under another sun

Quite pleased not to have to be representing a skeleton in various schools this week.  Did a spot of billing admin, walked through the park to the bank in North Street, where I poked book cash into a machine with the help of an employee at NatWest, who said she liked reading. Wrote a bit more of Grace 2 and thought about the look and feel of my upcoming poetry pamphlet Sin Cycle . Spoke this evening to Katie First Matie who is feeling sad about poor Craig -- as so many of his pals are. It happened that Kate was reading my book as I phoned. Luckily she was liking it as it would have been a bit awkward if she thought it was nonsense. Then I called Matty who has found himself with the unenviable task of breaking the news to many of Craigs pals. Matt told me that Mel is in practical mode and is being supported by family who have flown into be with her, and close pals. Spoke too to Mum, who had been to eat piles of fish and chips with Mas in the usual pub. One of the cats had brou...

A day of slogging, loads of things to be looked at and written to meet certain deadlines. But the day sped by.  I managed to get out for a quick walk along the canals, while eating some sort of baguette. Strangely balmy temperature today. I escaped work and tubed over to Hammersmith. The line went through Latimer Road, where Grenfell Tower is. The tower is very close to the station, but it was dark and perhaps thankfully I didn't see much. Arriving in Hammersmith felt odd. I knew this area so well for so many years, but I no longer feel I belong to it in any way. I met Matty boy for a beer in the Thatched House pub in Hammersmith. Walked past one or two other pubs I have had fun nights in over the years.  First time Matt and I been for a beer in ages, and first time I'd seen him since his wedding. As usual, a wide ranging discussion. Felt really nice to see him. He ubered off home and I tubered off to Victoria, where I bought an overpriced chicken pastie and a bottle of sp...