under another sun

Having already uploaded my Skelton video last night, I had a freer day. I wrote some overdue emails to Robin and Richard and Jane and a quick congratulations note to Charlotte whose new collection, The Girl Who Cried arrived yesterday. Had a quick whizz through and they are magnificent poems. Then went for a long walk. A brisk, cool wind, but the air is noticeably fresher than usual. Encountered very few people, although once I was walking inside the hill fort, a man started screaming in the distance. He had lost his dog, and was sprinting about frantically calling for it, and he shouted at me from some distance to see if I had seen his white beagle. He seemed utterly traumatised and was shouting at the top of his lungs. Later I saw him reunited with his dog, who was capering about leadless and completely unconcerned. Noticing flowers here and there today. Purple orchids mainly, which I discover are called early purple orchids. I called Mum when I got back, and had a leisurely af...

Very tetchy and twitchy today for no good reason. But getting the Skelton stuff sorted out helped me feel purposeful. A shorter than usual walk in the afternoon. Below Lorraine sorting through photo archives today, helped by Calliope.

Raining in the night, and a rainy day today. I was happy to see it, and opted for a day indoors. The recordings of Magnificent Grace seem to take a long time. Little to report.

Mum texted me today to ask if I was okay, because I hadn't done this blog for a bit. Remiss of me really, as it is a great way to process things. I suspect it will also become my memory too, as it has been going for so long now I can look back right back to glimpses of myself from 17 years ago. I have never kept anything going for so long. Today I fell into what is my new routine, of getting up (later than usual as Lorraine is on holiday) and getting on with uploading my daily episode of Skelton Yawngrave TV. It is my saving grace. Mum at least is watching the episodes, and I have to take a long view of them. They will be up there now in perpetuity. Spoke to Anton at lunchtime, while I was sitting in little Guernsey. My concentration poor lately. I work best in an atmosphere of tranquility, and I find this is not it. Exasperating really, as I have all the time in the world. I am clearly aware now of the need to focus more, and get a grip. Lorraine is at home 'on holiday...

Gorgeous weather today, Sunday. A chat with Mum early afternoon. I recorded part of tomorrow's Magnificent Grace episode, and then another walk up to the Hillfort. Lorraine coming with me part of the way after we took several pairs of shoes to the shoe recycling point. Walked up towards Hollingbury Hill with Lorraine, and then she doubled back, and I pressed on. Phoned First Matie as I went, and she is in a bit of a bad way, having had a diagnosis of arthritis, and in great pain with her neck and back, worse she has been given painkillers that leave her in zombie mode, disoriented and constantly sleeping. Some of our seeds are growing quite well. The small leaves, beetroots and radishes are going well. In our bathroom are dwarf beans too, which Brian has been chewing when he gets a chance. Also three tomato plants that germinated from seeds. Home after a long walk, and I lurked in the back garden, slaking my thirst with a beer or two. Home and Lorraine had cooked a really tas...

Another long walk up to Hollingbury Hill, with Lorraine coming with me part of the way. Lots of people around today, and the place dotted with people. I found the way into Wild Wood from the hilltop, and had an interlude of walking about among trees which was rather nice. Below the path curving on top of the fort wall, and a path into trees.

I got up bright and early today, and got to work, completing the 13th chapter of Skelton Yawngrave. I sent off a story to David Longhorn of Supernatural Tales too, just to keep my hand in. Lorraine up and, with a steely glint to her eye, started going through drawers in the bedroom, and together we had a cull of old shoes, and reorganised everything. Behind Lorraine's shoes there was a dried frog, which made L shudder as the vacuum sucked it up. In the afternoon chilled out out with Lorraine in the back garden.  She is finishing a cross stitch based on a Van Gough painting. Beth caught the bug and cleared her room for a bit too, then assembled a coat stand she had ordered in the back garden with Lorraine's help. I had one of my yellow pads, which I use to put daily to do lists, and track my various projects, a list I update on a new sheet every couple of days. I hadn't done it since the 23rd March, which was a little sign to me of how disrupted I have felt. Quite ofte...

Working hard on the episodes today on Skelton Yawngrave TV.  Felt a bit jaundiced after drinking quite a few beers the night before. Spoke to Anton, and FaceTimed with Mum and Toby. Also headed out to Hollingbury Hillfort. A glorious hot day with a heat haze over the city below. The beautiful weather continues, although Toby has had snow in Toronto recently. I took my camera as a diversion, as I continued to listen to The Lord of the Rings. Lorraine enjoying her holiday and spent quite a bit of time in the back garden doing an embroidery. After turkey meatballs and spaghetti cooked by Beth. Another nip around Blakers Park with Lorraine this evening and walked from there to the top of Osborne Road, we were walking down this when 8.00pm struck and people came to their front doors and began clapping for the NHS and key workers. We did too, walking down the road. It's a moment where everyone claps at their front doors and calls to their neighbours. When we got to our own front...

