under another sun

All of us up fairly early, and we made off into Sées for the Saturday market. Perhaps a dozen or so large stands serving gorgeous produce. If only the Seaford market was half as good. A table with bell peppers of all colours in the sunlight absolutely zinged out with colour. Lorraine and I bought and tested two jars of local honey, harvested in different summer months. There were two lists of the flowers the bees would have visited. We had small spoonful of each. They were absolutely delicious and very different. Beth and James and Enzo mooched about and went off to the Patisserie, while Lorraine and I joined a long queue -- it took ages to be served but nobody seemed to mind. We fell into conversation with a young Anglo-French couple who lived in Paris. In the wait I managed to assemble enough French to ask for trois tranches de biftek pour le barbecue. Beth cooked us a delicious meal this evening, with steak for the others, and some pork for me. A warmer day with lots of sunshine tod...

A slow morning. Lorraine and I had another cheeky game of boules, another close game. Breakfast, the little boy full of sunshine.  Lorraine and I had some time in Sées. A beautiful little town, or perhaps a city as there is a cathedral and a bishop. We walked about in the gothic Cathedral, built between 1210 and 1310. You feel a bit like an ant walking in there, dwarfed by the majesty of divinely-inspired architecture.  Some gorgeous glass in there too. I was looking at the a list of war dead, and struck by the word Disparus for missing.  Then across the road to a lovely Patisserie where we bought some pastries, and baguettes. I ate an apple pastry, buttery flaky pastry, with sweet cooked apple in the middle. Absolutely delicious. We nosed in several shops and then popped into the supermarket for assorted treats, and headed home.  Pleased with myself that I tried to stick to French. In fact later, we were talking to Charlie, whose English is worse than my French and ...

A poor night's sleep, probably caused by drinking excellent French boozes, a little local cider here (super tasty and only 3% proof, a few of what Beth calls stubby beers. Enzo had a poor night, possibly because of teething, so Beth and James a bit frazzled too. They took Enzo off to Seés the nearby town, and Lorraine and I played a game of boules in garden, where there is an excellent boules court. Lorraine it seems has played this game before, but I was able to sneak a win.  The sun hot when out, but a bit cloudy otherwise. We sat outside lots, Lorraine studying a large book about pottery glazes, while I plodded through a translation of André Breton's difficult, but sometimes rewarding, surrealist poetry.  I also mooched about the grounds taking photos on Canon camera. However I am unable to download these onto my laptop, and uploading them is intermittent. So photos later. First time for quite a while when I felt properly relaxed.  Wonderful news from First Matie, who ...

A decent night's sleep at Le Chêne, which translates as The Oak, though found myself awake in the middle of the night, with Lorraine sleeping peacefully beside me in a very dark room feeling like we were miles from anywhere.  Up and breakfasted, fortunately Lorraine and I brought our mix of seeds and nuts with us. Beth and James up with the larks with the baby boy, had gone for a doze as Enzo was sleeping. We were visited by three pea hens who came to the glass kitchen doors.   Best thing today, I messaged Ian and First Matie, who was able to respond, and is out of immediate danger. Very cheering news. Also spoke to Mum, who has talked to the bank and found that the US pension was paid in at the beginning of this month, and last, too. This all good news. Went back to the Intermarché with Beth and James. Bought lots of stuff, as we had more time. Even in this out of the way little supermarket, you can tell you're in a superior food culture. The locals smiling ruefully at the to...

Up at a hideous five thirty and dragged myself out of bed into a rainy world. We left at six thirty, but not before Lorraine had watered the cucumbers. Arrived at Newhaven a few minutes later, with James and Beth already in the line of cars.  Waited there for about an hour before we were allowed to drive into The Seven Sisters. I'd been a bit apprehensive as I knew the weather was a bit stormy, but the boat only rolled a little gently.  We all found ourselves a pleasant place to sit, and had a really enjoyable trans manche experience. I went outside as we left, standing on a piece of deck with one or two others, looking at Newhaven and the grey sea and sky. Nice to see Seaford Head and the Seven Sisters from the sea.  We had cups of tea and some food, but the game changer was a chocolate and coffee drink which suddenly made me feel perky. Also heard on the journey from Lou, who told me that First Matie was improved today, and the doctors were more optimistic, which made m...

