under another sun

Up early as Enzo was at home. Breakfast while the little boy crawled about and pointing at things and opening the doors of cupboards and draws. Meanwhile, life drawing class has resumed.  I hurried around the corner to find Mike, the only other bloke in the group, had taken my spot again. Peeving in a Pooterish way. Otherwise I enjoyed myself, despite being rusty. Somehow having my book accepted has reminded me that drawing's just a nice to have, not the main course. Adele not there, but nice to see Melissa and Debbie, and some of the others, especially Kate, who I normally sit next to, who is a retired art teacher with a brilliant style.  Home, and bounced the baby boy about and at lunch time, gave Lorraine a tiny break by feeding the boy with mashed up mango and guava and another fruit I forget. He nommed it down with gusto. He pulled a really funny shocked face when Lorraine poked in a spoonful of shepherd's pie immediately after. Then an Understory Session, having had to m...

A morning at my desk, as Sylwia did her magic, surveying my fallow field and perhaps noticing one or two green shoots. In the afternoon some walking around and about in Tide Mills. I'm challenging myself to go to places that feel a bit triggering and then using CBT to try to work out what's going on. In the evening off to The Evening Star, where I met Messrs H & H. Mark newly a grandfather to young Ivor, Melissa's new baby. Ivor was born in Glasgow, where Melissa now lives. Saw photos of the wee bairn who looked very much like a baby, and of proud parents and a very cheery Carol. An enjoyable evening, stopping in at Fatto a Mano.  Told the cheery young Italian woman who was front of house how good she was at her job, which pleased her lots. Then to The Brighton Tavern for an absolute bloody final. As you do there, I found myself talking to a sculptor, having admired a Paul Nash picture on the wall. Altogether a cheery evening and not too boozy. Home with my top hat cent...

Slept heavily after yesterday's massage. Another day on tenterhooks. Beth being induced and so on. Lorraine and I spent the day thinking she was going to go into labour at any moment. I can't really imagine what it will be like for Beth and James.  After doing some writing this morning, rather a good morning where I am having a few ahah moments. Pottered off the gym for a bit today, but having twinged my lower back earlier in the week I took it fairly easy on the cross trainer.  Very hot day and we are in a heatwave.  In the afternoon some work in the garage, and I built another of the metal shelving units. Only one more to go now. Pouring with sweat doing it. Then to meet Messrs H and H in the Evening Star. Telling them about the imminent birth. Lots of sagacious fatherly advice and a rather too graphic description of cutting the umbilical cord with a tiny pair of scissors from Peter.  We went to Fatto a Mano for a cheeky pizza, and went to the Green Dragon, a Brigh...

Even if I say so myself, writing rather excellently first thing. Then I zoomed off to my last glass class for the foreseeable future. Took in some designs for my next piece and discussed them with Ben. He said at the end he would pop around to see how I was getting on and with glass and so on next year, which was kind of him.   Off to Fatto a mano in Hove afterwards. For food and a glass of wine with classmates Yvonne, Adele, Rick, Mick, Frances and Sally. I had one of their nice diavola pizzas. Most of the ladies had delicate salads. A jolly interlude with lots of laughter. Yvonne, having few barriers, lays the groundwork for some some no-holds-barred conversations. Caught the bus to Fiveways with Rick, and as he lives around the corner from me we walked home. He is recently widowed, and he lives around the corner from me. Nice guy. His wife was only 59, but he has lots of family who are supporting him thankfully. A bit more work and reading, before Lorraine came home and ...

So more working from home on dribs and drabs of things from my friends in Paddington. Also lots of conversations about Janet and Ken, and I attempted several times to call the social worker in the afternoon without success. Beth at Janet and Ken as a kind of girl Friday, spoke to Beth several times, as well as Hus and Lorraine and others. An evening's respite with Anton, after we met in the Great Eastern, we went to Fatto a mano pizza in its new outlet in the North Laine. Great to hang out and chat about everything, and drink the beers that needed drinking in a few local pubs. With Janet's situation it looks like I must shelve going to Guernsey with Anton, which is a great shame.  However we played a few games of Batman pinball in which both Anton and I scored enough points to get free replays. We parted company after an absolute bloody final in the ever faithful Batty, and I walked home, and went straight to bed.

I got up, feeling achey after yesterday's walk, additionally I felt coldy and sinus again. Sauntered down the road to get some bread, then came home and made Lorraine and I bacon and egg sandwiches, then simply returned to bed, where I stayed with my lovely wife reading the Guardian and chatting. Later I spoke to Mum in hospital twice. She had had a comfortable night, and sounded quite cheery. They kept her in overnight tonight too, but fed her supper, and wanted to monitor her. She was very happy to eat. Also let the Tobster know what was going on with Mum and had chats with him. When Lorraine and I did manage to get up we did purposeful things around the house. She had bought a steam cleaner, and we used it on the gold sofa. The grimiest section of which looks much improved now. Then we prepped the big bedroom, where Beth had been, and tore a few inaugural strips of wallpaper. Then off to Hove, picked up Beth from work and dropped her off home with a chair we were giving he...

Into town with Lorraine, who went off to get her hair cut. I did the same, with Stacy the perfectionist cutting my hair again. He does a really good job. Expertly flashing past the spreading continent of the area of concern when he shows me the back of my head with the mirror.  Sitting next to me was a young lad whose dad had brought him in, after he'd attacked his hair with beard trimming shears.  The lad, weirdly, started talking about The Beatles (his dad clearly a vinyl nut). Strange how if you've just read a book about something (The Beatles) how Beatles stuff comes at you from strange angles. Then into Starbucks to do some work, then off to meet Innis and Beth. Innis is going to take some photos of Beth for her portfolio, and I fancied a decent pic taken so I could use it as an author pic when necessary. Nice chat with Innis.  Beth very clear about what she needed, like a proper actress should be. I'm hoping for a miracle. After, I popped into M&S to buy som...