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
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
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
From one to the other
1. Brian is at peace at last and the funeral successfully accomplished. A settling down process now or is there more to do with Gretel? Only eight - a small affair then. And tales of Brian from the attendees?
2. And John - that was swift. Pass my condolences on to Rosemary please. One month after diagnosis. Well I suppose one could say he did not have to suffer long.
3. The excitements here amidst the humidity was a call from Abbey National to ask me if I could confirm a cash transaction at an ATM in Thailand. Apparently I was supposed to give them notice when I go abroad and use my card. They are checking my every move!
4. The young man is full of beans and enjoying pureed apple and sweet potato. I take hold of the reins tomorrow for real, but with my experience why should I worry.
5. And the newspaper conceerns itself with 'hug a stranger'. The Thais are not good at physical contact particularly with strangers. As a piece of research a man and a woman stood in Siam square for two hours with a placard saying give me a hug. The man had two hundred hugs in two hours which included just five males. No results were given for the female.
6. The stay has begun with a customary massage which is always beneficial after the long flight. I have to keep telling myself that it is doing me good when the slip of a girl hurts me so much.
I cycled down to the Epicentre reacquainting myself with the gold bike.
7. Felix Holt is moving a pace. The riots are happening during the election and the balloting has had to be adjourned. Do I take it there were no ballot papers and they had to call out the name of the person they wished to vote for. I am not convinced yet about Felix Holt, not sure if I like him.
8. The legal side of the plot has baffled me slightly. The reasons for naming Bycliffe as heir to the estate has evaded me.
9. Direct well tonight. I looked on the notice board at the Epi Centre but no bridge mentioned.
Grandma~
2. And John - that was swift. Pass my condolences on to Rosemary please. One month after diagnosis. Well I suppose one could say he did not have to suffer long.
3. The excitements here amidst the humidity was a call from Abbey National to ask me if I could confirm a cash transaction at an ATM in Thailand. Apparently I was supposed to give them notice when I go abroad and use my card. They are checking my every move!
4. The young man is full of beans and enjoying pureed apple and sweet potato. I take hold of the reins tomorrow for real, but with my experience why should I worry.
5. And the newspaper conceerns itself with 'hug a stranger'. The Thais are not good at physical contact particularly with strangers. As a piece of research a man and a woman stood in Siam square for two hours with a placard saying give me a hug. The man had two hundred hugs in two hours which included just five males. No results were given for the female.
6. The stay has begun with a customary massage which is always beneficial after the long flight. I have to keep telling myself that it is doing me good when the slip of a girl hurts me so much.
I cycled down to the Epicentre reacquainting myself with the gold bike.
7. Felix Holt is moving a pace. The riots are happening during the election and the balloting has had to be adjourned. Do I take it there were no ballot papers and they had to call out the name of the person they wished to vote for. I am not convinced yet about Felix Holt, not sure if I like him.
8. The legal side of the plot has baffled me slightly. The reasons for naming Bycliffe as heir to the estate has evaded me.
9. Direct well tonight. I looked on the notice board at the Epi Centre but no bridge mentioned.
Grandma~
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Death
1 The day began with a concern for the dead. I attended upon Mrs Wright in her new home about 0915. She was having breakfast at a table for four, four elderly women. She greeted me warmly; there was conversation across the table; she was taking part. Things, it seemed to me, had improved.
1.1 The limousine, the drive to the church, the entry of the coffin into the church. The funeral Mass was well done. I read the first Reading and the Bidding prayers. I also gave a short tribute. General good feeling all round.
1.2 To the crematorium. There were about eight of us. A short ceremony, no more than ten minutes. Handshakes outside. Back to the residential home. A fine spread, sufficient for many more people than were there. The staff at the home have been excellent.
1.3 I parked in the ASDA carpark in order to read The Times before the next, SSAFA appointment.
2.0 I returned home to a note from Rosemary: John died peacefully last Sunday, a month after the diagnosis. RIP.
Stayathome
1.1 The limousine, the drive to the church, the entry of the coffin into the church. The funeral Mass was well done. I read the first Reading and the Bidding prayers. I also gave a short tribute. General good feeling all round.
1.2 To the crematorium. There were about eight of us. A short ceremony, no more than ten minutes. Handshakes outside. Back to the residential home. A fine spread, sufficient for many more people than were there. The staff at the home have been excellent.
1.3 I parked in the ASDA carpark in order to read The Times before the next, SSAFA appointment.
2.0 I returned home to a note from Rosemary: John died peacefully last Sunday, a month after the diagnosis. RIP.
Stayathome
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)