under another sun

A happy Friday, doing some actual writing this morning, which is very nice. To the gym at lunchtime, when Lorraine zoomed off to take Pat and Maureen fish and chips. I am enjoying being in the gym again. I am using my decades old neoprene knee support, which stops my knee clicking when I trundle on the cross trainer. I was reflecting that my knee support is probably over twice the age of many of the people around me. I am doing some more weights and upper body stuff, as this isn't currently a pretty sight. I am already beginning to notice a little less flabbiness, and it helps generally with health anxiety. If I can survive a workout, I might be less fragile than I think.   Met Lorraine at Gallery Uno, where Adele is having a show of her work, along with another artist called Liza Morton. I am really thrilled for Adele, who seems to be becoming a really accomplished artist in glass and other media before our eyes. To the Old Boot tonight. Adele and Patrick there for a bit, Chris an...

Up and another blessed night of sleeping. I feel so much better for it. Lorraine zoomed off to Beth's house early. I bent over in the bathroom and felt my bloody back go into a nasty spasm, but I was able to walk it off. To drawing class in the Women's Institute. Melissa called me Peter Kenny today which made me smile. Lovely graceful model named Carys. Enjoyed drawing a little more today, but don't feel I'm drawing at my best. After the class I made off to the exhibition in the Crypt, where Adele, who had been in my drawing class, and Mandy were overseeing. Palo and Martin happened to be there. Had not seen Palo for ages, and I had a nice chat with her and Martin, who has been writing a novel for months, and talked to me more than he has ever done. Nice to see them both.  Then home. Lorraine arrived with Enzo. Soon Dawn arrived, and we all spent the afternoon together. Dawn is about to be a grandmother too, so was very excited about that. Lovely to see her. She's b...

Lorraine off to her personal trainer, and then met up with the walking heads, a group of ex-heads who meet up and walk. For me a productive day. Up and after breakfast finished the two books, Rendang and Brother Poem , by Will Harris, and began to form questions for him in my mind. For me it's all about setting small targets and achieving them.  Then off on a walk around Tide Mills, pushing back against the anxiety of open spaces, and did a circular walk today I'd not managed before. The thing I've learned recently from revisiting CBT is that avoiding what unnerves you is the worst thing you can do. As long as I feel in control and stepping up in gradual increments I will get there. Home and a bit of writing, and chatted to Mum. Lorraine back having done loads of exercise. We had an early dinner, I fixed a hinge in the glasshouse, then we went around the corner to see a local art exhibition in the Crypt, where saw arty friends such as Adele and Mandy and Eileen, and bought...

A beautiful day. Up and we went to the Crypt gallery. There was the sketchbook challenge exhibition. Actually very fascinating, and possibly the most interesting exhibition I'd seen there. Some lovely work on show. The challenge was to complete a sketchbook and there were dozens of them there. In fact far too many to look through properly. Some of them were from schoolchildren, and some from excellent local artists. While there, we bumped into Debbie and Adele who both have sketchbooks there. I think I'm going to have a go at it next year. Then to Morrisons and I dropped off a pizza at Pat and Maureen's place.  Pat in the sunshine by the window looking at the sea. Maureen saying darkly that people on the beach queuing for coffee at the kiosk were peering into her flat behind their sunglasses.  Once home, Lorraine and I spent time gardening in the front garden. I simply got to work deadheading hydrangeas now that the new growth is come. Lorraine planted up a camellia, a pink...

A day with Beth and James and Enzo. We went off to The Long Man Brewery where there was a Christmas Fayre of sorts. I scoffed a very nice sausage roll, washed down with a half of Long Man's plum porter.  It was pleasantly Christmassy. Otherwise the normal sort of stuff. A chilli products stand, soaps with scraps of flowers in, a stand selling breads and excellent mince pies,  and the Long Man brewery shop,  full of geezers looking seriously at beers. We sat in a drafty former cow shed drinking coffee before zooming off down the narrow road to the Barn at the Friston forest visitor's centre, where we looked at more Christmassy stands, selling everything from Honey to festive baubles. In the art exhibition part, we met Adele and Mandy, who were exhibiting their artworks. Then Lorraine and I off to see Pat and Maureen. Maureen feeling a bit down, and we spent some time with them.  Beth and James and Enzo already at home when we arrived. Beth in Cinders mode beginning to...

