under another sun

A day of doing bits and bobs. Lorraine not feeling too well this morning with a stomach upset. I pottered about doing a few bits of house stuff, and feeding Lorraine tomato soup. She rallied later, luckily. In the evening Lorraine, Beth and I hopped aboard the bus and collected Sophie, Andros and Electra from a hotel near the station. We found a place to have a cocktail and a chat, then into a little tapas place in Sidney Street which was crammed when we first got in there. Rather good food and Spanish wine to be had there too, as well as lessons on how to pronounce Pedro Ximénez the sweet sherry, (aka PX that Lorraine and I sometimes nip as a Crane Brothers treat)  a reduction of which was drizzled onto some ice cream at the end of my meal. Yum.  I'd not seen Electra for a couple of years, and she's just had her 17th birthday and has changed from an a intelligent, funny girl into an intelligent, funny young woman. She is toying with studying anthropology, or perhaps philo...

Up early and working through a list of stuff. Returned to the criminals at HSBC with some identification, which was graciously accepted. My list also included me getting in touch with my old friend Mario Petrucci, with whom I had a conversation. I happened to be in the gym changing room at the time, the only place I could get any reception. Stood about for some half an hour there discussing the virtues of modernism, and other poetry, while being eyed uncertainly by the blokes in the changing room.  I also wrote to Pascale Petite, of whom I am a fanboy. Good to be back in the gym, not that I'm doing too much other than a bit of trundling on the cross trainer. I need it, as I am on the fat end of my usual fat spectrum. Enjoying the longer walk to and from the gym across Preston Park. Sonia here today, assuring me that I won't have to live in this house forever because it has too many stairs, and that I could have got a nice place if we hadn't insisted on Brighton. Sonia...

Foggy morning in Brighton. Lorraine and I looking out only able to see the next row of rooftops below us, and the gulls perched on the roofs standing against a pearly grey background. Rained lots today too. Lorraine home this morning, and returned early after a meeting. Beth with a sore throat. I happily ensconced in my office, and had a very much better day than yesterday. Topped off by an out-of-the-blue offer of freelance work, plus I got lots of my own work done today too. Much better all round. This evening, munching on a Quorn stir fry having returned from Sainsbury's, Lorraine and I watched the final episode of Wolf Hall. What a fantastic television that was.

Despite going to the gym, I had a very poor day and was unable to focus on anything. A gridlock of obscure anxieties and negative feelings about everything I was working on. Lorraine home and we went for a walk around the park, and after I had talked at her for twenty minutes I felt much better. A passing logjam, and by the time we had cooked together I felt much better. Call from Anton in a many-houred traffic jam, driving up to his mum's house. Also spoke to Matty today, and will pop into see him at Chiswick next week for a coffee after I see my dentist. A nice evening in with Lorraine and Betty. We ended up watching the money-tamed spectacle of pop drivel that is the Brit Awards. I never expected to go to bed, however, finding that I felt sorry for Madonna. First she had to endure ageist and sexist remarks, then she fell painfully during her live performance yanked offstage by her cape.

A day of bits and pieces. Lorraine spoiling me with porridge and tea in bed. An early start this morning writing a new list. Later I went to see those running dogs of capitalism HSBC bank to provide some ID for an account with Robin, as filling an online form didn't work because I have moved address. The ID I took, a passport and a bank statement for Peter Kenny at Peter Kenny The Writer Ltd wasn't enough to convince them I was a criminal mastermind posing as Peter Kenny. Had to quell the urge to point out that only criminals in the room were the HSBC . Then off across the park in the sunshine to meet Janet, with whom I popped into the breast care clinic to be an extra pair of ears. This done, and a good prognosis for Janet obtained, we jumped into a cab for a cup of coffee back home at Janet and Ken's place. Returning home I popped into the friendly  ONCA gallery to see an exhibition called The Cancer Landscape to get material for another blog post . Finished We are al...

