An afternoon with Anton

A nice breakfast, and speaking to Mum,  L off to Eastbourne to see the Wizard of Oz with Beth and Enzo, in a production done by Beth's theatrical pals. The show greatly enjoyed, and Beth got to introduce Enzo to lots of friends. I made off to Brighton, and spent the afternoon with Anton playing dominoes and catching up on events since February, when we saw each other last. Wheelbarrow loads of news, and some of it difficult such as his Uncle John being seriously ill.  Anton's few days away in Spain with Camino very stressful due to worrying about the family, surviving the downsizing at work and so on. Thankfully my godbairns Klaudia and Oskar doing well. Also during the course of the afternoon learned about Anton's new craze, which is a sort of leather writing folder, and going to sit in quiet corners of pubs writing thoughtful and intriguing letters to Camino. 

We met in the garden of the Battle of Trafalgar. This old favourite of ours, now a ghost ship under new owners. They have allowed the old place to feel even tattier, but have stripped it of its character. Its garden remains however, as the weather was at first glorious. From there we wandered down to The Hole in the Wall, for another beer and a game of bones. Anton dismayed by being beaten. 

On cue, the thundery heavens opened for the first time since March. 

Eventually we scuttled in the rain over to the Brick, for round two which Anton won, and the world had resumed its natural order.  Anton and I have lurked in Brighton bars for decades. They come and go in our favour, but the cast of characters you see in them remains remarkably consistent. An ABF standing outside the Evening Star. The rain had stopped but the roof dripped gently on my head. Fond farewells, and I was soon home for fishcake supper with Lorraine, and hearing about the trip to the theatre. All well.

Too busy talking to take a photo. Boo.