1. Well I pushed the boat out again on the last day, I spent the morning at Isaac's Kindergarten. Like playschools everywhere, young children crying for their mummies when they first arrive, some pushing others, others wanting the ball and not being given it.
2. I reckon if I attended regularly my Montenegrian would improve rapidly. The young children had no hesitation coming up to me and asking me to look at this and telling me what it was. One little girl asked me fifty times when her mummy was coming. I was not allowed into Isaac's group so he had to stay in the 2 to 3 year group.
3. Breakfast was a revelation. I was told he was having doughnut and you can imagine my look of horror. Sweet tea and doughnut. However, the doughnut was more s savoury pastry type. I was also given breakfast, after having eaten at home. The typical high fat pastry with cheese in the middle and a natural yogurt drink.
4. I gathered from those who could speak English that all the staff had to undergo three years training before they could work there. There were lovely and smiley with the children. One woman sent her son to America for a year to learn 'English' and be exposed to different cultures. She spoke of how different it was in Montenegro. I asked for an example. Montenegrians are traditional - they love to cuddle, hug and spoil their children and they would be ashamed to put their old folk in a home. Old folk should live with the offspring until they die. That was her response.
5. I will be welcome there again apparently. I walked back into the city, despite the rain, to get rid of some of the fatty pastry. I discovered a quaint old church full of frescos and wooden painting of Jesus and the Madonna. Orthodox I assume.
6. Shortly we shall be picking Kaaren up from the airport and then off to Lake Skadar for a final meal tonight. Thank goodness I will not be cooking tonight.
7. A sense of grief has come over me having finished 'Remember Me' There is something about having been inside the man. You read the book and want to get in touch with him and ask him if he is OK.
8. Fingers crossed that all is well with the flight. I emailed the woman in London asking for confirmation but as yet have had no reply. Keep your phone on.
9. Looking forward to seeing you.
The traveller
Thursday, 17 September 2009
It could be the day
1 It just could be the day when I throw some books into the re-cycling bin, books (including a three-volume biography of Gladstone by John Morley) which have been on the shelves not just for years but for years beyond years. Time to take some, at least, of those books and just put them into the re-cycling bin. In fact, I'll throw some now and return to this post.
1.1 I have put four economics textbooks, including a hardback, into the re-cycling bin. Where those four books lead others will follow. I will mark the day.
2 What brought about this adventure, you ask. Before nine o'clock the carpet-cleaning man arrived; he left an hour-and-a-half later. During the time, the furniture and impedimenta in the front room, the dining-room (aka the study), and the saloon were moved. The repositories remain siberia, the garage, the kitchen, and the conservatory. As I set about ordering the contents of the study, I thought about those books, the ones which have not been earning their keep, the ones which Ashley will put into a skip without a thought. It's time, it's time.
3 It's my good fortune that the sun shines and is likely to continue to do so. I can keep the doors open. I can also look forward to a bike-ride to Tinsley House. I wonder if you recall that Hasmatulloh, the Afghan who has served a prison sentence, and I agreed that he would call me if he wanted a visit. He called. I undertook to visit this afternoon.
4 The FRBC AGM will be held this evening. I will attend, and David may attend too. (I will take my giro there, as it could do with a bit of attention, just a bit, from someone who knows what to do. Once released from the grip of the back brake, the young bike will be rideable again.) The agenda will be the familiar one. We'll set the subscription, and we'll talk about the annual tour. (Now that £1 is just about equal to E1 - I don't have the symbol for the euro; at least, I haven't been able to find it - I wonder if there will be any inclination towards a tour in England. Probably not.)
5 Meanwhile, there ar jobs to tackle in the garden. There are always jobs to tackle in the garden. I reckon that I'll clear the chalet and take the contents, excluding the loungers, to the tip.
6 Liam and I played bridge at Forest Row yesterday evening. The exercise was a reminder, a strong reminder for Liam (I sense), of the difference between playing at FR and at the Maypole. (Playing at the latter just gets into the way of one's bridge.) There were five tables and we played 25 boards in under three hours. Liam felt 'out-classed' as we made our way to the car. On the way back to the Hall we had yet another conversation about leads; no headway. Still, he telephoned me this morning and he sounded in good form. As it happened we came joint third out of the five couples. Ken Oliver and David Burman topped the list of five, and there was a considerable gap between their score and the scores for third, fourth, and fifth. Still we were there. And we'll be there again; Monday afternoon is also an option, remember. (All such observations are subject to the fortunes which rule all our lives.)
6.1 Look on the FR website and make a note of the AGM.
7 I also mentioned a Sunday lunch in the Club. Subject to the fortunes, be prepared to give me some dates. I reckon that I have at least two lunches to complete, preferably in October..
8 Tomorrow. telephone me as soon as you land. I'll be waiting for the call. I have been reminded that I undertook to collect for the RAFA at Sainsbury's at 1200. I've told Graeme Stagg that I will be collecting you.
Think of England.
Looking forward to you. Come back to the ....... .
Stayathome.
1.1 I have put four economics textbooks, including a hardback, into the re-cycling bin. Where those four books lead others will follow. I will mark the day.
2 What brought about this adventure, you ask. Before nine o'clock the carpet-cleaning man arrived; he left an hour-and-a-half later. During the time, the furniture and impedimenta in the front room, the dining-room (aka the study), and the saloon were moved. The repositories remain siberia, the garage, the kitchen, and the conservatory. As I set about ordering the contents of the study, I thought about those books, the ones which have not been earning their keep, the ones which Ashley will put into a skip without a thought. It's time, it's time.
3 It's my good fortune that the sun shines and is likely to continue to do so. I can keep the doors open. I can also look forward to a bike-ride to Tinsley House. I wonder if you recall that Hasmatulloh, the Afghan who has served a prison sentence, and I agreed that he would call me if he wanted a visit. He called. I undertook to visit this afternoon.
4 The FRBC AGM will be held this evening. I will attend, and David may attend too. (I will take my giro there, as it could do with a bit of attention, just a bit, from someone who knows what to do. Once released from the grip of the back brake, the young bike will be rideable again.) The agenda will be the familiar one. We'll set the subscription, and we'll talk about the annual tour. (Now that £1 is just about equal to E1 - I don't have the symbol for the euro; at least, I haven't been able to find it - I wonder if there will be any inclination towards a tour in England. Probably not.)
5 Meanwhile, there ar jobs to tackle in the garden. There are always jobs to tackle in the garden. I reckon that I'll clear the chalet and take the contents, excluding the loungers, to the tip.
6 Liam and I played bridge at Forest Row yesterday evening. The exercise was a reminder, a strong reminder for Liam (I sense), of the difference between playing at FR and at the Maypole. (Playing at the latter just gets into the way of one's bridge.) There were five tables and we played 25 boards in under three hours. Liam felt 'out-classed' as we made our way to the car. On the way back to the Hall we had yet another conversation about leads; no headway. Still, he telephoned me this morning and he sounded in good form. As it happened we came joint third out of the five couples. Ken Oliver and David Burman topped the list of five, and there was a considerable gap between their score and the scores for third, fourth, and fifth. Still we were there. And we'll be there again; Monday afternoon is also an option, remember. (All such observations are subject to the fortunes which rule all our lives.)
6.1 Look on the FR website and make a note of the AGM.
7 I also mentioned a Sunday lunch in the Club. Subject to the fortunes, be prepared to give me some dates. I reckon that I have at least two lunches to complete, preferably in October..
8 Tomorrow. telephone me as soon as you land. I'll be waiting for the call. I have been reminded that I undertook to collect for the RAFA at Sainsbury's at 1200. I've told Graeme Stagg that I will be collecting you.
Think of England.
Looking forward to you. Come back to the ....... .
Stayathome.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Count down
1. News, news, still waiting for news. The texts keep nudging my sister to send some news. What were the outcomes of yesterday's team meeting. Shall they be kept a secret? That poor man - I keep thinking of him hating the condition he is in. How can anyone say 'we shall make you better' There cannot be better only holding on to life a little longer in less than pleasant circumstances.
2. Would you believe I leave here at 5.30 a.m. on Friday morning to catch the 8.30 from Tivat. I should arrive at the South Terminal via Montenegrian Airlines at 10.30 thereabouts.
3. Saturday I shall be going up to all points in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. Not that I shall be able to find anything out from the professionals, it being the week-end. Mandi will have had her operation; the same one as I shall be having in a couple of weeks. A visit to her may be a good or a bad thing.
4. Views in Montenegro are of the geographical kind, the mountains, the sea, the coast, the landscape in general. Other views are difficult to form. Observation assists and comments from expatriots form views which perhaps have a bias. Who knows.
5. What one does know is that there are 600,000 people living here with a GDP of $4,000. Exports consist of citrus fruits, olives, some steel and aluminium. The main industry seems to be tourism, but customer care needs to be improved if increases are sought. Official figures for unemployment are not given, but rumour has it that the figure is between 10 and 15%. The country has applied for EU status, but again reports say that it will never happen because the leaders are corrupt and joining the EU would reduce their power and ability to benefit from ill-gotten gains. The process is to placate the people!
6. Karstein has found a bunch of Europeans who play squash and amongst their number is a man who works for a development agency advising the Government. Advice is given, seemingly, but never taken. Not much manufacturing is done here as the processing costs are high and the efficiency is low. The shops have all kinds of consumer goods and there is always a lot of traffic. Cars and cars, no horses or donkeys or men pushing wheelbarrows.
7. Montenegro used to be a principality after the World War I. That is the reason for all the Embassy buildings in Cetinje. There were at least 15 to 20 Embassies there alongside the King's Palace. Swathes of foreigners have occupied these parts over the years, the Ottomans, the Austrians, the Venetians and of course many years ago, the Romans.
8. And the people, as I have previously mentioned, are not smiley and generally unhelpful. Cheeky too. The cleaning lady arrived last Thursday whilst we were still having morning coffee. She made herself a cup of coffee and sat down with us for 20 minutes unbidded. Hang on a minute you have come here to work. I believe she would have continued, had we not moved ourselves.
9. I spoke to Karstein about the Norwegian elections and he commented that the same group has got back into power. The government consists of 8 parties, the far left want higher taxes and more state funded healthcare and the far right want the opposite. He made the comment that the Social Security Benefits are very good so it does not encourage those on benefits to seek work.
10. Kaaren is in Munich now for the Board Meeting. She worked until 1 on Monday night and her colleagues and her worked until 1.30 last night. Surely it cannot be healthy. In fact most nights whilst I have been staying she has worked.
11. I am not in the mood to go exploring today, well I have done Podgorica. We were supposed to join the expat Ladies' group, but the person we were going with is not well. It would have been interested to hear those who have lived here for several years. I may go into the Kindergarten tomorrow.
12. Waiting for the return
2. Would you believe I leave here at 5.30 a.m. on Friday morning to catch the 8.30 from Tivat. I should arrive at the South Terminal via Montenegrian Airlines at 10.30 thereabouts.
3. Saturday I shall be going up to all points in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. Not that I shall be able to find anything out from the professionals, it being the week-end. Mandi will have had her operation; the same one as I shall be having in a couple of weeks. A visit to her may be a good or a bad thing.
4. Views in Montenegro are of the geographical kind, the mountains, the sea, the coast, the landscape in general. Other views are difficult to form. Observation assists and comments from expatriots form views which perhaps have a bias. Who knows.
5. What one does know is that there are 600,000 people living here with a GDP of $4,000. Exports consist of citrus fruits, olives, some steel and aluminium. The main industry seems to be tourism, but customer care needs to be improved if increases are sought. Official figures for unemployment are not given, but rumour has it that the figure is between 10 and 15%. The country has applied for EU status, but again reports say that it will never happen because the leaders are corrupt and joining the EU would reduce their power and ability to benefit from ill-gotten gains. The process is to placate the people!
6. Karstein has found a bunch of Europeans who play squash and amongst their number is a man who works for a development agency advising the Government. Advice is given, seemingly, but never taken. Not much manufacturing is done here as the processing costs are high and the efficiency is low. The shops have all kinds of consumer goods and there is always a lot of traffic. Cars and cars, no horses or donkeys or men pushing wheelbarrows.
7. Montenegro used to be a principality after the World War I. That is the reason for all the Embassy buildings in Cetinje. There were at least 15 to 20 Embassies there alongside the King's Palace. Swathes of foreigners have occupied these parts over the years, the Ottomans, the Austrians, the Venetians and of course many years ago, the Romans.
8. And the people, as I have previously mentioned, are not smiley and generally unhelpful. Cheeky too. The cleaning lady arrived last Thursday whilst we were still having morning coffee. She made herself a cup of coffee and sat down with us for 20 minutes unbidded. Hang on a minute you have come here to work. I believe she would have continued, had we not moved ourselves.
9. I spoke to Karstein about the Norwegian elections and he commented that the same group has got back into power. The government consists of 8 parties, the far left want higher taxes and more state funded healthcare and the far right want the opposite. He made the comment that the Social Security Benefits are very good so it does not encourage those on benefits to seek work.
10. Kaaren is in Munich now for the Board Meeting. She worked until 1 on Monday night and her colleagues and her worked until 1.30 last night. Surely it cannot be healthy. In fact most nights whilst I have been staying she has worked.
11. I am not in the mood to go exploring today, well I have done Podgorica. We were supposed to join the expat Ladies' group, but the person we were going with is not well. It would have been interested to hear those who have lived here for several years. I may go into the Kindergarten tomorrow.
12. Waiting for the return
1 Ahead of anything else for the moment, please remind me of your flight details: flight number, and expected time of arrival. Perhaps we could adopt the usual mode: telephone me when you reach the arrivals hall, and I'll leave the Hall with the intention of collecting you at the ground-level Arrivals area.
2 Swimming this morning. Earlier than usual; I was the only man in the pool when I joined. One of the familiars entered the water as I entered. When I left the pool she was still in the conversation which she had started when she entered. That's the way to enjoy the morning.
3 Physiotherapist to follow, then a meeting with James in Chequer Mead. Whilst I'm there, I'll buy ten tickets for the RA Concert in December. Having the tickets, then I'll look for the lucky people to receive them (with the compliments of SSAFA).
4 And, this evening, Liam and I will see how we get on at Forest Row.
Stayathome
2 Swimming this morning. Earlier than usual; I was the only man in the pool when I joined. One of the familiars entered the water as I entered. When I left the pool she was still in the conversation which she had started when she entered. That's the way to enjoy the morning.
3 Physiotherapist to follow, then a meeting with James in Chequer Mead. Whilst I'm there, I'll buy ten tickets for the RA Concert in December. Having the tickets, then I'll look for the lucky people to receive them (with the compliments of SSAFA).
4 And, this evening, Liam and I will see how we get on at Forest Row.
Stayathome
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Making sense
1 All with be evident, of course, when you visit the elderly man, your father. From your accounts, the reports are insufficient to form a view of his condition; in any case, there are just days now before you can form your own judgement from your own observations. I sense that you're likely to travel to the hospital on Saturday. Let me know.
2 Now what about a Traveller in the Black Hills? You've been there two weeks. There have been reports. I wonder now about the views, first views, which have been forming in the Traveller's mind. What sense, I wonder, does the Traveller make of it all. The absence of the language will have been a barrier. In particular, if one can't read the papers or talk about matters other than the weather and the price of corn, then it's difficult to figure out what's going on (inside the heads). Of course, observation can help when what is observed makes an unambiguous statement. So, all such unrooted observations aside, I wonder what sense you're making of it all. Probably, South Grinstead is far from East Grinstead?
3 However, what economic activity have you witnessed or heard about. What is in the fields which surround the house-in-the-fields? I wonder how people earn their income; what comprise the exports from the Black Hills. And so on. (And why was there a British embassy in the town which you visited?)
3.1 Otherwise, I read a piece in The Times today about the results of the Norwegian general election. Ask Karstein what he makes of it?
4 News from the parish: (i) At the AGM and SGM I asked for comments, observations by e-mail (or letter or telephone). I had a long e-mail from Muriel Cheeseman today. What a useful piece of kit is e-mail. She was able to set out her question and comments in full, whilst I was not burdened with the need to remember as she spoke. I replied as soon as I had read. (ii) Tomorrow, Liam and I will play at Forest Row. I've asked him to collect me at 1855, so that we will be in good time. He'll just have to postpone his pudding. (iii) For the present, I think it's time for a game of computer bridge, and then to bed with War and Peace.
Come back to the Manor, Doris Guse
Stayathome
3 However, what economic activity have you witnessed or heard about. What is in the fields which surround the house-in-the-fields? I wonder how people earn their income; what comprise the exports from the Black Hills. And so on. (And why was there a British embassy in the town which you visited?)
3.1 Otherwise, I read a piece in The Times today about the results of the Norwegian general election. Ask Karstein what he makes of it?
