under another sun

A massive sort out of wardrobes today, which was extremely cathartic. Lorraine positively happy today, in the knowledge there would be no nasty work surprises tomorrow or indeed ever again.   Alongside dead sea scrolls and the skeletons of assorted Narnians we discovered that I had a new pair of black jeans and an unworn pair of stylish blue shorts. Lorraine had a serious quantity of clothes. She is going to sell or give to charity some that remind her too much of work. Having cleared away lots of clothes, and vacuum packed (this a Beth idea) winter clothes we have now lots of space. Vacuum packing is ace. You put it all into a bag with a hole in it, attach your vacuum cleaner and suck all the air out of it, reducing its volume massively. Great for storage. As I had all this new shelf space, I ordered some holiday teeshirts and some German ear plugs for swimming. My ears react violently to water and I want to swim lots in Greece.  Still run down, with dubious guts so I di...

Shortly after I woke up, I got the migraine spangles and felt wussy. Lorraine brought me some breakfast and then I went back to sleep till the afternoon. We had been invited to go to Andrew and Jess's place for a garden party but we pulled out of this. I gradually felt more like myself this evening. Often I get migraine when I am beginning to relax -- so I shall take it as a good sign.

Stressing this morning trying to work out what we needed to do about our deposit. I spoke to Natwest (useless as usual), but Lorraine got a clarification -- the money was notional and the deposit would simply pass up the chain. Not having to find tens of thousands down the back of the sofa is a relief. I got the wrong end of the stick like an utter chump.    Nice to have Lorraine working from home today, and I happily did a few bits and pieces of writing. In the evening I met Anton for a few beers, starting at the Batty. A good deal of breeze shot, and we stopped at The Windmill for a bite of South African food, and then dropped off at the Crescent and The French Horn where we played a card game called escoba in a spirit of harsh competition.  Sauntered home across the park in the dark and after munching some toast crept into bed. Below the purple magnolia tree outside Anton's house mysteriously blooming for the second time this year. Anton playing escoba. 

So a gentle start to the day, Lorraine working from home today and me with no work. We had a 'business meeting' this morning and we chased the Estate Agents and the Solicitors over cups of tea in the kitchen.  No reply from the award winning Estate Agents, and we chivvied the award winning Solicitors. At the end of the day the Estate Agent got back with the promising news that our buyer's mortgage was approved and they were in a position to move. Yesterday Lorraine spoke with the Estate Agent in Seaford, saying we wanted to move sooner rather than later. After the call, however, it occurred to me that we may have to pay a deposit when we exchange contracts -- and we might need a short term bridging loan. Cross with myself that we hadn't clarified this earlier.    Otherwise a lazy day. Lorraine not feeling full of pep, so had an easy day. I went to the gym, and did a workout while listening to Stephen Fry read Sherlock Holmes's story The Man With The Twisted Lip . I...

Lorraine off to school to let workmen in and so on today. I got up and did a bit of writing before heading off to the Jolly Badger at Mill Hill to see Mum and Mason. An enjoyable train journey, reading Jia Jiang's book Rejection Proof . Most writers often have to deal with rejection of course. One idea hit me with some force. Although I am finding my acceptances/rejections ratio has distinctly improved recently -- but always have the sense editors choose what seems to me safer work. There is a temptation to write in that way to see more of your work in print. But if what you are writing is safe, it will never be remembered.  A big difference to going to the Jolly Badger from the last time I was up here. Not the sweltering heat, in fact although it is still warm, the day was overcast threatening rain that did not come.  We were shown to the same table as before, and the guy even remembered what we all drank too. Mum and Mas on good form. It works really well me zooming up for a...

