under another sun

Up and about feeling a bit jaded. The sky somewhat overcast today, but with no rain. Soon Lorraine was driving us off to Mark and Carol's house, down country lanes three miles outside Lewes. Peter and Julie had already arrived, and Mark was soon matter-of-factly hosing the barbecue with lighter fluid to get it going, and soon he was busy cooking big prawns and salmon and burgers and sausages, add these to excellent salads and plenty of beer and good conversation and it was a happy afternoon. Their garden was a kind of English idyll, with established apple trees, and burgeoning flower beds. Cheery banter about children and grandchildren and so on, Mark telling the story of how the actor Bob Hoskins admired his Dame, when he was dressed in drag as part of the local theatre group in support of  a charity, and everyone pleased for me when I mentioned the book, Mr Hoibak shaking me warmly by the hand.   We all left around 7, and on returning home, I simply sat about on the gold sof...

Friday and some time this morning to finalise what I was going to read tonight and collect together a few books and so on. Lorraine really busy, shopping with James for the shower tomorrow, doing the last stitches of the secret project, ferried Pat and Maureen from the pub with their new friend also called Maureen. After a wee snooze, I caught the half five train to Lewes, and sauntered over to the Elephant and Castle and sat quietly for a bit and drank a shandy.  Today was the launch of Robin's The Mayday Diaries  and she had been kind enough to ask me to read with her. She also asked Catherine Smith to join us. We discussed beforehand that we wanted to make it fairly informal, and a bit chatty like the podcast. When Nick and Robin arrived, we went upstairs and Robin and I arranged the chairs for the reading. Palo arrived early, with two prints which we put on chairs to be seen. I joked to Palo that she was my show and tell. Soon people were turning up. Many of the audie...

Lorraine off to Story Time this morning. Otherwise a homey day, and I did some writing. Birthday celebratory drinks in the Old Boot Inn with Pat and Maureen, Beth and James, Anton, Mark and Carol, Adele and Patrick, Brian and Yvonne, and Kate and Andrew. Steve was going to come but he was unwell, however Freja came and had a good time. I really enjoyed myself, receiving very thoughtful cards and pressies. Mark gave me an eraser, which harks back to 1971 when I sat next to him at Copland school on the first day and he wouldn't lend me his rubber. Perhaps 53 years later I should now forgive this. Anton gave me some immaculately wrapped pressies, two books I had coveted, and a fold away ink pen, which he uses all the time know, with beautiful green ink. A very cheery evening indeed, and I had lots of laughs and generally felt exceedingly lucky and happy. As if to mark the occasion, Harvey's Old Ale is now on tap in the Boot. Happy days. Most of us ate there too, perfectly decent f...

More recording today with Robin, redoing the section about Ann Perrin and ending with a lighter bit that Robin had found some research about which insects were most mentioned in haiku. Lots more editing, and I sent the whole episode off to Robin for more tweaks.  Lorraine went to Beth's house for a few hours to do some gardening.  Spoke to Mum and have rearranged my trip up to London to early next week as I am feeling a bit under the weather. However no time for indulging in being a wuss, as Lorraine and I went into Brighton tonight to meet up with Mark and Carol and Peter and Julie. We met in the mesmerist for a cheeky drink and then went to Petit Pois for some nice food. Everyone played nicely, and Lorraine enjoyed herself too. Pete and Julie were both police officers, and Lorraine feels a bit natural identification with them, having worked as a nurse and teacher. The whole idea of public service. Lorraine also liked Carol, having talked to her more. A very cheery and succes...