under another sun

Up and off to de-fright myself for Halloween by training off to Brighton. A coffee around the corner from the barbers, the bought more green ink from Pen to Paper for the wee pen Anton got me. Despite its association with poison pen letters I am loving writing in my favourite colour. Then into Clippers to let Stacy do his thing. Lots of banter today. I like being so much a part of the wallpaper there. Harry the Bastard due next week.   Then back to Seaford for a two hour on the understory conversation. It was only Emma and Charlotte today for various health reasons. Read them the first part of the Kenniad. Nevertheless a good session, and they liked my poem very much and so I was much encouraged.  A walk afterwards, and reached my daily step target. Walked out later to the station to pick up Lorraine who had been hanging out with Rosie this afternoon, and they had egged each other on to do a spot of retail therapy. I got some new underpants, so was well happy.   Lorraine ...

More work on the big poem, before breakfast with Lorraine, Maxine, Simon and Amelia. A cheery start to the day, with coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast. They all nipped off to see Pat and Maureen while I prepared a bean jar, and got that going. Said a fond farewell to Maxine, Simon and Amelia, having really enjoyed their visit.  Later more writing, and reached a complete first draft of the first of what I hope will be three parts to the Kenniad. Showed it to Lorraine who liked it lots. Then Steve, Adele and Patrick arrived and we spent the next few hours reading Henry IV part one. I was reading Falstaff, which was fun. Our guests struggled down my bean jar with good grace, and then we had a gorgeous crumble Lorraine had made. Much enjoyment of the play, and it was good having Steve as part of the ensemble. This bardic business done by ten, and Lorraine and I had a quiet hour to ourselves on the gold sofa before bed.

Up early, and working on the Kenniad this morning, it is going well. Lorraine round to help Pat and Maureen sort out some legal stuff on the flat purchase, and also cook for them as Maureen has picked up a cold. Had strangely stiff buns today, whatever I was doing in the garden yesterday made my bum quite sore. To Gyndebourne this afternoon, a rather grand and marvellous thing to be doing on a Monday afternoon.  We were supposed to go with Yvonne and Brian, who had bought me my ticket as a birthday present, but Yvonne had a vomiting bug caught from her grandchildren, so we were collected by Guy and Barbara who used their tickets instead. Guy and Barbara collected us, and drove us there, which is only about fifteen minutes or so from here. Lorraine and I were convinced we had not seen La Traviata before, but as soon as I saw the set, I recognised it from the last opera we had seen, La Traviata, here, in October 2018. The set, costumes and so on pretty minimal and underwhelming. But ...

Both feeling brighter. Lorraine and I worked in the garden for a couple of hours, sweeping the patio of leaves, and doing things to the fish pond, like cutting back the irises, which were crowding out the fish, cleaning the filter and cutting back lots of the overgrowing elodea and so on. A trip to the supermarket, buying our stuff plus Pat and Maureen's in two trolleys. I walked the bags into Pat and Maureen's place, and Pat walked me back to the lifts, which was nice. Spoke to Mum, who had met Robert in the Waggon and Horses, and ate roast lamb which she found disgusting. I am going to meet her in Hampstead next week. Lorraine cooked a gorgeous lentil and chicken curry tonight. I tidied my study a bit. Chelsea beat Newcastle, meaning Match of the Day was all watchable. Chelsea's Cole Palmer is currently the best player in the league. An astonishing talent, and Chelsea are building the team around him and look fantastic. He is a joy to watch. Another episode of The Bear. F...

Lorraine and I got married 11 years ago today. We had planned to go out for a meal, and be adventurous, but we both had a weird surging gurgling stomach bug so simply lay low instead. A really enjoyable day nevertheless. 