Today was Lorraine's birthday. An early cup of tea in bed, I gave her my card and and a little Japanese fan I had bought some time ago, in lieu of future travels. Beth bounced up as the Birthday Elf with presents and cards from a few other folks. Including a nice picture of three grey hearts she had bought. After breakfast, Beth had organised a series of zoom chats throughout the day, with Pat and Maureen, Rosie and Innis (and Pippi). Nice to see people's faces on screens. I also worked on the SKTV, uploading an episode this morning. I also spoke to Anton and young Oskar whose birthday it was yesterday. Lorraine and I went for a quick walk this afternoon, around Blakers Park. Lovely day. Had drinks outside early evening, and then spoke to Sam and Jade. Sam's beard now grown to OT prophet proportions. Felt full of affection for them. We had a delivery curry this evening, and we drank some bubbly and I drank several beers. Beth Lorraine and I played Euchre and the card ca...

Twenty-ninth day of lockdown, and the first day of Lorraine's delayed Easter holiday. A sunny gorgeous day, with a cool breeze. A leisurely morning in bed. Beth working most of the day, but arrived mid morning having collected our click and collect bags from Sainsburys. Felt good to have food in the house. In the afternoon Lorraine went down with an upset stomach, and spent much of the day recuperating on the sofa. This actually was just what she needed. I mooched out again to Hollingbury Hillfort listening to the Lord of the Rings. Home and a pleasant evening, although Lorraine ate next to nothing, but appeared in much better shape  by the evening. Spoke to Mum and Mas. Mum had been hard at work in the garden. I did assorted recordings for Skelton Yawngrave TV. Heard from Yuk, a former art director I'd worked with, who is now doing some acting work.  Views from the top. The one above is standing on the raised wall of the fort, and the other is a shot looking south...

Worked well today, recording the best part of two episodes. Lorraine's last day at work. A cheery day generally, and it was great to have Lorraine home for the next two weeks. Was sent this photo by Sue, an old university pal. Seeing a photo from 40 years ago is like being in a time machine. Here it is. Left to right, Hugh, Sue, myself and Will in the Beaubourg Centre in Paris, late October possibly early November 1979. A happy interlude. We all snuck away from university for a long weekend in Paris. There were several others, including Amanda who I have seen a few times lately, and Scott a very cool American exchange student. I had worked all through the summer in a London Hotel in Knightsbridge, so could afford the trip and the seedy hotel we stayed in. It was great fun. I got in trouble with my personal tutor Martin Warner on my return as I had skipped a tutorial. Never did that again.

My thunder app going off every now and then, and bits of rain. Chatted to Sian, and to Mum and Anton, who had sneezed and burst a blood vessel in his eye. Dropped in on a zoom meeting of glass folks, at six which was fun. Wrote a few bits and pieces, including working on a poem for the first time in ages (v rusty) and ended up recording Monday's reading. Picked up a curry from Red Chillies, but it felt like a bit of a death trap in there, with people working in the kitchen. I just zoomed in snatched my bag of curry, and waved my contactless card and was gone in an instant. The man who went into the shop before me literally ordered about 20 dishes and was in there for ten minutes thumbing through menus and so on. He said to me that he had a lot to order, when he came out, I suggested he do it by phone next time.  Home to curry tucker. Lorraine and Beth ordered pizzas instead. Watched telly and chilled. Strangely, did not go out. But there is enough residual Fridayishness abo...

The days blurring a bit, one into the other. I got up early, determined to get on with things. I billed the three agencies I have been working with, my lovely Parisienne friends paying me within the hour. Thanked Robin for a gorgeous notelet she had hand made, including a recipe, a poem not by her, art work and information about knots (a favourite RH subject). I will treasure it. Uploaded the next episode of Magnificent Grace onto Skelton Yawngrave TV, and recorded Friday's one. Went down to my usual pharmacy. The reality of the shut down starker here. Queued outside the pharmacy, with people observing proper social distancing, and being let one at a time into the shop. Saw the guy there who I have known ever since I moved to Brighton. Had a quick chat with him, asking him how he was doing and so on. Bought some bread on the way home, and generally gave everyone a wide berth. Around that area are generally some people who have fallen on hard times, with addictions and homeles...

