under another sun

A good breakfast, and met the other owner, Ian, who shared his opinions at great length as we ate our breakfast. Lorraine and I off to Portobello Promenade which is a stretch of Edinburgh seaside. Cool and sunny this morning. A strange quite evocative place, with dogs and dog owners scampering about on it, we watched a dog steal food out of a family's bag on the beach before making off. Quite a few OAP homes there too, so quite a few folks progressing in chairs or on walking frames getting their fresh air for the day. We sat outside a cafe and had cups of rapidly cooling coffee. Then back into Town, where the weather was still clear and sunny. A mooch in the beautiful Princes Street Gardens, and then into a gallery where among other paintings we saw the famous Monarch of the Glen, which I always thought a bit of a cheesy image, but was quite impressive in real life. Walked up to the Grassmarket where we bought Sian a present for her birthday, then popped randomly into a cheap c...

Off to Edinburgh trundling down to Preston Park, and then off to St Pancras, then crossing the road, we had a coffee and boarded the train to Edinburgh. A long journey, fairly pleasant too, with us talking to two characterful older women sitting next to us. Hours of the journey was taken up with playing Sherlock Holmes in great detail. We finally got to the end of the first case, and Lorraine decided we had solved most of it. Also played DinoDump, the card came with pictures of dinosaurs and dinosaur poop on it, slightly mystifying the two ladies next to us, one of whom in particular had led a colourful life in the US and well into her seventies, now having moved up to Scotland. We arrived at Waverley Station in the dark at around tea time, and caught a cab to Kew House on Kew Terrace, a pleasant Bed and Breakfast and we were greeted by Alan, a friendly and loquacious gentleman who explained how to hail a cab and other information useful to martians. A good clean and comfortable room...

Very exciting news for me, as I dipped into my spam file and found a gobsmacking note from Gregory in New York accepting all 24 poems of my poetry sequence  Sin Cycle to be published by e ratio . Rather chuffed at this, to say the least. With very little poetry action this year, I thought my bardic days were behind me, but apparently one astute and independently minded editor in NYC thinks not. I really like Sin Cycle, but have not found anyone willing to take it on here. As its name suggests Sin Cycle is a bit sweaty, nasty, funny in parts, has fictional elements and is dealing with a version of masculinity not in tune with these sheepish, risk-averse times in publishing. Wrote to Robin, whose birthday it was today, and Sarah and Charlotte to thank them again for their help with this MS. Otherwise, Lorraine went into to work this morning, and spent a few hours with Beth having treatments in the health club. I tidied up my desk, literally and metaphorically, then mooc...

Felt inspired and optimistic this morning, after my recent conversations. I began with the idea of reinventing what I am doing business wise, and had many ideas. Felt good and suddenly as if I were on the front foot again -- had lots of ideas and spent the morning hammering them down. Down to Preston Park this morning and off to Hassocks, a wretched delay meant I had to hurry from Hassocks station to arrive at Clayton Woods natural burial site, where Janet and Ken's ashes were going to be laid side by side. I met Madeline, Hus, Reem, May, Bren, Sonia and Ray there. Rod and Clare, Caroline, Nick and Sandie and a few other grandchildren and grand nieces. We had squelched our way to the small square grave, when it was clear Anne Lamacraft had been very much delayed, so it being a very informal affair, Madeline and I zoomed off in Madeline's car to collect her. Not seen Anne for many years. The ceremony was self conducted, but quite pleasant, those who wanted put earth on the s...

A lovely time with Catherine and Tanya who we met in The Bath Arms for lunch. Unusually chaotic there with a bull in a china shop man serving the tables, who dropped our tray of beers on the floor next to us, soaking my shoes and trousers. The food was microwaved, and none of the desserts advertised were on. However the company was excellent. Lots of good chats. From there we went to a new ice cream place where we had some rather delicious ice cream and coffee. Here I was talking about the idea of putting together some kind of course, and Catherine and Tanya were so positive about me, and so full of helpful and encouraging suggestions that it was far better than any therapy session, and I came out of it with a rapidly emerging alternative path ahead of me. It was brilliant to talk to them, and of course Lorraine was as supportive as ever. So all in all a lovely time for me. Home, and I took the sodden clothes from the washing machine to the launderette, and then after I returned, spe...

