1 And so it does. Indeed, the day could easily be described as a summer's one. Admittedly, the sun took longer to get out of bed, yet once we allow for the seasonal tardiness the subsequent effect was entirely benign. I have no doubt that the Wednesday cyclists will relish the warmth and the light. (I went to Forest Row to say hello and to confess that the rest of my life had got in the way (again) of my cycling. I'm intending to cycle a few miles sometime this afternoon.)
2 The Armed Man has left its mark on me. I returned from the performance full of the music, the singing, the effects (particularly the percussive ones), the beauty of the cello in the Benedictus, and, of course, the contribution of the Call to Prayer. We shall have to listen to it, with the libretto. I register too the location, a small village parish church.
3 Yesterday was the day of the Three Ds. (Not good enough for university entrance, as Derek reminded me, but quite good enough for three elderly gentlemen whose common room is not a university one but a club one. We enjoyed each other's company. The tales, the ruminations, the explorations - they all followed one and other.
4 However, I did join a university library yesterday, the LSE one. One of the notable libraries in the country. I'm working towards my Study Day. Whilst I am sure that the study will be pursued in East Grinstead, there may be occasions when an event (an opera) in the evening will provide the possibility of some reading beforehand.
5 Meanwhile, I wonder about life in Montenegro. The transposition of English living, of Norwegian? A melting pot or a salad bowl? An enclave? One thought leads to another, in the usual fashion, so now I think of the account which was given to the J & P meeting yesterday evening by a onetime social worker who now works full-time for the Family Support Service, a charity. Her work, in East Grinstead, takes her to families, with children, who have little or no money, who are seriously in debt. In not-so-long-ago years, she said, there were statutory services she could call upon. Now, those services are no longer there. Life in Montenegro - the account will depend on whom one asks, just as life in East Grinstead does.
Staring up the Close
Stayathome
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Monday, 30 May 2011
A celebration
1 I've e-mailed you the front page from the BBC Homepage. Pells Pools has made it to the national electronic news. This year will be the 150th anniversary of the pool. It's time you were back, so that you and the man with the back can no longer hold back but, ignoring all backs, can stand at the back of the pool so that, together, with no backsliding, they can slide into the pool and then, each backing the other, swim without a backward glance towards the wall which almost backs onto the playground.
2 June has been round to give me a statement of our account, a document which, when complemented by my passport, will be sufficient to convince at least one of the staff in the Cooperative bank to give me an up-to-date statement of the EGDCU account.
2.1 She has been preparing for your return. Your agreement, long ago, before your child- and family-caring overseas duty, to undertake a reconciliation tomorrow evening, should be a relatively easy one to discharge. June took her place in the office yesterday, and she will be in place again today.
3 I attended the ConChort Big Band concert, in aid of the RBL, in Chequer Mead yesterday evening. Alas, the playing had scarcely started when I sensed that the music and the songs were not to be my taste, a sense that developed to the point of certainty well before the intermission, at which time I left.
Looking forward to greeting you tomorrow.
Styathome
2 June has been round to give me a statement of our account, a document which, when complemented by my passport, will be sufficient to convince at least one of the staff in the Cooperative bank to give me an up-to-date statement of the EGDCU account.
2.1 She has been preparing for your return. Your agreement, long ago, before your child- and family-caring overseas duty, to undertake a reconciliation tomorrow evening, should be a relatively easy one to discharge. June took her place in the office yesterday, and she will be in place again today.
3 I attended the ConChort Big Band concert, in aid of the RBL, in Chequer Mead yesterday evening. Alas, the playing had scarcely started when I sensed that the music and the songs were not to be my taste, a sense that developed to the point of certainty well before the intermission, at which time I left.
Looking forward to greeting you tomorrow.
Styathome
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Back on the saddle
1 I leaned over the blue bin and began to scrabble for a a discarded Times. Ooops. My lower back had gone, in the familiar idiom; it had locked, and it was painful. Back with my back indoors. Careful walking. What's the impact of a painful lower back and cycling, as I was dressed in cycling kit and I had had my egg. Try it.