Over breakfast this morning, I received a note from Poetry Salzburg to say they are going to publish, the first part of Gordon Road, Google Street View , plus three of my free verse sonnets about memory, Mnemosyne Speaks, Death of an Accompanist, and Daguerrotype . Massively bucked up by this, especially by the acceptance of the Google Street View poem. Perhaps I am not an abject failure after all.  This news also helped to alleviate impostor syndrome when Robin and I interviewed Niall Campbell at 10:30. Niall proved not only hugely talented, but highly likeable too, growing up in South Uist, and now living not too far from St Andrew's where we have been a few times recently. His collection The Island in the Sound is magical . Then I met Adele at Seaford Station, and we zoomed off to Lewes, Adele even doing a bit of glasswork on the train, where we went to The John Harvey Tavern, where we met Frances and Deana. Ben and Sally sadly unable to make it. Deana hilarious, telling u...

After breakfast with Lorraine, I set off to Brighton this morning to visit Anton at the Montefiore. Just a lovely hospital. As I arrived two nurses were wheeling him away, and I sat in his room for a while. Really calm, and loads of space. The boon of having a job which includes health insurance.  Anton in good spirits and had been climbing stairs and so on. We chatted for about an hour or so, then I melted away. Tried to buy a new fleece, but after going into TK Max as recommended by Anton, I got bored and caught a 12X heading off to meet Lorraine and Pat and Maureen.  Sat at the top at the back where the seats in front face the back. A woman got on with a squirming black dog that repeatedly licked my leg. In Seaford Lorraine called, and she was in the car in front of the bus, so I hopped off. We collected Pat and Maureen who were licking ices on the Seafront, and drove off to the Pump Barn on the edge of Friston Forest. Adele was exhibiting there and was in the gallery, lots...

Raining heavily overnight. More foraging in the garden for soft fruits for breakfast and vegetables. The smell of the garden was lovely. Petrichor they call it. We have big two pots of blueberries and they are rewarding us with the best blueberries I've ever eaten. Again marvelling at being able to spoon down something you just picked five minutes ago. After breakfast, Lorraine and I mooched into town, principally to see Adele's show at Gallery Uno, called Duet, done with another artist called Liza Morton. Looked really professional insid and Adele's work is going from strength to strength in its variety and quality.  It was the opening morning too, so there was coffee and fizz to drink. I stuck to coffee as it wasn't quite noon. Adele looked all cheery and pleased, and she had a lot to be proud of. Liza had some fun pieces of pottery, including wall mountable gull's heads holding chips which made me laugh.  A spot of shopping, and looking at paint colours as we are...

Over breakfast, a call from Maureen about Pat's catheter which was playing up and making him uncomfortable. Lorraine, rather fancying a quiet morning, had to zoom off.  In contrast, I had a three hour portrait masterclass. Melissa drew a self portrait in the first hour, after explaining certain principles, talking us through her process. Then we all stood at easels, and I used my charcoal pencils, and did drawings of two models. Somehow the timings went awry, so we spent most of our time on one model, and I had only 15 mins on the second one. I captured a likeness but so much to learn. It was my first go, however. Adele and Debbie there. Adele bullying me by deliberately getting in my way when we were hustling for position with the easels.   A shingles jab, next. The young nurse kept calling me lovely... thanks lovely... please sit down lovely... Last time I had my shingles jab I felt slightly peculiar afterwards so they told me to wait for 10 minutes. Anton sent me a news ite...

Up early to work on Gordon Road, then have breakfast with Lorraine. She zoomed off to do her pottery, and I sloped round the corner to life drawing. For some reason I did everything badly in the first half, producing my worst work yet. A lovely chat with Melissa who runs the sessions at half time, and decided it was okay to not excel, and ended up doing much better in the second half. Adele there with her own stool, a drum stool bought in the US with a Captain America style star on it. Stylish. Home and back onto Gordon Road for an hour or so. Made some decisions. Lorraine back from pottery but only long enough to grab a tupperwear of apples, nuts and cheese she'd asked for before taking Pat and Maureen back to Eastbourne for a medical appointment and some shopping. A bite to eat, then I went to the gym. My knee held up well, though a little swollen afterwards. On the way there I passed the pond, where there was a lively argument going on between a seagull and a heron. Usual seagul...