Up and working on The Big Poem. It seems to be in three sections. The first of these is most complete and is currently clocking in at 90 lines. Reminded of being at University in my first year and embarking on an epic poem, came to be known by me and my university pals, as The Kenniad . Perhaps this new poem should be known as the New Kenniad.  Then breakfast, and Lorraine went off to do story time, and see Pat and Maureen. Sywia arrived, and got busy. I worked a bit more, then mooched off to the gym a little before noon.  No gas in the tank today, however, and only managed a bit of trundling on the cross trainer. But I figure a certain amount of trundling is still better than no trundling. Feeling very hungry, so came home via Morrisons where I bought a few bits, including Creepy Crumpets, formed int he shape of ghosts with three dots for a face. After eating lunch, more recording and a general poddy discussion. In the evening, Lorraine and I went to the Old Boot. Both of us ...

Up and looking at my poem for a while, then breakfast with my lovely wife, and a spot of recording with Robin. Shortly before I started, I heard workmen replaced the entire streetlight outside. I looked out at one point, and saw one of them leaning into the side of the lorry, having a crafty wee. His doing this dressed head to toe in hi-vis clothing made me laugh. Had to record on Lorraine's dressing table due to the noise in my office, but all was fine. Then Lorraine and I drove through the glorious morning to Marchants Hardy Plants, which was having a closing down sale. We selected ten pots of things, several interesting grasses, a fern and other delights for the garden. Very nice to be there mooching around, such was the glory of the day, bright sun, blue skies, autumn in full flow. We stoped off at Alfriston on the way home, fuelled by talk of being spontaneous. We went into the first pub we passed, called The Star. We were expecting pub grub, but found ourselves in what has th...

Up after a good night's sleep to work first thing on the new long new poem which I did off and on all morning, when not having breakfast doing a few emails, organising a haircut and similar bits of minor admin. The poem is progressing well, if slowly.   Went for a walk around lunchtime, and mooched about under a blue sky down by the sea for a bit. As I returned home, Lorraine, Pat and Maureen were in the car, and I met them in Pomegranate cafe for a spot of lunch. Lorraine and I had very nice sourdough toast, with smoked salmon and avocado. Maureen taking her hearing aid out as soon as we they got inside, so I had to communicate in sign language. Pleasant folks there though.  Lorraine then took them shopping in Seaford, Maureen buying herself lots of earrings, and I mooched home to happily preparing for some podcast recordings later this week. Researching Kawaii , or the Japanese culture of Cuteness, after reading excellent poems about cuteness by Isabel Galleymore. Cuteness,...

Lorraine off to her personal trainer, and then taking Pat to the doctor's this afternoon. I worked productively on the Long Poem this morning, also listening and slightly editing Robin's latest interview. We are getting things done early, as she and I are both away over the next couple of weeks. Heard from Chris at Seahaven poets, and he said he would give me a reading in Seaford soon, which was kind and something to look forward to.  Went to the gym today, and felt good and have now got back to doing half an hour on the cross-trainer, and a variety of mild mannered weights. Cooked this evening, and felt fairly virtuous and healthy. Early to bed tonight, where I read a chunk of Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, and Lorraine was reading a crime novel. Parts of Dandelion Wine seem very familiar, I probably read it when I was in my early teens. He had a lovely use of language, and it is full of nostalgia for a lost childhood. I remember reading Bradbury when I was a kid, and think...

Lorraine off working with Beth at Churchill Square in Brighton for the morning. A day of getting things done. I chatted to Robin, wrote some poetry, sorted out some tiresome computer admin things quickly and easily.  Emma who I met on Rosie's birthday sent me a link to some of her art on Instagram -- she has an interesting mind. Also finally sorted out the blood pressure monitor thingy, hearing from their Helpdesk this morning with an apology that the confirmation email would not send over the weekend. Started wearing the contraption this evening. Obvs feelign anxious and hypochondriac, but I hope to get used to it. Spoke to Mum, and we agreed that the next time I come up we will meet in Hampstead, and have a drink in the flask perhaps. Lorraine back, and we ate the carrot cake she had made over the weekend. Delicious. All well.  Pouring most of the day. I had a short walk in the teeming rain, just to get some air, and I passed the  skate park, deserted and puddly in the...