2 To Forest Row. Helloes and congratulations (to two for their long-distance ride, to the retired old gentleman for completing the triathlon. I gave the news about the back. Off we went. I found I could cycle, including the initial climb up Wall Hill. A roundabout route to Tonbridge; a return. By the time I returned I had completed 44 miles. With my painful back. Painful, that is, when I straightened and when I walked. We'll see what it will be like in the morning.
3 I drove to the man in the tent, found him, chatted, and bought him some food and a cotainer of coffee. He is well organised. His ankle, of course, is a serious impediment. It remains open to infection or to a fracture (and then he would be in trouble). I'll telephone him tomorrow morning. Back to East Grinstead and to Chequer Mead for a performance by the ConChord Big Band. The sounds of the big bands of the 1930s and 1940s. And matching songs. I remember the Glenn Miller Story. Long ago. After the first few numbers, I knew that I would leave as soon as I could And so I did. As the performance as in aid of the RBL, I don't regret the price of admission, but it would have been easier for me to make a donation without going in.
4 I'm looking forward to your return. So, without a doubt, is Emily and the young man. On Tuesday morning, I will travel to the Cooperative bank in Croydon to collect the statement. I expect to be back by 1130. I can make sure that there is milk in Haulcon and bread.
4.1 Collecting you from Gatwick? (i) Me (ii) Emily (iii) Me and Emily? Let me know.
5 I spent some companionable hours with Jo, Roy, and company at Southwick yesterday. A barbecue. The ROG made a strongly favourable impression on one of their friends: a shared task of making vegetable kebabs led to a long conversation about keeping fit, physical exercise, triathlons, cycling, and so on. The 50-year-young man made it plain that in his view he had met a remarkable person. Ah, shucks.
5.1 Reminder from Facebook: David Scott will be 51 this week.
5.2 Conversation with Jo, Sarah, and Roy about a bike-ride on Romney Marsh. They're just waiting for instructions from the self-appointed Captain of Rides.
Looking forward to the return of the caring lady. (Let me know about the collection of the lady.)
Stayathome
2 To Forest Row. Helloes and congratulations (to two for their long-distance ride, to the retired old gentleman for completing the triathlon. I gave the news about the back. Off we went. I found I could cycle, including the initial climb up Wall Hill. A roundabout route to Tonbridge; a return. By the time I returned I had completed 44 miles. With my painful back. Painful, that is, when I straightened and when I walked. We'll see what it will be like in the morning.
3 I drove to the man in the tent, found him, chatted, and bought him some food and a cotainer of coffee. He is well organised. His ankle, of course, is a serious impediment. It remains open to infection or to a fracture (and then he would be in trouble). I'll telephone him tomorrow morning. Back to East Grinstead and to Chequer Mead for a performance by the ConChord Big Band. The sounds of the big bands of the 1930s and 1940s. And matching songs. I remember the Glenn Miller Story. Long ago. After the first few numbers, I knew that I would leave as soon as I could And so I did. As the performance as in aid of the RBL, I don't regret the price of admission, but it would have been easier for me to make a donation without going in.
4 I'm looking forward to your return. So, without a doubt, is Emily and the young man. On Tuesday morning, I will travel to the Cooperative bank in Croydon to collect the statement. I expect to be back by 1130. I can make sure that there is milk in Haulcon and bread.
4.1 Collecting you from Gatwick? (i) Me (ii) Emily (iii) Me and Emily? Let me know.
5 I spent some companionable hours with Jo, Roy, and company at Southwick yesterday. A barbecue. The ROG made a strongly favourable impression on one of their friends: a shared task of making vegetable kebabs led to a long conversation about keeping fit, physical exercise, triathlons, cycling, and so on. The 50-year-young man made it plain that in his view he had met a remarkable person. Ah, shucks.
5.1 Reminder from Facebook: David Scott will be 51 this week.
5.2 Conversation with Jo, Sarah, and Roy about a bike-ride on Romney Marsh. They're just waiting for instructions from the self-appointed Captain of Rides.
Looking forward to the return of the caring lady. (Let me know about the collection of the lady.)