No mental energy. Out of sorts and unproductive. Worked at Skelton Yawngrave stuff, and another minuscule smidge from my pals in Hampton. Lorraine working from home, which is good.  Another walk up to the hill fort today. My attention caught by a plastic bag bellying with wind in the branches of a tree. Nick Fuller of the beermonsters thoughtfully sent a photo of his yeast head today, in his brewing. 

Back to a more normal routine today. A much cooler day than of late. Lorraine in school this morning, but returned at lunchtime. Beth looking after little Tilly again. I uploaded the new episode onto Skelton Yawngrave TV, and recorded tomorrow's one, and quite a bit of the Thursday's too. A couple of minuscule scraps of work for my amigos in Hampton. Went for a walk up to Hollingbury Hill at 4 o'clock while listening to the Lord of the Rings . Very beneficial in maintaining my sanity. Home and pressed on again for a bit, spoke to Mum. Had supper with Lorraine and then I repaired to my study to have a drink over zoom with the beermonsters. Nice to chat to Steve, Richard and Nick. I sometimes forgot I was sitting in my study staring at a screen with a few tins of beer. Nick drinking all kinds of superior home brewed drinks. Steve self isolating as much as humanly possible as he has asthma, Richard meanwhile has just released the third CD, by the Shakespeare Heptet, which is...

Spent Good Friday at home, along with most others. Fabulously lucky to have a garden to sit in, and the weather, unlike most bank holidays was glorious. I got up early and painted the front door. It had needed a second coat for about two years, and I finally got around to it. It is a sign of the times that I found this of burning urgency today. Also did laundry and a few other things in a morning frenzy of activity. A leisurely afternoon. I even had an afternoon nap. Beth busy making hot cross buns, and I sat in the back garden as Beth and Lorraine commenced a large jigsaw reading with a plastic orange bowl, the top closed with clingfilm watching the dough prove and expand like a living thing. The hot cross buns were great, and the first time I had ever eaten home made ones. I am reading The Happiness Trap , which Sarah Barnsley bought me. I have been reading it slowly and thoughtfully. It really is the most sensible book about taking care of your mental health I have read I thin...

Hammering on our bedroom roof every morning. It is crows stabbing at monkey nuts and leaving the detritus by our back door. They stab down like a blows from a pin hammer. Lorraine off to school today. Chatted with Mum today. I uploaded Episode 4 of Magnificent Grace , and am now am pausing for a day or so to regroup. I made a pigs ear of recording episode 5 which made me feel cross and as if the whole thing was a futile waste of time. Went for another stomping walk mid afternoon to Hollingbury Hillfort, and then hung out in the back garden with Lorraine and Beth. After making another tweak (my fault misspelling a word on a diagram) to copy for my pals in Hampton. It was the evening of beige food, eating up some weird stuff that was taking up space in the freezer. Quorn sausage rolls, little onion bargee, samosas and plus some tasteless spring rolls. I chose to eat all these with sauerkraut to maintain the beige. Not an unqualified success. Lager and hot evenings go together, on w...

Up early, having a quick think about the marketing conversation I had with Sian yesterday, and sent her some thoughts. Then on with recording episode four for SYTV. Uploaded episode three . This done chatted with Mum, tweaked some copy for my pals in Hampton. A glorious day. Had coffee in the garden with Lorraine and the cats, in the corner we are calling Little Guernsey. Did some more work this afternoon, and then did my walk up to Hollingbury Hillfort listening to The Lord of the Rings. I'm enjoying it very much again, and as I know the story so well if I drift off for a minute on my walk it doesn't really matter. The ancient stories Tolkien draws on give the story a timelessness, and walking around the ring of an Iron Age Hillfort while listening to it is excellent. I love Tolkien's descriptions of places and nature, both real and imaginary. There is a good deal of gothic horror in Tolkien too. Nice emails with Charlotte, whose new book I have ordered. Home and I...

Up early, although Lorraine home today. Working all day on Skelton Yawngrave TV, as I re-recorded one of the episodes. Also spoke to Sian, and chatted about the marketing of her website. Chatted too, to Toby who was working from home. Uploaded episode two  of Magnificent Grace. Heartened to hear from Kay, Lorraine's cousin, who told me her twins were were lapping up Skelton Yawngrave TV. Sanity highlight was walking up to Hollingbury Hill again, listening to the comforting and familiar  Tolkien and occasionally turning my audiobook off and just listening to birds. I can feel my spirit improving as I walk.  A beautiful day. The night ending with a big full moon, which I peered at after we went upstairs through my velux windows. Netflix and so on signal is terrible in the late evenings with everyone sucking the local broadband. Precious little that can be done about it. Watched the end of a documentary about Miles Davis, a complex fiery cat and no mistake. No booze ...