4 News from the parish: (i) At the AGM and SGM I asked for comments, observations by e-mail (or letter or telephone). I had a long e-mail from Muriel Cheeseman today. What a useful piece of kit is e-mail. She was able to set out her question and comments in full, whilst I was not burdened with the need to remember as she spoke. I replied as soon as I had read. (ii) Tomorrow, Liam and I will play at Forest Row. I've asked him to collect me at 1855, so that we will be in good time. He'll just have to postpone his pudding. (iii) For the present, I think it's time for a game of computer bridge, and then to bed with War and Peace.
Come back to the Manor, Doris Guse
Stayathome
1 A good exploratory day. There's nothing quite like taking a bus or a train (or even riding a bike) on one's own. Following one's nose; looking about; being open to encounters, some of which will be endearing, others of which will just be dear. Well done.
1.1 Taxi-drivers, the ripping kind. Being ripped off is always a disappointing experience, disappointing because the ripper felt obliged to behave in that way, disappointing because the exchange was a (high) low-trust one when the rewarding exchanges are of the high-trust kind.
2 More news of the old man, the one who may look old when you see him?
3 The ride along the Saxon Shore has been followed by Gossops Green and Bewbush. SSAFA calling.
4 A drawing-breath time now; keying the notes of the two visits. Taking time before the return to the clearing of the garden.
5 Watching afternoon television is for others, of course; I wonder about playing solo bridge on screen. What do you think?
Soon you'll be back.
Stayathome
1.1 Taxi-drivers, the ripping kind. Being ripped off is always a disappointing experience, disappointing because the ripper felt obliged to behave in that way, disappointing because the exchange was a (high) low-trust one when the rewarding exchanges are of the high-trust kind.
2 More news of the old man, the one who may look old when you see him?
3 The ride along the Saxon Shore has been followed by Gossops Green and Bewbush. SSAFA calling.
4 A drawing-breath time now; keying the notes of the two visits. Taking time before the return to the clearing of the garden.
5 Watching afternoon television is for others, of course; I wonder about playing solo bridge on screen. What do you think?
Soon you'll be back.
Stayathome
An old capital
1. Adventures were at the foremost of everyone's minds yesterday apparently. I had no wind to contend with, just language and hope that the destination was the one I had intended.
2. Bemusement ran across my face, when the young woman said I could only have a return ticket to Cetinje if I cam back on the same bus. Strange the buses go on to Budva, and Kotor. How was I to recognise the same bus on the return. I settled for a single at 3 euros, which seemed an honest price for a 40 minute bus journey.
3. Away from the capital Podgerica, friendly people can be found. The taxi driver at the bus station first asked if I wanted a taxi, then pointed to the map and showed me the direction to walk. The rain was splattering, the first since my arrival, but it was warm rain.
4. I am jumping too fast, when I was on the bus I had a telephone call from Mandi. You can imagine my heart missed a beat. She thought it was easier to talk to me than shorthand something in a text. He has been quite drowsy and inert the last couple of days. The occupational therapist wants to do further tests and feels that he would not be ready to look after mum on 29 September. Are they trying to let us down gently? I cannot not imagine it possible for them to live alone any more. Mandi reported that a big team meeting was to take place this morning. What a pity that one of the family cannot be there to hear the discussions.
5. Back to the adventure. Cetinje, the old capital, with its leafy wide streets and its grand buildings. Every large building used to be an Embassy or a Palace - some colonial style, some French symetry. I had to go into a Chemist for something and happened to ask where the tourist information office could be found. The Chemist left his assistant, took an umbrella and walked me across to the Office. What courtesy! He was proud to point out the old British Embassy. We made ourselves understood, one way or another.
6. Some annoying aspects made me give up my quest to see round most of the museums. One could only tag onto a group round the King's Palace. To negotiate that was too much for me then. I visited the History Museum which was dark, but well laid out. Sadly no English apart from one or two scrapy bits of paper attached to the cabinets. Many photographs were displayed from the World War II era. It would have been good to read about them.
7. Montenegrians are fierce looking and barbaric. Even in the 20th century they decapitated folk and one chap's head was used as a football. Being part of the unforgiving landscape makes one understand why they would be fierce.
8. The journey back was easy apart from the fact that the bus driver would not stop at the end of our road. The stop was miles away and I knew I would not be able to get a taxi, so went back into town to the bus station and got a taxi. The driver ripped me off sadly.
9. The young man's birthday today. Great excitement with presents. He will get a treat - a trip to the park.
10. Only three days to go. Have not arranged transport to the airport early Friday morning. Kaaren now off to Munich until Thursday - Board Meeting.
2. Bemusement ran across my face, when the young woman said I could only have a return ticket to Cetinje if I cam back on the same bus. Strange the buses go on to Budva, and Kotor. How was I to recognise the same bus on the return. I settled for a single at 3 euros, which seemed an honest price for a 40 minute bus journey.
3. Away from the capital Podgerica, friendly people can be found. The taxi driver at the bus station first asked if I wanted a taxi, then pointed to the map and showed me the direction to walk. The rain was splattering, the first since my arrival, but it was warm rain.
4. I am jumping too fast, when I was on the bus I had a telephone call from Mandi. You can imagine my heart missed a beat. She thought it was easier to talk to me than shorthand something in a text. He has been quite drowsy and inert the last couple of days. The occupational therapist wants to do further tests and feels that he would not be ready to look after mum on 29 September. Are they trying to let us down gently? I cannot not imagine it possible for them to live alone any more. Mandi reported that a big team meeting was to take place this morning. What a pity that one of the family cannot be there to hear the discussions.
5. Back to the adventure. Cetinje, the old capital, with its leafy wide streets and its grand buildings. Every large building used to be an Embassy or a Palace - some colonial style, some French symetry. I had to go into a Chemist for something and happened to ask where the tourist information office could be found. The Chemist left his assistant, took an umbrella and walked me across to the Office. What courtesy! He was proud to point out the old British Embassy. We made ourselves understood, one way or another.
6. Some annoying aspects made me give up my quest to see round most of the museums. One could only tag onto a group round the King's Palace. To negotiate that was too much for me then. I visited the History Museum which was dark, but well laid out. Sadly no English apart from one or two scrapy bits of paper attached to the cabinets. Many photographs were displayed from the World War II era. It would have been good to read about them.
7. Montenegrians are fierce looking and barbaric. Even in the 20th century they decapitated folk and one chap's head was used as a football. Being part of the unforgiving landscape makes one understand why they would be fierce.
8. The journey back was easy apart from the fact that the bus driver would not stop at the end of our road. The stop was miles away and I knew I would not be able to get a taxi, so went back into town to the bus station and got a taxi. The driver ripped me off sadly.
9. The young man's birthday today. Great excitement with presents. He will get a treat - a trip to the park.
10. Only three days to go. Have not arranged transport to the airport early Friday morning. Kaaren now off to Munich until Thursday - Board Meeting.
Monday, 14 September 2009
Along the Saxon Shore
1 A cycle-ride to Edenbridge; a chat on the platform with an elderly man who was on his way to Chatham Naval Museum, in the old Dockyard; a chat on the train with a young, young fellow (just 18 months young) who was being taken to play with a three-year-old cousin; a coffee on the train to Canterbury, and the morning paper. And amiable beginning.
2 Then we rode along the Cod (?) and Winkle route to Whitstable. Along the way, we noticed the Norweigan flag flying over the Kent School (close to the University). Ah, I wondered, a recollection, a celebration of the Norse connexion. (That connexion, remember, was a bloody one; it was a long time ago though.) An exploration of Whitstable; a contemplation of the sea: a great deal of it; active wind turbines out to sea; land somewhere over the sea, indistinct but we assumed it must be France and as I'd read that there were wind turbines off the Dutch coast we reckoned that we were also close to Holland.
3 We headed for Herne Bay. Ah, think wind; think strong wind; think strong wind coming from nine or ten o'clock or 11 o'clock as we cycled. Hard cycling. Bracing cycling. The route - path seems too narrow a word - had a 1950s or 1960s look: concrete which gleamed, no doubt when first it was laid but now was showing its dark age.
3.1 Hello Herne Bay. We cycled along the windy front; we noticed the Pier Pavilion and, further out to sea, on its own, what once might have been the end of a longer pier. From the options, we chose the Pie and Mash shop, and our selection was vindicated. An honest plate of cottage pie, with peas, and gravy, together with a cuppa (sic) tea. We cleared our plates. A short discussion led to an order for one spotted dick and one roly-poly, both with custard. Having gone so far up the mountain, we were ready to attack the peak. Alas, the news was of a spillage of custard in the kitchen. Dry spotted dick, dry roly-poly.
4 An hour after we entered the Pie and Mash restaurant, we were cycling to Reculver, the point where, long ago, the Romans landed and where the fort which the Romans built had been converted to a monastery. The ruin, on the edge of the cliff, was our aiming-point. Continue to think wind, as you follow us along the foot of the cliffs. Follow us as we lifted the bikes up a set or iron steps almost to the top and a further set of concrete steps to the flat lands from which, we reckoned, a sea-captain observed the wide Thames estuary each day from the nearby white-washed turret, (itself part of a house). Down a grassy slope to Reculver, to the remains of the fort, of the monastery.
4.1 We had the one thought: it was a perfect place for a picnic.
5 From Reculver, we rode through the village of Reculver along the quiet road to Broad Oak an then to Sturry; the ride brought us back to the railway station. And so to Edenbridge and the ride to East Grinstead.
2 Then we rode along the Cod (?) and Winkle route to Whitstable. Along the way, we noticed the Norweigan flag flying over the Kent School (close to the University). Ah, I wondered, a recollection, a celebration of the Norse connexion. (That connexion, remember, was a bloody one; it was a long time ago though.) An exploration of Whitstable; a contemplation of the sea: a great deal of it; active wind turbines out to sea; land somewhere over the sea, indistinct but we assumed it must be France and as I'd read that there were wind turbines off the Dutch coast we reckoned that we were also close to Holland.
3 We headed for Herne Bay. Ah, think wind; think strong wind; think strong wind coming from nine or ten o'clock or 11 o'clock as we cycled. Hard cycling. Bracing cycling. The route - path seems too narrow a word - had a 1950s or 1960s look: concrete which gleamed, no doubt when first it was laid but now was showing its dark age.
3.1 Hello Herne Bay. We cycled along the windy front; we noticed the Pier Pavilion and, further out to sea, on its own, what once might have been the end of a longer pier. From the options, we chose the Pie and Mash shop, and our selection was vindicated. An honest plate of cottage pie, with peas, and gravy, together with a cuppa (sic) tea. We cleared our plates. A short discussion led to an order for one spotted dick and one roly-poly, both with custard. Having gone so far up the mountain, we were ready to attack the peak. Alas, the news was of a spillage of custard in the kitchen. Dry spotted dick, dry roly-poly.
4 An hour after we entered the Pie and Mash restaurant, we were cycling to Reculver, the point where, long ago, the Romans landed and where the fort which the Romans built had been converted to a monastery. The ruin, on the edge of the cliff, was our aiming-point. Continue to think wind, as you follow us along the foot of the cliffs. Follow us as we lifted the bikes up a set or iron steps almost to the top and a further set of concrete steps to the flat lands from which, we reckoned, a sea-captain observed the wide Thames estuary each day from the nearby white-washed turret, (itself part of a house). Down a grassy slope to Reculver, to the remains of the fort, of the monastery.
4.1 We had the one thought: it was a perfect place for a picnic.
5 From Reculver, we rode through the village of Reculver along the quiet road to Broad Oak an then to Sturry; the ride brought us back to the railway station. And so to Edenbridge and the ride to East Grinstead.
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Remember Me
1. Remember me - the title of his book. The book I believe to be autobiographical. I wonder as I listen to him - 'is he now comfortable in his own shoes' Has he expunged the past by writing the book and laid his ghosts to rest. Melvyn Bragg, the calm and level personality, haunted by many demons. His drive and motivation to succeed in the television and writing world destroyed the family relationships. Those relationships which were dear to him. Some sentences should have been underlined. To refer to them again would be good.
2. We watched the History Boys last night. I have read the play but never seen it performed. The film was watchable. A couple of re-runs would be good to listen to the poetry and language of the script.
3. The party went well. Isaac enjoyed his first piece of chocolate cake. The other young lad had a bike for his birthday; he will be three tomorrow. The father was determined to have his stablisers off before he had chance to get used to them. The young lad was keen for me to push him around rather than his Dad. I wonder why.
4. The colleagues seem aimiable and are among the expatriot community which move from country to country every few years. Their challenge always to effect change wherever they go, whether it is desired or not.
5. A text wrung out from Mandi described Dad as not good. They had managed to get him out of bed and into a chair with a hoist. She is to visit tonight and I hope she will report or else I shall have to ask once more.
6. I wish you a good bike ride tomorrow with fine weather to accompany it. Did you go to Future Cycles Barbecue? I take it you did not ride with Forest Row today as you spoke of a chopping down, which I assume lasted most of the day.
Looking towards the return
2. We watched the History Boys last night. I have read the play but never seen it performed. The film was watchable. A couple of re-runs would be good to listen to the poetry and language of the script.
3. The party went well. Isaac enjoyed his first piece of chocolate cake. The other young lad had a bike for his birthday; he will be three tomorrow. The father was determined to have his stablisers off before he had chance to get used to them. The young lad was keen for me to push him around rather than his Dad. I wonder why.
4. The colleagues seem aimiable and are among the expatriot community which move from country to country every few years. Their challenge always to effect change wherever they go, whether it is desired or not.
5. A text wrung out from Mandi described Dad as not good. They had managed to get him out of bed and into a chair with a hoist. She is to visit tonight and I hope she will report or else I shall have to ask once more.
6. I wish you a good bike ride tomorrow with fine weather to accompany it. Did you go to Future Cycles Barbecue? I take it you did not ride with Forest Row today as you spoke of a chopping down, which I assume lasted most of the day.
Looking towards the return
After the meeting, the garden
1 If things look good the day after, then there are grounds for believing that they were good. The day after our two meetings, I reckon that we accomplished what we set out to.
1.1 A day later, I am also occupied with the matter of dress. As you know, I choose my blazer-and-tie presentation; Peter was in shirt-sleeves without a jacket or tie. I wonder to what extent the difference was noticed and was (even slightly) influential; or perhaps I felt more like the chair of a public meeting than I would have done had I dressed as Peter had dressed. From this point of view, the dress influences the way in which the person behaves: 'put on the kit and the kit will carry you through'.
2 In the garden today. A clearing of the alley outside the back door. Overgrown it was, really overgrown. (Recall the slide of the field which had been left for a year.) As with all big jobs, I tackled it by starting, by cutting the accessible growth. No hurry, just snip, snip, snip away. The alley now is clear, though there is foliage on the wood store. Perhaps the foliage is acting as a waterproof cover; in any case, i think I will get rid of the wood which is there now, as they are the branches from trees which were cut down (and they do not burn as I would wish them to). I've looked at containers in Homebase, and I think one of them would do just fine.
3 David has just arrived. He is taking tea, having shown me the position of my house on his mobile telephone. It's not just for making calls, you know. He will have his cake, that is, he will eat it. Then we'll talk about tomorrow's bike-ride. The forecast is good; if the weather is as good as the forecast, then we'll have a comfortable exploration of the far east.
4 Look in this week's Economist; there's a piece about the commemoration of an exploit in the Black Hills.
5 By the time David reached the front door, he had well-nigh consumed an apple from the tree. They are succulent. A tribute to benign neglect.
6 And I have listened to two broadcasts on Radio 4. This morning, Sue McGregor presented The Re-union of people who played important parts in the negotiations which led to the release of Nelson Mandela. Archbishop Tutu, Thabo M'Beki, de Clerk, the head of the SA secret service - they all contributed. Make a point of listening. And listen too to the programme about Boswell and Johnson. Both programmes are a tribute to radio. Just listen to the voices.
7 I have your father in mind. You really do need to be there, to see how he is, and to hear what the professionals have to say. By the way, how did any one of those professionals respond to your observations on the treatment of Mandi?
Courage, courage
Stayathome
1.1 A day later, I am also occupied with the matter of dress. As you know, I choose my blazer-and-tie presentation; Peter was in shirt-sleeves without a jacket or tie. I wonder to what extent the difference was noticed and was (even slightly) influential; or perhaps I felt more like the chair of a public meeting than I would have done had I dressed as Peter had dressed. From this point of view, the dress influences the way in which the person behaves: 'put on the kit and the kit will carry you through'.
2 In the garden today. A clearing of the alley outside the back door. Overgrown it was, really overgrown. (Recall the slide of the field which had been left for a year.) As with all big jobs, I tackled it by starting, by cutting the accessible growth. No hurry, just snip, snip, snip away. The alley now is clear, though there is foliage on the wood store. Perhaps the foliage is acting as a waterproof cover; in any case, i think I will get rid of the wood which is there now, as they are the branches from trees which were cut down (and they do not burn as I would wish them to). I've looked at containers in Homebase, and I think one of them would do just fine.