Lorraine up early, and brought me porridge and tea in bed. She is a most excellent wife. After getting up early I went to the gym again for the first time in months. So long in fact that the gym has been refurbished since I was last there. Only trundled for half an hour on the cross trainer, but felt good to be ignoring my unsmiling narcissistic compadres again. Listening today to my audiobook called We are all completely beside ourselves by Karen Fowler. A good read. Otherwise little to report. Finding focusing hard, and gripped by a sense of urgency, but not sure what to do first. I need a fresh list. A nice evening chatting with Betty and Lorraine.

Up, fairly slowly, Lorraine and I able to sleep reasonably well despite the Dionysian throbbing coming from the nearby nightclub. This probably due to a bit of proper air obtained on the moors yesterday. After checking out of the Cosmopolitan, we mooched about in town for a while, pausing for a cup of coffee and to buy Sam some beard clippers, for his beard is on the wild and woolly side. Then to the station, where we met First Matie, her brother Andy and Sam and Jade. From there we went to a pub called The Town Hall Tavern, where we had a good Sunday lunch washed down with pints of refreshing Timothy Taylor Yorkshire beer, one of which was the champion beer Boltmaker . Nice to meet Andy, who lives in Leeds having stayed there after studying history at the university some time ago. A relaxed and happy afternoon. A cheery roast lunch, which I followed with a nice apple crumble. Then we all surged out into the rain. I nipped back and collected the case from the hotel, and returned to...

Lorraine and I began the day with a cooked breakfast in the hotel. We'd not slept well due to the throbbing of a nearby nightclub till 4am, but were much revived by many cups of tea and a big breakfast. Then off to meet Sam and Jade at the bus station, where we caught a bus which passed through satisfyingly northern places like Shipley and Bingley until we eventually arrived at Keighley. A really good way to see something of Yorkshire in the unexpected sunshine. Past towns with old mill chimneys, and houses made out of honey-coloured stone. Here we changed and caught another bus to Haworth, getting off near a little railway station where there was evidence of steamtrains, much to Lorraine's excitement. Up through a pretty little park called Central Park to Haworth and then, still going uphill, past lots of antique shops, souvenir shops, and cafes.  One was called Yorkshire Relics, which made me think of Matt. We stopped in one place for a coffee and piece of apple sponge cake...

Up and off to Leeds, by train. Somewhat fraught journey trying to get to the train on time at Kings Cross. However we made it up to Leeds in one piece, and trundled the case off to a hotel five minutes away from the station called the Cosmopolitan, which appeared to be surrounded by nightclubs. The room fine, however. We had a micro snooze then out to meet Sam and Jade near the station.  Sam reliably easy to spot.  They took us to a nice pub whose name escapes me, where we had a drink, and finding a table and having so much to say, we ordered food there too. Reminded as I bought a round of beers and happily examining my change, of the more civilised pricing for beer in the North. Both Sam and Jade seem to be flourishing as a couple, and in their work. And interesting for me to hear what they are bending their intellects to philosophically as far as I can understand it that is.

Up and finishing the addition of luscious lime to our kitchen walls. Then a frenzy of moving things about in my study, and decisively hanging lots of pictures up in the house. All this seemed to take up a good deal of the day, and broken by popping out for some pies at lunchtime. I spent the afternoon and evening working in my office. Lorraine had Jan, Helen and Dawn round for dinner, and I left the ladies to it after squeezing them all hello. It was the first of their regular get togethers since Helen's son died, and I think the evening did them all good, and there was lots of laughter too. Dawn popped up to talk about the day with gifted and talented kids we are doing next month, which will be fun, and will necessitate going down into the air raid shelters in the school. I also sorted out my Golden Weasel birthday present night with Klaudia in April. When the ladies left I watched this week's episode of Wolf Hall, which has been done really well.  Lorraine sniffing a bi...

