisting we drink some unidentified and unspeakable concoction in The Eddy.

In the morning met up with Anton, who said he felt like a hobo. He was wearing his big coat and pushing a pram with two babies and laden with a rucksack and black plastic bags full of duvets. We walked slowly up the steep hill of Guildford Road like a hungover Frodo and Sam clambering up Mount Doom.

Back out into the blustery morning with Anna, Brian and the babies to the cafe in the park where we all had breakfast. The adults moderately subdued. But the bubble-and-squeak, and cup of splosh eventually proved quite helpful. Klaudia very happy and helpfully adding vinegar, tomato sauce etc to my food and, once outside, revelling in puddles and the swings. Young Oskar very well behaved too.

Lively weather today. Blue skies alternating with hail, rain and gales.

Janet and I spent a happy afternoon driving around Brighton looking at the art in the Open Houses. Very enjoyable nosing about as usual, a big variety of work on display, and some very good work here and there. I got a nice cushion in one place, but sadly found nothing to match the box of owls I scored last time. Back to Janet's house where Ken had been preparing some beef. Had a tasty meal and wine and lots of chatting, Janet as usual giving me some sound advice, and leaving me thoughtful about strategies for my work in the future.

Below Klaudia in a puddle with baked bean juice on her face, and a Brighton seagull about its bad business.