A lovely Monday. I got up early, worked at a bit of poetry and sent off a manuscript, received a letter from my accountant which was very helpful and then I went for an overdue work out at the gym. I feel much more relaxed after doing something physical. Meanwhile Lorraine had gone to school early to let a workman in, and have a day of finalising things in her office. However she was back by four having been to her personal trainer, and I was done for the day. I cooked dinner and Lorraine baked some banana bread and a rhubarb crumble. It was weird to have her back so early and so relaxed. It makes me very happy. I kindled a book called Rejection proof: how I beat fear and became invisible by Jai Jiang. I watched his Ted talk and found it amusing and inspiring.   Called mum briefly to confirm I was seeing her tomorrow. Anton has had a mystery bug which laid him out for a few days but didn't test as covid.

We got up and made a list of things that need fixing, which we counted as progress. Listening to music together, including Grace by Jeff Buckley. What a voice that guy had. Also more sleeping on the sofa. Lorraine beginning to claw back at the tiredness. Late afternoon we made off to Hove again, this time to drop in on Rosie and Innis. A few peanuts and refreshments before going down to the seaside. Walking along Hove lawns with Pippi sprinting about. Innis telling me that he is going to join the coastguard. We went to the bit of the beach that allows dogs, and and Rosie, Innis and I had a bit of a swim and a bob in the slightly wavy water. Lorraine and Pippi stuck to the shore, Lorraine wearing my panama hat and looking excellent in it. The water was warm after the heatwave. Back to Rosie and Innis, Lorraine and I mooched up the road to buy some more food and some beer and Rosie and Innis cooked and we had dinner together. They are off on a holiday from tomorrow. Lorraine and I drove...

Unhurried teas in bed. Up for breakfast. Lorraine driving off to pick up Calliope's medicine then off to Paul in Hove to get her hair done. I stayed at home, to sign off my accounts, write a few emails and then walk to Hove (where I was almost run over on the pavement by two brats on an e scooter) to meet Lorraine, who I discovered browsing in a shop called Velvet. Not able to see her,  I called and heard her phone from one of the changing rooms which made me smile. She eventually emerged with silky hair, which as tradition dictates, appears longer than when she went in.   Drove back having a judicious nap, then called Mum to arrange seeing her and Mas next week, then made ourselves ready to go out. James collected us in Betty's lipstick coloured car and drove us to their place. From there we walked down to Shoreham harbour to a place called The New Port Arms where we sat outside for a bit, then went in to have food. Heartwarming to see Beth and James. They are obviously very ...

I got up early, Lorraine lying in a bit, and made sure Sam was up as he was travelling up to Scotland today to see Jade. Took Mrs Kenny a cup of tea, then got to work with Keith for a few hours finalising the concepts we had been working on. This done, Lorraine and I drove off to Bolney, my lightning tracker app going off in my pocket as the rain started to fall, and went to her office, and started clearing out the many presents and flowers and cards she had been given, then spent some hours throwing things away, and feeding the confidential waste bin, a bit like the Fall of Saigon but with fewer helicopters. It was  therapeutic for both of us. We broke off for a late lunch at the Eight Bells across the street. Felt strange to be going for lunch with Lorraine on a weekday. Then we went back to her office until she'd had enough sorting out, and we drove home. The slow dawning of Lorraine's new freedom still has some time to go, she'll have a lot of work to do next week, but ...

Lorraine's last day with children at Bolney school. Apparently she ended her time on an outpouring of love for her, and her office is an Aladdin's cave of presents and tributes, and at lunchtime she got to watch a video that Beth had helped the school put together, with children sending her love over the soundtrack of Colors , by Black Pumas, which is a song she loves. She arrived home with plants in pots and bunches of flowers, feeling tired but happy.  She did amazingly well, considering she has felt queasy for much of the week. I had wondered if this was due to all the excitement and nerves of her final couple of days, but today I felt distinctly nauseous too.   For work, Keith and I were asked take our elegant fresh concept which everyone loved, and spend the day removing anything that was good about it till it became utterly generic. A bit more work tomorrow needed on this.   Sam and I were discussing helping Lorraine to celebrate tonight, but Lorraine drained by the...