Lorraine and I celebrated six years of being wed today. A slow start with cards and breakfast in bed, and as the day was rainy and uninviting, we lurked at home. Beth off to London for a party today. Lorraine and I even playing the Sherlock Holmes game. Then we walked in the rain down to Mediterraneo for a romantic Sicilian meal for two. The food there is gorgeous, and we shared a bottle of wine that was as lovely as the stuff we were lapping up on Sicily with Toby and Romy. A judicious cab home that took us round Sark to get to Home, but at least we were dry. A lovely time, and back in time for Match of the Day.

Up with the mantra of getting s*** done this morning, and I worked with decided purpose. Sent off Snowfall to a potential publisher. I have four new short stories out in the world at the moment. And I  worked through a list of things that must be done. Walked down to the Marwood after lunch to chat with Rosie's pal Julia Gillick. Julia working for an organisation that coordinates training, and it was intriguing. The site itself is called Eequ, and is a bit all over the place with no proper branding etc, but the idea of what if I were to do a training course, might that look like was quite compelling. Had a nice cup of tea and a weird bagel containing smarting chilli flakes. I suggested I could help with their branding. A nice saunter home, pausing to buy a big bunch of flowers for Mrs Kenny as we are married six years tomorrow. A chat with Sonia before she zoomed off and I finished off my bits and pieces for the week. A peaceful Friday night in, Lorraine very cheerful having r...

Pouring rain again for lots of the day. Working on Snowfall my new story this morning, now almost finished. To the gym through mild drizzle at lunchtime and then walked back through the puddly park. Discovered a very early black and white Disney film on YouTube called Silly Symphonies The Skeleton Dance  from 1929 which made me laugh out loud. The versions on you tube is very poor quality though. I'd love to see a proper version of it. There is a later colour skeleton dance here . Lorraine and I listening to music tonight, one more day before half term. Below there is a bit where all the skeletons break apart and join together again which is particularly disturbing. A glimpse of a puddly park.

Up early and doing a little work for my French amis this morning, before I got back to writing my latest short stories. I am not sure I have known a period of such fluency in writing before, and I am just getting it all down while I can.  To Brighton station, after a chat with Beth, who is not feeling well today, via my pharmacy. Simply handed a bag of drugs there, and paid nowt. One of the benefits of being older. NHS God bless it. In the afternoon I went to London, popping into Tate London near Victoria, and had a quick zoom around the Blake exhibition, and looked too at a giant installation by Mark Leckey, whose work I have liked a good deal before, called O' Magic Power of Bleakness. I felt I did not do either exhibition justice as I was in and out quickly. I will reserve judgement. There was loads of work in the Blake, really comprehensive exhibition.  I did squeeze in time for a pot of Earl Grey and a flapjack in the members only area upstairs though.  Fro...

Up early after an utterly wretched night's sleep. But gradually got over it, fixing up a bean jar which cooked pleasantly all day, sending its aromatic fingers up to my study. Bet out this evening, but Lorraine and I tucked into a bowlful with some chewy brown bread and, in my case, lots of white pepper. Delicious. I made it with beef this time. A lovely walk at lunchtime down to Waterstones, where I spent the book token Anne had given me for my birthday. Enjoyed browsing, and brought paperback collections of short stories by Richard Matheson, Franz Kafka and Danilo Kiš. Then I sauntered down to the sea, which was calmer than I have seen it for some time. Beautiful day. Walked back too, and through the park. One of those days in which it is good to be alive. Worked on my stories, Snowfall is my new one, and it is going very well. I also found a story I had written back in the 80s called Silverfish! -- this is not really fixable as it is, but some of the ideas are good and weird...

A domestic day. Little to report. Beth sorting through her stuff still, and Lorraine helping her. I did laundry, and took it around the corner to dry which was good clean fun. Read lots and wrote some of my own stuff, and carried things. Roast chicken tonight.

I worked on a story this morning, as Lorraine off to get her hair cut. She arrived home with Beth, and then there was a session of moving the things from Beth's flat, which got put into the living room temporarily, to other places around the house. Everyone felt a lot better once this got underway, despite a fair amount of carrying organising required. I was quite happy to have a quiet night in tonight.

