under another sun

Up fairly early and taking bags of garden litter to the tip in Hove. Lorraine carefully spreading sheets inside her Qashqai, and looking with horror at a colony of tan coloured baby spiders that had appeared around the handle of the rear door.  Once this drippy bag stuff done (in the rain) off to Waitrose looking like bin men, and bought stuff in preparation for this evening's night in. Strange how much fun doing stuff like this with Lorraine can be. In the evening Rosie and INnis came around, and we watched the Eurovision Song Contest, and drank some drinks and picked at lots of finger food. Eurovision not something I have watched much in recent years. The usual mix of camp, histrionic guff,  and a few earworms including the bouncy Israeli winner who duked it out with the Cyprus entry. The UK song was only moderately bad, but was voted down anyway because it is from the UK. Even a stage invasion by some fool shouting about Press Nazis wasn't enough to create sympathy among ...

Working from home, and fairly busy. Some French work about diseases that jump from animals to humans for my pals in Paris, interspersed with some hairy-chested crowbarring of the decking, and carrying of bags of garden rubbish into the front garden. Peering underneath the decking with Clem my next door neighbour. Cats immediately exploring and popping their heads out of the missing planks like meerkats. After this outbreak of manly stuff, chatting to Sonia about the glories of communism, and how everyone worked and nobody was idle. She liked working with animals most, and cows have strong personalities. Lorraine home, and we mooched off to pick up a curry and slurp a single beer in the Park View and chat. Was really in the mood for that curry.

Bless this not working in London on a Friday business. Thursday really is the new Friday, after a busy day at work with barely a break at lunch. Coming home on the train and Lorraine phoned saying the bad thing that I had been thinking. She was waiting in the car at Preston Park station, and we drove home, then sauntered down to the Park View, where it was too busy, and then mooched around to the Preston Park Tavern and had food and a cold beer with my wife. A lovely way to end a Thursday. In my ten minute lunch break a snap of reflections on water.

More Janet Sutherland 's Bone Monkey on the train. Poetry that really speaks to me. Work presentation today, and I found myself drifting into comedic mode, which I probably need to reign in a bit. A call from my French friends, saying they had won a French pharmaceutical marketing prize,  Empreintes 2018 , for a campaign I had created for them about animal health and rinderpest last year. I also have a spot of new work to do over the next week or so for them on a really interesting brief. London Grip nicely and speedily reviewed the Truths anthology here . Otherwise I went for a saunter at lunchtime, just wanting to be outside at present. Home. All well, but Lorraine fighting off a bug and a bit tired after her pilates. Both of us eager for sleep.

Still gorgeous this morning, and unwillingly to work, whining at Lorraine in the car before she dropped me off. Into London without incident, and work fine despite straining at the leash to be outside. Sloped along the canals and other places at lunch. After work, looked at poems in the train. Some of my own, which I decided were unsavable, which is always freeing thing.  Really enjoying reading Bone Monkey by Janet Sutherland at the moment. I love her poems. Home, and the air cooler by the time I reached Brighton. A salady dinner with Lorraine, and we found ourselves watching some kind of Eurovision song nonsense on TV for a while. An early and sensible night. I found myself under the motorway in a crowded with schoolboys skateboard area and two empty basketball courts. I snapped one of the courts, below, and noticed later that someone had painted Fuck Basket Ball on the board, which spoke to me of some would be ball player's thwarted ambition.

The hottest May bank holiday weekend ever apparently. Warmer here than in all kinds of places further south. Lorraine and I spent it very happily working in the back garden, making stern decisions and taking plants out, and planting the purple flowering magnolia Anton gave us among other things. We repositioned the composter, and we did a lot of shovelling of compost into the garden. Lovely chocolatey stuff it was too. Lorraine miraculously got the lawn mower to work, which although a good thing was also faintly annoying after I had given it a bath of WD40 and had several bouts of wrestling it using foul language and brute strength to no avail.   There was an interlude of our next door neighbours igniting a barbecue which Chernobylled into our garden. When the worst of this smog cleared another neighbour began using some kind of soil flattener, which made a noise like a WW1 tank. He then laid artificial turf for his twin boys to scuff footballs on. Eventually, however, tranquilit...

