under another sun

An Enzo day today, as Beth and James were having a day of full on sorting house and garden.  We sat outside, where I did a bit more finishing of old drawing. And generally played with Enzo. I even made time for a delicious kip this afternoon. Up again to put on the chicken, and potatoes as Uncle Steve arrived, in good spirits having hung out with Pat and Maureen. Always good to see him.  He was telling us about having to go to a school to discuss his life with the kids, which he was obviously chuffed about. Beth and James returned, having had their day. James took Enzo for a walk in the garden and was scolded and menaced by the seagull. Uncle Steve set off for Ramsgate, and we served up some dinner. I'd cooked the chicken in the air fryer, which worked, but I'm not sure it's my favourite method, but with new Jersey potatoes, lots of mixed leaf salad with olives gherkins etc.  it did the trick. Lorraine playing with Enzo after dinner, the little lad wriggling with exciteme...

A major feat of organisation and logistics also known as Christmas Day. Lorraine up before me, to put on a Christmas ham, once Mum was up, we got down to a fast smoked salmon breakfast. Soon Beth and James and Enzo arrived. Much swapping of gifts. I got excellent jumpers, art supplies, a book on life drawing, plus a useful box of Long Man beers. Lorraine liked the earrings I got for her. We all had pressies to open.   Then the ham was done, and the turkey put on. A good deal of cooking, and running about, then Lorraine and James left and returned with Pat and Maureen. Uncle Steve was there too. Another bout of present opening.  Pat being here was excellent, getting him here involved Lorraine doing lots of planning, using an E Tack turner, used to swivel him from one chair to another. And I was especially pleased to have Mum with us too, and having Enzo was a bit of a game changer. I'd never been around a baby at Christmas, and Enzo was like the Phial of Galadriel, shedding lig...

Pat's 92 birthday today, and Sam's birthday too. We'd intended to have lunch in the Plough, as there was a wake going on in the Boot. But Maureen wasn't feeling great this morning, and ended up needing antibiotics for an ear infection and Lorraine had to zoom over there first thing.   Pat and Maureen, Lorraine's Uncle Steve, and Beth and Enzo came around to our place instead for lunch, and Lorraine and I zoomed off to Osbourne's to buy really nice fish and chips for everyone. A jolly time, drinking tea and chatting. Steve particularly good with Enzo I thought, and radiating cheeriness. Maureen much happier as the day wore on. Pat pleased to be with everyone. After a couple of hours, Steve had to leave for the long drive home, and Beth and Enzo left, and we took Pat and Maureen home. In the evening Lorraine and I went to the pub, where we met Adele and Patrick and Chris for a cheeky beer. Patrick encouraging me to search ancestry to try to find someone from Irela...

A pretty quiet, getting on with it sort of day. Lorraine's Uncle Steve with us for Breakfast, who shared a graphic account of his stroke a few years ago, which, as a hypochondriac I found a bit twitch inspiring. Lorraine and Steve made off to Pat and Maureen's place. I did a spot more recording with Robin, and later some editing. Also did more work on the Kenniad between things. Trying to not talk about this too much, just work.  Off to the gym, at lunchtime. First time in a while, which was pleasing. Then a few more bits till Uncle Steve and Lorraine came back having taken Pat and Maureen off to get their injections. A quiet night in, chatting with Steve and watching a spot of telly. Nice to get to know him a bit better.  The US election voting tomorrow. God help us if Trump wins.

To Stanmer Park, to pick up the results of our pottery workshop, imprinting bits of plants or lace into the clay. We were pleased with the bits we got back.  Then we drove into Brighton, down Osbourne Road where we lived, and into Preston Park. We walked across the park, which was looking lovely, to the breast clinic as Lorraine had an appointment for a scan. We had been worrying about this for a couple of weeks, but after two scans and a chat with doctor we were very reassured to learn there was nothing to worry about. Feeling greatly relieved, a saunter back across the park. We drove to Anton's house, picking him up to go off for a cheeky drink in the Brick on Preston Street. Good to see him, and play a game of bones. Anton, greatly to his satisfaction, slaughtered everyone. I barely got a point. He showed us some photos of Oskar modelling clothes, and told us he'd seen Klaudia that day, and generally caught up a bit. I drank some dark lager which was lovely. Lorraine and I h...