Pouring again just before dawn, and storm-dodging down to Preston Park station to catch a train at ten and up to London to meet Mum. I was early at Sloane Square station, so I mooched down Kings Road to the Waterstones bookshop. A slightly askance response from the manageress, as if Horror were a bad thing. Back to Sloane Square and met mum and then hopped onto a curtesy bus and went across the river to the Affordable Art Fair. Very busy. Lots of lovely work there but it tends towards the decorative,  although there were a few bits that took my fancy. Pleased to see Maria Rivans work doing well there, especially as I type this looking at my Maria Rivans original. Stopped off midway at an island and bought a fizz and gin cocktail of some sort, and we chatted, and then Mum chatted to the young kissing couple opposite. Then more art. We paused before a useless abstract and were looking at it in disbelief when one of the exhibitors came over and said 'It's beautiful, isn't it...

Quietly getting on with things. Just raining for fun at the moment, every day a deluge. Spent much of the day doing final edits on my story 'The Meat It Feeds On' and then submitting it.  The story is about jealousy, and cops a bit of Willy the Sheik from Othello, the green eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.  Feeling of satisfaction sending this bad boy off. Fingers crossed. Lorraine meanwhile was meeting the Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall with several children from the school as she was visiting Bolney wine estates. A small party of children were allowed to meet her, and present her with flowers. Luckily Lorraine didn't punch her in the arm and say, I know it's you Jane! Otherwise I simply sloped off to the gym in the afternoon for assorted some physical jerks. Reading the new notice in the changing room about recent thefts there, I put my wallet into my shorts pocket. While on the cross trainer I simply rested it on the console, then left it there...

Working long and hard on editing two of my stories, The Hounding , and The Meat It Feeds On , and writing the first draft of a new short one called Snowfall . Other bits and pieces too, and sent a manuscript, rather speculatively, off to Gregory in New York. There is something, I have decided, which is very empowering about being 60. It's damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead. Loving reading my book of Ray Bradbury short stories at night. Lorraine coldy and tired at night. I started to read a story but she was asleep in about 30 seconds.

Monday. Back to teetotalism and calorie counting. Battened down the hatches and made lists for my ancient self to work on. All nice things to do, apart from my accounts and stuff like that. Lorraine off to work early. Beth making phone calls and sorting stuff like water bills out before setting off to work in the afternoon. A sense of folding back into my desk. On the buff and polish stage of two stories, The Hounding , and The Bestie, which is now called The Meat It Feeds On.  I read short stories by Algernon Blackwood, Ray Bradbury and Thomas Ligotti. Anton called to discuss the blackwing pencils he had bought me. They are very nice. I sense the dawn of a new stationery obsession. As the day was rainy and uninviting I just popped out once or twice to local shops. Lorraine home with a cold and feeling poorly after work. An early night for all.

Up feeling slightly fragile after a lively night yesterday. Off on the bus to Hove to see Rosie my near astrological twin, plus one day and a truckload of years, whose birthday is today. Innis, Eve, Emily and Tim, Phoebe and Lyra and Sue, Rosie's mum and Pippi the dog. Rosie and Innis house sitting for a friend and taking care of a chirpy little budgie that had a fly around at one point outside of his cage. There was also a bubble tank with a solitary red Betta Splendens in it. We had breakfast of pancakes and croissants and fruit and lots of coffee, and even a few sips of bubbly. All very pleasant. Made Lorraine and I both wonder why we don't meet people more for brunches. It is very civilised. Home again by bus, and a degree of snoozing and generally regrouping before we made off to the Preston Park Tavern, to meet Anne and Anton and Klaudia and Oskar. A nice roast there and a splash of wine and a Guinness or two. Lots of nice cards and presents for me, three books a...

A truly excellent birthday today. Tea and breakfast in bed, and a slow start. Many birthday messages coming to me from lots of folks, including Tobs and Mum. At no point did I feel like screaming sixty! at myself repeatedly in a mirror. It is, like all these so called big birthdays, much better to be it than be on the cusp of it. Maureen sent me a huge and slightly tormenting badge with 60 on it and phoned to wish me a happy birthday. It was however raining steadily all day, so Lorraine had planned a short walk in the country but we biffed that, and went onto phase two, which was afternoon tea at the elegant (if David Lynch sounding)  South Lodge , which was like a tasting menu of lovely but bad things, gorgeous little sandwiches and patisserie and scones and all the tea you could drink. It was lovely stuff and a hold onto your hat sugar rush. A short regroup at home, and then Dawn came to collect Beth, Lorraine and I off to the Bottom's Rest for thali dishes and several beers...