After breakfast in bed with Lorraine, I caught the train to Blackfriars to meet Bob and Carl who were siting outside the national theatre. Carl's Friday was 'a stolen day' after a short story he wrote years ago, where he spent his time wandering about his multitude of old London haunts. The three of us quickly settled on a plan, which was to walk eastward along the Thames, a journey to be punctuated by moments of refreshment, first in  Doggetts . Bob asked about the pool table, and there hadn't been one there for ten years. Then we sloped into the Tate, where Bob insisted he didn't want to see anything with saggy white strings. Instead we went to see the The Shape of Light 100 years of photography and abstract art , which seemed mostly composed of black and white prints with squiggles of light on them, and other abstractions. Very few paintings, one being a Mondrian, which Carl pointed out, matched his socks (see below).  I had gained free entry with my Member...

Gorgeous weather, and feeling unbelievably happy to just get up and work on my own stuff for a while, before walking through the park into town. I got a haircut, then some earrings for Lorraine, and returned back home, through the park again, picking up an excellent bunch of flowers, even the florist was impressed with her own work, she asked me if there was a special occasion and I said Friday, which seemed to win me brownie points. Then an afternoon doing bits of admin, billing, chatting to Sonia, and attacking the lawn with shears, as the pesky lawnmower won't work despite me spraying it with WD40. A backbreaking business. Clem from next door came around, armed with a beer to discuss the decking and the new stairs we want in the garden. He was full of good advice and the prospect of changing the garden was suddenly all doable, which was great. He is going to lend me a big iron spike to break up the old decking and in with the new. Apparently it is very therapeutic destroying...

A deep sleep at Mum and Mason's house. Woke up and soon the sound of classic FM from below, as Mason was up early and eating one of his breakfast soups, with plenty of black pepper. Coffee toast and a cheery chat with Mum and Mas. Most of the way to Stanmore station, I realised I had left a present for Lorraine from Mum and Mas behind. Went back, and Mum was in Kings Drive to palm me the suspicious package. Because of the redevelopment there, I looked afresh at the Synagogue's high walls and barbed security wire - what a world we live in. Enjoyed the easier commute. A bit rudderless today, working alone, and not inspired by the work. Joints hurting and having little energy. Lunchtime just increased my straining at the leash feelings. Bolted for the door at home time, as the rest of the agency had its weekly meeting. Four blessed days of freedom now. Happy about that. Home to Brighton station, and met Lorraine climbing out of the Qashqai fresh from the gym. She liked the pre...

Up at a hateful 5:20 and off to work, walking to Preston Park after kissing Lorraine, and leaving her in bed and talking about getting another sleep cycle. Enjoyed waking Calliope up, instead of vice versa. Into Paddington and arrived at work at 8:10 after a smooth journey. Into a cab with two suits and off to a Regus building beyond the western fringes of London, passing through Hammersmith, and many and old stomping grounds, including the agency where I met Mark Dixon (founder of Regus) several times. He reminded me a bit of Mason. I walked around one of his Regus centres with him in Chiswick, and remember the rigid terror his presence provoked in his staff. Today in the Regus offices we met up with a couple more of the agency team and we presented to a pharmaceutical client some of the ideas I'd been working on. The pleasant client gave us the benefit of his opinions and we left after a couple of hours. During the meeting a car outside was playing the theme to The Godfather o...

