under another sun

Spent much of the day prepping for the poetry reading at the Wellington Hotel, while Lorraine zoomed off to Hove to see Paul. Came back looking glossy and glamourous. I decided to go slightly outside my comfort zone and try out some new stuff, including a bit from Gordon Road. A full moon (in Libra). I felt the right amount of nervous pre-reading. Lorraine popped in to drop something off with Pat and Maureen. I got there early and chatted to Chris Goode the organiser from Seahaven poets. Drank shandy.   Lots of Seaford friends turned up, and in the poet corner Robin and Stephen Bone. Robin gave me an advance copy of  The Mayday Diaries , her first full collection from Pindrop Press. It looks excellent, with a cover designed by Robin too. Of Seaford pals were Steve, Andrew and Kate,  Delores and her brother Dave and newer rebooters, Matthew and Andy, and Carole from the book group, and Helen and Andy.  The evening started with an open mic reader who threatened to...

After the longest night, Lorraine and I lay in bed sorting out things for Christmas (thank God for online shopping) and had breakfast, making lists about food and so on as the sun slipped into Capricorn for the winter solstice. Spoke to Mum whose conjunctivitis seems improved, and her eyes no longer photosensitive. Vampire mode off. Then Lorraine and got to work in the spare room, and I did the loft clambering. I made some lunch and we were just digesting this when Lorraine had to go and help Pat and Maureen. I tried some yoga style stretches and so on from an app I bought in bed this morning, and slept for an hour. Lorraine when she came home with fish and chips. I am festively plump at the moment, with all the socialising. Already part of me is looking forward to getting back on the Zoe waggon after Christmas. In the evening we made off in our Christmas jumpers to the Welly for beer and carols with Yvonne and Brian, Beth and James were supposed to be there too, but Beth was shattered...

Lorraine and I had a slow start to the day, then walked off to meet Pat and Maureen, and Pete and Charleen in the Wellington for lunch. Enjoyed chatting with Charleen who I don't know too well. She surprised me by saying she had been with a friend to Auschwitz recently on a visit to Poland. Pete and Charleen with lots to sort out, but things going well. Pete fully qualified as an electrician too recently. The Welly's owner Simon came out and was being very charming to Pat and Maureen.  Pete dropped off Pat and Maureen here and they had a snooze on the sofa and Lorraine drove them home again. Pete and Charleen went for a walk up Seaford Head. I lay low. Chatted with Mum and generally enjoyed a quiet evening. Not feeling tremendously energetic still. 

Up and writing poems at the kitchen table on my laptop. Enjoyable. I'm not sure where they fall at the moment. Lorraine doing story time in the Library this morning. I also had a nice chat with Pat and Maureen.  Feeling a bit antsy and sleepy this afternoon and went for a short walk to wake myself up, and I was feeling sluggish this afternoon. Off this evening in the car to the Welly where Lorraine dropped me off with Pat and Maureen, where we had a table booked for fish and chip suppers. We met Adele, Patrick and Steve. Enjoyed some food and a few beers. Maureen telling everyone about her life as a child, curiously spellbinding: her father's return from the war a changed man, and then his accident, he worked as an asphalter and falling under the big flattening wheel breaking his legs, and his refusal to go to hospital even though Maureen could see his bones.  Good to see Patrick and Adele. Lorraine took Pat and Maureen home and I stayed for a bit longer with the others. Inter...

A slow morning, thankfully just pottering about and feeling happy it is Saturday. Beth and James around late this afternoon. Poor Beth shattered from so much work this month. After an early dinner, off in the evening with Beth and James to The Wellington, where we went to the beer and carols session in aid of a church charity. Basically a room full of people singing with absolutely unrestrained gusto. Our pals Brian, Yvonne, Patrick and Adele were there, and James and Beth enjoyed meeting them. A strangely wonderful time singing with friends, which felt cathartic. So much fun and so Christmassy obviously too. Beth and James especially happy with the idea that laughs were available in abundance in Seaford, helping her and James picture what life might be like.   Below Brian lurking tidily on the bed between us.  

Saturday. Glorious not to have to work. Obviously earning money is admirable and manly, but having to sit manacled to my precariously balanced desk all week instead of doing new house stuff, and roaming about in the new town was a bit trying. This morning, loved having the time to feel waves of excitement surging through me just being in my home and garden.   Lorraine and I had a happy mooch off to the shops.We looked at wardrobes and other bits in a deceptively large furniture shop nearby VR Flowers and Sons, as well as popping into the Seaford Home hardware and -- inevitably -- into Morrisons for some provisions.  At a little before two I sauntered back to Seaford Station to meet Anton, now sporting only the one crutch after his knee operation, and looking forward to ditching it completely soon. Seemed ages since we saw each other. He too had been a bit peaky this week, but had rallied magnificently to come here.  Walked him to the new home, narrowly avoiding an evil wh...