under another sun

Sea fret today, a murky morning of mist. Lorraine busy today, so a day of quietly getting a grip. Spoke to Mum this morning for half an hour or so and arranged to see her later this week. Put out washing on the line to dry in sunshine, then sea fret followed by a rapid deluge.  I have begun with Silvercloud, a CBT based program for managing anxiety. Several modules to work through, I've learned nothing much yet from it, but it is making me revisit the CBT ideas of how thoughts, behaviours, emotions and physical sensations are all linked, and changing one can improve others and so on. Not new to me, but re-engaging with it is helpful in itself. A time out to focus on your own wellbeing feels good too.   A gorgeous walk this afternoon along the seafront, listening to The Rest is History podcast, the fifth and sixth episodes on the fall of the Incas. A fascinating and bloody business. Lorraine and I to bed early tonight, reading. I've almost finished Farewell, My Lovely  by ...

Much better night's sleep. Then to the medical centre where I was seen immediately about problem ears (vertigo, tinnitus, and general discomfort). Then a quick shop in town, including buying some drawing paper. Then uploaded the podcast, did social media, wrote to Val, who'd asked for some help and attempt to rearrange an interview next week. Lorraine taking Maureen to the same surgery about her knees later on and spent time with them sorting out a wardrobe and spare room, washing and generally being the platonic idea of a daughter. I read some stories from the Oxford book of gothic short stories and developed a cold. Stayed in tonight. We ordered a delivery curry and watched all of a TV show called Last One Laughing. Ten comedians are locked into a room together but are not allowed to laugh. When they laugh twice they are banished. Rather fun and won by Bob Mortimer. Lorraine and I laughed lots at this. Our magnolia tree is blooming, having been massacred by snails last year. ...

Stressing this morning trying to work out what we needed to do about our deposit. I spoke to Natwest (useless as usual), but Lorraine got a clarification -- the money was notional and the deposit would simply pass up the chain. Not having to find tens of thousands down the back of the sofa is a relief. I got the wrong end of the stick like an utter chump.    Nice to have Lorraine working from home today, and I happily did a few bits and pieces of writing. In the evening I met Anton for a few beers, starting at the Batty. A good deal of breeze shot, and we stopped at The Windmill for a bite of South African food, and then dropped off at the Crescent and The French Horn where we played a card game called escoba in a spirit of harsh competition.  Sauntered home across the park in the dark and after munching some toast crept into bed. Below the purple magnolia tree outside Anton's house mysteriously blooming for the second time this year. Anton playing escoba.