Lots to do and not much energy.  Various emails and messages and thinking about the reading tomorrow and Robin's book launch and started the editing the Richard Scott interview.  Lorraine and I drove off to Beth's to collect our strimmer, and I cut the unruly lawn using this and the manual lawn mower and cleaned the pond filter and did lots of laundry and other housework. On Saturday there is going to be a Baby Shower for Beth at our house, with lots of guests so things have to be got straight. Lorraine busy completing the 'secret project' she has been doing.  A doze this afternoon for half an hour, while listening to a podcast about Robert Aickman. It's making me want to read his brilliant 'strange stories' over again. Reading them for the first time a few years ago,  inspired me to write more stories.   In the evening Lorraine and I listened to Adele's interview on Crozier's creatives, talking about stained glass, and she also chose a track from Pa...

Lorraine off to her personal trainer this morning. I did some writing, then met up with Callum and went for a late morning saunter along the seafront. First time we'd had a really long chat since about 1990, so that was nice Catching up with where we are in life. He is still doing a bit of freelance journalism, and has written several plays and is working towards getting them performed, so lots to discuss. Chief among them is Will, my old University pal, that Callum had remained close with over the years. A week after they came to see my poetry reading, Will had a severe stroke, and is still in hospital. I agreed to visit Will with Callum and Will's mother Mavis on Thursday. We went for a coffee in Baca too.  After Callum left I did a bit of work including listening to the latest Planet Poetry interview Robin had done, under very difficult circumstances.  Popped again into the Last Minute Artists show, chatting with Adele, Palo and Geraldine, and another lady with two others. ...

Pleasantly creaky from yesterday's walk up Seaford Head. I need to do more walking again now that I haven't renewed in the gym, and you see loads more than staring at a wall while on the cross trainer.  Otherwise something approaching a perfect little day. Up fairly early, had breakfast with Lorraine, who then zoomed off to do rhyme time at the library, and then go around to her pal Helen's house. I meanwhile phoned mum then completed a good draft of my new horror story, I'm currently calling The Emptiness. Quite pleased with it, and it is an interesting scenario around wearing a giant rabbit suit in a farm shop. I based it on a job Beth had once in Kent. Then a late lunch. A spot of pottering in the garden, and Lorraine preparing dhal. A little before six Lorraine and I walked to The Crypt, where the Last Minute Artists were having a show. Adele one of these, and she was exhibiting some fabulous Punch and Judy themed glass. The crocodile eating sausages was inspired.  ...

Spoke to Mum this evening, who was just back from Watford hospital, Mason having difficulty walking as they were going into The Waggon and Horses. I planning to go up there tomorrow anyway, but Lorraine said she would drive me and collect Mas from the hospital and so on. However, the hospital got a taxi for him and discharged him in the evening.   Up not too early. A breakfast, and as we readied ourselves to go out, Lorraine discovered that the concrete dryad type statue, had been knocked over and broken by the kid I saw running off yesterday who was using it to scoot over the fence into next door's garden. We went around to see that Joy and Jim were all well, and this helped Joy solve the mystery of a a cigarette and a drinks can she had found in her garden. Nothing appears to have been stolen. Joy and Jim very friendly. A low flying Spitfire flew over the top of the street as we left Joy's house. Magnificent to see it so close. Then into the car to collect Delores, who fancie...

Lorraine off to her personal trainer this morning. I was up early and had a good morning's writing, stuff coming with pleasing fluency, until I texted Adele to find out when the glass meeting was. Turns out it had already started, then I spoke to Mum and to text to Keith.  As there are train strikes, Weds and Friday, Mum and agreed I shall come up again on Monday, which will be fun. Talking about Dave's propensity to throw plates and cups into the air. Felt bad about not going to the glass class. It seems one of the things makes me squirm most letting people I like down. Anyway, I returned to writing as I was on a bit of a roll until about two. Meditation at lunchtime with Lorraine, then I zoomed off to the gym where I lummoxed about for about 45  mins, and Morrisons, and on my return sat happily in the glasshouse with Lorraine, making up strange pots with big wholes and cutting out circles of water retentive fabric for the bottom as she repotted assorted plants. Our glasshous...