Stayathome
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Equally long days
1. Up at 6.45 with the older of the two young men. We had to have a yogurt together and then set up the train set with a different track. Build the bridges, erect the tunnel and then off we go. The floor is getting hard for this old lady and the getting up is even worse.
2. We managed to hold out until 9.00 to allow the mummy to have a sleep whilst the tiny slumbered too. Breakfast then a promise of baking - the good old favourite carrott cup cakes. Mixing, stirring, cracking and spooning and boy what a lovely mess we made. The cakes are delicious.
3. Off to the park on our scooter on the road. This Grandma has a churning stomach. The imperative to scoot at the side of the road is not always heeded. Glad to be back indoors.
4. Five minutes peace whilst they watch a DVD and before it is time to sort out the dinner. Mealtimes are early in the household. Guess who is looking forward to bedtime.
5. Lacuna, the book I am presently reading, has now moved onto Trotsky in Mexico, fighting his corner against Stalin, knowing that most of his children have been killed. The account is written through the eyes of a diarist.
6. Meanwhile dare I mention the treasure hunt. I dare mention it, but I wonder if it is still to do for my return. My return being Tuesday 1.45. Emily is keen to meet me with Toby at the barrier, but I will send you usual texts about arrival etc and perhaps you could come up with a carton of milk. I shall be looking forward to a cup of tea and a sleep probably.
7. I have been keeping up with the crossword and codewords - they help to pass the time. I shall be counting the hours soon for my return.
Lady in waiting
2. We managed to hold out until 9.00 to allow the mummy to have a sleep whilst the tiny slumbered too. Breakfast then a promise of baking - the good old favourite carrott cup cakes. Mixing, stirring, cracking and spooning and boy what a lovely mess we made. The cakes are delicious.
3. Off to the park on our scooter on the road. This Grandma has a churning stomach. The imperative to scoot at the side of the road is not always heeded. Glad to be back indoors.
4. Five minutes peace whilst they watch a DVD and before it is time to sort out the dinner. Mealtimes are early in the household. Guess who is looking forward to bedtime.
5. Lacuna, the book I am presently reading, has now moved onto Trotsky in Mexico, fighting his corner against Stalin, knowing that most of his children have been killed. The account is written through the eyes of a diarist.
6. Meanwhile dare I mention the treasure hunt. I dare mention it, but I wonder if it is still to do for my return. My return being Tuesday 1.45. Emily is keen to meet me with Toby at the barrier, but I will send you usual texts about arrival etc and perhaps you could come up with a carton of milk. I shall be looking forward to a cup of tea and a sleep probably.
7. I have been keeping up with the crossword and codewords - they help to pass the time. I shall be counting the hours soon for my return.
Lady in waiting
Friday, 27 May 2011
Long days
1 Yesterday morning I left the Hall conscious that I was on my way to the funeral of an OUBS colleague, one for whom I had affectionate recollections. At Oxted I met Julian Batsleer, and we made our way to the church in Limpsfield. We joined other members of the School who had travelled from Milton Keynes. We sang the hymns; we listened to the eulogy which had been written and delivered by his sister. We learned so much about the colleague, who lived alone and who, though gregarious, revealed little (or nothing) about his private life.
2 But there were distinctive features to the proceedings. Outside the church, standing against a grave, was a larger-than-lifesize blown-up penguin. A penguin. Then, as the pall-bearers came slowly from the altar we could all see that Mickey's hands were holding the front of the coffin and the back. The grave-digger had to allow for the extra length.
3 So the gathering in the nearby room was a bit of a do. There were other animals from the Disneyland menagerie. There was a popping of champagne corks. There was a sense of celebration, a celebration of a colleague who had been a much-loved uncle, and who, before he died, had made all the arrangements for his and his sister's planned visit to Disneyland.
3.1 One after another my erstwhile colleagues came forward to say Hello. The conversations were picked up where they had been left. One said that it was if I had never left. Others said much the same thing.
4 So I returned to the Hall in good spirits. I had attended the funeral, but I had been part of the following celebration. It - the gathering - was a tribute to the man who was celebrated. I shall write my thanks to the man's sister.