A quiet Friday, just what is needed for a gentleman living, as Lorraine pointed out, the last day of my fifties. Did some billing to my French clients, who payed later in the day, which is kind of unheard of. Ate little during the day, and had a nice little curry tonight with Lorraine and an early night. Chatted to Sonia, and worked on my various projects. Rather mentally exhausted by the end of the day.

Up early, with Lorraine, who scuttled off early. Beth off for another day of flat clearing. I worked quietly in the morning, and then went to the gym. Did my usual round of lightish weights and then started on the cross trainer. After about four minutes stabbing chest pains began, which I put down to indigestion. After a few minutes of this I made myself rather alarmed, to the extent I climbed off the cross trainer and mooched towards my doctor's surgery which, now it has moved happens to be across the road. However by the time I got near its door I was fine, and then burped, curing everything. I went straight back to the gym feeling sheepish, and picked up where I left off.  Lorraine home a bit early today, and we had a nice chat before I travelled to Lewes on a windy night to the needle makers reading. There were four readers among them Clare Best, and Robert Hamberger, both of whom were excellent. Another chap read prose, and there was a woman reading the sort of poems I find...

Up and attending to various tasks first thing. Beth starting a couple of days of evil flat clearing, poor thing. On the train up to London I felt briefly like a proper writer, with three recent stories published, Magnificent Grace on Kindle, and today was contacted by someone doing a Guernsey-based anthology. I made off to London today, to meet Mum in the Salisbury for a bite to eat and a few drinks. Great to see her of course, and we had fun chatting and did lots of reminiscing. She gave me a lovely hardback copy of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and quoted a few thing from it. It was an excellent present. I was bemoaning being as old as 60 in a few days, and then I said it must be worse to have a son of 60. 'Good job I had you when I was twelve,' she said. Fond farewells at Embankment station, and then I headed back to Preston Park just in time to beat the 4.00pm deadline when my super off peak saver would no longer work. Lorraine and Beth back at the same time, and we h...

Magnificent Grace related activities most of the day, and also doing some other work on the short story The Hounding which is taking a while to get right. Apart from my walk I worked like some kind of workaholic dog on various bits. Mentioned Magnificent Grace on facebook, and got a lovely response from many people. Lorraine home very late tonight, and Beth was late too, and she and I went to the Preston Park Tavern for a quick drink and a chat, and then were joined by Lorraine a bit later. It was a nice end to the day. A cobweb blowing walk up to Hollingbury Hillfort today, through the scraps of woods around the golf course. Saw strange, somewhat magical decorations around a particular tree, found the triangulation point on top of the hill, and snapped this view.

Up with the larks this morning, as Lorraine set off very early. The dawn was rosy, and I looked out at our pebbly garden and everything looked slightly pink. Worked quietly from a bit before seven till lunchtime, then went to the gym. I need to do things every day now into the foreseeable future to promote Magnificent Grace. Getting the ball rolling will take steady effort. I will give it that. Ellie putting the cover on her instagram and facebook with a link to Amazon which is excellent. I discovered an album by Joan Armatrading called Into The Blues recorded in 2007, and love it. Apparently it topped the blues charts in the US for weeks. Enjoyed watching a documentary about her on TV the other day. It reminded me yet again how her 1976 album, just called Joan Armatrading , is one of my all time favourites. It was given to me by school friends as a birthday present for my 17th birthday. I went to see her live in the seventies too. Lorraine and Beth home from various works and we ...