No rain as my lovely drove me to the station, but oppressed by work this May day morning, having had something of a re-brief on a job, and only one day to fix it. But on the train I had an inspired twenty minutes, and fixed all the problems. Meanwhile Justin the art director had come up with a new visual approach, and so we cracked it fairly quickly and easily, and I left work on time, having expected a late one. However now they want me to present the thing, and I will have to be up at stupid o'clock tomorrow morning. Still, all's well that ends well. Otherwise not much to report a bit of a walk at lunchtime, where I chatted to Mum about my visit tomorrow. As I finished the call, a spiteful old grey locked rasta on bicycle called me a shit, because he thought I hadn't got out of his way on the towpath with sufficient alacrity. What is wrong with everyone? Travelling into London etc. it seems that people seem to be on particularly short fuses. Home, nostalgically buying a...

Stormy rain this morning, and bloody cold again. A wretched way to start a Monday. However my journey was smooth as anything, and I started work on a new theatrical idea. Sitting on the same table as another woman muttering irritably at her emails. This woman didn't have the excuse of noise cancelling headphones. Lidya, Spansh art director said the weather was 'very disgusting and uncomfortable', which made me laugh somewhat. Into work, kicking my heels all morning, then a meeting just before lunch, which meant I had a mere 20 minutes walk, and then a dispiriting meeting afterwards, which looked again at the work I'd done last week which everyone loved, and now the goalposts are all moved, and we have a day and a bit to come up with new ideas, when we have squandered days on doing things that weren't quite right. Nobody's fault, but a tad galling. However, I did find out that plans are afoot to pay one of my invoices, which is deeply welcome news. Left...

Up after sleeping in late, and had breakfast with Sue and John, and sat about shooting the breeze for a couple of hours before they set off. We had really enjoyed seeing them. Chatted to Clem our next door neighbour, and he is going to come to talk to us about decking next week. A chat on messenger with Toby, who has bought made to measure jeans, as he read in an aeroplane magazine that every stylish man should have two pairs. Late the afternoon I walked to Anton's to drop off Oskar's watch with a blue face, which was his birthday present. He was at his mum's however. Nice chat with Anne and Anton, who had just seen The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society film. And quite enjoyed it too. Mixed feelings about this. Walked home, through the park where two men I had spoken to earlier were still thrusting at each other in their jabby fighting HEMA, which is historical European martial arts. I had asked them earlier if I could take a shot, and they looked surreal in t...

To Sainsburys and the Japanese mini market this morning, with Lorraine, before John and Sue arrived having driven down from the Cotswolds. After restorative cups of tea, off into Brighton, mooching about in the lanes, the ladies disappearing into various shops while John and I stood about chatting outside. After a while, we went into the Basketmakers and we managed to get a table. It became a bit crowded and shouty in our corner.  We met Matt there, who sat with us for a bit, after he left the seat nearby was occupied with a very loud Yorkshireman, with one of those penetrating voices. Stepping out of the pub was something of a relief. We had an ice cream and a saunter down by the sea, where it was suddenly quite sunny and pleasant. Peering up at the i360. Walked along, and then cut up into Hove where we grabbed a cab to the Preston Park Tavern, for a quick drink. Home, and we sat chatting for a few hours evening, till it was time for everyone to creep off to bed. Below a low-...

A happy day. Up with Lorraine, and spent the morning preparing a few poems to send off to Magma, who are planning a climate change issue. Walked to town in the rain, to pick up Oskar's birthday present, the pond in the park full of tadpoles and newts (obvs. there was small one I thought of as 'my newt'.) Revelling in being at my own desk, and having a laugh with Sonia. I was due to see Helen this afternoon to discuss the Centaur project, but she had to call off after a traumatic night in hospital with her son, with suspected appendicitis. This freed me to the point I even watched a couple of Brooklyn 99 episodes before Lorraine came home. We made off to the Preston Park Tavern to meet Betty and John, who is still in the middle of arranging his father's affairs after his death. It is a tough time for him, but he is doing well. We four had an enjoyable evening, had dinner and a few beers before everyone a bit tired and after fond farewells made our way home. Felt li...