3 David has just arrived. He is taking tea, having shown me the position of my house on his mobile telephone. It's not just for making calls, you know. He will have his cake, that is, he will eat it. Then we'll talk about tomorrow's bike-ride. The forecast is good; if the weather is as good as the forecast, then we'll have a comfortable exploration of the far east.
4 Look in this week's Economist; there's a piece about the commemoration of an exploit in the Black Hills.
5 By the time David reached the front door, he had well-nigh consumed an apple from the tree. They are succulent. A tribute to benign neglect.
6 And I have listened to two broadcasts on Radio 4. This morning, Sue McGregor presented The Re-union of people who played important parts in the negotiations which led to the release of Nelson Mandela. Archbishop Tutu, Thabo M'Beki, de Clerk, the head of the SA secret service - they all contributed. Make a point of listening. And listen too to the programme about Boswell and Johnson. Both programmes are a tribute to radio. Just listen to the voices.
7 I have your father in mind. You really do need to be there, to see how he is, and to hear what the professionals have to say. By the way, how did any one of those professionals respond to your observations on the treatment of Mandi?
Courage, courage
Stayathome
keep up the writing, no sparing detail
1. A hasty scribble as we are preparing a pre-birthday party for the little man. Work colleagues of Kaaren's are coming for a barbecue. Canadians from Vancouver, Norwegian from who knows where. The Canadians have a son who will be 3 tomorrow, so we shall be doing some balloon blowing soon.
2. The homeland beckons.
3. Thoughts of my Dad are constantly with me. I can imagine he would have wished to have died rather than go through this. I wonder how I can help him. If he can respond to commands perhaps he would like me to read to him. I wonder too if he will survive and what lies ahead to organise.
4. I want to have a conversation with Sue whose expertise on such matters will be invaluable I am sure.
5. Please, please keep writing
2. The homeland beckons.
3. Thoughts of my Dad are constantly with me. I can imagine he would have wished to have died rather than go through this. I wonder how I can help him. If he can respond to commands perhaps he would like me to read to him. I wonder too if he will survive and what lies ahead to organise.
4. I want to have a conversation with Sue whose expertise on such matters will be invaluable I am sure.
5. Please, please keep writing
Saturday, 12 September 2009
1 Listening to the Last Night of the Proms. How good to be in one's own kitchen, listening to the radio, keying amiably. I may even play a hand or two of bridge.
2 Yes, please do forward the e-mail.
3. My new telephone is fine, I hope; my new charger is showing the ill-effects of the intense heat on the plastic surround to the connector, the intense heat deriving from the toaster into which the connector had dropped, whilst still connected to the plug in the socket, without my noticing. I tried to charge the telephone. At the second attempt, it refused to come alive. So it's back to the Vodaphone shop on Monday or Tuesday (as David and I will be out early on Monday on our way, with bicycles, to Canterbury).
4 AGMs: (i) Liam and Hannah didn't come to the AGM; (ii) the Bike Club AGM will be held on Thursday, so I hope that Liam will be available to play on Wednesday at Forest Row.
5.1.1 It was good to have achieved a well-run meeting; and (2) I received a 'Well read' this evening after Mass: somebody had heard and had been sufficienty moved to give voice.
6 There were close to 30 at the AGM.
7 Come back to the Manor, Doris Guse.
Stayathome
2 Yes, please do forward the e-mail.
3. My new telephone is fine, I hope; my new charger is showing the ill-effects of the intense heat on the plastic surround to the connector, the intense heat deriving from the toaster into which the connector had dropped, whilst still connected to the plug in the socket, without my noticing. I tried to charge the telephone. At the second attempt, it refused to come alive. So it's back to the Vodaphone shop on Monday or Tuesday (as David and I will be out early on Monday on our way, with bicycles, to Canterbury).
4 AGMs: (i) Liam and Hannah didn't come to the AGM; (ii) the Bike Club AGM will be held on Thursday, so I hope that Liam will be available to play on Wednesday at Forest Row.
5.1.1 It was good to have achieved a well-run meeting; and (2) I received a 'Well read' this evening after Mass: somebody had heard and had been sufficienty moved to give voice.
6 There were close to 30 at the AGM.
7 Come back to the Manor, Doris Guse.
Stayathome
Hurrah, Hurrah for merger
1. How heartened I was to hear of the smooth running of the AGM , the congratulations of the erstwhile treasurer, and the unanimous approval for negotiation. Hurrah for the Credit Union and hurrah for its forward movement. Well done and what an achievement. How many members attended? I sent a text of good wishes I hope you received it.
2. The news is scarce. Tessa said that Mandi went to visit Mum yesterday and she was in good spirits. We have an extention until 29 September for Longlands, which will give us some breathing space. I shall, for sure, be committed on my return to the homeland. No chance in Dad, he seemingly had a slight temperature so has been put on anti-biotics.
3. A day on the beach today, well an hour or so. Beautiful scenery with the backdrop of the mountains and the clear azure sea. My first swim today. The young man enjoyed playing in the sand and splashing about at the water's edge. No submersion for him today as he has caught my cold and cough.
4. Read the comment on my last posting about Gatwick Detainee Welfare Group.
5. I wish the family life was more stable so I could put more energy into projects like the Credit Union etc. However I must remember my priorities.
6. Time to read the young man a story and give him his milk.
2. The news is scarce. Tessa said that Mandi went to visit Mum yesterday and she was in good spirits. We have an extention until 29 September for Longlands, which will give us some breathing space. I shall, for sure, be committed on my return to the homeland. No chance in Dad, he seemingly had a slight temperature so has been put on anti-biotics.
3. A day on the beach today, well an hour or so. Beautiful scenery with the backdrop of the mountains and the clear azure sea. My first swim today. The young man enjoyed playing in the sand and splashing about at the water's edge. No submersion for him today as he has caught my cold and cough.
4. Read the comment on my last posting about Gatwick Detainee Welfare Group.
5. I wish the family life was more stable so I could put more energy into projects like the Credit Union etc. However I must remember my priorities.
6. Time to read the young man a story and give him his milk.
Not just one meeting but two
1 Blazer, LSE tie, black shoes - all were in place. And so was I, and the others. The AGM began on time; we moved through the agenda without distress; we reached Adrian Davies, the guest speaker. He spoke as well, with gentleness and knowledge, as he always has. At the end of the meeting, Peter, our long-ago and scarcely-regretted treasurer, came up to congratulate me. We took our tea and coffee but, in accordance with my direction, just one or two took their leaves. The SGM opened, the resolution was amended, there were just one or two comments from the floor, and it was time to put the resolution to the meeting. Hands of approval in the air; no hands of disapproval. The Board has been authorised to negotiate with WSCU the possibilities of a merger.
Two meetings accomplished; no evident distresses; the outcomes were the ones which the Board sought.
1.1 Outside the door of the lavatory, I said Hello to an elderly and unassuming man. I said 'I'm Don' 'I'm John', he replied, 'John Thomas'. His stepfather had christened him so. In the Army, his name was called out 'John Thomas'. He stepped forward. In his words, 'the roof fell in'. And he didn't know why. Afterwards, he was known in the Army as Dick.
2 I mentioned that Liam had declared his inability to chair a meeting, his dislike of the activity. Effective meetings require effective chairing. An ineffective chair will lead the meeting all over the place.
3 And so we will begin the negotiations with Adrian and anyone else. I take it that our meetings will be restricted to officers from WSCC and from EGDCU and to Adrian and perhaps Jenny King.
Thoughts?
Backindoors
Two meetings accomplished; no evident distresses; the outcomes were the ones which the Board sought.
1.1 Outside the door of the lavatory, I said Hello to an elderly and unassuming man. I said 'I'm Don' 'I'm John', he replied, 'John Thomas'. His stepfather had christened him so. In the Army, his name was called out 'John Thomas'. He stepped forward. In his words, 'the roof fell in'. And he didn't know why. Afterwards, he was known in the Army as Dick.
2 I mentioned that Liam had declared his inability to chair a meeting, his dislike of the activity. Effective meetings require effective chairing. An ineffective chair will lead the meeting all over the place.
3 And so we will begin the negotiations with Adrian and anyone else. I take it that our meetings will be restricted to officers from WSCC and from EGDCU and to Adrian and perhaps Jenny King.
Thoughts?
Backindoors
No brambles yesterday
1 Let me explain. Yesterday was to be a day in the garden, the day on which I cleared the green growths outside the back door. The week had already been a SSAFA week; Friday was to be my day.
2 Ah. It didn't work that way. Yet, energised by the physiotherapist's gentle manipulation of my shoulder, and fuelled by breakfast, I was ready. Still, the paper and a promised telephone call to the manager in Open House about a homeless ex-Serviceman occupied the first hour or so when I returned home. The call completed, another call taken, it was time to meet a prospective SSAFA caseworker in Chequer Mead, a meeting which ran for over an hour. The energy, the commitment, you understand, was running down. And so the interruptions, the diversions, continued, the preparation for today's AGM being among them. The green growths remained undisturbed.
3 Later in the day, it seemed right to get on with the scoring of the first Maypole session. After all, I'm on the committee now. So I did the job. Nick and Ian were bottom, well below Anne and Verena in fifth place. Liam agreed to come round later on to check the scores: there were errors on two out of the 18 records, but the ranking was unchanged. Liam and I (and Pat West) were second. (Pat? She had been a spare person, so she played three boards with Liam and three with me. Enough, she thought: she was still shaken by her two revokes on a single board with Liam.)
3.1 The Maypole AGM? At the beginning of our review meeting in the kitchen, Liam declared his dislike of chairing, his inability to chair. Well-meaning, but the wrong person; or the right person because he is likeable and well-meaning. The treasurer arrived late with his copies of the accounts. The agenda was incomplete. But there is a promise of a scoring device which will replace the Excel efforts. I have undertaken to remain the Excel-scorer until Christmas.
3.2 The penultimate hand: Nick was in 5H. I had bid clubs; I held the AC and QC. I lead the QS; the JS was revealed in dummy. There was a round of hearts; my single heart was played. Subsequently, Liam won a trick. He was on lead. A club lead through Nick - two tricks to us. He led a spade. Further on, Liam was on lead again. He led a club. Nick dropped (played) a diamond, an inadvertent play. He quickly picked the card from the table and ...... . And so there was a difference of opinion. A bluster. And so on. However, his diamond was replaced on the table and I took my two club tricks.
3.3 Later on I showed Liam the relevant rule in the book. He too thought that the inadvertently-played card could be taken back.
4 And so our petty affairs continue. I hope that you have had news, good news. But I understand that the news may be indifferent, or may be tending-to-bad, or may be bad. But I hope that you have had some news.
5 To conclude on yet more of the banal: I have displayed the new display boards; I have hoovered much of siberia; I have wet-wiped the door surrounds of the door from siberia to the great outside.
6 There's been a message from Donald Felgate, who sends his regards. And there is to be a BBQ in The Square this evening, organised and presented by Future Cycles.
Thinking of you.
Stayathome
Friday, 11 September 2009
Another day
1. Friday, another day much the same as the other days I suppose. It is a waiting game all the time and the news seems scarce. Well it seems there is not much news. I could not understand why he was being fed by tube. It appears that he is unable to swallow. What will happen who knows.
2. The young man had a bad night, not sure whether he has my cold or his teeth are bothering him. We shall see how he goes today.
3. I heard that Martin Green won the Mid Sussex Award for the East Grinstead Museum. Have a look on the Mid Sussex Website.
4. A little bit of exploration took place yesterday. I found the railway station and discovered what times the trains departed up and down the line. One way towards Belgrade and the mountains and the other towards the lake and the coast. The bus goes to Cetnje the old capital so that is an option for another day. I tried to find the World War II relics, but the map did not seem to match up with the streets I was trampling along. I had intended to go today but I have to rely on Karstein to give me a lift into the city. So some more reading and finding out about strokes and its effects.
5. How are the arrangements going for the AGM tomorrow? Everything in place? Any ideas of numbers yet? Needless to say I shall want a full report.
6. Some people here are so rude - the woman at the bus depot barely answered my questions and make no eye contact despite my smiles and a woman barged in front of me at the post office whilst I was being served. She jabbed me with her pen. I ask you. And the smoking, anywhere and everywhere. I am so unaccustomed to people smoking in restaurants and there do not appear to be non-smoking areas. Women with babes in arms were puffing away. I can hardly believe it used to be like that in the homeland.
2. The young man had a bad night, not sure whether he has my cold or his teeth are bothering him. We shall see how he goes today.
3. I heard that Martin Green won the Mid Sussex Award for the East Grinstead Museum. Have a look on the Mid Sussex Website.
4. A little bit of exploration took place yesterday. I found the railway station and discovered what times the trains departed up and down the line. One way towards Belgrade and the mountains and the other towards the lake and the coast. The bus goes to Cetnje the old capital so that is an option for another day. I tried to find the World War II relics, but the map did not seem to match up with the streets I was trampling along. I had intended to go today but I have to rely on Karstein to give me a lift into the city. So some more reading and finding out about strokes and its effects.
5. How are the arrangements going for the AGM tomorrow? Everything in place? Any ideas of numbers yet? Needless to say I shall want a full report.
6. Some people here are so rude - the woman at the bus depot barely answered my questions and make no eye contact despite my smiles and a woman barged in front of me at the post office whilst I was being served. She jabbed me with her pen. I ask you. And the smoking, anywhere and everywhere. I am so unaccustomed to people smoking in restaurants and there do not appear to be non-smoking areas. Women with babes in arms were puffing away. I can hardly believe it used to be like that in the homeland.
A day in Brighton, and an evening elsewhere
1 News?
2 Yesterday, Master Morris and I spent a companionable few hours in the sun, in Brighton. A stroll along the promenade, a fish-and-chips lunch on the Pier, a bus which took a wiggly route to Rottingdean (through the settlements on the neighbouring Downs); there we sat on the rocks overlooking the sea; two women swam in the water between the two rock projections; one of the two seemed at times to be basking. Tea. A return bus-ride along the road overlooking the sea. A visit to Evans cycles. The train. Just a companionable day.
3 Bridge. I'll tell you later, as I am about to leave for a little breakfast before my appointment with the physiotherapist.
Thinking of you.
Stayathome.
2 Yesterday, Master Morris and I spent a companionable few hours in the sun, in Brighton. A stroll along the promenade, a fish-and-chips lunch on the Pier, a bus which took a wiggly route to Rottingdean (through the settlements on the neighbouring Downs); there we sat on the rocks overlooking the sea; two women swam in the water between the two rock projections; one of the two seemed at times to be basking. Tea. A return bus-ride along the road overlooking the sea. A visit to Evans cycles. The train. Just a companionable day.
3 Bridge. I'll tell you later, as I am about to leave for a little breakfast before my appointment with the physiotherapist.
Thinking of you.
Stayathome.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
in limbo
1. Another day dawns and the sun is still shining, but lethargy overwhelms. I wait for further news but have to keep chipping away to get some. Yesterday morning his speech had not returned and the speech therapists had not been to see him. Seemingly there is nothing I can do. I have been adding to my knowledge about strokes by searching the internet, though it does not make happy reading.
2. I will make a trip into the city today and see what I can find. City Tours have not come up with anything. They cannot take me anywhere on my own as it is not profitable. As I said before customer care is lacking here. I will see if I can find the station and find out where the train stops perhaps a trip out tomorrow.
3. Bicycles are scarce here. I have only seen one old man on a bike the entire visit. Cars old and new yes, but no bikes. The city is mainly flat so the lack of bikes is a mystery.
4. The Melvyn Bragg book keeps me occupied. He writes well and has a seeing eye for relationships. Here is a poser 'should pieces of art have titles' or should the observer make of them what he will?
5. I have sent two texts on each phone but no reply. Kaaren left at 5.30 for a meeting in Belgrade and next week the Board Meeting is in Munich. Meanwhile the young lad is cheerful and even tempered.
2. I will make a trip into the city today and see what I can find. City Tours have not come up with anything. They cannot take me anywhere on my own as it is not profitable. As I said before customer care is lacking here. I will see if I can find the station and find out where the train stops perhaps a trip out tomorrow.
3. Bicycles are scarce here. I have only seen one old man on a bike the entire visit. Cars old and new yes, but no bikes. The city is mainly flat so the lack of bikes is a mystery.
4. The Melvyn Bragg book keeps me occupied. He writes well and has a seeing eye for relationships. Here is a poser 'should pieces of art have titles' or should the observer make of them what he will?