Got up, enjoyed breakfast and I went to my desk free at last to write what I want, but found I was not  terribly productive. My study needed tidying, and I spoke to Mum.  Lorraine off doing Story Time and then went to Pat and Maureen's armed with their fish and chips. I popped out later to the postoffice and then found Lorraine walking with Pat outside House. I joined them, having waved to Maureen in the window, walking along the beach past the beach shelter where the group were playing ukuleles and singing. We sat a bit further along,  basking in the suddenly summery conditions. Back past the ukulele players, dropping some money into their bucket. Pat got back into the building, and Lorraine and I walked home along the seafront then to Morrisons.  In the evening off to The Old Boot to meet Steve, Adele and Patrick, and Patrick's brother Ronan who lives in Vietnam. Lorraine and I were a little early, and were talking to a chap called Patrick who was one of the ukulel...

Finally put  the first episode of season five of the podcast to bed. It features my interview with Danez Smith. A bit of a beast this episode for various reasons. Robin didn't finish her bits till Lorraine and I were already trundling off to Bramber in the car to see Dawn and Paul for lunch as she decided to re-record a couple of things she had said as there had been a glitch. So I was late uploading it.  Lorraine and I spent a cheery couple of hours with them. Quizzed Paul on a couple of things to do with psychology. He is excellent on things he is passionate about. Wonderful to see Dawn who was looking very well and happy, which is wonderful to see. She is planning to do a film editing course. There was a an apple and berry pie too, for the win.  Home and then a frenzy of uploading, and posting the episode onto social media, we also did a spot of gardening where I plunged my hand into some compost and nastily sliced my little fingertip on a broken flower pot, which bled...

Lots of frenzied editing this morning, before I sent off the episode to Robin to listen to.  In the afternoon all a bit medically, I went with Lorraine who had a doctor's appointment, and sat in the waiting room for a bit looking at the displays talking about ailments, then she drove us off to Saltdean up behind the Lido where I had two jabs, like John Prescott. The bloke, tall and rangy, said when were you 65 then? I said, on Saturday. He then demanded cake, and suggested that he might not be as gentle with me as his regulars without it. A 'character'. The jabs swift and agricultural one in each arm, then Lorraine and I drove home. Pleased to have them in me. Lorraine finished the curtain I went for a long walk by the sea so that for the first time in several days I'd done my ten thousand paces. A bit of a yellowish cast to the clouds approaching over the sea, and there was thunder nearby this evening. Colours of the afternoon.

Up early and editing, then recording with Robin for the episode going live on Thursday. Finished an hour or so of chatting, and I set to starting to edit. Frustratingly I got a migraine shortly afterwards, and had to stop as I couldn't see the screen. Had a couple of dozes on sleep on the sofa, and Lorraine made me lunch, and eventually got back to it later in the afternoon, and edited for a few hours. Lorraine out lots today,  collecting and driving pals of Pat and Maureen off to Eastbourne. I felt a lot better in the evening, and ate a veggie shepherd's pie, which was delicious. Felt a bit frustrated that I wasn't able to go for a walk this afternoon as planned with Innis, which I had to cancel. Hey ho. To bed fairly early. 

Up early as I had a poem nagging at me, and had to get up and write it all down. Only time will tell if it is any good. Then, after breakfast, finishing off editing the interview, and then recording this afternoon with Robin. A rainy unwelcoming sort of day outside. Eyes a bit sensitive from last night's migraine. But still feeling cheery and optimistic generally having had such a nice birthday weekend. 