Up early and a few last jobs before the first episode of Magnificent Grace went live on YouTube . After this contacting a few people in schools and posted a notice in the local community facebook page about it. Seems to have gone well with people being nice about it. Early doors though. Lorraine home from school and doesn't need to go back till Thursday. She took a shower as soon as she got home, which is a good idea. Chatted to Mum, and Bob too who seemed in pretty good spirits. The Prime Minister in Intensive Care, I feel genuinely concerned for his wellbeing. Something I never thought would happen. Went for a long mooch around Hollingbury Hill and took the long way home, around some local streets. Passed the Preston Park Tavern, and looked in gloomily at the empty pub. Nearby I saw these chalk marks on a wall.

Sunday, and the first properly warm day of the year. Lorraine and I spent much of it pottering about in the garden. Digging a tiny bed, and cutting a dead bit of a bush off and so on. I bought L a trug last year, and we filled it with compost, and planted seeds of little salad leaves, carrots, beetroots and broccoli. In assorted pots, we sowed peppers, dwarf beans, radishes and tomatoes. The brands, peppers and tomatoes have been brought indoors. Chatting to several neighbours. Caroline next door, Amy down at the end of the garden, and a tedious blowhard whose penis we often see as he stands naked by his window. Beth busy most of the day attending a virtual drama conference, for one of the stage schools she works with. Succumbed to a couple of rum and cokes on the terrace in the heat. Chatted to Anton, who is feeling the quietness now my Godbairns are with their mother. His work, which had been screamingly busy, is a bit quieter now. Indoors and ate a Sunday roast, and watched ...

Lorraine, and me too frankly, were in need of a bit of a decompression from the week. A slow start, and I chatted with Mum for a while. All okay in Edgware. A bright, warm day and Lorraine and I sauntered up to the Hillfort. After skirting people on the streets, and climbed up to the wall of the Hillfort with Lorraine for the first time. Lorraine really enjoying the view up there. Home, and Beth cooked this evening. Rather an excellent pasta and chicken dish, and we all went onto YouTube from our TV to watch a play One Man Two Governors from the National theatre. Also watched my trailer, on the big screen which was fun.

A Friday that seemed entirely Fridayish! Lorraine had to go into work again today. Awake and working early, I had finished my jobs by 4:30, chatted to Mum, then went for a walk around the block, which ended in the purchase of some beers from the shop nearby. Luckily if you time these things right, you can whizz in and out while maintaining good distance. A bit of a queue outside which soon dissipated. The owner a tallish, possibly Sri Lankan guy seems quite cheery. Home with a bag of beers, I washed them in dilute bleach, as they may have been standing around in the squeezy little shop for a while. Then Beth and I sat about on the balcony, in the warm sun having beer. Lorraine home quite early. Beth had been extremely helpful this week as my social media adviser. And after a hectic few days it felt as if these beers were deserved. After getting a takeaway delivered from The Shahi, we played another game of Trivial Pursuit -- it is a recently updated version so the questions are qui...

Slogging all day from 7:30 till 5:30 whereupon I sent everything I had, and roared off towards the top of Hollingbury Hillfort. This made me feel a good deal better about everything. I could see The Isle of Wight clearly. A good day in that I managed to work my way out of the stumped feeling of yesterday, and get everything done. Lots of meetings. Beth set up a timetable so that we all knew when we were all working. Lorraine home too and zooming her staff, me zooming agencies, Beth zooming lessons. Barely thought about coronavirus or anything like that all day as was too busy. This is a plus. Nice to chat to so many old muckers not the phone however. My friend Pat has been very ill, so texted him. Recovering slowly he said. Below the Isle of Wight on the horizon.

April Fool's day. Up early for a 8:30 zoom meeting this morning with Carolyn and The French Bloke, who had the giant face of a terrifying clown as his backdrop. At noon, a briefing chat with Fi, who is working from home in a windmill in Portugal, Matty boy, Slug and Andy. Briefing went on for a gruelling two hours, and I emerged somewhat dazed and trying for some hours to get my head around what exactly was needed, and made very little progress. Had greatly enjoyed Slug's backdrop of a room like a concrete bunker with a man in a hazmat suit standing in the background. He had also been victim of a hideous April fool joke this morning, when he was told that a client had changed everything about a job he had just finished. Had Who's zoomin' who by Aretha Franklyn going around in my head all day.