5. I have sent two texts on each phone but no reply. Kaaren left at 5.30 for a meeting in Belgrade and next week the Board Meeting is in Munich. Meanwhile the young lad is cheerful and even tempered.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Faraway
1 I wait for news of the Old Man, the one who succeeded against the odds in reaching old age. I have spent an hour-and-a-half with an Old Woman, one who lives in a bungalow, and, as I left, I noticed the small photographs of a young woman in uniform, both the uniform and the hair-style being of the 1940s. I wonder if the Old Man has any photographs of a young man. For the old man and the old woman, faraway days.
2 I wait for news.
3 Andrea is coming: I'd better tidy the house. So began the day. I ironed and generally tidied for about two hours, being all the while in want of an egg. Telephone calls about SSAFA caused me to be just in time for a meeting in Rowfant House rather than being there in time to sit in the sun and drink a cup of morning coffee in the sun. Amongst all the business, we decided to spend some of our money on tickets for the RA band concert in Chequer Mead and for an unspecified show in the Hawth, the tickets to be given to some of our clients.
4 To Rustington, on the coast, there to recover Doris Weston, an old woman, from her two weeks of respite from life in the small house in Scyamore Drive. Time to sit on the stony beach and watch and listen to the water. I'd like to go there again.
5 David, having worked at QVH, joined me, and we took our tea and toast on the patio. Then he deployed his cerebral and motor skills on my behalf. My desktop and my laptop - both are working well. The evening passed to the point where his inclination towards food was not to be denied: we repaired to the pizza place, and there ate and chatted. To Three Bridges, home, to bed.
6 Early swimming - I want to achieve even earlier swimming tomorrow morning, so that I can settle into a lengthy swim - and a meeting with Pat and Adrian Davies in Chequer Mead. More screenwork, the visit to the Old Woman, and to the screen.
6.1 Tomorrow, the Chums lunch being cancelled for an insuffiency of declared demand, Terry Morris and I will travel to Brighton, there to walk upon the promenade, and the pier, and take a fish-and-chip lunch. A bus perhaps to the Devils Dyke. A bus perhaps to somewhere else.
7 Yet, ahead of such diversions, will be a visit from Liam later this evening. The selection of the winning pair - an easy task - and chat about tomorrow's AGM. I sense that it may be less demanding that the one which will be held on Saturday.
Waiting for news
Stayathome.
2 I wait for news.
3 Andrea is coming: I'd better tidy the house. So began the day. I ironed and generally tidied for about two hours, being all the while in want of an egg. Telephone calls about SSAFA caused me to be just in time for a meeting in Rowfant House rather than being there in time to sit in the sun and drink a cup of morning coffee in the sun. Amongst all the business, we decided to spend some of our money on tickets for the RA band concert in Chequer Mead and for an unspecified show in the Hawth, the tickets to be given to some of our clients.
4 To Rustington, on the coast, there to recover Doris Weston, an old woman, from her two weeks of respite from life in the small house in Scyamore Drive. Time to sit on the stony beach and watch and listen to the water. I'd like to go there again.
5 David, having worked at QVH, joined me, and we took our tea and toast on the patio. Then he deployed his cerebral and motor skills on my behalf. My desktop and my laptop - both are working well. The evening passed to the point where his inclination towards food was not to be denied: we repaired to the pizza place, and there ate and chatted. To Three Bridges, home, to bed.
6 Early swimming - I want to achieve even earlier swimming tomorrow morning, so that I can settle into a lengthy swim - and a meeting with Pat and Adrian Davies in Chequer Mead. More screenwork, the visit to the Old Woman, and to the screen.
6.1 Tomorrow, the Chums lunch being cancelled for an insuffiency of declared demand, Terry Morris and I will travel to Brighton, there to walk upon the promenade, and the pier, and take a fish-and-chip lunch. A bus perhaps to the Devils Dyke. A bus perhaps to somewhere else.
7 Yet, ahead of such diversions, will be a visit from Liam later this evening. The selection of the winning pair - an easy task - and chat about tomorrow's AGM. I sense that it may be less demanding that the one which will be held on Saturday.
Waiting for news
Stayathome.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
still waiting
1. Still waiting to hear about the results of the scan. Tessa text me about an hour ago and said Mandi had spoken to the Doctor and would be getting in touch with me. So no further forward.
2. Tessa is hanging on in there, she is quite poorly and had a bad night with Mum. Luckily Longlands have agreed to take Mum for two weeks. All seems so uncertain as you can imagine with seeming little control.
3. Spent the morning trying to find various commodities. Not an easy task when one cannot understand the language. Chief cook is going to improvise tonight. I did manage to spot a bike shop as Karstein needed some lubrication for the chain. He went on a mountain bike ride the other day and came back with three punctures.
4. Kaaren gets up at 5.30 and has half an hour or so in her gym, before preparing herself for the working day. She works several hours in the evening too. Work is stressful as she is trying to get work out of the employees.
5. Schools are in short supply here so the children are split between morning and afternoon. One set go in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Apparently teachers and doctors do not get paid much here.
6. A commentary in the museum guide book by the chief curator made my eyebrows rise. He was scathing and almost damming of modern developers who paid no heed to preserving the antiquities in the country. An old Roman town nearby has had a railway station and a power station built over prime archeological sites.
2. Tessa is hanging on in there, she is quite poorly and had a bad night with Mum. Luckily Longlands have agreed to take Mum for two weeks. All seems so uncertain as you can imagine with seeming little control.
3. Spent the morning trying to find various commodities. Not an easy task when one cannot understand the language. Chief cook is going to improvise tonight. I did manage to spot a bike shop as Karstein needed some lubrication for the chain. He went on a mountain bike ride the other day and came back with three punctures.
4. Kaaren gets up at 5.30 and has half an hour or so in her gym, before preparing herself for the working day. She works several hours in the evening too. Work is stressful as she is trying to get work out of the employees.
5. Schools are in short supply here so the children are split between morning and afternoon. One set go in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Apparently teachers and doctors do not get paid much here.
6. A commentary in the museum guide book by the chief curator made my eyebrows rise. He was scathing and almost damming of modern developers who paid no heed to preserving the antiquities in the country. An old Roman town nearby has had a railway station and a power station built over prime archeological sites.
Monday, 7 September 2009
I was sorry to read your news. A black day.
Send news when you can.
My news can wait. A visit to a late-20s woman, wife of a young soldier, followed by a visit to young man in Devonshire Heights. He will be working at QVH tomorrow; we have booked a bike-ride to the Far East next Monday: the two gates, the stairs, and the old pits.
The MAC meeting awaits.
Stayathome
Send news when you can.
My news can wait. A visit to a late-20s woman, wife of a young soldier, followed by a visit to young man in Devonshire Heights. He will be working at QVH tomorrow; we have booked a bike-ride to the Far East next Monday: the two gates, the stairs, and the old pits.
The MAC meeting awaits.
Stayathome
Waiting waiting waiting
1. I feel I am in limbo waiting for news of my Dad. He has definitely had a stroke and they are waiting to give him a brain scan, so they can say more. He can move his arms and legs but has difficulty with speech.
2. Mandi stayed overnight with Mum and was telephoned by the hospital this morning as Dad was crying and they urged someone to come in. She asked if she could bring Kitty as there was no-one to look after her. Mum has been left on her own, so we are hoping that she did not run amok.
3. Mandi then rang in tears, the Doctors were aggressive towards her for bringing the baby in and they were rude to Dad because they could not understand what he was saying. I was upset and angry so rang the hospital to complain. How dare they behave in such a manner!
4. Tessa is going up but she has a chest infection and has a Doctor's appointment. My cold and chest feel ropey so do not feel like doing much. Meanwhile the sun is shining.
5. The drunken neighbour has just appeared with a bag of grapes and figs, walked straight in. Conversation is non existent. Hadn't a clue what he was on about.
6. The black hills are certainly black today and I have sent news - yesterday.
5. You might see me back sooner than 18th September.
2. Mandi stayed overnight with Mum and was telephoned by the hospital this morning as Dad was crying and they urged someone to come in. She asked if she could bring Kitty as there was no-one to look after her. Mum has been left on her own, so we are hoping that she did not run amok.
3. Mandi then rang in tears, the Doctors were aggressive towards her for bringing the baby in and they were rude to Dad because they could not understand what he was saying. I was upset and angry so rang the hospital to complain. How dare they behave in such a manner!
4. Tessa is going up but she has a chest infection and has a Doctor's appointment. My cold and chest feel ropey so do not feel like doing much. Meanwhile the sun is shining.
5. The drunken neighbour has just appeared with a bag of grapes and figs, walked straight in. Conversation is non existent. Hadn't a clue what he was on about.
6. The black hills are certainly black today and I have sent news - yesterday.
5. You might see me back sooner than 18th September.
It's so dark I can't see?
1Well, I was on the LSE site at 0950; I have remained there. No sign of Lord Mandelson. Prince, he may be; dark, undoubtedly he is. I sense that the route to his lecture is elsewhere; rationality tells me that the the sitemaster is late to work. Remember: he is speaking at LSE next Monday - yes, yes, I know you'll be in the Black Hills - so look out for the podcast.
2 I've spoken to Richard Jones. There is a provisional booking for Monday 28 September, in EG, at 1400. I've also spoken to a friendly person at the FSA (about the merger) and will write to the manager of the CU Supervision Team. There's reason to believe that we'll follow the rules.
3 Look on the Visiting Detainees blog.
4 Off to the Amenity Site, otherwise the tip; then off on SSAFA work.
5 Send news.
Stayathome
2 I've spoken to Richard Jones. There is a provisional booking for Monday 28 September, in EG, at 1400. I've also spoken to a friendly person at the FSA (about the merger) and will write to the manager of the CU Supervision Team. There's reason to believe that we'll follow the rules.
3 Look on the Visiting Detainees blog.
4 Off to the Amenity Site, otherwise the tip; then off on SSAFA work.
5 Send news.
Stayathome
Sunday, 6 September 2009
101 Dalmations or none at all
1. A dalmation coast but no dalmation to be seen anywhere. Mountains and hairpin bends but nothing like the black and white variety.
2. The coastal views are splendid and the bays picturesque. The Western idea of living is more pronouned than in the capital. Some ideas of services come across and English is more widely spoken. I take it that the holiday makers have arrived here. According to rumours Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones have bought a house in Kotor.
3. We stayed in an 18th century restored Palazza just outside Kotor overlooking the bays and the various churches dotted about on the hillside. According to the owner her architect father had bought the derelict property in 2000 and renovated it. The decor reflects the local fixtures and fittings and the thick stone walls give it a rustic feel.
4. Kotor itself is a lovely walled town ruled by the Venetians over 400 years ago. Churches are found everywhere; many in ruins and some have both Catholic and Orthodox altars in them. They functioned side by side.
5. Catholics used to account for 51% of people, now it is a mere 11%. I cannot say that I have noticed any Muslims. All the women seem to be scantily dressed in either short shorts or sundresses.
6. According to Kaaren the workers still cling onto the Communist ethos; the State provides and nobody loses their job even if they are no good at it. A shake up is occurring in Promonte. They want to outsource the cleaners who are not doing their job. They seem unable to understand that if they did a good job, the job would be secure.
7. I may have got it wrong, I meant to say Bar which is on the coast, not Bari in Italy. However, I will probably have a home based day tomorrow. Let the cold settle down a bit and see what is what with my Dad. One is never far from the worry of it all. The usual difficulties always arise with Mum.
8. As you can imagine a young lad of nearly a year takes up considerable time, attending to his needs, though he is a good lad.
9. How did Max's first day at St. Paul's go?
10. South Grinstead is over an hour's walk away along an unfriendly road, so no chance of taking a stroll there. The local supermarket is just down the road, but sadly does not have a coffee shop. No bubble, just in the country.
2. The coastal views are splendid and the bays picturesque. The Western idea of living is more pronouned than in the capital. Some ideas of services come across and English is more widely spoken. I take it that the holiday makers have arrived here. According to rumours Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones have bought a house in Kotor.
3. We stayed in an 18th century restored Palazza just outside Kotor overlooking the bays and the various churches dotted about on the hillside. According to the owner her architect father had bought the derelict property in 2000 and renovated it. The decor reflects the local fixtures and fittings and the thick stone walls give it a rustic feel.
4. Kotor itself is a lovely walled town ruled by the Venetians over 400 years ago. Churches are found everywhere; many in ruins and some have both Catholic and Orthodox altars in them. They functioned side by side.
5. Catholics used to account for 51% of people, now it is a mere 11%. I cannot say that I have noticed any Muslims. All the women seem to be scantily dressed in either short shorts or sundresses.
6. According to Kaaren the workers still cling onto the Communist ethos; the State provides and nobody loses their job even if they are no good at it. A shake up is occurring in Promonte. They want to outsource the cleaners who are not doing their job. They seem unable to understand that if they did a good job, the job would be secure.
7. I may have got it wrong, I meant to say Bar which is on the coast, not Bari in Italy. However, I will probably have a home based day tomorrow. Let the cold settle down a bit and see what is what with my Dad. One is never far from the worry of it all. The usual difficulties always arise with Mum.
8. As you can imagine a young lad of nearly a year takes up considerable time, attending to his needs, though he is a good lad.
9. How did Max's first day at St. Paul's go?
10. South Grinstead is over an hour's walk away along an unfriendly road, so no chance of taking a stroll there. The local supermarket is just down the road, but sadly does not have a coffee shop. No bubble, just in the country.
Slight Alarm
1. I have just received a text from Mandi to say Dad has been admitted to hospital with a stroke. She is with Mum just now. I will telephone to see what's what.
2. We are just back from the coast-things to tell, but bear with me as I need to telephone evening.
3. I have a stinking cold to boot. Hey ho!
2. We are just back from the coast-things to tell, but bear with me as I need to telephone evening.
3. I have a stinking cold to boot. Hey ho!
You've got to listen closely
1 Yes, one has to, as I had too earlier this morning when I attended 0900 Mass in Forest Row. Cometh the homily cometh the weaving path. The Angry Young Man, Look Back in Anger, Jimmy Porter (and Richard Burton who played the part in the film), Algernon Swinburne, a passionate atheist (and with unusual sexual practices), an early version of Richard Dawkins, Jensenists, the Wee Frees, the danger of putting religion into God as opposed to putting God into religion - they were all to be found along the path. And did that path lead to a clear conclusion. Yes. God is love.
2 As I listened I thought of myself. Ah, I thought, I'm listening to myself. It can be entertaining to hear the speaker, to follow as the speaker leads the way along the winding trail; it can be illuminating; but a person has to listen, has to listen carefully.
2 As I listened I thought of myself. Ah, I thought, I'm listening to myself. It can be entertaining to hear the speaker, to follow as the speaker leads the way along the winding trail; it can be illuminating; but a person has to listen, has to listen carefully.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Montenegro in WW2
You'll need to disentangle the events. Axis attack on Serbia in April 1941; Serbian surrender; Montenegro became part of the Italian (fascist) empire; Italian governors; after the Italian surrender in Sepember 1943, German forces occupied Montenegro; bombing of Podigorica by the USAAF and the RAF. At the end of the war, Montenegro was re-absorbed into (Titoist) Yugoslavia.
Two old people locked in a corridor
1 Earlier today I visited the White-Haired Old Lady. As always, she was quiet; in fact, she didn't say anything at all. But, from time to time, I sensed that she knew I was there, even if she didn't know who I was. She and I had an hour or more by ourselves in the Garden room. She sat in her chair and, for the most part, she dozed. Meanwhile, I chatted, read the newspaper, ate a sandwich and a couple of scones with jam, and drank a cup of tea. A convivial visit.
1.1 Lilian's stockinged legs caught my eye. They are thinner than they were.
2 When it was time to conclude the visit, I pushed through the doorway into a short corridor; once there I pushed open the next door, passed through, made a way along the corridor to the next door. Alas, to open that door I needed to know the code. And, you'll have guessed, the door behind me could be opened only by the same code. Lilian and I were locked in the corridor.
2.1 Elsie, whose room-door was open, was amiable but was of little help. (Oh, by the way, I could not get a signal on my telephone.) Eventually, I pulled the red-knobbed cord in her bathroom. I wondered if the response would be immediate; it wasn't. Instead, a middle-aged woman opened the locked door. I explained my predicament. She asked me if I was a resident; she wanted to be sure I wasn't a resident. Then one of the staff arrived.
3 The staff member was followed by another; both of them had cared for Lilian, as carers, when Lilian had been living on her own. We chatted amiably. Lilian remained silent.
4 Five or ten minutes ago, I concluded a long conversation with Dorothy Bryanne. She has been told (by a ward sister at ESurrey) that 'He's not going to make it'. I sense, at least for the time being, that his legs are not going to be fit for use. She was asked to choose between his being admitted to a nursing home or his being cared for at home. I gave her a list of questions to ask next time she goes to the hospital.
