under another sun

Felt harrowed by booze and the late night, as did Lorraine and Max and the FB. Max perhaps the best of us as she went out into the garden to stab murderously, and unsuccessfully, at the mole which has been digging up her lawn. Slow cups of tea and some toast before Lorraine in the right shape for getting us home. Feeling like death warmed over. Both L and I hungover all day. However after a sleep on the gold sofa, we walked up to Anton's place and worked in his garden for a couple of hours, weeding and digging up the flower beds. Sweaty, back stiffening work which I enjoyed doing. Anton has sensibly outsourced all the flower species decisions to Lorraine, which of course Lorraine is really happy about. Actually very therapeutic to be tidying the garden and Lorraine poring over books of flowers and gardening. To thank us Anton made some of his fabulous pizzas, on which I gorged in the evening. Anton had invited Dawn too and we had a fun night playing Anton's eclectic collect...

Up early as we had a house viewing today. Lorraine and I took ourselves off to the park for a cup of coffee. Nice to smell the roses. The park being prepared for the big Pride Party later in the day. The parade walked past the end of our road, so we went to watch with everyone else. It always makes me feel quite moved and proud of being in Brighton for some reason, full of colourful characters, music and fun. We bumped into Ash on the way back home for breakfast. He had run the restaurant that Lorraine and I first used to eat curries in. Stopped and chatted for a good ten minutes. Home and we had a long chat with Nicki and Mark next door about selling the houses and so on. They are good people. Felt quite inert today, and slept like a baby in the afternoon. Then Lorraine drove us to Chertsey Meads for an evening with Max and the FB. A bit of a mission to try to find somewhere to buy some beer and wine in the town. Really good to see them both, and their brood of young Elijah, Zemir...

Blearily out of bed and Lorraine drove us off to Weybridge to see Max and the French Bloke (aka Michel) get married. Max had finally relented and allowed the marriage to happen, although having had three children together meant that they were obviously somewhat involved. Arrived early, with Lorraine sipping tea from the flask to soothe her throat once we'd arrived. Bumped into Pat and Judith his wife there, and soon the place filled up with lots of guests, and a host of angelic children in wedding attire. Good to see the old French Bloke, who is generally unfazed by anything, looking nervous. The ceremony passed off well, with a lovely registrar. I found myself fighting off the tears as is usual at events like this.  A photography session in the registry office gardens, before we all drove back to Max and Michel's house, where the garden had been transformed with a canopy and seating. Lots to drink and eat, and a massive party ensued. Lots of friends there of course, inclu...

Present time Train hopping to get to Brentford this morning, not far from where I once lived in Chiswick and Kew. Went to a vast office building owned by a major pharmaceutical company, to present concepts with The French Bloke, Lucy and Anne. After trailing about the perimeter trying to find the entrance, I entered a typical high end pharmaceutical building: running water, trees, coloured glass set into the floor, canvas shapes hung in the air, and its own shops and cafes. Making medicines is big, big, business. The presentation itself, however, challenging and protracted. I presented to clients physically present in the room, and other cliques dotted about the globe who had a variety of opinions and weren't afraid to use them. In fact one woman shared her thoughts about the creative work for 25 minutes without having seen it. A new benchmark. Straight home after and was back in Brighton mid-afternoon. Thankfully I now entering PK time, and will repair and renew. Have booked fligh...

Death ray panda Slogging through bits of stuff on haemophilia, and the getting stuff ready for another client presentation I'm doing tomorrow. Finding myself looking forward to my forthcoming PK time a great deal. Home at 11:30 pm. But much bolstered by booking two nights in the Barbarie in Guernsey next week. The long day broken by a nice lunch eating Thai food with the excellent FB and the very likeable writer Karam in a strange Irish pub called The Dolphin. I'm loving Thai soup at the moment. I think it's the lemongrass that tips them into utter niceness. Reading all about the Milibands today in the paper. Love this cartoon by Steve Bell in the Guardian this morning.