A bit of coolness in the gentle breeze on Preston Park as I strolled down to the gym this morning. Although down on London Road it felt hotter. The gym still a sweaty business, and I sprang onto a 5b which had stopped outside it to speed me home. Faffing about this morning, ironing, tidying up and other time wasters. Then the hard work of making myself look presentable for my final outing in my Dennis Thatcher/Prince Phillip role as Mr Kenny at Lorraine's school.  Lorraine home at noonish, and after she wrapped some presents and took five minutes to revive herself, we made off to Bolney with the stained glass window Adele had made, and other presents Lorraine had brought her staff in the boot. Into Lorraine's office, which was crammed with gifts Lorraine was giving people, and many she had received and drawings from children and so on.   Then out for the main business of the day, which involved Lorraine and teachers and the the school all standing in front of the school buildi...

The hottest day ever in England, with the temperature reaching 40.3º only in WW2 have we had more outbreaks of fire in London. This heat really horrid. In Greece you can plop in the sea or retreat to your air conditioned room to cool down, not pad about on carpets and sit on warm sofas, even my office chair I found too hot. Having no urgent work, I did what had to be done from my phone on the gold sofa. Sam, meanwhile, finding novel ways to keep cool including putting a hot water bottle in the freezer.  Lorraine of course, off to work. I sat at my desk for a while, and thought of her. She did so well. I spoke to Mum and Mas and they seemed to be doing fine. I was worried about them as the heat up where they are was worse than down here on the coast.   After an indolent day, at tea time I had a shower and changed into my lightning strike teeshirt, entered the room where Lorraine was wrapping presents for her staff, and my lightning tracker app on my phone signalled a nearby str...

Hot night. Lorraine and I up early, having luckily being able to sleep with our bedroom doors open to the air, which was quite nice as the night wore on. But too hot today, as part of England's hottest ever heatwave. Noticed falsities on twitter and other social media saying that it was hotter in 76 and this is all being exaggerated. It is easier for some people to go into denial when scary stuff happens.   Find myself reminded of occasional visits to Greece when it has been too hot to do anything, and Chad of course where I spent the eight or nine of the most uncomfortable nights of my life.  Lorraine off to school on her last ever week. Parent rumours about the school closing had to be quashed over the weekend. I felt the familiar sense of unease as she set off for school. I will be pleased when she is done with it.  Working with Keith again today. Met up early and pressed on. Fairly relaxed day, although by the late afternoon my north west facing office was getting too...

A chat with Sam today, talking about how he is feeling a good deal better these days and is looking forward to moving back with Jade at the end of the Summer. We are really pleased for him.   Exceedingly hot.Lorraine drove us off to Robin and Nick's garden party this afternoon. Very elegant, with two young folks serving Prosecco and alcohol free Nosecco to assorted poets and musicians. Robin and Nick have an enormous shared garden, the size of a small park. Robin was wearing a dress Lorraine almost wore, plus the same Panama hat as mine she bought from Mad Hatters too.  People sippingo in the shade. I enjoyed catching up with Janet, Jeremy, Antony and Stephen. Lorraine particularly chatting to Stephen lots. He lives in Newhaven which is the next little town along from Seaford.  Drove home with the air conditioning on in the car. Watched a bit of the Tory leadership debate, and watched the tumbleweed blowing through the voids where the ideas should have been. Spoke to Tobs...

Stayed indoors for most of the day, then late afternoon, Lorraine and I mooched off wearing hats, into town centre. I am enjoying my new pricey Panama. Having bought a few bits and pieces, mainly to do with Lorraine leaving school (although I bought myself a mould green notebook) we went to a pub called The Walrus just across the road from Petit Pois where we we would be meeting Penny and Steve.  Sipping a cold, if pricey, lager chatting cheerfully, when Lorraine took a call from Angie, who we are buying from in Seaford. Unfortunately she is going to have another operation. They are such a nice couple so we feel very sorry for them. However this means our move must inevitably be contingent on her prognosis -- and we both feel a bit gutted by this.  Meanwhile some boisterous blokes had come drunkenly to the pub, loud but fairly cheery. When Lorraine finished on her mobile a drunk woman t hammered on the window just near where we were, came into the pub and seemed to catalyse tr...