Up reasonably early, at my desk for a short while before making breakfast. Spoke to Mum and this morning, who was going to see Robert. Chatted with Anton who was taking it fairly easy I was pleased to hear.  Pat's birthday today. Lorraine's uncle Steve having arrived at our place, Jonas and I went to collect Pat and Maureen and get them across to the Boot in the wheelchairs. I had to double back to fetch Maureen's hearing aid. Meanwhile Lorraine, Claudia, Beth, James, Enzo, and Delores and her granddaughter Azaria gathered in place. Plus there was a cake and the big balloons, one a heart, the other with nine, and the other with a three for Patrick's 93rd birthday. We all strapped on a preordered nosebag, and Lorraine phoned Sam and we sang happy birthday to him too. Enzo teething and not at his best today, and Beth and James took him home to give him some pain treatment. Otherwise a cheery gathering. I enjoyed chatting to Azaria, a bright girl who likes writing but had ...

Enzo first thing. Sitting between us on the bed. All very sweet. I fed him this morning with his breakfast mashed Weetabix and blueberries, after he'd shown no interest in it half an hour before. Beth and James called round and hung out chatting while the bambino had a nap. We are going to go to France soon for a cheeky week.   Lorraine potting again today, and having a much needed day of downtime. Chatted to Mum to decide on what day I'm seeing her. I went to the gym, then I made off in the evening to Brighton to meet up with Anton.    A lot to discuss. Work has been hell and it has been making him consider his options. We mooched about in Brighton, shooting the breeze. He said he had found a YouTube video of Psychobilly band called Guano Batz, that had played in the Klub Foot in the Albany pub in 1987. It had been close to  Hammersmith Station, but long gone now. He had found film of himself in the crowd. It's like time travel.  We stopped at an Afghani take a...

Up at my desk, and sent the file of One Day Forever to Wolfgang first thing. Breakfast with Sue and John, then off to Bateman's, where Rudyard Kipling had lived. John wanted to drive, in his electric car, so that was nice. Lots of road diversions and we found ourselves going down all kinds of tight country lanes. Bateman's itself was lovely. Gorgeous but sun parched gardens, little rivers and an old mill. The house itself first built in 1634, he wrote Kim there, and he clearly had already made huge sums from his writing, enough to buy this country pile and finance a Rolls Royce habit. I have read The Light That Died, and versions of the Jungle Book and Kim. But there's clearly more to explore, including poetry. An easier drive back. Once home, John preoccupied by charging his car at Morrisons. I barbecued a chicken and some sausages. I had put the funnel with the burning charcoal onto one of the concrete tiles of the patio and the concrete loudly exploded a circle shattered...

Beth and James returned at midday having got up at the crack of dawn in Wales, after what was a brilliant wedding. Lorraine bathing Enzo in the bath this morning. A very splashy business indeed. Enzo had been clearly missing Beth and James, and perhaps because we were talking about them, he kept looking at the door. They crept in just as Enzo was waking from a late morning snooze, he burst into tears with happiness, and Beth picked him up crying too. A lovely reunion. Soon they drove off to be home. The house suddenly quieter.  Lorraine much improved today so all well.  Called the Tobster and spoke to him and Mike, and Toby came here in late afternoon. Roast Chicken, and salad, and the World Cup Final. A bizarre game with Spain utterly dominant, and Argentina resisting and defending and playing their dirty game. Spain won in extra time, which was pleasing. The Argentinians then began physically attacking some of the Spanish players. Very poor behaviour. A long drawn out game, ...

