under another sun

Feeling somewhat sluggish, with an aching arm, caused by the shingles jab. Lorraine off to rhyme time. I did a spot of writing first thing. A after a light lunch I took the train to Brighton for a futile shopping expedition, followed another in Lewes. At four o'clock, rainsoaked and tired, I retreated to a cafe for a large coffee, and a read of a book of historical Beano front covers in full colour, that I had bought early in Seaford Post Office for a ridiculous £2.95. Repaired, I made off to the Lewes Arms to meet poet friends. SJB, Charlotte, Stephen and Robin. A cheery drink for a couple of hours, with the usual mixture of banter and poetry. I like being with my tribe. Towards the end of our session, Christmas carollers came into the small bar, and began singing. People, talking loudly to compete. Charlotte had to go as it was making her feel claustrophobic. Just as everyone was leaving, the singers asked me if there was a carol I liked, and I said Silent night. I sat there list...

A happy Friday. Working fairly productively this morning. Also had a couple of hours working on stuff for my agency pals in Chiswick, and sauntered into town for a haircut, as it was all getting a bit Art Garfunkley. In the evening off to Lewes to meet up with the Telltale & Friends posse, Robin, Sarah, Charlotte, Catherine Smith and Stephen Bone. A hugely enjoyable and altogethery evening in the lovely Lewes Arms catching up on everyone's news. It did lots to make me feel less alone and weird in this mad pursuit of writing.  A fair amount of drinking done too. Also reminded me that people had lots to cope with lately. Both Charlotte and Sarah's mothers had died last year, and life is full of challenges. I just felt I drew great strength from my fellow writers. Fond farewells, and Sarah and I hopped on the Brighton train, and I got off at London Road. Spoke to Lorraine, and scored a curry. Home at around 9:30 although it seemed much later due to being in the dead of win...

Working at home for the Germans this morning, then sending off our Best & Final Offer for the property that needs loads of work. Also marvelling at information from Jane, who thinks the strange flower in yesterday's post is a Jersey lily. Having never been there, I can't say. Facetimed Mum intensively about property stuff. Lorraine working at home in the morning which was nice. A meh afternoon, after she'd gone, not achieving much other than a bit of admin and inventing ways to harm roofers who never turn up to do the work. The evening, however, great fun. I went to Lewes to meet Mark Hartley, now officially my oldest friend, having known him since we were 11. Loads to catch up on, such as Mark taking up dancing the tango, and a fair amount of beer to be drunk. Started in the admirable Lewes Arms, via an curry house to The Gardener's Arms, which has the air of a boozer's boozer and appears unchanged for decades, and here we indulged in nostalgia for our sc...

A lurk in Lewes Off to Lewes this afternoon for a general mooch about with Lorraine. It's only about ten minutes away by train. Nice to get out of Brighton, and wandered through Southover Grange Gardens looking at daffodils and other spring flowers. Also went to a gallery which featured local artists and craftspeople. There was an exhibition of some extraordinarily good embroideries by Sally Verrall (who happened to at the till) and Wendy Dolan . Some colours and textural effects. Who knew I liked embroidery? Sally Verrall said that she went out into the country and did watercolours first and then returned home to do the work, which could take at least a week for a picture. Lorraine and I walked up to the top of the hill, and did some bookshopping in the French man's bookshop, where I bought two pocket guides to WW2 aircraft (sad I know) and then as the the rain began to pour, sensibly headed for the Lewes Arms for a fine roast lunch with about ten species of vegetables, and a...

To Lewes Slunk lazily out to buy fresh bread and the newspaper, which Lorraine and I ate toasted, munching happily on the gold sofa with the cat sitting happily between us. Only the thought of putting my cheque into the bank motivating me. However once in the throngs of shoppers in the North Laines felt energised and very cheery. Managed to buy several presents quite quickly, so suddenly I feel in control of Christmas shopping, which is a fine & dandy feeling. Lots of music in the lanes as usual, including one excellent and funky group of drummers and percussionists lurking by Infinity foods who appeared to be busking for the sheer joy of it. Sometimes Brighton can lift you up like no other place I've lived in. We bumped into Anton and David, his father in law. Anton briefly insulting my beard before we moved our separate ways. Later in the afternoon went to Lewes, and the Lewes Arms to have an enjoyable drink with Matty boy and his nice sister Tash. I have mentioned the Lewes ...

The scene of the great beer war A short trip to Lewes today with Lorraine. Pretty cold weather, with ice in the air. Wandered about in town, and into a few good bookshops. Ended up having a meal and a couple of good beers in the Lewes Arms which is a splendid pub and cultural hub. In recent years there was lots of news about it when local beer Harveys (brewed in Lewes and quaffed appreciatively by me and a zillion others in Brighton and elsewhere) was no longer served there due to the brewery Greene King's insistance. Read wikipedia on the Lewes Arms controversy and how the power of the locals beat the corporate brewers. Also L and I laughing at posters: THE SPECTACULAR "ENCIERRO DOS (Los?)ANIMALES PANTAMIMOS" (RUNNING OF THE PANTOMIME ANIMALS) WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LEWES ARMS ON EASTER SUNDAY AT 3:00PM. This seems to involve people dressing up in pantomime costumes and charging about throught the town. Read more about that here . Also chatted to Matty, as it seemed r...