A bit of freshness in the air in the morning, thanks to being near the sea. Did business admin first thing. Then wasted time running about to local shops to get coins so that I could wash a quilt in the big washer of the local launderette. Obtaining actual cash these days is increasingly difficult.  A national emergency heat red alert for next week, with temperatures set to set an English record topping 40℃. Alarming in all kinds of ways. It will be Lorraine's last week, but it wouldn't be her last week without a national crisis to deal with. The infrastructure not designed to deal with this in the UK. I remember going to Greece once and arriving when it was 40℃, and that felt really hot. Even the locals were flaking out. But this is Blighty. In Chad it was 49℃ there, but it was such dry heat that it seemed okay.  Wrote the first draft of a poem this afternoon. Booked for next Monday for an additional day on the job Keith and I have been doing. Walked to Anton's house in my...

The air cooled nicely overnight. Lorraine had a bad dream and screamed. I was awake instantly, but had to wake her. The night before it was foxes screaming that woke me. The day, when it came, was another scorcher but the heat seemed, in Brighton at least, a little less intense. With Keith today, and everything went smoothly with nice new clients on an enjoyable job. Otherwise took delivery of a pair of jeans, and a kindle for Lorraine. Also Robin uploaded the last Planet Poetry episode for a couple of months and I wrote the blurb.  Following the Tory leadership race because I want all of them to lose. Pleased the swivel-eyed Suella Braverman fell at today's fence. Enjoyed the robot-in-the-headlights launch speech by Liz Truss. She is the current Foreign Secretary and one of the intellectual Lilliputians regarded as a favourite alongside Dishy Rishi and Penny Mordaunt -- a Harry Potterish name. Commentariat suggesting a Mordaunt vs Sunak final. To be decided by Brexity Tory Party m...

A working with Keith day. Before that, a brainwave as it was one of the hottest days ever in this country.  Why not get up early and go to the gym. I was at it by 7:10 on London Road. I enjoyed walking across the park early, but the gym work was a bit of a shock to the system. However I did it, and was home and showered in good time for my 9:00am briefing. Trouble is I kept sweating and drank coffee. After a while I decided I was a bit dehydrated, so it didn't really help me concentrate. Judging by Keith even hotter in London.  Hard to concentrate today, with the heat, cat intrusions, deliveries, Dusty Dolls clattering about, recording the episode intro with Robin in my lunch break, chatting to Sam and so on.  Took delivery of a new swanky and comfortable pair of Merrell sandals. Plus another poetry acceptance from Alchemy Spoon, a magazine I have had no dealings with so far. The poem they liked for their forthcoming Space themed issue is called Rehearsal notes for first ...

Up early and a bit of editing work, then off to London to see Mum and Mas at the Jolly Badger. Sweltering and close at Mill Hill. I wondered if it were too hot for them to come out, and if mum had received her call from the doctor about her tests. I was early and just had my phone in my pocket to call them, and I saw them drive past into the car park.  Established quickly that the tests had shown that Mum did not have cancer again. This was a great relief, and Mason naturally pleased too. Mum was pleased, but also peeved that they had not got to the bottom of what was going on. However the GP said they would look again at her thyroid medication. This might explain her weight loss. It needs a blood test which takes a while to get these days. A cold lager there and mum had a pint of cider and Mas had his coke and ice. The food still decent. I felt a wave of relief about Mum. Otherwise a nice way to spend a lunchtime, sipping cooling drinks and filling takeaway boxes with chips to giv...