Up after a good night's sleep. Beth and her pals Emily and Eliza fragile after a long and lively night, and needing breakfast. Otherwise a fairly quiet day. Went for a walk in the park with Lorraine and excitingly dried clothes in the launderette. While sitting about in the kitchen this afternoon, Lorraine and I started playing the Sherlock Holmes game that Anton had lent us. Involved lots of reading, and thinking about clues, which led to drinking some wine the girls had brought us. A nice interlude.  Match of the Day was watchable tonight too, with Chelsea winning, and the bonus of the Manchesters City and Utd both losing. Spoke to Toby, who said there was a strike affecting his school tomorrow. My dratted phone ran out of power as we talked. More stressing this morning over getting the layout right for the kindle book. But it is now okay I think. After I texted Ellie this morning, she finally revealed to Carl that she had done the cover for Magnificent Grace. He was really...

Saturday morning, and Lorraine and I eventually got up and took Calliope to the vet. My cat was not herself, and barely even yowled in the car with any feeling. Luckily the vet says that it seems nothing is broken, but she has strained her shoulder, (there was a point when she pressed Calliope's shoulder and got a definite response yelp). We came away with painkillers, and I felt reassured. Into town this afternoon, Lorraine with a bit of shopping to do. I went to the barbers and got a trim, and generally caught up a bit on football gossip from the chaps there. All in a good mood as the day's early kick off had resulted in a surprise 3-0 victory for Brighton over Spurs, whose team, the sages of Clippers said some of the Spurs team had been fighting over a woman. Afterwards Lorraine and I mooched to Sainsbury's and laden down, cabbed home. A quiet night in tonight, Lorraine absolutely shattered after the week. Beth home and joined by Emily and Eliza, getting ready for a ...

Working like a dawg today, getting Amazing Grace uploaded onto Amazon, and so on. Didn't quite get it all right, and more to do. Reading Supernatural Tales, some really good work in there by other people. I look at my story, and see so many things I would like to tweak. I am beginning to realise that the stories that end up being published are not too rigorously edited. The only changes made in my story by the editors was to change all the speech marks to old school double ones, and remove italicisation. Supernatural tales is available on amazon here . A happy evening. Lorraine returned in one piece from the Isle of Wight. I had missed her. It was weird to wake up in the night being outnumbered by cats. And speaking of cats, Calliope now limping badly, so I made an appointment at Top Cats tomorrow. Worried about her.  however with my glass people. Went off to new friends Sally and Marek's apartment on the seafront in Kemptown, there we met Adele and Patrick, Yvonne and...

Up and working on some stuff that I'd been sent from mes amis in Paris. Then setting up a landing page for the book, which meant  rebuying skeltonyawngrave.com, creating a skeltonyawngrave twitter account , and generally getting things organised for the kindling of the kids book. Anton called to wish me happy poetry day, and have a chat. Beth in for a bit today, going to bed this morning, and then out again this afternoon back to work. Brief chat with Lorraine, her time on the isle of wight going well. Feeling tird by the end of the day, and went to bed early after watching a BBC broadcast documentary about the Spitfire and episodes of Dear White People on Netflix. Calliope suddenly limping this evening. She had been slightly funny on her foot a day or so before that but had been happily haring about the house between then and now. Somewhat concerned about her. A bracing walk late in the afternoon, up to the top of Hollingbury, looking down on the steely blue sea. Due to my...

The thud this morning of my copy of Supernatural Tales coming through the letter flap, with my story The Inheritors in. Takes up 14 pages. Not taken up 14 pages of any meatspace publication before, and it was a very good feeling. Feeling cheerful, and far less queasy today. Working on some work for the French agency first thing, which was then cancelled as their client had decided to design the whole thing himself. Slightly despairing note from Val but I was able to support her a bit. Then able to do work on my own bits and pieces, and then I was sent with some stuff to do tomorrow. In the evening slipped off the desk manacles and walked off to see Anton for a cheeky drink at eight. We met outside the Shakespeare's Head, but there was a quiz night on so we went to a couple of other places, and ended up in The Evening Star, drinking beer similar to the kind he was drinking in Dresden recently. Anton liked the beer,  but didn't love the clientele of beardy and sandal-sportin...

Unpleasantly surprised by a bout of  bad diarrhoea and a generally queasiness this morning. Cancelled an afternoon coffee with Chris, and instead worked all day and most of the night as whatever it was righted itself.  A year today since Janet died -- and notes back and forth to Madeline, assorted Canadians and Goodwins. All in all though, a much better day than the one I had this time last year. Weird to wake up in the night, without Lorraine. She had been zip wiring, and the trip is going well.