under another sun

I was feeling bright and cheerful today. Lorraine and I did several things and sprang out of bed fairly sharpishly for a Saturday. First we drove to the Book Nook in Hove. As a headteacher,  Lorraine receives a box of books to take into school, they go through them, and return any unwanted ones and only pay for the ones  they want. Then we drove to Bolney Village Hall, where there was a small exhibition from the Bolney Historical Society. They also showed a video that was shot ten years ago, and featured Sarah who works with Lorraine, and John, the previous head who I used to go for the occasional drink with, and to see his band The High Sides. Chatted to several Bolney worthies. Then we impulsively drove off to Leonardslee Gardens as it was a sunny and beautiful day. The gardens were almost empty and we loved walking down by the tranquil ponds and through the empty gardens. There was a little cafe there too, and we had a pot of tea and scone each. Next to Horsham where we...

Badly hungover this morning, but despite this a happy day. Lorraine and I up early and off into the deluge dropping a cheery Beth off to teach and then Lorraine drove us across country looking windswept, wet and autumnally beautiful, to Horsham and a branch of John Lewis. Here we looked at a great variety of interior things, and bought a lampshade and some towels and so on. Had a much needed cup of tea there too, and some kind of restoring pastry. On the way home we drove into Bolney village where Lorraine will be headteacher from January. The school is gorgeous little old building with, Lorraine says, a ghost on the top floor, which will be company when she is working late. It is opposite a cricket pitch and next to the old village church, and is all archetypically English.   In need of personal sleep and repair this afternoon, and revelled in having time with Lorraine pottering about. We were supposed to be seeing Matt and Reuben this evening, but Matt was ill. I was happy ju...