Up and writing this morning. Breaking off for a pancake breakfast cooked by Beth. She made some with slightly crazed blueberry smiles. Lorraine, John and I scarfing them, and plain ones with bacon and maple syrup, which was all rather delicious. After breakfast noticed a large fox, possibly a pregnant female relaxing in our garden. It seemed to appreciate the newly dug earth, and employed it as a lavatory. Managed also to work on a poem, which if I say so myself, is one of the best I have written. So quite chuffed with that. Also spoke to Mum. Lorraine and Beth off shopping, but I met up with them and John, his mum Krys and sister Jo who were down in Brighton today in Côte for a lunchtime bite, which was cheery. I went back home, and Beth and Lorraine arrived later, armed with a new coat for Beth. From Côte to coat. Below a Blueberry smile, the fox in question, and light through the side gate of the Pavilion Gardens.

At Brighton station this morning, popped out while buying a ticket and peered in a nearby cafe where Beth and John were being filmed for an online advert for Barclays. I peered in, and then snapped the scene without seeing them. On the train to London, however, I noticed their profiles in the background. In London, I met Bob at Nelson's Column Trafalgar Square was bright and sunny and full of people, lounging on the Landseer lions, and sitting around the column itself. Bob and I found each other, and made off to the National Gallery where Bob had read about an exhibition by Peder Balker. More about the exhibition here  - I just love going to art exhibitions. Then Bob and I sloped off to the lovely gin palace of The Salisbury for some food, served very, very slowly. I drank soda and lime, and Bob had cokes. Lots of chatting to be done, and various aspects of the world to be put right. Then to Two Temple Place, where we had intended to see an exhibition called Cotton into Gold. U...

Lorraine at home, so no six-something start. I got up and worked on various bits and pieces in my office after bringing my lovely wife some breakfast in bed. In the afternoon Lorraine and I drove off in the icy rain to buy some paint for the kitchen, some compost, a bag of stones, pansies and so on. In the evening Lorraine and I did some painting in the kitchen, adding some zingy bright green colour, Lorraine also fiddling about happily with the pansies. In the evening, I hobbled off to the poetry workshop session. Left my pesky wallet at home, too which meant I had to borrow some cash to catch the bus home. Some excellent work by some of the attendees today. Sadly mine (an old one) not quite up to scratch. Home and Beth, back from London and having her bad heel treated, bemoaning the fact that the amount of stitches she's knitting started off at 40, but is now 46.

A piece of toast, then Lorraine, Beth and I drove off to Kent to see Pat and Maureen. A surprisingly swift journey, listening to Kermode and Mayo reviewing 50 Shades of Grey movie among other things. Nice to have an excuse to relax, and scarf down some roast lamb, apple strudel and custard plus fresh strawberries. I enjoyed wandering about in the garden with Pat, looking at his newly planted onions and shallots, overlooking the fresh poo Basil had done there, and discussing the virtues of black and red grasses. After eating, Beth, Lorraine and Maureen sitting on the sofa doing various types of online shopping. Maureen also gave Beth a starter kit for knitting, and they continued as a comedy duo for some time afterwards. I settled down happily to watch some Rugby, Scotland against Wales, and remembering all those schoolboy Saturdays, in the scrum, and having my hand stamped on by studded feet and so on. A happier business watching other people do it, that's for sure. Eventua...

Valentine's day today, and Lorraine with a day off too. As well as a card to my lovely wife I also bought on impulse some Krispy Kreme heart shaped donuts. Krispy Kremes sound like something out of the Simpsons to me. We consumed these in bed, and welcomed diabetes type 2 into our lives with every bite. Unbelievably sweet things. As for Valentines day, it does feel a little irrelevant when you have married someone and dedicated the rest of your life to be with them. A card doesn't really sum all that up, however nice. A day of action in the garden. With Lorraine and I digging up a section of the lawn, and piling up the scrappy turf. The soil looks pretty good, although is chalky in places (unsurprisingly). Both felt very pleased with ourselves for this, and we were only at it for a couple of hours. The cats delightedly springing about the place as we worked. In the late afternoon Lorraine and I went into town for an overdue beer with Matt in The Brighton Tavern. Really go...