5 From the Hall to a client in Crawley; by the time that visit had been accomplished, my head was aching. It continued to ache. I told Liam as he picked me up. He was immediately sympathetic. The outcome was that he gave the news to the others that we would not be playing. He drove me home. Good for him.
6 The SSAFA AGM today was followed by a visit to a new client in Crawley, a visit which was followed by a visit to a man who is living in a tent close to the airport, a man who had been subject to an operation on his ankle earlier in the week and who is using two crutches.
7 I am now at home, and I'm waiting for Ashley.
Looking forward to see you soon.
Gettingabout
2 But there were distinctive features to the proceedings. Outside the church, standing against a grave, was a larger-than-lifesize blown-up penguin. A penguin. Then, as the pall-bearers came slowly from the altar we could all see that Mickey's hands were holding the front of the coffin and the back. The grave-digger had to allow for the extra length.
3 So the gathering in the nearby room was a bit of a do. There were other animals from the Disneyland menagerie. There was a popping of champagne corks. There was a sense of celebration, a celebration of a colleague who had been a much-loved uncle, and who, before he died, had made all the arrangements for his and his sister's planned visit to Disneyland.
3.1 One after another my erstwhile colleagues came forward to say Hello. The conversations were picked up where they had been left. One said that it was if I had never left. Others said much the same thing.
4 So I returned to the Hall in good spirits. I had attended the funeral, but I had been part of the following celebration. It - the gathering - was a tribute to the man who was celebrated. I shall write my thanks to the man's sister.
5 From the Hall to a client in Crawley; by the time that visit had been accomplished, my head was aching. It continued to ache. I told Liam as he picked me up. He was immediately sympathetic. The outcome was that he gave the news to the others that we would not be playing. He drove me home. Good for him.
6 The SSAFA AGM today was followed by a visit to a new client in Crawley, a visit which was followed by a visit to a man who is living in a tent close to the airport, a man who had been subject to an operation on his ankle earlier in the week and who is using two crutches.
7 I am now at home, and I'm waiting for Ashley.
Looking forward to see you soon.
Gettingabout
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Paper Browsing
1. Whilst browsing through the Times, which one does when there is nothing else to do I noted that British people are afraid to go out after dark. Um I thought where does that one come from. Then I noticed that the OECD have produced a Better Life Index. I think there were 34 countries taking part.
2. Norwegians work 1407 hours per year the average being 1739 - lazy lot. However, they earn $29365 per year - the average being $22284. 79% of mothers are employed after having children.
3. The British work 1646 hours per year less than the average of 1739. They earn $27208 per year and 67% of mothers work after having children.
4. Turkey is right at the bottom of the pile, followed by Mexico. An interesting few minutes.
2. Norwegians work 1407 hours per year the average being 1739 - lazy lot. However, they earn $29365 per year - the average being $22284. 79% of mothers are employed after having children.
3. The British work 1646 hours per year less than the average of 1739. They earn $27208 per year and 67% of mothers work after having children.
4. Turkey is right at the bottom of the pile, followed by Mexico. An interesting few minutes.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Keeping Occupied
1. I have been musing about which monk was what. I wondered whether Father Kevin was a composer. The rest I will have to think on further.
2. What do the Norwegians eat? Well there seems to be a lot of fish about the place, fishcakes of all sizes too and whale meat. Steer clear of that one. Seems to be a lot of pastes to put on bread, kaviar paste, mackerel paste. Fish, fish and more fish. I spoke briefly about the papers the other day and there is not much more to add as they do not buy a daily newspaper. Some of the issues I gather are around benefits for immigrants. Sounds like a familiar story.
3. I cook the dinners so the recipes are ones I brought from the UK. As Kaaren does not eat meat, most of the dishes are either fish or vegetarian. I have not done such intensive cooking for eons.
4. I have been following Times Online and noted the Irish President. I also noted the article by Aronavitch in which he tells of Obama's political strategy towards Europe, which will no doubt assist in his re-election.
5. Goodness gracious Jeohovah's Witnesses at the door. Had I been on my own I would have invited them in for some adult conversation.
