under another sun

Sylwia this morning, increasingly part of the family these days. Lorraine and her talking about Maureen and Pat, who she cleans for, and often sits with. Meanwhile I toyed with some editing, and spoke to Mum then, when  Lorraine left to see Pat and Maureen, I went tot he gym, and from there on to the mosquito nurse for a routine blood test. Top tip: veins easy to locate after the gym. A 12 bus to Brighton just after 4. But a terrible thing has happened to the 12 bus. The 12A, has been discontinued, and now the 12 does all the crappy little stops the 12A made. It took us ages to get to Brighton.  Rendezvous with the Hoibaks and Hartleys in the Walrus for a cheeky drink. Not been to the Walrus for years, and have been three times in the last month. Then the six of us crossed the road to Petit Pois for an excellent dinner. Strange to say this but the broccoli I had with my main course was perfection. I have never tasted nicer broccoli in my life. A revelation. Everyone getting on...

Enzo here this morning, and Lorraine looked after him all day. We had him on Thursday night as Beth and James had developed the spews in the morning. I made off to Hampstead. Bought a ticket at Seaford Station, and realised I'd left my phone at home, so missed the train. Otherwise a smooth journey, and met Mum and Toby at Hampstead station. We sloped down to The White Bear for some lunch. I wanted a photograph, but they both flinched like vampires. A cheery lunch, and great to see the Tobster of course. Toby had a pie, and mum had pea and lovage soup, this time sans the 'weeds', the pea shoots that were added last time. Mum was talking earlier about the man she calls the Parson. Sure enough he came and sat near us. Unfortunately Mum did not count this as a sighting, as he wore some kind of Hawaiian shirt, instead of a dog collar. His cowboyish hat on the table beside him gave it away. I had to return early, however, as I needed to get to The Walrus in Brighton, to host Tess...

An Enzo for breakfast. Lorraine zooming off to the get the little lad first thing. I had a busy day, but enjoyed spending time with him in between going to my Life Drawing Class. A decent session this morning, I used coloured pencils and a pleasant woman model. Adele not there this morning as she was laying out her show at Gallery Uno. Sat next between a new bloke John, whose work I think is good, and Kate, who is always very accomplished and free and brilliant. Nice session.  Hurried home to see the wee boy, who has a new tooth and is full of beans generally. In the afternoon off to see Cóilín. When I got there I said I was sorry for her loss and gave her a kiss, and she went very quiet for a bit while the nurse settled me into the seat. But we had a lovely conversation about her dad for ten minutes after the scraping was done. Home and a bit of bouncing Enzo on my knee and then off to Brighton, where I went to the Walrus to see Robin, SJB, Stephen and Antony Mair. We went upstair...

Stayed indoors for most of the day, then late afternoon, Lorraine and I mooched off wearing hats, into town centre. I am enjoying my new pricey Panama. Having bought a few bits and pieces, mainly to do with Lorraine leaving school (although I bought myself a mould green notebook) we went to a pub called The Walrus just across the road from Petit Pois where we we would be meeting Penny and Steve.  Sipping a cold, if pricey, lager chatting cheerfully, when Lorraine took a call from Angie, who we are buying from in Seaford. Unfortunately she is going to have another operation. They are such a nice couple so we feel very sorry for them. However this means our move must inevitably be contingent on her prognosis -- and we both feel a bit gutted by this.  Meanwhile some boisterous blokes had come drunkenly to the pub, loud but fairly cheery. When Lorraine finished on her mobile a drunk woman t hammered on the window just near where we were, came into the pub and seemed to catalyse tr...