Lorraine's penultimate week started today. A few bits of work, then the gym this morning. At teatime I made off to Eastbourne, where I met Robin at the station. We were going to do some recording in a pub, but every venue was not quite right in town. Every likely spot outside was also home to a straining air conditioner. We jumped in a taxi and went up to the Beachy Head pub. I had never been there before. We sat outside on a bench looking at the amazing view with Seaford head and Brighton in the far distance in the lowering sun. Bloody hot still. We clicked on the recorder and began our end of season banter, but were beset by dozens of flying ants crawling over us and the table and through the open packets of crisps. But it was a small price to pay. Then a celebratory pint to celebrate before a taxi (difficult to obtain) back. It was nice to actually meet in person to record, and also to actually slap ourselves on the back a bit for our efforts. I managed to miss my train at Eastb...

Very hot today.  Lorraine and I lay in bed with the doors of our balcony wide open. But up fairly early for a kipper breakfast with a bronzed and healthy looking Sam, who told us a bit about his travels seeing Jade in Scotland and Ali in Minorca.  Lorraine set to writing her last batch of school reports eschewing her normal turquoise ink for a regal purple. After writing each school year, she recharged by playing star dew valley for a bit. I made off across the basking park to the gym at lunchtime for a sweaty workout. At least there is air conditioning there. Otherwise little to report. I found the 'lost' Planet Poetry recordings on the Buzzsprout site. We had been defeated by the change in interface, and otherwise loafed about in the shadows. Off to Seaford at tea time to collect some stained glass from Adele. Lorraine had commissioned her to do a piece for the school as the traditional leaving present of departing heads. She did a great job on the piece. As it was dinner ti...

 Lorraine and I lying low today. I woke up in the night with a spangling migraine at around 3:30 am and felt a little washed out in the morning. Much improved as the day progressed. I talked to Mum, and Lorraine talked to Pat and Maureen. Lorraine also chatted to Angie and Richard again, these are the people we are buying the house from in Seaford. They are keeping in touch lots. Lying in bed this morning, I did a Medscape quiz about spotting Narcissistic Personality Disorder in patients, and aced it. We saw a smidge of Wimbledon too, the ladies final where two ladies were playing a game of tennis and one of them won. Commentators bemoaning the fact that the winner -- a Russian girl who had, become an Kazakhstani a few years earlier (Russians being banned from Wimbledon this year because of Putin's war) -- was rather self controlled about winning and did behave emotionally enough. I would say this was sexist drivel but all the commentators were women.  Fish pie in the oven, Lo...

Two lots of recording with Robin, that didn't then seem to record so she is investigating with Squadcast.  After a Sainsbury's delivery then off to the gym late in the afternoon. Keith called me as we had an offer of a couple of days next week, which we have accepted. A poem accepted today for site called Ink Sweat and Tears. Gwen, my grandmother, creeps into it. She steals into a few of my poems. The poem is called One Hundred Geraniums . Lorraine home early and out again, driven by Betty back to Bolney where she had her leaving drink with her staff. A brief chat with Betty before they drove off.  Lorraine came back with lots of flowers and a big card and her Top Hat only a degree or so off true, and had a good time with a speech about Lorraine-ism, and quizzes and so on. Sounds fun.  House to myself this evening, listened to music and watched a French documentary about Naval Warfare among other things. Toby called too. Not long now before we are on hols together. 

Up to Mill Hill by train. Used my Senior Railcard, which was ace and I saved some money. I met Mum and Mas in The Jolly Badger. Nice to see them. Mas on good form. Mum had been back to the hospital this morning to complete her tests. She is being philosophical about the results, and saying that she is very pleased that Toby and I are so happy in our marriages. The results are due next week and I will go up next week too. Otherwise a cheery time, and the food much improved on the last time I was there. Mum and Mas took some chips home for the birds. Home, and the train delayed for some reason. A delivery of vegetables and fish on the doorstep. Luckily the fish in a polystyrene box full of ice.  Lorraine home, and then had a long call with Angie and Richard in Seaford. Angie has to have an op next week.  Escaped into Star Trek. Went to bed, but woke up and sat up reading about Boris Johnson's downfall sipping chamomile tea for an hour or so, till I felt tired again. Boris set to...