Zoomed off to work, tired, but cheery. Feeling a sense of accomplishment about the TRUTHS and the way Telltale ended, and my poems in the anthology, and all the things I gained from the associations I made through it. Looked happily at the printed version. Has some splendid poems in it. Bumped into a former colleague Bob, in Victoria, a brief discussion about his next foray to view former European battlefields with Slug and Pat. Nice to see him. Quite cheery into work, but longing to get the day's work over, however, and extremely pleased to be on my way back to Brighton. Trying to read The Crying of Lot 49 on the train, but am in the wrong mood for it. Met Innis for a cheeky beer in the Battle of Trafalgar, a while since I'd been in the Batty. Then popped into the Lord Nelson, then had a bag of chips and drank another beer in The Eagle. Innis is very well read, and generally very good company. We were also chatting about photography, and how he is seeking a new subject and...

Train by the skin of my teeth, then to work in a much better frame of mind. Busy in the agency. A brief walk at lunchtime, chatting to Mum as I escaped... First wearing sunglasses, then slinking between cover in the rain. Left work 40 minutes early and the journey all smooth to sleety Lewes, and despite showing people my return to Brighton made it through without having to pay any extra. Lorraine, Robin and Nick were already at the John Harvey Tavern, along with little clusters of poets having snacks. I had a small pork pie and a pint of Harveys before I joined Robin upstairs, moving things about. A plethora of proper poets tonight. Everything went swimmingly, I introduced the night, with a passing reference to Plato. Sarah and Robin continued both on excellent form. Robin tying up Telltale nicely, at the end with a speech as this was the final publication from us. A highly enjoyable evening, with the anthology proving to contain lots of wonderful poems, in the readings that were gi...

Brain fug. Hard to think today, after expending all my brain on working on poems this morning. Suddenly saw how a poem, which I've had knocking about forever, could fit together. Made it into work without incident this morning. Two presentations during the day, neither of which went well, and generally not on it at all, what ever 'it' is. Fed up and tired, but a nice enough walk at lunchtime. Homewards grouchily.  Lorraine picked me up in the street as I was speaking to Mum. Home and some grub, before we went out in the car again to pick up Beth from a nannying job, who handed me the bag of drugs she'd picked up for me from the pharmacy. Car chats with Betty, then home to lurk on the gold sofa before bed with Lorraine. Much cheered by the company of my wife. Watched Netflix Swiss Family Robinson, remake of the sixties series. Good special effects but stupid as anything.

Sitting diagonally opposite a woman eating with her mouth open and smacking her lips obnoxiously like a Gollum on the train to Victoria. Then as she went through her emails, cursing and making all manner of weird noises. The classic signs of someone wearing noise cancelling headphones. Slouched off. Trouble on the Circle Line and it took an entire hour to get to Paddington. Then at work, my computer didn't work. Frustrated by this, despite not wanting to be. A bit of a stroll about at lunch. Home. Lorraine late so I cooked fish and veggies. Gold sofa with my lovely, then bed. Monday. Bah to it.

Lorraine's birthday today. A happy day, up after Lorraine had opened her cards, we had breakfast in the back garden, and then we drove off to the bluebell wood and walked through the gorgeous place smelling the aromatic, peppery air. Also stumbled across some strange bee-like creatures that I learned later turned out to be bee-flys. After this we stopped off to have tea and scones, then drove back to Brighton. Got caught briefly in a traffic jam, people surging into Brighton due to the lovely sun. Soon after we got back, a cool sea mist started lurking in from the sea. Lorraine and I repaired to the Park View, where we had a decent Sunday lunch. Lorraine then had to go to Bolney for a parish meeting, and I decided to mow the lawn. The lawn mower however was rusted jammed, and however much WD40 I put on it, it refused to move. Quite pleased however to have a poem called War diary in 1/72 scale accepted in an anthology provisionally called an Outbreak of Peace due out to coincid...