Recording with Robin this morning, nice to see her, virtually at least. She is about to lead her own Steps class, starting tomorrow night, and is fully booked. I find this deeply impressive, but she's always had that streak in her. Then, having found an appropriate folder, having just given up looking for it, I sauntered off to the post office to send off my manuscript. One Day Forever is about examining memory and was inevitably focused on the past and time and so on.  I want to turn a page. My next project to be more forward looking and perhaps a bit lighter. Nature abhors a vacuum, and half formed ideas are nudging forwards for attention. It's actually quite exciting. If only it weren't so energy-snappingly hot I'd bloody get on with it.  Popped into the photo shop, and sent pictures from my phone to a printer in the shop to be collected later in the week, via a screen in the shop with QR codes and so on.  Lorraine busy and took Maureen out to a hospital appointment...

A cooler night. A relaxed day, not able to do too much due to the heatwave. Sitting companionably outside with Lorraine, before I went off to the air conditioned gym early in the afternoon. I seem to be losing a bit of weight and toning up, but the gut is making a magnificent last stand, and if anything has become even more prominent as the rest of be gets back into shape. Sigh.  Late afternoon L and I drove off to Squirrel's End, and had dinner in the garden with Beth, James and Enzo and Micky the cat under the gazebo, which is still standing despite the wind, in their lovely garden. Nice summery salads and chicken, washed down with, for me, a cold lager. Enzo splashing delightedly in his little pool. All well. Getting the little boy off to sleep is a bit challenging however, and the answer seems to be take him for a drive, which Beth and James did after we'd left. 

A saunter around Seaford this morning, popped in to see Pat and Maureen, who were struggling with iPlayer. Then had a walk around town, popping in to Gallery Uno to see our friends Adele and Debbie's work among others.  Off to Squirrel's End late this afternoon where we hung out with Beth and James and the baby boy, who was in sparkling form. We also celebrated Beth and James being parents for a year, and James's recent successful year's review. He is doing excellently, despite starting days after Enzo was born, and life being full on for both of them.  Lorraine and I had been talking off and on about trying a nostalgic doner kebab, as I can't remember having one for at least a decade.  Delicious Doner Seaford has a good reputation. Beth decided to make it happen, and we got a delivery meal from them and drank sparking wine (I stuck to beer mostly) and simply talked all evening, and it was really fun.  Lorraine and I had large doner kebabs, they were huge and stuffe...

Enzo's birthday today. It hardly seems possible really. Funny how a little thing who has only been part of everyone's life for a year is so established and loved as a little person. Innis and Rosie came around, and we all made our way around to Squirrel's End where the garden was being made ready for a teddybear's picnic. So we had to take teddybears. I took my monkey knitted for me by Maureen. We left Pippi in the kitchen. Julie and Andy and Lorenzo were there already, helping in the gazebo. Innis had brought his bubble machine and set this up, and several pals and other relatives arrived. I particularly enjoyed seeing Laura and Braheem, and their gorgeous daughter Layla now four, and Suzie, who I caught up with about the shows she and Sarah have put on. I told her what I'd seen in Trafalgar Square with it being roped off for shows, and she told me all about it.   Most importantly Beth and James were delighted with how the afternoon went.  Enzo was of course was hi...

An Enzo day today, as Beth and James were having a day of full on sorting house and garden.  We sat outside, where I did a bit more finishing of old drawing. And generally played with Enzo. I even made time for a delicious kip this afternoon. Up again to put on the chicken, and potatoes as Uncle Steve arrived, in good spirits having hung out with Pat and Maureen. Always good to see him.  He was telling us about having to go to a school to discuss his life with the kids, which he was obviously chuffed about. Beth and James returned, having had their day. James took Enzo for a walk in the garden and was scolded and menaced by the seagull. Uncle Steve set off for Ramsgate, and we served up some dinner. I'd cooked the chicken in the air fryer, which worked, but I'm not sure it's my favourite method, but with new Jersey potatoes, lots of mixed leaf salad with olives gherkins etc.  it did the trick. Lorraine playing with Enzo after dinner, the little lad wriggling with exciteme...