5 A pleasant lunch with Rosemary Jukes yesterday. It was an opportunity for her to talk about things. And by the end of the lunch she had decided to join us in our divisional meeting at Rowfant on Tuesday and to join a beginners' pilates class in Chequer Mead.
6.1 Read Janice in today's Times. And there's much besides.
6.2 On Monday at 1000 BST be sure to be on the LSE website as the bookings will open for a talk on current political matters by Peter Mandelson.
7 And give futher accounts of the coffee shops and of the Serbo-Croat for.
8 Meanwhile, the new wipers, three of them, and the new bulb have improved the running of the car.
Stayathome
1.1 Lilian's stockinged legs caught my eye. They are thinner than they were.
2 When it was time to conclude the visit, I pushed through the doorway into a short corridor; once there I pushed open the next door, passed through, made a way along the corridor to the next door. Alas, to open that door I needed to know the code. And, you'll have guessed, the door behind me could be opened only by the same code. Lilian and I were locked in the corridor.
2.1 Elsie, whose room-door was open, was amiable but was of little help. (Oh, by the way, I could not get a signal on my telephone.) Eventually, I pulled the red-knobbed cord in her bathroom. I wondered if the response would be immediate; it wasn't. Instead, a middle-aged woman opened the locked door. I explained my predicament. She asked me if I was a resident; she wanted to be sure I wasn't a resident. Then one of the staff arrived.
3 The staff member was followed by another; both of them had cared for Lilian, as carers, when Lilian had been living on her own. We chatted amiably. Lilian remained silent.
4 Five or ten minutes ago, I concluded a long conversation with Dorothy Bryanne. She has been told (by a ward sister at ESurrey) that 'He's not going to make it'. I sense, at least for the time being, that his legs are not going to be fit for use. She was asked to choose between his being admitted to a nursing home or his being cared for at home. I gave her a list of questions to ask next time she goes to the hospital.
5 A pleasant lunch with Rosemary Jukes yesterday. It was an opportunity for her to talk about things. And by the end of the lunch she had decided to join us in our divisional meeting at Rowfant on Tuesday and to join a beginners' pilates class in Chequer Mead.
6.1 Read Janice in today's Times. And there's much besides.
6.2 On Monday at 1000 BST be sure to be on the LSE website as the bookings will open for a talk on current political matters by Peter Mandelson.
7 And give futher accounts of the coffee shops and of the Serbo-Croat for
8 Meanwhile, the new wipers, three of them, and the new bulb have improved the running of the car.
Stayathome
Friday, 4 September 2009
What's it all about
1. It ain't alf hot here in the black hills. 34degrees and rising, not exactly conducive to fast movement. It's more like pedal, pedal, stop. Fortunately the cafe culture is prominent so a cup of coffee is never far away followed by a litre of water.
2. It would take about an hour or more to walk into the city and there does not appear to be a bus route or at least I have not seen any bus stops near here. The Flora is mainly scrubland in rock with dried grass. A decent supermarket is just at the end of the road, which makes for a diversion if desperate. However, so far I have been sleeping for England.
3. The Young Man is at Kindergarten from 8 until 2 where he is rapidly learning Serbo-Croat. Amongst other internationals is a Russian and a German. I have been given permission to help out one day. Should be interesting.
4. A small tourist office exists in the centre of a modern, uninspiring architecturally city. They showed me where the one and only museum is. A small affair, but well laid out. A wealthy merchant Podgoricanin came to my attention. A 15th century man who wanted to put Podgorica on the map and was keen that people should be introduced to books. He constructed the first printing house in the region.
5. Several World War II photos were displayed. The City was destroyed by bombs and then occupied and the locals were put in refugee camps. Apparently further afield in the parkland other World War II memorabilia is displayed. Another trip maybe.
6. Montegnegro is a place for female trafficking and according to the supermarket owner 70% of men beat their wives. Alarming statistic if true.
7. I discovered a bookshop under one of the bridges which serves coffee and has international papers available and has a mottly selection of English books.
8. City Tours apparently do some tours so I may seek them out next week. I am able to take a train to Bari about 30 minutes from here and stop of at Lake Skardar where one can swim I am told. Would you believe I long for the cold water of Pells.
9. We are off to a medieval hotel at Kotor tomorrow so thankfully there will be a chance to swim.
2. It would take about an hour or more to walk into the city and there does not appear to be a bus route or at least I have not seen any bus stops near here. The Flora is mainly scrubland in rock with dried grass. A decent supermarket is just at the end of the road, which makes for a diversion if desperate. However, so far I have been sleeping for England.
3. The Young Man is at Kindergarten from 8 until 2 where he is rapidly learning Serbo-Croat. Amongst other internationals is a Russian and a German. I have been given permission to help out one day. Should be interesting.
4. A small tourist office exists in the centre of a modern, uninspiring architecturally city. They showed me where the one and only museum is. A small affair, but well laid out. A wealthy merchant Podgoricanin came to my attention. A 15th century man who wanted to put Podgorica on the map and was keen that people should be introduced to books. He constructed the first printing house in the region.
5. Several World War II photos were displayed. The City was destroyed by bombs and then occupied and the locals were put in refugee camps. Apparently further afield in the parkland other World War II memorabilia is displayed. Another trip maybe.
6. Montegnegro is a place for female trafficking and according to the supermarket owner 70% of men beat their wives. Alarming statistic if true.
7. I discovered a bookshop under one of the bridges which serves coffee and has international papers available and has a mottly selection of English books.
8. City Tours apparently do some tours so I may seek them out next week. I am able to take a train to Bari about 30 minutes from here and stop of at Lake Skardar where one can swim I am told. Would you believe I long for the cold water of Pells.
9. We are off to a medieval hotel at Kotor tomorrow so thankfully there will be a chance to swim.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Detainees and a detainee
1 On Tuesday, having listened to the reports, the Oxted group, prompted by their chair, had a first discussion about the response to tales of bad events in the Removal Centres. There had been such accounts; now there arose the question: what do we do?
1.1 It seemed a good question to put to the Management Committee. But what, asked the chair, will the Committee do? The question then seemed a good one to raise at an All-Visitors' meeting. The chair continued to talk: about writing letters to local MPs, and to prospective MPs, and to newspapers. He countered the easy response that newspapers get it wrong. There was a Media officer on the Management Committee, but she had not attended recent meetings. So the job was not being done. Perhaps the chair would take it on. The chair demurred.
2 And the detainee. The most recent visit had been a short one. The visitor had arrived at an inappropriate time. The days passed, some ten or more of them. The visitor telephoned the detainee. The offer of a visit was not accepted. Rather the detainee and the visitor agreed that, when the detainee was ready to receive a visit, he would text the visitor. An interesting reversal of the customary understanding?
Stayathome
1.1 It seemed a good question to put to the Management Committee. But what, asked the chair, will the Committee do? The question then seemed a good one to raise at an All-Visitors' meeting. The chair continued to talk: about writing letters to local MPs, and to prospective MPs, and to newspapers. He countered the easy response that newspapers get it wrong. There was a Media officer on the Management Committee, but she had not attended recent meetings. So the job was not being done. Perhaps the chair would take it on. The chair demurred.
2 And the detainee. The most recent visit had been a short one. The visitor had arrived at an inappropriate time. The days passed, some ten or more of them. The visitor telephoned the detainee. The offer of a visit was not accepted. Rather the detainee and the visitor agreed that, when the detainee was ready to receive a visit, he would text the visitor. An interesting reversal of the customary understanding?
Stayathome
First Impressions
1. Ideas about service seem to be lacking. Where are the smiles I wonder. After having to pay excess baggage on a half empty plane, I expected a few smiles and some eye contact. We were handed a miniscule roll and tiny biscuit to be washed down with watered down apple juice.
2. The landing was alarming as the plane appeared to be touching down in the sea. Some precision evidently is required. One foot out and splash into the water.
3. The arrival took me back several years, a walk off the plane in the hot sun to the small terminal. Still no smiles at passport control. The first smile came from the nearly one year old. I wonder if he recognised me.
4. Another large white knight greeted me - would you believe a four by four. What a stretch it is to climb into the cab. However, I gather it is safer to have such a vehicle in this country.
5. The scenery is dramatic with memorable views down to the coast. Yes the mountains are black. The tourist area is around the coast. Budva is the most renowned resort and perhaps the most advanced of all the towns and cities.
6. The house is in the middle of a field with the hills surrounding it. A sense of city is nowhere to be seen. The dogs bark and the birds twitter and random buildings splatter the view. The owner is a diplomat currently ambassador in New York.
7. Sixty expatriot families live in Podgerica. The British and Americans have an embassy here but not sure how many other countries are represented here. Certainly smaller countries still have their embassies in Belgrade.
8. Bribery seems to be the order of the day. When costing any project one must add at least 20% for backhanders. Oiling palms seems to be the only way to get on in the world.
9. Isaac has already started Kindergarten during the mornings. I intend to ask if I can go in the help. I was not ready to leave at 8 a.m. this morning as I wanted to orientate myself with the house. Kaaren is up at 5.30 every morning and spends at least 30 minutes or maybe more in the gym which has three pieces of equipment.
10. Podgerica apparently was destroyed during World War II. So what happened here there. That will give you something to tell me about.
2. The landing was alarming as the plane appeared to be touching down in the sea. Some precision evidently is required. One foot out and splash into the water.
3. The arrival took me back several years, a walk off the plane in the hot sun to the small terminal. Still no smiles at passport control. The first smile came from the nearly one year old. I wonder if he recognised me.
4. Another large white knight greeted me - would you believe a four by four. What a stretch it is to climb into the cab. However, I gather it is safer to have such a vehicle in this country.
5. The scenery is dramatic with memorable views down to the coast. Yes the mountains are black. The tourist area is around the coast. Budva is the most renowned resort and perhaps the most advanced of all the towns and cities.
6. The house is in the middle of a field with the hills surrounding it. A sense of city is nowhere to be seen. The dogs bark and the birds twitter and random buildings splatter the view. The owner is a diplomat currently ambassador in New York.
7. Sixty expatriot families live in Podgerica. The British and Americans have an embassy here but not sure how many other countries are represented here. Certainly smaller countries still have their embassies in Belgrade.
8. Bribery seems to be the order of the day. When costing any project one must add at least 20% for backhanders. Oiling palms seems to be the only way to get on in the world.
9. Isaac has already started Kindergarten during the mornings. I intend to ask if I can go in the help. I was not ready to leave at 8 a.m. this morning as I wanted to orientate myself with the house. Kaaren is up at 5.30 every morning and spends at least 30 minutes or maybe more in the gym which has three pieces of equipment.
10. Podgerica apparently was destroyed during World War II. So what happened here there. That will give you something to tell me about.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Final stretch
1. Your voice was good to hear on the message, which arrived after lights out. Yes, I have been persuaded to switch my phone off at times. Well there's a thing.
2. The young man has had his last breakfast from me for a while and he is still smiling.
3. The documents about the Credit Union merger are locked away from me whilst I have been here. Perhaps that's just as well. However, maybe you can give me a precis before the Board Meeting. The seeing eye again. People see things from different angles, other perspectives. Do they not have the strength to shout out for East Grinstead and its needs in the big wide world? Look beyond the back gate out into the wild wood.
4. Had a bit of a mishap last night during the baby bath time. I was trying to do the song with them all, bending knees up and down. Suddenlythat shooting pain in my back again and I ended flat on my back on the floor. I get so frustrated and upset about my mobility at times. I intend to seek out a pilates teacher and join on my return.
5. Swimming in the big pool yesterday - the journey is much harder when the lengths are long.
We had a walk to the golf driving range outside the bubble to have a look at what is on offer at the massage parlour. Last massage before being incarcerated in the aeroplane seat.
6. You can send me a text on the Thai phone up until 4.30 local time - seven hours ahead of UK.
After that I shall be on the UK phone.
Looking forward to seeing you bright and early tomorrow morning.
Homing Pigeon
2. The young man has had his last breakfast from me for a while and he is still smiling.
3. The documents about the Credit Union merger are locked away from me whilst I have been here. Perhaps that's just as well. However, maybe you can give me a precis before the Board Meeting. The seeing eye again. People see things from different angles, other perspectives. Do they not have the strength to shout out for East Grinstead and its needs in the big wide world? Look beyond the back gate out into the wild wood.
4. Had a bit of a mishap last night during the baby bath time. I was trying to do the song with them all, bending knees up and down. Suddenlythat shooting pain in my back again and I ended flat on my back on the floor. I get so frustrated and upset about my mobility at times. I intend to seek out a pilates teacher and join on my return.
5. Swimming in the big pool yesterday - the journey is much harder when the lengths are long.
We had a walk to the golf driving range outside the bubble to have a look at what is on offer at the massage parlour. Last massage before being incarcerated in the aeroplane seat.
6. You can send me a text on the Thai phone up until 4.30 local time - seven hours ahead of UK.
After that I shall be on the UK phone.
Looking forward to seeing you bright and early tomorrow morning.
Homing Pigeon
Monday, 23 March 2009
Ah, it's gone
1 Yes, they're back, the clouds. We're under the blanket again. Still, it was great whilst it lasted. The forecast for the week is 'unsettled': windy maybe, rainy maybe. As ever, we'll see.
2 The one programmed job today is the visit to the solicitor with Gretel Wright. The will - probate and execution. Whilst the substance of the will be be easy to execute, as Brian has left everything to Gretel, there is the matter of the humane killing of the two cats, named in the will, and the burial of their remains in the garden. I wonder what the solicitor will say.
3 And there's bridge this evening at EG. Zenon says little; he and I will just play the cards.
4 Ah yes, the emphasis, the identification of the material. I wonder when a boy (or a girl) can be expected to write '.... because she comforts me when I am distressed, .... because I feel at home with her, ... ? When does a young person write about the emotional, the abstract?
5 Yesterday, being Mother's Day (or Mothers' Day), the players had no rehearsal. From now to the performance, there will be two more Sunday ones and, during Holy Week, a further two. Four more in all. By the time of the performance, we should be ready. (No mention yet of a celebration after the performance.)
6 Enjoy the remaining days (or hours). I wonder to what extent the young boy will notice your absence, will notice the substitition. I wonder when a person recognises one person rather than another, when a person recognises the absence and then the return of a person.
Stayathome
2 The one programmed job today is the visit to the solicitor with Gretel Wright. The will - probate and execution. Whilst the substance of the will be be easy to execute, as Brian has left everything to Gretel, there is the matter of the humane killing of the two cats, named in the will, and the burial of their remains in the garden. I wonder what the solicitor will say.
3 And there's bridge this evening at EG. Zenon says little; he and I will just play the cards.
4 Ah yes, the emphasis, the identification of the material. I wonder when a boy (or a girl) can be expected to write '.... because she comforts me when I am distressed, .... because I feel at home with her, ... ? When does a young person write about the emotional, the abstract?
5 Yesterday, being Mother's Day (or Mothers' Day), the players had no rehearsal. From now to the performance, there will be two more Sunday ones and, during Holy Week, a further two. Four more in all. By the time of the performance, we should be ready. (No mention yet of a celebration after the performance.)
6 Enjoy the remaining days (or hours). I wonder to what extent the young boy will notice your absence, will notice the substitition. I wonder when a person recognises one person rather than another, when a person recognises the absence and then the return of a person.
Stayathome
The Familiar
1. The sounds, the practices and routines are all the familiar to the faraway. The need to hear about the familiar is pressing as is the need to be in touch with one's usual life. One seeks them here, but nowhere are they to be found.
2. Count down time, two days to go and then back on the long trek. I managed to get my 10 lengths in of the big pool and will attempt to do likewise tomorrow.
3. And the seeing eye. Being blind but able to see the light more strongly than others. Even with blind we ask what do you see. And St. Peter's renewal of an old acquaintance?
4. Yesterday proved to be a fruitful day. The young man was in good humour after a little tooth popped out during the night. Down town to the shopping malls we rode for about an hour. Shopping for the young man. It never fails to amaze me how the Thai shopkeepers can take so long to serve a customer when there are so many of them. Four or five always hover around each stall ready supposedly to help. Language certainly is a problem here, so few that one has daily contact with speak English.
5. When asking for something in a shop, the usual response is 'no have' and when one scours the shelves and finds it they bat not an eyelid. One gets the impression that they cannot be bothered to sell.
6. Oops on the bridge, concentration my man eh!
7. That will certainly be an adventure for Summer. Alex phoned yesterday as it was mother's day. Seemingly Ollie had made a card with an essay on it. I love my mummy because she washes my clothes, tidies my room, makes my meals etc. I wonder if that is a gender response!
Simon's brother and wife have just produced twin boys. Emily now has five nephews. All these boys.
8. Well that's about all to report. Must be lunch time now. A last one tomorrow before I leave travelling backwards.
Backward traveller
2. Count down time, two days to go and then back on the long trek. I managed to get my 10 lengths in of the big pool and will attempt to do likewise tomorrow.