Up early to do a few bits and pieces of work, then Lorraine and I assembled her new dressing table. A lovely thing it is. Then downstairs to be collected by Adele and Jane. Adele lending Lorraine a food dehydrater for Lorraine to make more of her dried orange slice ornaments.  I climbed into Adele's yellow car and we drove off to Poynings. We ended doubling back and going via Alfreston and then towards Brighton. Plenty of banter in the car, some of it centred on Jane's love of telling anecdotes. The high downs and fields beautiful and still covered with thin snow. Eventually we reached The Royal Oak -- a pub Lorraine and I have driven past on many occasions but never stopped at. Lovely village pub. There we met Sally, Frances, Rick around the corner, and Deana -- and had lunch which, as a non driver, I was able to wash down with a couple of pints of Harvey's Old Ale. Nice to see folks from my old glass class again. Ben unable to make it as he was -- rather mysteriously -- ...

Up hideously early to go to the dentist in London. Arrived at icy Seaford station at 06:50, but there was no train for over an hour -- either as a hangover from the strike yesterday, and later this week or the icy rails or both. There was no way I would make my appointment on time. Gah. I had to cancel the  appointment and sheepishly blame the trains. Home again, I took Lorraine a cup of tea up and decided make an early start on the concepting work for mes amis in Paris, plus writing the copy for the latest podcast which was uploaded today and featured an interview Robin had with Matthew Stewart, plus bloopers and other general banter. At my desk an overnight rejection from the agency in New York. No surprise there.  Working all day, but a very happy day. Sent the copy that Tim Relf had written for his bit about Planet Poetry in Poetry News. Lorraine up early and excitedly. A man came shortly after the sun rose, to assemble the glasshouse in the garden. He had driven from Nor...

Feeling free today. At my desk doing lots of poetry related emails one to Live Cannon, following up about a meeting before Christmas after my recently shortlisted collection.  Finding the advice that Sarah Barnsley gave me last week continuously resonating with me at present: be on your own side. Looked at my phone as I mooched, and my emails were all from poets.  Lorraine out to join Penny and another head teacher for a walk around Ditchling.  I went for a walk of my own, and signed up at the nearby sports centre so I can use their gym. Got a Christmas deal so I got three months for the price of one. Friendly place, and I got chatting to an elderly lady at reception who was off to do Tai Chi. From there I walked about for a bit, listening to the In Our Time podcast about Wilfred Owen.Wandered over to a bit of Seaford Head, wind surging off the sea in a way that makes you feel a bit roughed up and buffeted, which I liked a lot..  Home and had a chat with Mum, and arr...

Up early and rushing about straightening the house for the open house day. Then nabbing Calliope and taking her to the vet, paid for more thyroid stuff and another blood test.Very pricey. She is not putting on any weight. The vet hinted at other issues.  Home and a frenzy of tidying, and then I showed the lady from the estate agent around. Sam, after quite a bit to drink last night, being extremely helpful, but he found having to rush off stressful. He went to stay with Beth for the day.  Lorraine and I went to the tip to drop off some rubbish. Also a few unsold Clameur CDs. We were quizzed about these, was it a business thing? Were we dumping commercial waste. But it was all okay thanks to Lorraine's persuasive charms.  Then back to Osborne Road to drop the car off and we went to a nearby cafe, Tilt, and we enjoyed a vegetarian brunch and looked at houses on our phones and made another appointment in Seaford. Mooched down to London Road station to catch the train, and on...

Many small tasks today, and none of them paying. Up early and sent a speculative MS off to a magazine, then podcast business, getting our new episode uploaded and publicised on social meeja with my interview with J.O. Morgan .  Got Sam out of bed to go to a meeting in town. Syringed thyroid medication down Calliope's throat. Conversations with Estate agents during the day. Now well over a dozen viewings scheduled for our house for our open day on Saturday. Also chasing ones in Seaford, including about the complicated house we love. Worrying about tax a bit when Keith reminded me that as I have reverted to being self employed, I will effectively be double taxed in for the first year. As my first year was good, it means I am going to have to find a lots of money.  No problem if I keep earning, but slightly alarming now I have gone very quiet very quiet.  I have saved money but the idea of handing it all over is a bit galling after slogging so hard. Keith and I  getting...