Dreaming this morning that I had a migraine, when I woke up my vision was full of the familiar spangles and flashing lights of a migraine attack. This has never happened before. Luckily, as Lorraine was on holiday, and I had nothing too pressing I could simply go back to sleep again until the worst of it had passed off. I managed a good day nevertheless, and in the afternoon I caught the bus to Hove to Helen Russell's place. Helen had been working in a frenzy on the piece, inspired by the section of libretto I had sent her. There were sheets of manuscript with rapidly pencilled sections. She also played me, using the music program Sibelius, some of her Requiem, which had minimalist elements as well as modern romantic. Helen's music is full of melody. Then home, which took a long time, and required me to take a detour to by a Valentine's card and, impulsively, Valentine's donuts. Slept when I got home, still feeling the after effects of the morning, then feeling stea...

After spending the first part of the week, thinking everything I've written was rubbish, I was gripped today by an idea that came to me in the morning and spent several hours working on it. An unusually long piece for me it was too, in several parts. As ever with these things only time will tell if it is any good. Off into town today, to obtain a much needed hair cut. I have also shaved my beard off, so I look exceedingly clean cut at the moment. After this, I slunk into a cafe for a hour to worked on the new edit of Skelton Yawngrave. It changes the bias of the story, in a way that is I hope fixing many of the problems.   Felt rather pleased by all this. Lorraine also in a highly good mood due to now being on holiday for a week, and having finished the almighty backlog of reports she had to write after her school visits. We grabbed Beth and made off to The Shahi, by way of celebration. Beth cheery too, with auditions that have gone well, and the shoot of an advert happenin...

Undeterred by the back, which felt better when I walked, I made tracks to Lewes where I met Robin for another chat about Telltale Press. After a session discussing business at her kitchen table, and looking at her new painting which I thought was shirts on a washing line, but was actually the cliffs based on a shot from a helicopter which Robin and her husband took. I sauntered down the hill to Lewes Station back to London Road where I walked into town, pausing for a cup of tea then to the Chiropractors who tutted about my back problem and generally clicked and sorted me, before she announced she was moving to Australia with her boyfriend. From Kemptown I walked up to the Blue Man cafe where I sat doing some work with another cup of tea. Then to see Janet and Ken. Hus was also there, just returned from work, and nice to chat to all of them, and eat a delicious bowl of tiramisu Hus had made. Then I walked home through the park, and found I had walked about 15,000 paces for the day...

Leaning down to open something in the kitchen this morning and my lower back seized up painfully, in a completely different place to where I have had a trapped nerve. This small thing led to a day of gloom despite the fact I was in my office and thinking about skeletons, as well as writing a blog post about ghosts  having been set thinking about them by Reuben's text yesterday. Lorraine returned home and I cooked a slimming meal featuring large prawns which I had to de-vein, a job I have never done before, and the pulling the poo threads out of crustaceans seems a bizarre activity. An interesting interlude tonight, when Reuben introduced us again to his son Jem, now ten. Good to see Reuben who was looking extremely dapper, and talk to Jem who is a charming and intelligent boy. Jem is conducting his own open-minded investigations into cryptids  such as yetis and big foot, and other aspects of the supernatural. He had asked his dad if he knew anyone who had seen a ghost, and...

My office vandalised by cats this morning. The kangaroo plant on the top of a bookcase had been pulled down and emptied on the floor. Getting on with stuff including turning again to Skelton Yawngrave. For this is the year of completion. Not cutting through with as much clarity as I'd like, however. Lorraine working from home this afternoon. I spoke to Janet today, and heard from Reuben too. I may be meeting up with one of his sons Jem to discuss ghosts. Ghosts are not discussed enough. The night I saw what was to my mind unambiguously a ghost I was at university studying philosophy. It has always interested me in how nobody in the philosophy common room wanted to discuss the matter at all. I went out for a much needed walk for an hour or so. Got some keys cut in the afternoon by which time the skies had cleared and sunlight poured down from a blue sky. Lovely to be walking through the park. The sun also gleaming on the half a dozen white caravans and vans of the Travellers who...