under another sun

A lunchtime birthday party for Beth today, her birthday was yesterday, and luckily as I felt a good deal better, I jumped in the cab with Lorraine and Sam. We travelled to The Station pub in Portslade by taxi, which made things easy. Beth had an excellent Birthday yesterday, being taken up to see Hamilton in the West End by James, and cried with happiness through the first several songs. She and James also had a nice meal with Gary and Sophie. I loved being out and seeing friends like James Kuszewski -- who'd acted in my Christmas play We Three Kings and is such a creative soul, met his partner Rob too, who I really liked.  Amy down from Chester too, sporting excellent blue hair, last seen by me -- I think -- when we were up in Edinburgh doing A Glass of Nothing . Dawn and her new boyfriend Paul were there getting on like a house on fire. Innis and Rosie, and lots of Beth's friends pals, from drama and also Sarah who is Betty's boss when she does her first aid training, an...

Lorraine and I off to Sole Sisters this morning, where our feet were buffed up and cosseted by an excellent and podiatrist. She confirmed I had a mild case of nail fungus, but I was told I had been doing the right thing with creams and so on.  After this, we paced off to Raven's bakery, scored two apple pastries and scoffed them at home with coffee. Lorraine drove us to Horsham, through some windy autumnal lanes, where we did some shopping. I had read that you can buy Guernsey butter from Waitrose -- there was none left. Fun shopping with Lorraine.   In the evening Steve and Penny came around, and we walked down to the Station pub, the other side of Preston Park Tube station and strapped on the nosebags. Surprisingly delicious food washed down in my case with a few pints of Harvey's. Steve and Penny well, and very pleasant company. Penny, who was a headteacher till recently, is now doing some work working as a magistrate. Steve still working hard as an assayer of jewels. ...

Iron Discipline this morning, up fairly early, and Lorraine and I took Sam to the station. A happy surprise to have him visit. Lorraine then drove to her gym, and I sauntered down to mine for the third time this week. Another cross trainer trundle. I am gradually nudging up the difficulty, but not too abruptly as I am not as springy and spring green as I used to be. A spot of food shopping on the walk  home. Lorraine and I then had a restful afternoon reading the vampirey  Let the right one in and even snoozing on the gold sofa. I cooked a veggie chilli and in the evening we went out to The Station pub in Hove where John's band was playing, picking up Betty in the taxi there. Nice to see Beth as ever. A fun evening, and Innis and Rosie popped in later too. John and Matt playing with a different bassist tonight, but it was the usual funky fun. And a fair amount of dancing in the pub after a while. Below John at the drums... Lorraine kissing Betty to complement the snap I t...