A calmer day. Up early and did billing. I can't write and just at the moment the whole endeavour seems like a futile waste of time.  So instead I went to the gym and sweated enjoyably and on my return listened to an excellent interview done by Robin. Lorraine working from home for the first few hours. She was late home again due to an evening where she welcomed parents of next year's intake.  I had time to get involved in watching the unfolding drama of the coup against Johnson. His car crash PMQs with Tory defectors knifing him, Stanmer on brilliant form. Then I watched him being grilled by a committee. The day ended  with him refusing to leave as PM, despite around forty resignations from government, assorted Tory 'heavyweights'  going to No.10 to tell him it was all over. Like Trump, another bare faced liar and delusional narcissist, he refuses to go. Extraordinary. It's not about the country, nor his party, it's all about him and his pathetic 'world king...

One of those days that makes you question what the hell you are doing with your life. Keith and I had a reasonable amount to do today to finish the job we were working on. Instead Keith went into one of his black self sabotaging moods, raging about computer glitches, suddenly logging off and disappearing an interlude he filled by smashing one of his favourite mugs, which got all over his clothes and he had to wash them and the floor and so on, and generally finding ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. All highly annoying and stressful as the time ebbed away. Needless to say we managed to pull the rabbit out of the hat in the end.  As this was happening I also received a poetry rejection on some work I was quite hopeful for. But more happily had a momentary chat with Mum to confirm I would come on Thursday. Once work was done for the day, and this particular job over, I brooded philosophically for a bit. But later,  I walked around the corner to Rick around the corne...

A full on day of work. Started early with Keith working on our concepts, two meetings and our clients seemed in a happy place by the end of the day. A fairly cheery day today, and good progress was made. Did supper with Lorraine and then back to my desk to finish off the German work I had started at the weekend. All done mid evening and then simply watched a bit of telly. Lorraine having an inset day, so no kids at school (although two did turn up anyway and had to be sent home). Her last one. She is passing so many little landmarks now in the final canter for the finishing line. 

A bit of a low ebb today. Lorraine with a sore throat, and me feeling run down achey and with mouth ulcers for some reason. Slept today, and lay low, although I had to work on a job for my German clients for three hours. Lorraine slogging through her review of the school reports all day.  Meanwhile, Star Trek continues.

A low impact sort of day, chatting with Lorraine and sauntered off with her to do a spot of shopping at one point. Nice to have the house to ourselves for the weekend too. Saturday evening was fun. Lorraine and I went out with Dawn and Paul who are going to get married next May. Certainly an eventful time, they've had, with a near death experience in a Scottish loch, a proposal in the grounds of Balmoral, and home to a bout of Covid. Really pleased to see Dawn so happy, and I find I am liking Paul more and more. He is full of ideas. They were keen to hear details of our house move and so on.  They seem very happy and this is really cheering. 

Friday, and up early Keith and I working from 8:30 to present at 11 am. Felt fairly cheery today. Our presentation went as well as could be expected. Keith in one of his nose to the grindstone modes meant that we worked through lunch and finished at 4:30. We are finishing the job next Monday and Tuesday. I mooched off to the gym, and returned to find stuff from my accountant, and a new wee job from the Germans waiting for me to do over the next few days.  The gym not too busy. I have been 12 times in the last three weeks I feel better for it, but my stomach is still too fat. Listening to an audiobook of all the  Sherlock Holmes stories being read by Stephen Fry, who reads them excellently. I have read most of them years ago, but they are escapist fun, and to hear them is a different experience. Walked home across the park feeling a sense of Friday cheer.   Lorraine and I home at tea time. I collected a small curry and we chilled out. There was a solicitor letter to read, ...