Got to do lunch now.
2. What do the Norwegians eat? Well there seems to be a lot of fish about the place, fishcakes of all sizes too and whale meat. Steer clear of that one. Seems to be a lot of pastes to put on bread, kaviar paste, mackerel paste. Fish, fish and more fish. I spoke briefly about the papers the other day and there is not much more to add as they do not buy a daily newspaper. Some of the issues I gather are around benefits for immigrants. Sounds like a familiar story.
3. I cook the dinners so the recipes are ones I brought from the UK. As Kaaren does not eat meat, most of the dishes are either fish or vegetarian. I have not done such intensive cooking for eons.
4. I have been following Times Online and noted the Irish President. I also noted the article by Aronavitch in which he tells of Obama's political strategy towards Europe, which will no doubt assist in his re-election.
5. Goodness gracious Jeohovah's Witnesses at the door. Had I been on my own I would have invited them in for some adult conversation.
Got to do lunch now.
Rats
1 And double rats. I was prepared. I had cleared my desk; I listed the operas; I had the two booking forms on the desk together with my own credit card. And it was not yet 0950. An incoming telephone call was concluded by 1002. I was speaking to a friendly person at the ROH by 1004. By 1006, after short, amiable exchange, the conversation had concluded, and I had drooped. Ordinary Friends can book from 8 June.
2 Meanwhile, perhaps you have been looking at The Times online. If you have, you will have seen the double-page advertisement for (i) Guinness, and (ii) Mr O'Bama's Irish connexion. The firm and the politician were hand-in-hand. In one afternoon, the villagers were given enough to talk about for the rest of their lives (though those one or two who refused to pass through the metal detector were subjected, so I read, to what amounted to house-arrest). The firm's dominance in Ireland was affirmed. More importantly, Mr O'Bama, as he drank his pint in the pub, captured, lassoed, nailed down, scooped the allegiance of the Irish diaspora in the USA. A black, Protestant man, one with gleaming white teeth, is transformed into an Irishman, a stalwart not only of the Great Republic but of the Irish one. (If you haven't been looking, do look.)
3 The preparation for Worth Abbey Guiding deserves a mention. There were 15 of us, in addition to the organiser and the monk who wrote the notes. The refurnished Abbey church will be a hit. The chairs round the altar have been replaced by wooden stalls, some 30 of them. In the auditorium, the chairs have been replaced by benches. New lights. More generally, the guided walk around the church, the parish office, and the walk in front of the monastery and the old school, with the estate stretching away on the left, will also be a hit.
3.1 And what about the monks? The guided will hear about the work which the monks undertook before they became monks. Let me give you five occupations and assign each occupation to a monk: probation officer, aero engineer, architect, Royal Marine, and composer. Then you can turn to the question: what are monks for? The estate and the monks - there will be plenty to talk about as the guide and the guided follow the route.
4 Low-level: Liam has just telephoned to say that, as a result of technical failure, he cannot complete last Thursday's bridge scores. Ah well. I will explore my ScoreBridge. If I need to, please allow me to use your PC this evening.
5 Later today I will visit the detainee. . He is still continuing his struggle to remain in the UK. He remains explicitly grateful for my compositional efforts on his behalf. Yet I exercise my compositional skills in a matter-of-fact way. If the past is a guide to the future, the detainee and I will separate when he is no longer in Brook House, either because he has been given bail, is given ILR, or else because he has been deported. He will join the other names in the book or in the electronic folder. I sense that I will take a leave, probably a short one, from the GDWG when his case is resolved.
5.1 And there will be a couple of SSAFA or RAFA visits. (And I should cycle or Vespa my way to Weirwood reservoir in search of information about the swimming.)
6 You're on the run. I reckon you're close to completing the first of the two circuits. By tomorrow, you will be the second circuit. Just keep moving. By Saturday, you will be close to the run-in on the field.
7 In the meantime, send me some news about what you and everyone eats, about the local television and newspapers, and about the nearest production of A Doll's House (in Norwegian).
Come home whilst the sun shines; come home and the sun will shine brighter.