3. And the seeing eye. Being blind but able to see the light more strongly than others. Even with blind we ask what do you see. And St. Peter's renewal of an old acquaintance?
4. Yesterday proved to be a fruitful day. The young man was in good humour after a little tooth popped out during the night. Down town to the shopping malls we rode for about an hour. Shopping for the young man. It never fails to amaze me how the Thai shopkeepers can take so long to serve a customer when there are so many of them. Four or five always hover around each stall ready supposedly to help. Language certainly is a problem here, so few that one has daily contact with speak English.
5. When asking for something in a shop, the usual response is 'no have' and when one scours the shelves and finds it they bat not an eyelid. One gets the impression that they cannot be bothered to sell.
6. Oops on the bridge, concentration my man eh!
7. That will certainly be an adventure for Summer. Alex phoned yesterday as it was mother's day. Seemingly Ollie had made a card with an essay on it. I love my mummy because she washes my clothes, tidies my room, makes my meals etc. I wonder if that is a gender response!
Simon's brother and wife have just produced twin boys. Emily now has five nephews. All these boys.
8. Well that's about all to report. Must be lunch time now. A last one tomorrow before I leave travelling backwards.
Backward traveller
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Spring cycling, bridge, and rugby
1 There's much to tell. Spring has arrived: the trees, including the one here in the front and the one at the top of the Close, carry their blossom. What a joy. And the first of the spring rides was to Westerham. Five assembled in the Square; Gordon and I waited at the top of the hill. (My overtaking Gordon on the A22 was fortunate as he told me about the later assembly in Ashurstwood.) A companionable ride towards the North Downs; a swoop down to the A25 and to the town. Refreshments in the familiar café. An equally amiable ride in the sun back to EG. A few miles short of 40. All good stuff. I was out again on my road-bike. A nice piece of kit.
1.1 Marian2 awaits you. She has changed her dress; otherwise, she is identical to her sister.
2 Liam and I played bridge last Thursday. There were four and a half tables, compared with seven the previous week. There were two joint N/S tops and two joint thirds, including Liam and me. I did display the 3NT bidding card on one occasion when I intended to display the 3S one. Alas, my bid (of 3NT) was passed. Alas, the opening lead was a club; alas, Liam had just two low ones; alas, alas, I had none at all.
2.1 Weak 2s. I remember we were keen to adopt the convention some years ago. We adopted it for a short while, did we? In any case, if we did, we returned to the familiar, strong version. However, let's talk about weakness. We can always give the new way an outing, in Forest Row perhaps.
3 After the bridge we scored; we also chatted. I gave news of you, and then I introduced the concept of the enclave, the bubble. That topic was the primary one. Liam took the concept (though he didn't draw upon the NI demographics to illustrate the concept). The familiar concept of the enclave. As a rule, we join those with whom we will be familiar. I had the concept, the practice, in mind as I cycled today: as I passed the houses in the country I told myself that, given a choice, I would choose a house in the town, with neighbours, rather than a single one in the country. Our discussion would have been an easy one to join; what struck me was Liam's easy adoption of the concept. We continued to chat to (just on) midnight.
4 An item on this morning's Sunday programme also deserves to be transmitted. The issue was the treatment of blind people in church. Blind people. I can't recall an obviously blind person at Worth (or, for that matter, in St Peter's or in any church). A blind contributor observed that the distinction is drawn between light (good) and darkness (bad). 'Let there be light.' The switching-on of the lights at the Easter Mass. Amazing Grace. 'I once was blind but now I see.' So I am taken with the issue of blind people and wheelchaired people at Mass. Where are they?
5 I went to 1830 Mass at St Peter's yesterday; as a result, I had to leave the Wales v Ireland game when neither side had scored. When I returned the score was 12-14. Then it became 15-14, with just minutes to go. A dropped goal by O'Gara: 15-17. A penalty to Wales right in the last minute. A mighty attempt at goal from just inside the Irish half. The ball dropped short. Ireland had won the Grand Slam for the first time since 1948.
5.1 Earlier on I had watched a recording of an interview with Jack Kyle, who had been the Irish fly-half in the 1948 side. I remembered him. The recording ran for 18 minutes. A pleasure to watch. Amongst all else, he recalled the journey to Paris: train from Belfast to Dublin, the boat to Holyhead, train to London, overnight stay, train to Dover, ferry to Calais, train to Paris. He attended the game yesterday.
6 Summer begins her week at Hindleap Warren tomorrow. I've sent her an encouraging e-mail. The family, remember, will be in Holland from 5 to 10 April.
7 Evenley. Ah. I'll wait to hear your thoughts. I'd also wait to hear your thoughts about the Golden Triangle.
8 Tomorrow also, the meeting with the lawyer about Brian Wright's will. Still plenty of SSAFA. A first meeting about Crawley RAFA on Wednesday. I hope that I can contain my connection. I'm ready to take the cases, but I don't want to be drawn into other matters.
9 The sun is setting behind the trees. The light is going. It's cooler than it was, here in the conservatory.
10 It's time to come back to East Grinstead.
Stayathome.
1.1 Marian2 awaits you. She has changed her dress; otherwise, she is identical to her sister.
2 Liam and I played bridge last Thursday. There were four and a half tables, compared with seven the previous week. There were two joint N/S tops and two joint thirds, including Liam and me. I did display the 3NT bidding card on one occasion when I intended to display the 3S one. Alas, my bid (of 3NT) was passed. Alas, the opening lead was a club; alas, Liam had just two low ones; alas, alas, I had none at all.
2.1 Weak 2s. I remember we were keen to adopt the convention some years ago. We adopted it for a short while, did we? In any case, if we did, we returned to the familiar, strong version. However, let's talk about weakness. We can always give the new way an outing, in Forest Row perhaps.
3 After the bridge we scored; we also chatted. I gave news of you, and then I introduced the concept of the enclave, the bubble. That topic was the primary one. Liam took the concept (though he didn't draw upon the NI demographics to illustrate the concept). The familiar concept of the enclave. As a rule, we join those with whom we will be familiar. I had the concept, the practice, in mind as I cycled today: as I passed the houses in the country I told myself that, given a choice, I would choose a house in the town, with neighbours, rather than a single one in the country. Our discussion would have been an easy one to join; what struck me was Liam's easy adoption of the concept. We continued to chat to (just on) midnight.
4 An item on this morning's Sunday programme also deserves to be transmitted. The issue was the treatment of blind people in church. Blind people. I can't recall an obviously blind person at Worth (or, for that matter, in St Peter's or in any church). A blind contributor observed that the distinction is drawn between light (good) and darkness (bad). 'Let there be light.' The switching-on of the lights at the Easter Mass. Amazing Grace. 'I once was blind but now I see.' So I am taken with the issue of blind people and wheelchaired people at Mass. Where are they?
5 I went to 1830 Mass at St Peter's yesterday; as a result, I had to leave the Wales v Ireland game when neither side had scored. When I returned the score was 12-14. Then it became 15-14, with just minutes to go. A dropped goal by O'Gara: 15-17. A penalty to Wales right in the last minute. A mighty attempt at goal from just inside the Irish half. The ball dropped short. Ireland had won the Grand Slam for the first time since 1948.
5.1 Earlier on I had watched a recording of an interview with Jack Kyle, who had been the Irish fly-half in the 1948 side. I remembered him. The recording ran for 18 minutes. A pleasure to watch. Amongst all else, he recalled the journey to Paris: train from Belfast to Dublin, the boat to Holyhead, train to London, overnight stay, train to Dover, ferry to Calais, train to Paris. He attended the game yesterday.
6 Summer begins her week at Hindleap Warren tomorrow. I've sent her an encouraging e-mail. The family, remember, will be in Holland from 5 to 10 April.
7 Evenley. Ah. I'll wait to hear your thoughts. I'd also wait to hear your thoughts about the Golden Triangle.
8 Tomorrow also, the meeting with the lawyer about Brian Wright's will. Still plenty of SSAFA. A first meeting about Crawley RAFA on Wednesday. I hope that I can contain my connection. I'm ready to take the cases, but I don't want to be drawn into other matters.
9 The sun is setting behind the trees. The light is going. It's cooler than it was, here in the conservatory.
10 It's time to come back to East Grinstead.
Stayathome.
Day of Mothers - Mothers' Day
1. Eight o'clock and all is calm. This mother is having a few minutes of peace whilst the other mother and babe sleep. We can only hope it is a continuous sleep.
2. Down Town calls us today with a bit of luck. Shopping for the young man - proper swimming gear and other such items. A good lunch out maybe.
3. What has happened to the scoring. I await the results. The midnight publication seems to have fallen away. And what say you to the weak twos - something to think about?
4. The next time I visit, my intentions are to plan a small trip to the North of the County, the Golden Triangle, near Burma. The constrast from the bubble will be sharp, and allow one to ponder on other aspects of Thailand.
5. The mountain farmers in the North are growing the Opium Poppy which surprised me as the law on drugs is so severe here. The authorities have difficulties in catching them as the terrain is hostile and the poppies are grown amongst other crops.
6. I met some of Kaaren's staff yesterday, two of whom were educated in England. Young and keen and in true Thai fashion willing to please the boss. The design of the DTAC stand was novel. The shape was of a submarine cut in two with large bean bags scattered about so that spectators could view the events live on screen should they not wish to be out in the heat.
7. And surprise surprise I witnessed another Midsomer Murder. Doubtless there a few people living there now.
8. News of SSAFA, Credit Union, bikes and other such matters?
A morning mother
2. Down Town calls us today with a bit of luck. Shopping for the young man - proper swimming gear and other such items. A good lunch out maybe.
3. What has happened to the scoring. I await the results. The midnight publication seems to have fallen away. And what say you to the weak twos - something to think about?
4. The next time I visit, my intentions are to plan a small trip to the North of the County, the Golden Triangle, near Burma. The constrast from the bubble will be sharp, and allow one to ponder on other aspects of Thailand.
5. The mountain farmers in the North are growing the Opium Poppy which surprised me as the law on drugs is so severe here. The authorities have difficulties in catching them as the terrain is hostile and the poppies are grown amongst other crops.
6. I met some of Kaaren's staff yesterday, two of whom were educated in England. Young and keen and in true Thai fashion willing to please the boss. The design of the DTAC stand was novel. The shape was of a submarine cut in two with large bean bags scattered about so that spectators could view the events live on screen should they not wish to be out in the heat.
7. And surprise surprise I witnessed another Midsomer Murder. Doubtless there a few people living there now.
8. News of SSAFA, Credit Union, bikes and other such matters?
A morning mother
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Morocco, Bournemouth, East Grinstead same same but different
1. Morocco, Bournemouth, East Grinstead are all the same when one has a baby with a temperature and teething. The crying needs the comforting wherever one is.
2. Two days confined to barracks - the first owing to the inclement weather - rained and thundered all day long. Certainly not the time to go out walking round the block, lake or to the epicentre; and the second well a distressed baby who needed comforting all day.
3. Kaaren,. the main progenator, organised a sponsored swimming competition at the International School down the road. DTAC sponsored the events and all the trimmings including the teeshirts etc. Despite the unwell young chap we walked down to the school to show a face. My word, what facilities this school had. A huge indoor sports hall with a full size football pitch etc etc.
4. We walked back rapidly as the weather looked threatening and sure enough half way home the rain came down and when it rains here it rains. We returned with everything dripping - soaked to the skin is the expression. The rest of the day I remained with the poorly young chap, Kaaren had to go back to the event at prize giving. It seems she has some good ideas about marketing her company and what is on offer. She would do wonders for the Credit Union.
5. I had an email from Helen. Have you heard from her. She has been to see the specialist who has given her some medication to stop the nerve twitching that she has been experiencing. Hope that does the trick and that she has no further problems.She said that Sam had been quite unwell with a cold and she was pleased to be at her parents having meals cooked for her.
6. Evenley has its usual problems. The consultant does not believe that Dad has lung cancer but did not offer any further suggestions for the recurrent chest Xrays. They wanted him to go back to Oxford twice a week to have exercises to strengthen his lungs. Tessa said that was impossible to achieve. The deal is now to walk up to the pub and back when Mum is at Longlands.\
7. Mum is in the wars, was in a great deal of pain today and could hardly walk. Apparently she has a chest and urine infection. Luckily or unluckily my brother was there today. Tessa cannot do any more and she wants the two of us to do one week on and one week off. That means going up once a fortnight for a day or two. Dad has not been helping himself. He felt a little better and was up on the coal shed roof mending it!!
8. Bridge - well I have been trying to find time to look at the book, but circumstances always seem to prevent me. I did wonder whether we should look at the weak twos again as they seem to come up more frequently. Thoughts.
The weary traveller.
2. Two days confined to barracks - the first owing to the inclement weather - rained and thundered all day long. Certainly not the time to go out walking round the block, lake or to the epicentre; and the second well a distressed baby who needed comforting all day.
3. Kaaren,. the main progenator, organised a sponsored swimming competition at the International School down the road. DTAC sponsored the events and all the trimmings including the teeshirts etc. Despite the unwell young chap we walked down to the school to show a face. My word, what facilities this school had. A huge indoor sports hall with a full size football pitch etc etc.
4. We walked back rapidly as the weather looked threatening and sure enough half way home the rain came down and when it rains here it rains. We returned with everything dripping - soaked to the skin is the expression. The rest of the day I remained with the poorly young chap, Kaaren had to go back to the event at prize giving. It seems she has some good ideas about marketing her company and what is on offer. She would do wonders for the Credit Union.
5. I had an email from Helen. Have you heard from her. She has been to see the specialist who has given her some medication to stop the nerve twitching that she has been experiencing. Hope that does the trick and that she has no further problems.She said that Sam had been quite unwell with a cold and she was pleased to be at her parents having meals cooked for her.
6. Evenley has its usual problems. The consultant does not believe that Dad has lung cancer but did not offer any further suggestions for the recurrent chest Xrays. They wanted him to go back to Oxford twice a week to have exercises to strengthen his lungs. Tessa said that was impossible to achieve. The deal is now to walk up to the pub and back when Mum is at Longlands.\
7. Mum is in the wars, was in a great deal of pain today and could hardly walk. Apparently she has a chest and urine infection. Luckily or unluckily my brother was there today. Tessa cannot do any more and she wants the two of us to do one week on and one week off. That means going up once a fortnight for a day or two. Dad has not been helping himself. He felt a little better and was up on the coal shed roof mending it!!
8. Bridge - well I have been trying to find time to look at the book, but circumstances always seem to prevent me. I did wonder whether we should look at the weak twos again as they seem to come up more frequently. Thoughts.
The weary traveller.
On the level, on the Downs
1 A good ride. We began, the occasional cyclist and I, in Horsham, with tea. To Christ's Hospital, to the route to the Downs Link. (A telephone call from Patrick Kiley: no, I was not available for an emergency meeting of a Loans Committee.) And so we cycled along the line of the old railway which ran from Guildford to Shoreham. Of course the route was a level one. From time to time though I was a bumpy one as well.
2 To the site of West Grinstead railway station, a recognisable site. The platforms are still in place; so is the shiny station sign. A railway coach sits on track. The information board declared that the coach was open 'some weekend days', a commitment to openness, we thought, that it should be easy enough for the volunteers to meet.
3 Further down we bought our lunch at a garage which could not do with a re-arrangement of the stock. Touch the ways things are, and have been for years, and the friendly man behind the counter, together with the customers, would have no idea, no idea at all, of where to find things (including the various bicycle tyres and impedimenta). We returned to the track, cycled to a bench and took our lunch in the sun and the breeze and said hello both to the friendly dogs and to their owners.
4 On, on. To Bramber, to the junction of the Link and the South Downs Way. Up, up. To the top of the Downs, westward cycling. My first time cycling on the Downs. Not easy. (The occasional cyclist, by the way, just cycled on and on, up and up.) Past Chactonbury Ring. Just the place for a fort though, we agreed, a tad chilly in winter.
5 Down, down to the road. To Washington, to Storrington, to Amberly. Smooth, undulating roads, ones popular with motor vehicles. No place for the nervous cyclist. At Amberly, we admired the substantial building which had once been the school, noted the absence of a café, and returned to the station to admire the man in the signal box as he pulled his levers and pressed the bells.
6 To Horsham. Tea. What a fine day's cycling it had been. To be on the Downs in the warmth was (close to being) as good as one can reasonably expect. (The parentheses allow for error.)
7 Bridge. Just four-and-a-half tables, a number which would content the EG Bridge Club.
Send news
Stayathome.
2 To the site of West Grinstead railway station, a recognisable site. The platforms are still in place; so is the shiny station sign. A railway coach sits on track. The information board declared that the coach was open 'some weekend days', a commitment to openness, we thought, that it should be easy enough for the volunteers to meet.