A day to spark up the first barbecue of the year. I cooked a whole chicken and some sausages, and the barbecue behaved itself excellently. Beth and James and Enzo arrived first, then Rosie and Innis. Rosie had bought salad, and Beth potato wedges and Lorraine made a lovely roulade. Sat outside eating and enjoying several drinks in the sun.  Rosie's car however had problems and the alarm kept going off and the electrics had malfunctioned. Luckily Rosie eventually realised she had RAC membership and a man came around to fix it. They also bought Pippi the dog, and a bubble machine.  I enjoyed myself, but again feeling a veil of weariness between myself and events. Good to see everyone. A relaxed evening. Chelsea won the FA Cup semifinal, so are in the FA cup final again this year. Having deposed their 'supply teacher' manager, they remembered to play today, edging it against dirty Leeds. Below Rosie and Pippi and Beth and Enzo and lots of bubbles. Enjoyed playing with Enzo. H...

Up and my first weekday at home for a while. It always takes me a while to get back into the routine. To start, I made an untangling list. I started as usual with Eno's If in doubt tidy up . Trivial things that make you feel better, organising my clothes cupboard, my desk, my study, outstanding emails. Finally being able to put back all the stuff that was displaced during the great carpeting. Being able to do these small things made me immediately feel more in control.  Nowhere near doing any writing or anything creative so far, but a tidy desk is a good start. Lorraine dressed for her personal trainer, but instead got an early appointment at the doctor, which she went to instead. In the afternoon, she spent time with Enzo, as Beth and James organised James's new workspace. The Bambino did his work and Lorraine returned cheery, with two tupperware containers of frogspawn which we put into our wee wildlife pond and two Italian pastries, which we put in our bellies. I went for a...

Baby Enzo with us this morning. Lorraine brought him in to sit with us in the bed first thing. Sitting in bed with the smiley little boy was completely heart melting.   Beth arrived early, she and James had missed Enzo all the time. I find how James is so besotted by Enzo to be very endearing.  I went for a long walk in the winter sun, along the sea and at the bottom of Edinburgh Road, passed workmen moving the sea-strewn pebbles off the road. I also got to the end of the Inklings book. Lorraine and I made Sunday lunch and afterward played a simple cycling based board game, which I enjoyed, as its rules were straightforward. At tea time I received an email saying that Gordon Road had been shortlisted for the Live Canon competition I entered it for last summer. This is good. But also triggering: I have had so many things shortlisted without winning that it actually made my heart sink a bit. Crazy really. Beth and James left, taking the wee bairn with them. The house seemed qui...

A major feat of organisation and logistics also known as Christmas Day. Lorraine up before me, to put on a Christmas ham, once Mum was up, we got down to a fast smoked salmon breakfast. Soon Beth and James and Enzo arrived. Much swapping of gifts. I got excellent jumpers, art supplies, a book on life drawing, plus a useful box of Long Man beers. Lorraine liked the earrings I got for her. We all had pressies to open.   Then the ham was done, and the turkey put on. A good deal of cooking, and running about, then Lorraine and James left and returned with Pat and Maureen. Uncle Steve was there too. Another bout of present opening.  Pat being here was excellent, getting him here involved Lorraine doing lots of planning, using an E Tack turner, used to swivel him from one chair to another. And I was especially pleased to have Mum with us too, and having Enzo was a bit of a game changer. I'd never been around a baby at Christmas, and Enzo was like the Phial of Galadriel, shedding lig...

A relaxed Sunday. I did some early recording with Robin, and some editing later. Then Lorraine and I did some work in the garden. Our gardener Gerard bad been recently, and so surging outside was not accompanied by the usual feeling of being overwhelmed by all the things to be done. Lorraine was in her happy place. I joined in by clearing stuff out of the greenhouse, hacking through the ropey tomato and cucumber vines and emptied all the tomato pots into the compost, and encountered invertebrates such as an overly large spider and leopard slugs. Also the last handfuls of tomatoes. Not bad given that it is almost Christmas. I went for a walk in the afternoon. Leaving Lorraine happily doing things. Just as I was returning, Lorraine called to say she was zooming around to Beth and James's place, as Enzo was unwell. Poor baby was vomiting and going floppy, which was very worrying. Beth and Enzo were blue lighted to the Royal Sussex at Brighton, and stayed overnight. It seemed to be eit...

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...