Stayathome
2 Meanwhile, perhaps you have been looking at The Times online. If you have, you will have seen the double-page advertisement for (i) Guinness, and (ii) Mr O'Bama's Irish connexion. The firm and the politician were hand-in-hand. In one afternoon, the villagers were given enough to talk about for the rest of their lives (though those one or two who refused to pass through the metal detector were subjected, so I read, to what amounted to house-arrest). The firm's dominance in Ireland was affirmed. More importantly, Mr O'Bama, as he drank his pint in the pub, captured, lassoed, nailed down, scooped the allegiance of the Irish diaspora in the USA. A black, Protestant man, one with gleaming white teeth, is transformed into an Irishman, a stalwart not only of the Great Republic but of the Irish one. (If you haven't been looking, do look.)
3 The preparation for Worth Abbey Guiding deserves a mention. There were 15 of us, in addition to the organiser and the monk who wrote the notes. The refurnished Abbey church will be a hit. The chairs round the altar have been replaced by wooden stalls, some 30 of them. In the auditorium, the chairs have been replaced by benches. New lights. More generally, the guided walk around the church, the parish office, and the walk in front of the monastery and the old school, with the estate stretching away on the left, will also be a hit.
3.1 And what about the monks? The guided will hear about the work which the monks undertook before they became monks. Let me give you five occupations and assign each occupation to a monk: probation officer, aero engineer, architect, Royal Marine, and composer. Then you can turn to the question: what are monks for? The estate and the monks - there will be plenty to talk about as the guide and the guided follow the route.
4 Low-level: Liam has just telephoned to say that, as a result of technical failure, he cannot complete last Thursday's bridge scores. Ah well. I will explore my ScoreBridge. If I need to, please allow me to use your PC this evening.
5 Later today I will visit the detainee. . He is still continuing his struggle to remain in the UK. He remains explicitly grateful for my compositional efforts on his behalf. Yet I exercise my compositional skills in a matter-of-fact way. If the past is a guide to the future, the detainee and I will separate when he is no longer in Brook House, either because he has been given bail, is given ILR, or else because he has been deported. He will join the other names in the book or in the electronic folder. I sense that I will take a leave, probably a short one, from the GDWG when his case is resolved.
5.1 And there will be a couple of SSAFA or RAFA visits. (And I should cycle or Vespa my way to Weirwood reservoir in search of information about the swimming.)
6 You're on the run. I reckon you're close to completing the first of the two circuits. By tomorrow, you will be the second circuit. Just keep moving. By Saturday, you will be close to the run-in on the field.
7 In the meantime, send me some news about what you and everyone eats, about the local television and newspapers, and about the nearest production of A Doll's House (in Norwegian).
Come home whilst the sun shines; come home and the sun will shine brighter.
Stayathome
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire
1. You seem to be living life in the fast lane and I wonder whether there is any room in your life for a returning worker. Am I going to have to reassess.
2. Life is so interesting here, I have the ash cloud to monitor. I see it is over Russia now and a small strand is going towards Canada, and not much over the UK. I wonder what all the fuss is about.
3. I had an email today from a solicitor who told me his client and entire family had died in a car crash and he had left millions. They thought because I had the same name, I was the next of kin. Scam or what. I bet one would have to send some money before any further information is released.
2. Life is so interesting here, I have the ash cloud to monitor. I see it is over Russia now and a small strand is going towards Canada, and not much over the UK. I wonder what all the fuss is about.
3. I had an email today from a solicitor who told me his client and entire family had died in a car crash and he had left millions. They thought because I had the same name, I was the next of kin. Scam or what. I bet one would have to send some money before any further information is released.
What's going on?
1 In the usual way, I drifted into sleep to the accompaniment of The World Tonight. In the normal way, I woke later on and, being awake, my ear was caught by a discussion on the influence of the Irish-Americans on politics in the US. The city of Boston, of course, together with the state of Massachusetts, exemplified the grip that Irish-Americans came to have on local politics. Whilst the general propositions were familiar, some of the detail was new.