 Woke up feeling full of beans today. Had a pleasant breakfast and later Beth came to collect us to drive us off to Hove in the afternoon to celebrate Rosie's birthday. She gave me a birthday present too... A Christmas Jumper in one of the greens that suits me. Chuffed with it. Upstairs in the Jo and Co cafe, we met lots of friends, obviously Innis and Rosie, but also Emily and Graham and Sam, and Rosie's old pal Alice. We sat down on a large L-shaped table. Beth next to me but apart from that people I didn't know, but made friends quickly with two women Rebecca and Emma, both very creative people, and spoke to Rob next to me who we eventually established once studied philosophy and Law. Rebecca was a writer like me, and Emma showed Lorraine and I a complicated, and interesting picture, which made me think of the old Mouse Trap game, of decisions made and obstacles faced. A very cheery afternoon, and Rosie having fun despite the day reminding her and Emily of their Mum Susa...

A unusual birthday in that I felt completely happy all day. After last night's liveliness, happy to be in bed open a few cards and presents and spend time with Lorraine. I also felt physically better and more energetic than I have felt for weeks, a feeling that I had turned a corner somehow.  In the evening, we went for curry at Spice Village, and then sleepy Seaford burst into life, with gangs of stripy shirted people dressed like pirates or perhaps smugglers, walking through the streets with flaming torches. It is part of the Sussex tradition of fireworks which culminate on Guy Fawkes night in Lewes. It is to celebrate the foiling of the gunpowder plot of 1605, and also the burning of protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake between 1555-57 on Lewes High Street. Nothing like a bit of grudge bearing.  We followed the crowds down to the seafront towards Seaford Head and after a bit of sitting about in the wind, there was an enormous bonfire. The bonfire itself seemed to...

Lorraine off to Story Time this morning. Otherwise a homey day, and I did some writing. Birthday celebratory drinks in the Old Boot Inn with Pat and Maureen, Beth and James, Anton, Mark and Carol, Adele and Patrick, Brian and Yvonne, and Kate and Andrew. Steve was going to come but he was unwell, however Freja came and had a good time. I really enjoyed myself, receiving very thoughtful cards and pressies. Mark gave me an eraser, which harks back to 1971 when I sat next to him at Copland school on the first day and he wouldn't lend me his rubber. Perhaps 53 years later I should now forgive this. Anton gave me some immaculately wrapped pressies, two books I had coveted, and a fold away ink pen, which he uses all the time know, with beautiful green ink. A very cheery evening indeed, and I had lots of laughs and generally felt exceedingly lucky and happy. As if to mark the occasion, Harvey's Old Ale is now on tap in the Boot. Happy days. Most of us ate there too, perfectly decent f...

Up early and was collected outside by Brian shortly after eight, with Marley in the boot. Brian had already been swimming in the sea and was generally glowing. We went to Friston forest and had a lovely walk through the trees deep in discussion about all kinds of things. We paused at the place where you can look down into the valley and see the hedgerows make a big cross in the landscape. Brian uses this place to pray briefly most days. I find this quite touching.  Home again for breakfast, and as Rosie had stayed overnight we had breakfast and long chats with her. Rosie and Lorraine went off to see Pat and Maureen, before Rosie went off to work in the afternoon.  Lorraine told me that when Rosie arrived yesterday, they were talking and there was hammering on the roof. It was two crows, pecking at bones, with seagull feathers. The current theory is that the Robert the robbing herring gull has been murdered by, or at least scavenged by, crows. Probably a murder of crows. I did ...

To Edgware. A sudden stomach upset adding a little jeopardy to the journey, but God bless the Gents at East Croydon Station. Fairly repaired once I had I arrived at Mum's place to hang out for a bit, and then melt away to The Wagon and Horses for lunch and a stomach settling pint of Guinness. We were given free soup today, by Waleed. Mum giving me a birthday card for the weekend. A long journey home, but all fine reading and listening to podcasts. Very happy to boof onto the gold sofa some hours later, and chat to Lorraine and Rosie turned up having been out for dinner with Beth. Rosie being very cheery and staying for a sleepover. Below one of mum's houseplants flowering beautifully. I think it is a hibiscus.