3 Further down we bought our lunch at a garage which could not do with a re-arrangement of the stock. Touch the ways things are, and have been for years, and the friendly man behind the counter, together with the customers, would have no idea, no idea at all, of where to find things (including the various bicycle tyres and impedimenta). We returned to the track, cycled to a bench and took our lunch in the sun and the breeze and said hello both to the friendly dogs and to their owners.
4 On, on. To Bramber, to the junction of the Link and the South Downs Way. Up, up. To the top of the Downs, westward cycling. My first time cycling on the Downs. Not easy. (The occasional cyclist, by the way, just cycled on and on, up and up.) Past Chactonbury Ring. Just the place for a fort though, we agreed, a tad chilly in winter.
5 Down, down to the road. To Washington, to Storrington, to Amberly. Smooth, undulating roads, ones popular with motor vehicles. No place for the nervous cyclist. At Amberly, we admired the substantial building which had once been the school, noted the absence of a café, and returned to the station to admire the man in the signal box as he pulled his levers and pressed the bells.
6 To Horsham. Tea. What a fine day's cycling it had been. To be on the Downs in the warmth was (close to being) as good as one can reasonably expect. (The parentheses allow for error.)
7 Bridge. Just four-and-a-half tables, a number which would content the EG Bridge Club.
Send news
Stayathome.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Another day dawning
1. Good morning Thursday and may the weather remain fine in that faraway land called home, shelter, refuge.
2. The morning began with pureeing plums, mouleeing cauliflower. Is there no end to the excitement. I feel sorry for Kaaren as she had a tough day at work yesterday. A contract with Vodaphone for networking partnership was to be signed yesterday. At the last minute the Norwegians decided there were some issues. Fortunately the signing took place with a 90 cooling period to sort out the remaining issues. She returned from work at 11.15 and the young man decided to have a bad night. Parenting.
3. A friend who is a swimming instructor and homosexual came to visit yesterday. We took the young man in the pool again and had formal instruction. The event was successful. Whilst Isaac was asleep the friend was open about his homosexuality and told me he knew from the age of 12. He has no confusion about his own sex and does not wish to become a woman, but just happens to prefer men to women. He told me he fought it for years believing there was something wrong with him, and he tried some dubious activities until he eventually came to rest.
Seemingly his sister married but later divorced and is now a lesbian. He spoke about some of his volunteering activities at the Gay and Lesbian help line. Some poor folk are truly tormented.
4. The book about the Spanish Civil War is coming on a pace. I certainly did not appreciate how brutal, particularly the fachists, they were. The bombings and machine gunning of refugees as they escaped. More reading needs to be done about this.
5. Times Online is causing me a problem. I was looking at the Thunderer and wondered whether you meant the article about the cars and the article on Thailand I could not find.
There is not much opportunity for exploring as the young man does not sleep that much.
I will be completely on my own tomorrow as Karstein is flying to Singapore for the week-end.
6. We are about to go for a walk around the lake. My senses tell me I am not a Hannah. Parenting again would not be on my Agenda, however endearing they are.
The minder
2. The morning began with pureeing plums, mouleeing cauliflower. Is there no end to the excitement. I feel sorry for Kaaren as she had a tough day at work yesterday. A contract with Vodaphone for networking partnership was to be signed yesterday. At the last minute the Norwegians decided there were some issues. Fortunately the signing took place with a 90 cooling period to sort out the remaining issues. She returned from work at 11.15 and the young man decided to have a bad night. Parenting.
3. A friend who is a swimming instructor and homosexual came to visit yesterday. We took the young man in the pool again and had formal instruction. The event was successful. Whilst Isaac was asleep the friend was open about his homosexuality and told me he knew from the age of 12. He has no confusion about his own sex and does not wish to become a woman, but just happens to prefer men to women. He told me he fought it for years believing there was something wrong with him, and he tried some dubious activities until he eventually came to rest.
Seemingly his sister married but later divorced and is now a lesbian. He spoke about some of his volunteering activities at the Gay and Lesbian help line. Some poor folk are truly tormented.
4. The book about the Spanish Civil War is coming on a pace. I certainly did not appreciate how brutal, particularly the fachists, they were. The bombings and machine gunning of refugees as they escaped. More reading needs to be done about this.
5. Times Online is causing me a problem. I was looking at the Thunderer and wondered whether you meant the article about the cars and the article on Thailand I could not find.
There is not much opportunity for exploring as the young man does not sleep that much.
I will be completely on my own tomorrow as Karstein is flying to Singapore for the week-end.
6. We are about to go for a walk around the lake. My senses tell me I am not a Hannah. Parenting again would not be on my Agenda, however endearing they are.
The minder
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Thinking about the Holocaust
1 And the thinking has been done by Year-4 children in the Meads. They have read about the Rose Blanche group in (southern) Germany, a group which helped Jews to escape capture, a group which was captured itself, a group the leaders of which - what do you think of the construction? - were judicially killed. In the reading they have encountered Nazi party members, anti-Semitism, the round-ups, the camps.
2 They have also considered the roles which Germans discharged. Most were bystanders. Some were resisters. They have thought about these responses to the abuse of power. They have taken account of the power-structures in Germany, of the consequences of aiding those who were declared to be enemies of the state.
2.1 They have recognised the relevance of the framework to the response to bullying in the playground. Whilst there is a case for excusing those Germans, the majority, who chose to be bystanders, there can be no excusal for those who stand aside, who take no action, in the face of bullying.
2.2 An illuminating half-hour with the class teacher. The stuff on the wall is a credit to her and to the children (and to the parents).
3 And the stuff and other such stuff will on on display in the Meridian Hall on 27 June 2009.
4 First assault on the patio today; it looks better already. Tomorrow, a day's cycling with David.
5 I hope that things are going well or better. Keep reading; remember to include Timesonline in your daily routine. (Look at today's Peter Brookes.)
Stayathome
2 They have also considered the roles which Germans discharged. Most were bystanders. Some were resisters. They have thought about these responses to the abuse of power. They have taken account of the power-structures in Germany, of the consequences of aiding those who were declared to be enemies of the state.
2.1 They have recognised the relevance of the framework to the response to bullying in the playground. Whilst there is a case for excusing those Germans, the majority, who chose to be bystanders, there can be no excusal for those who stand aside, who take no action, in the face of bullying.
2.2 An illuminating half-hour with the class teacher. The stuff on the wall is a credit to her and to the children (and to the parents).
3 And the stuff and other such stuff will on on display in the Meridian Hall on 27 June 2009.
4 First assault on the patio today; it looks better already. Tomorrow, a day's cycling with David.
5 I hope that things are going well or better. Keep reading; remember to include Timesonline in your daily routine. (Look at today's Peter Brookes.)
Stayathome
Spanish Civil War
1. I am currently reading a novel which involves the events in Granada leading up to the Civil War and how the National Army under Franco ousted the Republican Government. A squash of democracy. Fill me in with a few more details as I know you can.
2. Perhaps it is just as well you are having a calm time with your cold. Accomplishing tasks in your own rhythm.
3. As for myself I am now becoming proficient in the modern art of weaning babies, reading the books on parents' behalf. I observe the work/homelife balance or inequality. I observe how different a situation it is to the one I experienced all those years ago. Some aspects do not rest well with me.
4. Never too late to ring and ask for a partner. Go to Forest Row tonight - maybe another such opportunity will arise.
5. A short time for myself - I will go for a swim. It is raining so getting wet is not a problem.
Faraway
2. Perhaps it is just as well you are having a calm time with your cold. Accomplishing tasks in your own rhythm.
3. As for myself I am now becoming proficient in the modern art of weaning babies, reading the books on parents' behalf. I observe the work/homelife balance or inequality. I observe how different a situation it is to the one I experienced all those years ago. Some aspects do not rest well with me.
4. Never too late to ring and ask for a partner. Go to Forest Row tonight - maybe another such opportunity will arise.
5. A short time for myself - I will go for a swim. It is raining so getting wet is not a problem.
Faraway
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
A surprise
1 I have just spoken to Giles. He has been home since Saturday, and he catches his return aircraft tomorrow. Helen, whom I was seeking, is on her way to Yorkshire. There you have it. (He came back for a meeting.)
2 Otherwise, today and yesterday have been quiet (cold-affected), reflective days. The reflections have included a return to Latin, as I have begun to read, a recollection of school-days Latin. In the book the (sensible) point is made that the purpose of learning Latin is the development of the capacity to read Latin prose and poetry. Along with, I suppose, the capacity to use Latin phrases in English texts in order to show how scholarly one has become. I've also been re-reading chapters in The Battle of Britain.
2.1 I guess that I should add regenerative to the description of the days. I cycled a little today. I also read the newspaper. I swam. All the activities were accomplished according to my own rhythms. No external time-tables.
2.2 Tomorrow may also be such a day. If the weather continues to be fine then the leaves (or some of them) will be collected. There will be a sweeping of the patio. (And there will be the selection of a place in which to lodge the key which will be the externally-located one. I have thought of placing the key in a bag, the bag in a tin-box, and the tin-box in a hole or up a tree. Perhaps.) I'd like to play bridge at Forest Row, but I lack a partner. (Master Cherry is not available for two-bridge-sessions-in-a-week.) And I have forgotten, I realise, to advertise for one.
2.2.1 This morning's swimming was comfortable, I'm happy to report. I wondered if, with my stuffed nose, I would take to the water. I was ready to take to the sauna instead. However, there was time to rise slowly, to take tea, to listen as I took the tea, before taking myself to the pool. There, I swam the requisite 32 lengths - two beyond the designated number in order to compensate for a failure to keep count - amiably. I then had tea and The Daily Mail (because, as I explain to Ken, I want to keep abreast of what the opposition is saying). Now I've taken my vegetables and my quiche so I am ready to take to my bed.
3 Tomorrow just could be bicycle-day. And a plate of something in Angela's.
Stayathome
2 Otherwise, today and yesterday have been quiet (cold-affected), reflective days. The reflections have included a return to Latin, as I have begun to read
2.1 I guess that I should add regenerative to the description of the days. I cycled a little today. I also read the newspaper. I swam. All the activities were accomplished according to my own rhythms. No external time-tables.
2.2 Tomorrow may also be such a day. If the weather continues to be fine then the leaves (or some of them) will be collected. There will be a sweeping of the patio. (And there will be the selection of a place in which to lodge the key which will be the externally-located one. I have thought of placing the key in a bag, the bag in a tin-box, and the tin-box in a hole or up a tree. Perhaps.) I'd like to play bridge at Forest Row, but I lack a partner. (Master Cherry is not available for two-bridge-sessions-in-a-week.) And I have forgotten, I realise, to advertise for one.
2.2.1 This morning's swimming was comfortable, I'm happy to report. I wondered if, with my stuffed nose, I would take to the water. I was ready to take to the sauna instead. However, there was time to rise slowly, to take tea, to listen as I took the tea, before taking myself to the pool. There, I swam the requisite 32 lengths - two beyond the designated number in order to compensate for a failure to keep count - amiably. I then had tea and The Daily Mail (because, as I explain to Ken, I want to keep abreast of what the opposition is saying). Now I've taken my vegetables and my quiche so I am ready to take to my bed.
3 Tomorrow just could be bicycle-day. And a plate of something in Angela's.
Stayathome
Happy St. Patrick's Day
1. Well that was the shortest blog I have ever received. My curiosity has now tickled me as to what has worked.
2. Similar sort of day though we all went to the hospital for the six month check. There were 18 in front of us to see the Doctor. Much is my surprise that there is no appointment system for a private hospital. One just turns up between such and such. All well though and no comment about the redness on his back. Phew things seem to be settling down.
3. I came back in the car with the driver and then dealt with the young man. We went across the road to the St. Patrick's day party. Chairs and tables - everyone brought something to drink and a starter. Pizzas were then ordered and delivered about 30 minutes later. All nationalities including the instigator who was Irish of course. The Irish woman persuaded her mother to come and talk to the other old biddy with the baby. I had brief chats with a couple of folk.
4. I have excused myself from bathtime = a little time off. He goes to bed so late because does not come home until 6.30 7. The Irish jiggers have started up and the air is full of Irish music.
The Irish originate from Limerick.
5. I asked the mother what they do out here. Seemingly they are all in the gym and sport. I asked about bridge. Lord no they don't do anything like that. They all mostly have young children.
6. I am hoping for a half day tomorrow as Karstein is intending to go to Singapore on Thursday or Friday. Maybe a bit more swimming in the large pool.
The farang
2. Similar sort of day though we all went to the hospital for the six month check. There were 18 in front of us to see the Doctor. Much is my surprise that there is no appointment system for a private hospital. One just turns up between such and such. All well though and no comment about the redness on his back. Phew things seem to be settling down.
3. I came back in the car with the driver and then dealt with the young man. We went across the road to the St. Patrick's day party. Chairs and tables - everyone brought something to drink and a starter. Pizzas were then ordered and delivered about 30 minutes later. All nationalities including the instigator who was Irish of course. The Irish woman persuaded her mother to come and talk to the other old biddy with the baby. I had brief chats with a couple of folk.
4. I have excused myself from bathtime = a little time off. He goes to bed so late because does not come home until 6.30 7. The Irish jiggers have started up and the air is full of Irish music.
The Irish originate from Limerick.
5. I asked the mother what they do out here. Seemingly they are all in the gym and sport. I asked about bridge. Lord no they don't do anything like that. They all mostly have young children.
6. I am hoping for a half day tomorrow as Karstein is intending to go to Singapore on Thursday or Friday. Maybe a bit more swimming in the large pool.
The farang
It worked
Chere voyageuse
1 The contract was 5C, redoubled. Philip was declarer. During the contested auction I had bid 3H. Zenon led the KH. There was one heart on the table. I overtook the K with the A. I led a spade from the Q through Phil's king. He played the king. Zenon took the trick with the ace. He then led the JS. Three tricks off the top. A top for us. The only way the contract could have been defeated.
1.1 (The first time I have played in a redoubled contract for as long as I can remember.)
2 There were other, less successful contracts.
3 Look at The Thunderer in today's Times. (Timesonline.)
Stayathome.
1 The contract was 5C, redoubled. Philip was declarer. During the contested auction I had bid 3H. Zenon led the KH. There was one heart on the table. I overtook the K with the A. I led a spade from the Q through Phil's king. He played the king. Zenon took the trick with the ace. He then led the JS. Three tricks off the top. A top for us. The only way the contract could have been defeated.
1.1 (The first time I have played in a redoubled contract for as long as I can remember.)
2 There were other, less successful contracts.
3 Look at The Thunderer in today's Times. (Timesonline.)
Stayathome.
Monday, 16 March 2009
All quiet on the Eastern Front
1. A quiet day after the heat of yesterday. A really bad night of worrying about the outcome, but the little chap was not too bad for it all. We stayed in the cool all morning, and played games making funny noises. You can imagine the scene. We watchjed a little bit of baby Einstein . I do not know about delighting little ones again and again, I never tire of its imagination and ingenuity.
2. Had an hour off and went down to the big pool - oh dear forgot the lessons were on. However, I did my bit - swam up and down the 50 metre pool and then watched the lessons for a while. Karstein left for a squash tournament when I arrived back. Well an apology for a squash tournament - the chap he was playing was but 16 and had only just started. Brave lad!
3. The Bangkok News reports that Thai politics is not just about one-upmanship through money, power and guns - it is also about the battle of black magic. Then the article about how they are using black magic against the opponents!
4. I also read about an usual outsourcing. Outsourcing of British prisoners to Bangkok gaols. It costs but 7 pounds a day here compared to 750 pounds in the UK. The Americans are thinking about this kind of outsourcing too.
5. Sorry to hear about the cold. I hope it diminishes soon. What with fine weather it should do. Help I have inadvertently touched italics and cannot turn them off.
6. Good to hear that the bike has finally arrived. Give a good account after you have seen it.
7. Did you meet with Peter Neale? If so what news on that front.
8. Did I mention that Tessa's heart is OK. She is being referred on to a hormone specialist. They think it might be vaso-motor phenomenon - whatever that may be. Google was not much help.
9. Tomorrow a visit with the little chap to the hospital for a routine check-up. Maybe I will find it in myself to get up early and have a go at a run.
Keep the news coming. Take care
Bubbleloon
2. Had an hour off and went down to the big pool - oh dear forgot the lessons were on. However, I did my bit - swam up and down the 50 metre pool and then watched the lessons for a while. Karstein left for a squash tournament when I arrived back. Well an apology for a squash tournament - the chap he was playing was but 16 and had only just started. Brave lad!
3. The Bangkok News reports that Thai politics is not just about one-upmanship through money, power and guns - it is also about the battle of black magic. Then the article about how they are using black magic against the opponents!
4. I also read about an usual outsourcing. Outsourcing of British prisoners to Bangkok gaols. It costs but 7 pounds a day here compared to 750 pounds in the UK. The Americans are thinking about this kind of outsourcing too.