2 In particular, the connexions between Senator Joe McCarthy and the Kennedys were new. McCarthy was close to the Kennedy family. At one time he had hired Bobby Kennedy as an adviser when he was running his investigations into the existence of Communists in the federal government. What was also new was the view that the high-born Protestant (Anglican) opposition to McCarthy was to the connection between Catholicism and the Inquisition, though the opposition was expressed in liberal terms.
3 It was evident that I was not going back to sleep straightaway. For the first time that I can recall I went downstairs, made a cup of tea, and came back to bed, there to read and to drink tea. I sense that I was awake for about an hour, perhaps longer.
4 I awoke at about 0720, an hour at least later than my normal time of waking. Allowing the usual time for shaving, for making tea, for getting myself ready, it was not until 0830 that I arrived at Chartham Park. Indeed, as I was walking towards the pool, a neatly dressed and well made up woman was walking towards me, pulling a trolley. I didn't immediately recognise her as Hillary, a woman whom I am accustomed to seeing in a swimming costume and whose arms I seek to avoid as I swim. My word, I thought, I am late.
5 Yes, I was an hour late. I gained an hour during the night. Sleep regained that hour, and I have been running an hour behind since then. The body, this machine in which I am the ghost, has been running to its own internal clock. That's what's going on.
6 The Times published my Grapple notice this morning. I might wear my Grapple tie - the striped one, not the real one - to a lunch which has been organised by that indefatigable organiser, Irene Allen. Out of 21 diners, 15 are in want of a lift.
Keep talking walks, keep a lookout for other people, including Poles, keep sending news.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Stayathome
(Weirwood resevoir will be open for swimming later today; it will also be open next week.)
2 In particular, the connexions between Senator Joe McCarthy and the Kennedys were new. McCarthy was close to the Kennedy family. At one time he had hired Bobby Kennedy as an adviser when he was running his investigations into the existence of Communists in the federal government. What was also new was the view that the high-born Protestant (Anglican) opposition to McCarthy was to the connection between Catholicism and the Inquisition, though the opposition was expressed in liberal terms.
3 It was evident that I was not going back to sleep straightaway. For the first time that I can recall I went downstairs, made a cup of tea, and came back to bed, there to read and to drink tea. I sense that I was awake for about an hour, perhaps longer.
4 I awoke at about 0720, an hour at least later than my normal time of waking. Allowing the usual time for shaving, for making tea, for getting myself ready, it was not until 0830 that I arrived at Chartham Park. Indeed, as I was walking towards the pool, a neatly dressed and well made up woman was walking towards me, pulling a trolley. I didn't immediately recognise her as Hillary, a woman whom I am accustomed to seeing in a swimming costume and whose arms I seek to avoid as I swim. My word, I thought, I am late.
5 Yes, I was an hour late. I gained an hour during the night. Sleep regained that hour, and I have been running an hour behind since then. The body, this machine in which I am the ghost, has been running to its own internal clock. That's what's going on.
6 The Times published my Grapple notice this morning. I might wear my Grapple tie - the striped one, not the real one - to a lunch which has been organised by that indefatigable organiser, Irene Allen. Out of 21 diners, 15 are in want of a lift.
Keep talking walks, keep a lookout for other people, including Poles, keep sending news.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Stayathome
(Weirwood resevoir will be open for swimming later today; it will also be open next week.)
Monday, 23 May 2011
The Homeward Stretch
1. The last lap begins tomorrow, though there are rumours that something called ash is flying this way. Karstein was rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of delays. Um! I believe he is enjoying the restaurant food very much. Joking aside they are both very appreciative of my efforts and are concerned that I am not overdoing it. When there was an idle comment about my being detained, Kaaren said 'no mum, you have a life too'
2. Yesterday was a miserable day, gloomy and raining most of the day. No-one had the slightest inclination to go out. The elder young man has developed a nasty cough and was not himself. Some friends were supposed to come round at tea-time, but the Sister of the wife could not get back to Iceland because of the Ash.
3. Tessa visited Matthew yesterday who is still very angry and refused to come away for the week-end. The situation may be different when professionals have had a chat with him. Tessa and co go to Antingua this week, Ash permitting. I might text Matthew to see if he would like me to visit on my return.