Had intended to go for a walk with Brian this morning in the forest, but had declined last night as thunder and heavy rain were forecast. Turns out the morning was gorgeous, so I felt a bit of a chump. However, it meant I didn't have to rush my prep for another poetry interview with Martin Malone. We had a bit of a laugh. He was sitting in his new home in Ireland warmed by a peat fire. Nice. Lorraine out this evening at Delores's place with certain book club ladies. I happily stayed indoors and avoided the rain.

Woke up this morning and immediately went to my desk to start writing a good first draft of a poem. I like it when you wake up and something insists on being written.  Later Janet and Lesley come around for lunch. We had a lovely time, they looked at the garden with interest, and Lorraine cooked flatbreads and we had little bits of buffet style food, and cups of tea and generally talked for hours. All very relaxed and fascinating to hear about the book that Janet is now working on drawing again on a family archive and a well travelled ancestor. Fond farewells with Janet and Lesley, who I liked very much, now that I've got to know her better. She swims regularly in the sea at Seaford, so I shall keep my eyes peeled. 

Feeling very cheery this morning, and reminded of my childhood Sunday mornings in Guernsey, as Lorraine and I dropped in on Pat and Maureen as they were getting their dinner ready. Like going off with my granddad Dave on his rounds of dropping in on family. P and M in good form, Maureen forthright about needing a new chair and pulling appalling faces when telling Lorraine and I how much she hated the current one. She also told me about going to Bingo the other day, and how she and Pat had won their first game first go. I told Pat I'd seen a seal up at splash point earlier in the year. He said he'd seen two through his binoculars yesterday.  A saunter back along the seafront with Lorraine, which was looking grey and lovely.  A bite to eat, and I prepared for the interview I am going to do on Tuesday, which took quite a bit of time. Also chatted to Mum and arranged to see her on Wednesday. A glorious evening of not drinking anything, after two lively nights I was very ready for ...

Lorraine and I up early this morning, and drove off to Stanmer Park for a pottery workshop. I was slightly hungover but it was quite therapeutic pressing bits of plants into white earthenware clay so that they left an impression. Our efforts will be fired and will be collectible in a few weeks. There were about 16 of us on the course, and I was the only bloke. At one point I melted away to the gents where I fell into conversation with the man cheerily cleaning it, who told me he loved his job. He also told me about his passion for being a DJ playing Turkish Psychedelia aka Anatolian Rock. Back to the class lead by a smily woman called Sarah. After we finished, it was only a two and a half hour thing, which passed in a flash, we mooched about in a maker's market and Lorraine got talking to a woman about fabric and buttons. This woman said to me that buttons have history, and it was all I could do not to write a poem called A History of Buttons on the spot. Home for a mid afternoon p...

Up with a desire to get on with things, and even made a surprisingly long list, but  managed to side-tracking myself from achieving much of it. Reset with a sunny walk this lunchtime. Lorraine off to get her hair cut in a glamorous fashion this afternoon in Hove and also to see Innis and Rosie. Innis sent me a Happy National Poetry Day text, which was nice of him. Personally I am a bit humbuggish about it. Every day is a blinking poetry day round these parts etc.  This afternoon two hours of the Understory Conversation, which never fails to be interesting. One of the poets, called Emma Jones has such a distinctly convincing voice in everything she writes that I'm greatly in admiration of her. Lorraine and I watched an abominable film called The Sphere . A-list cast in an underwater turkey. Spoke to the Toby for an hour this afternoon, also to Mum too.   

A quiet couple of days. I finished off a bit of an interview I have been doing with Charlotte for her Understory Conversation website -- which she ran by SJB who seemed to like it. Otherwise I fiddled with the big poem, and feel like I am making progress now. Read a bit of a book called Think Like a Poet, whose first line 'Poetry is the art of thinking' made me wonder what philosopher friends might make of that.  Lorraine and I now on The Last Battle , the final book of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis as our bedtime story. The first few chapters are  traumatic. An evil manipulative ape dressing a donkey in a lion skin to pretend it is Aslan and trees being murdered, and their dryads expiring. As ever the illustrations by Pauline Baynes are utterly beautiful -- especially in my colour edition.