5. Sorry to hear about the cold. I hope it diminishes soon. What with fine weather it should do. Help I have inadvertently touched italics and cannot turn them off.
6. Good to hear that the bike has finally arrived. Give a good account after you have seen it.
7. Did you meet with Peter Neale? If so what news on that front.
8. Did I mention that Tessa's heart is OK. She is being referred on to a hormone specialist. They think it might be vaso-motor phenomenon - whatever that may be. Google was not much help.
9. Tomorrow a visit with the little chap to the hospital for a routine check-up. Maybe I will find it in myself to get up early and have a go at a run.
Keep the news coming. Take care
Bubbleloon
Re-assurance
1 Yes, be confident that the world is keeping to its orbit, that things are what they are expected to be. The warm weather has come, I have been out on my road-bike, the leaves are ready to be collected, and I have a cold. As I stand, the water runs from my nostril. I feel cold. I may well put on a scarf. Oh, and my head is 'full of cold'. What is going on, you ask? The world is turning. One thing follows another, in a regular way. Ah.
2 Yes, your bike has reached the bike shop in Forest Row. Ian describes it as 'stunning'. It will be on show in the shop until you collect. In the meantime, I shall attend upon the owner and pay him. I also expect him to tell me (again) that he has (or is close to having) a new front chainset for me. How about that. Two strikes in the one week.
3 And the Passion rehearsal. Yet that too is proceeding well. I declared the shortness of my dress, my costume. I reminded the wardrobe mistress that she had cut off a foot or so; she will restore the cut. The drama, meanwhile, develops. Yesterday, Master Pilate washed his hands of it all. And, as I left, the procession to Calvary was beginning. (I left because I felt cold in my cycling kit and because I sensed that I was running out of light.)
4 So too in farawayland. Things are normal. So console the little fellow as best you can. His pain will pass. His parent's recollection of it will not. They will need no reminding, no scolding of their failure. They will be their own accusers and judges. Attend to the little fellow.
5 It's time to replace the current water-logged tissue. It's time as well to get into the sun.
Stayathome
2 Yes, your bike has reached the bike shop in Forest Row. Ian describes it as 'stunning'. It will be on show in the shop until you collect. In the meantime, I shall attend upon the owner and pay him. I also expect him to tell me (again) that he has (or is close to having) a new front chainset for me. How about that. Two strikes in the one week.
3 And the Passion rehearsal. Yet that too is proceeding well. I declared the shortness of my dress, my costume. I reminded the wardrobe mistress that she had cut off a foot or so; she will restore the cut. The drama, meanwhile, develops. Yesterday, Master Pilate washed his hands of it all. And, as I left, the procession to Calvary was beginning. (I left because I felt cold in my cycling kit and because I sensed that I was running out of light.)
4 So too in farawayland. Things are normal. So console the little fellow as best you can. His pain will pass. His parent's recollection of it will not. They will need no reminding, no scolding of their failure. They will be their own accusers and judges. Attend to the little fellow.
5 It's time to replace the current water-logged tissue. It's time as well to get into the sun.
Stayathome
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Reassurance
1. What a relief to hear from you. I am sitting here with tears of worry. I did not want to be the interfering mother but blame myself for not insisting. I did say I would not tell but you could be like my diary. They took the young man into the pool and he loved it. He had no teeshirt on though and now has a really sore back. He is unsettled and I am worried and trying to not to show it. Why did I not insist? That fine line. I fear I shall not sleep.
2. Just had a text to say my mother is running amok in the kitchen and my father has been overdoing it. What a todo! I await Tessa's text telling me all. When does the worry go?
3. Sorry to hear you have a cold. Perhaps the rehearsal will put you on your feet. A longer robe will surely do the trick.
4. Perhaps I should enquire on a lighter note, has my bike come in yet. Let me have some cheer in that.
5. Will give further news tomorrow I am being overlooked.
Mrs. Worry
2. Just had a text to say my mother is running amok in the kitchen and my father has been overdoing it. What a todo! I await Tessa's text telling me all. When does the worry go?
3. Sorry to hear you have a cold. Perhaps the rehearsal will put you on your feet. A longer robe will surely do the trick.
4. Perhaps I should enquire on a lighter note, has my bike come in yet. Let me have some cheer in that.
5. Will give further news tomorrow I am being overlooked.
Mrs. Worry
Here and there
Sunday 15 March
1. The days pass quickly without great excitement. Well excitement is going outside the bubble. Isaac and I decided to go on an expedition on Friday to visit the newly opened shopping centre about 40 minutes from here. Well 40 minutes walk for those with long legs. 50 minutes for those not used to the heat, push a pushchair and walk fairly slowly anyway. We nearly got all our lefts, rights, lefts and rights right! Last stretch wrong we were heading towards the Jasmine Tour not Central.
2. It struck me that the Thais do not have the same rules about disability or people with young children. The first obstacle I encountered was a flight of stairs. The lift was beyond the stairs. Luckily a kind guard helped me up. We flew up to the 5th floor where the restaurants or eateries were housed. Every kind imaginable. Isaac and I went for Italian - puree apple and milk for him, cappuccino and salad for Grandma. We looked at a few shops. Restlessness struck and we walked home. I was wringing wet and totally exhausted, but a good expedition.
3. Saturday we all went off to Pattaya on the left of the lobster claw from Bangkok. It is by the sea but the sea did not look too inviting. Pattaya is notorious for the sex industry. I did not experience that either. We stayed in a villa complex with a lovely pool. I was up at 7 this morning and had a 20 or so length swim. The pool was completely empty.
4. What struck me about this place was that all the signs were in Thai or Russian. Even the menus were all in Russian. Now looking at the signs could one tell where one was. In Russia, by the black sea? The Russians were all over the place. The place apart from the villa complex was rather like a shanty town.
5. Felix Holt has come to an end, sadly. A man of principle and one who sticks to them regardless of the opinion of others. And the transition or development of Esther from a frivolous day dreamer to a thoughtful person. It needs to be read again to savour the life of England at the time. Thanks for the recommendation.
6. I am on duty again tomorrow, but hope to be able to write more. Thanks for your accounts. The detainees, the bike, and what about the meeting of the online group. Talk a bit about that.
The boomerang
1. The days pass quickly without great excitement. Well excitement is going outside the bubble. Isaac and I decided to go on an expedition on Friday to visit the newly opened shopping centre about 40 minutes from here. Well 40 minutes walk for those with long legs. 50 minutes for those not used to the heat, push a pushchair and walk fairly slowly anyway. We nearly got all our lefts, rights, lefts and rights right! Last stretch wrong we were heading towards the Jasmine Tour not Central.
2. It struck me that the Thais do not have the same rules about disability or people with young children. The first obstacle I encountered was a flight of stairs. The lift was beyond the stairs. Luckily a kind guard helped me up. We flew up to the 5th floor where the restaurants or eateries were housed. Every kind imaginable. Isaac and I went for Italian - puree apple and milk for him, cappuccino and salad for Grandma. We looked at a few shops. Restlessness struck and we walked home. I was wringing wet and totally exhausted, but a good expedition.
3. Saturday we all went off to Pattaya on the left of the lobster claw from Bangkok. It is by the sea but the sea did not look too inviting. Pattaya is notorious for the sex industry. I did not experience that either. We stayed in a villa complex with a lovely pool. I was up at 7 this morning and had a 20 or so length swim. The pool was completely empty.
4. What struck me about this place was that all the signs were in Thai or Russian. Even the menus were all in Russian. Now looking at the signs could one tell where one was. In Russia, by the black sea? The Russians were all over the place. The place apart from the villa complex was rather like a shanty town.
5. Felix Holt has come to an end, sadly. A man of principle and one who sticks to them regardless of the opinion of others. And the transition or development of Esther from a frivolous day dreamer to a thoughtful person. It needs to be read again to savour the life of England at the time. Thanks for the recommendation.
6. I am on duty again tomorrow, but hope to be able to write more. Thanks for your accounts. The detainees, the bike, and what about the meeting of the online group. Talk a bit about that.
The boomerang
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Re-visiting, and listening
1 For a short while, it just Could Have Been. With fewer than ten minutes to go, Italy were leading Wales. Imagine the response if that lead had held. But it Was Not To Be. Italy lost. Ah. For every member of the Italian team, the game will remain one which might just have had another result. If only .... .
2 Meanwhile, Radio 3 has just turned to Opera from the Met, Rusalka. And I am here, listening. The tea is drawing in the tea-pot. I also have Kobbe on the table. How better prepared could a man be. (Maybe you could find the performance on the R3 archive?) The radio at my back, the screen in front. And the sun is setting. And a lovely soprano, perhaps Aimee Fleming, is singing to the moon of her love for the prince, what Kobbe calls 'one of the most touching yet chaste of operatic love songs'.
3 I cycled to Tinsley H on the road-bike. Like your response to Doris, I was conscious that the road-bike was not the comfortable touring one. Re-familiarisation was required. But all was accomplished. I cycled to TH on the drops, head down, eyes just ahead of the tyres. I cycled there in about 40 minutes, perhaps a few more; the return journey took 37 minutes.
3.1 How good it was to have the right kit, to be warm, breeze-tight, and compact. The similarities with the experience of swimming are obvious. After a while, one settles into the routine. In swimming, it is a matter of 'Let the stroke work for you'; on the bike, particularly perhaps the road-bike, the injunction must be 'Keep a steady cadence and let the bike do its job'. In swimming, get your head down; on the bike, get your head down.
4 The detainee, Sergio, was born and raised in Congo (Brazzaville). Now 32, he came to the UK in 2003. He has lost contact with his parents and with his two older sisters. He speaks good operational English. By the time I was ready to leave we had taken to each other (I reckon). The diagrams worked well again. The family trees. The robust map which showed London, Gatwick, East Grinstead, and Brighton. The London to Brighton bike-ride. The Tour de France. I will write to him later on; I will take a postcard with me next time, and he has undertaken to write to me, in French. A bargain. So it looks as if I am back in business.
5 His legal status? He has served six months in prison (for offences which, if I heard aright, were connected with false papers), so I sense that he is the subject of a removal order (or deportation), against which (if I'm right) he has appealed.
6 So a worthwhile day or so. A client's application for a holiday at PMH has been sent; I have received an unexpected cheque for £1500 as a contribution towards the double-glazing of a bungalow; I've posted some papers to the Pilgrimage Office; the profoundly-deaf onetime rear gunner on Lancasters has died; there's just the possibility that two elderly gentlemen, both of whom played squash, may take up their racquets, go on to a squash court, and undertake a simulacrum of a game.
Stayathome
2 Meanwhile, Radio 3 has just turned to Opera from the Met, Rusalka. And I am here, listening. The tea is drawing in the tea-pot. I also have Kobbe on the table. How better prepared could a man be. (Maybe you could find the performance on the R3 archive?) The radio at my back, the screen in front. And the sun is setting. And a lovely soprano, perhaps Aimee Fleming, is singing to the moon of her love for the prince, what Kobbe calls 'one of the most touching yet chaste of operatic love songs'.
3 I cycled to Tinsley H on the road-bike. Like your response to Doris, I was conscious that the road-bike was not the comfortable touring one. Re-familiarisation was required. But all was accomplished. I cycled to TH on the drops, head down, eyes just ahead of the tyres. I cycled there in about 40 minutes, perhaps a few more; the return journey took 37 minutes.
3.1 How good it was to have the right kit, to be warm, breeze-tight, and compact. The similarities with the experience of swimming are obvious. After a while, one settles into the routine. In swimming, it is a matter of 'Let the stroke work for you'; on the bike, particularly perhaps the road-bike, the injunction must be 'Keep a steady cadence and let the bike do its job'. In swimming, get your head down; on the bike, get your head down.
4 The detainee, Sergio, was born and raised in Congo (Brazzaville). Now 32, he came to the UK in 2003. He has lost contact with his parents and with his two older sisters. He speaks good operational English. By the time I was ready to leave we had taken to each other (I reckon). The diagrams worked well again. The family trees. The robust map which showed London, Gatwick, East Grinstead, and Brighton. The London to Brighton bike-ride. The Tour de France. I will write to him later on; I will take a postcard with me next time, and he has undertaken to write to me, in French. A bargain. So it looks as if I am back in business.
5 His legal status? He has served six months in prison (for offences which, if I heard aright, were connected with false papers), so I sense that he is the subject of a removal order (or deportation), against which (if I'm right) he has appealed.
6 So a worthwhile day or so. A client's application for a holiday at PMH has been sent; I have received an unexpected cheque for £1500 as a contribution towards the double-glazing of a bungalow; I've posted some papers to the Pilgrimage Office; the profoundly-deaf onetime rear gunner on Lancasters has died; there's just the possibility that two elderly gentlemen, both of whom played squash, may take up their racquets, go on to a squash court, and undertake a simulacrum of a game.
Stayathome
Keeping in touch
1 Faraway, but close. In touch. There's much going on here in England - England, Eng-land - which you know about. It's all in the papers. So (i) have a look at Timesonline.co.uk for Thursday and read the piece about Thailand by the onetime Asia editor. Then, go to The Independent's website and read the piece, in today's paper, by Robert McKittrick about Northern Ireland. Having swimmed, I took my tea and the Independent and read.
1.1 And I realised that looking at the newspapers' websites is the obvious way of reading the papers when one is far away. The thought hadn't occurred to me; how odd that it didn't. By now, the first thought must be 'Look at the web'; but, notwithstanding years of familiarity, it wasn't.
2 Many thanks for the card. What a nice idea. And so much to the point. It's the rhythm, the cadence, which one must attend to. The steady turn of the legs, the steady rhythm in the water - the steadiness. Remember that - the steadiness. So, in the pool or on the road (on that dubious Thai-made bike) just settle in for the steady application.
3 I've arranged to visit a detainee later this afternoon. The visit will be a first one this year. I wonder if I'll remember how to do it. We'll see. And I have it in mind to cycle there. The day looks promising. It's just a matter of doing it.
4 As I have a meeting of the online group at Worth tomorrow after the 0930 Mass - I must remember to bring something to eat - I shall be able to return from Tinsley in time to listen, at 1700, to Rusalka, a performance from the Met. Having read about the opera, I recall that I overlooked it when it appeared in a ROH repetoire; I expect that having heard Act 1 I will be ready to overlook my mis-judgement and just as ready to look out for the opera.
Stayathome
1.1 And I realised that looking at the newspapers' websites is the obvious way of reading the papers when one is far away. The thought hadn't occurred to me; how odd that it didn't. By now, the first thought must be 'Look at the web'; but, notwithstanding years of familiarity, it wasn't.
2 Many thanks for the card. What a nice idea. And so much to the point. It's the rhythm, the cadence, which one must attend to. The steady turn of the legs, the steady rhythm in the water - the steadiness. Remember that - the steadiness. So, in the pool or on the road (on that dubious Thai-made bike) just settle in for the steady application.
3 I've arranged to visit a detainee later this afternoon. The visit will be a first one this year. I wonder if I'll remember how to do it. We'll see. And I have it in mind to cycle there. The day looks promising. It's just a matter of doing it.
4 As I have a meeting of the online group at Worth tomorrow after the 0930 Mass - I must remember to bring something to eat - I shall be able to return from Tinsley in time to listen, at 1700, to Rusalka, a performance from the Met. Having read about the opera, I recall that I overlooked it when it appeared in a ROH repetoire; I expect that having heard Act 1 I will be ready to overlook my mis-judgement and just as ready to look out for the opera.
Stayathome
Thursday, 12 March 2009
What now?
1 A meeting with the man from Cameroon. He reported that he had declared his conviction at his first interview last April. It was because he had so declared that he was asked to give the regulation under which he had left the army; the answer not being given within the prescribed 28 days, his application was refused.
1.1 He has until the end of next week to disclose his intentions to Immigration. What will he do? He intends to wait on a call from a solicitor he consulted; if the solicitor cannot help, then he may have to hold up his hands and return, with dignity, to Cameroon. We'll see.
2 I spent the afternoon with David. As always, a companionable meeting. He and I may find a day next week for a bike-ride. (I will be occupied on Sunday.)
3 I may have half-an-hour with Peter Neale tomorrow morning. If I do, I'll give you an account.
Keep reading.
Stayathome
1.1 He has until the end of next week to disclose his intentions to Immigration. What will he do? He intends to wait on a call from a solicitor he consulted; if the solicitor cannot help, then he may have to hold up his hands and return, with dignity, to Cameroon. We'll see.
2 I spent the afternoon with David. As always, a companionable meeting. He and I may find a day next week for a bike-ride. (I will be occupied on Sunday.)
3 I may have half-an-hour with Peter Neale tomorrow morning. If I do, I'll give you an account.
Keep reading.
Stayathome
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