4. I read a touching account of a slave, who escaped, in the American Anthology. Some of the slaveowners were so cruel even those who purported to be religious. He taught himself to read and write and planned his escape to New York.
5. Emily and Simon have been given their date to see the Queen. Apparently she has to wear a dress and a hat. Emily has never worn a hat, so that will be interesting. They are going on 29 June. No cameras allowed. Well you know you have been there.
6. Would you believe I even resorted to Foyles War last night. Time passes quickly when one is watching something. Sadly I have not had the impetus to do any Italian. Maybe this week.
7. Had some wonderful pictures sent over re the exciting celebrations of AFC Wimbleon's final ascent in the leagues. Lots of articles in the Times about them.
'Well the week begins and breakfast and the washing calls. Has it rained over there yet?
2. Yesterday was a miserable day, gloomy and raining most of the day. No-one had the slightest inclination to go out. The elder young man has developed a nasty cough and was not himself. Some friends were supposed to come round at tea-time, but the Sister of the wife could not get back to Iceland because of the Ash.
3. Tessa visited Matthew yesterday who is still very angry and refused to come away for the week-end. The situation may be different when professionals have had a chat with him. Tessa and co go to Antingua this week, Ash permitting. I might text Matthew to see if he would like me to visit on my return.
4. I read a touching account of a slave, who escaped, in the American Anthology. Some of the slaveowners were so cruel even those who purported to be religious. He taught himself to read and write and planned his escape to New York.
5. Emily and Simon have been given their date to see the Queen. Apparently she has to wear a dress and a hat. Emily has never worn a hat, so that will be interesting. They are going on 29 June. No cameras allowed. Well you know you have been there.
6. Would you believe I even resorted to Foyles War last night. Time passes quickly when one is watching something. Sadly I have not had the impetus to do any Italian. Maybe this week.
7. Had some wonderful pictures sent over re the exciting celebrations of AFC Wimbleon's final ascent in the leagues. Lots of articles in the Times about them.
'Well the week begins and breakfast and the washing calls. Has it rained over there yet?
Sunday, 22 May 2011
The signs are unmistakeable
1 Yes, they are. And one seems to follow another. Though I was described in the Courier report as 'Local legend and regular competitor ...', and though I think that perhaps there is one more triathlon in me, it is time for me to regard triathlons as a sport for other people. I may have mentioned that a middle-aged man stood up and offered me his seat on the train. As I moved towards the seat, I noticed an early-middle-aged woman who was standing; with a hand-gesture I offered her the seat; with a hand-gesture, she politely refused. Then today, as David and I cycled out for a few hours, he was to me as I am to you: the person in front, who adjusts the pace to the one behind. Ah well.
2 Yes the patio gathering was its usual comfortable and easy self. Luke, Lauren, and Annabel were the three young people, and they just got on with their playing. How good it was to see them. Otherwise, the eight adults - four pairs - talked to each other, whilst their host filled their glasses, attended to the young people, and helped young Luke to cut the long loaf and the cheese and to take bread and cheese in the basket to the table. We assembled from 1900, and we closed sometime after 2100. A sufficiently warm evening, the closing of the day - the living and the talking were easy. Terry and Carol lingered and the three of us continued to chat until 2200. As ever, it's the company which counts.
3 The cycling today was satisfying. I hadn't been out on a bike for a week; I hadn't been out on the Audax since we returned from the Somme. I put a pannier on it, and I could sense the difference. Including the rides to and from Three Bridges, I cycled about 50 miles. I was pleased to have done so, even though my knee is (level 3.5) painful as I key. I'll ask your physio to attend to the knee when you return.
4 Mr Scott and I are looking forward to your company, here in East Grinstead. Guess what: we're thinking of a bike-ride. David will be on leave next week, so we have it in mind that he will come to EG for a sleepover, so that he can attend to biking and to his role as my adviser on the purchase of a new laptop.
4.1 There is a screening of the NT production of The Cherry Orchard on Thursday 7 July, afternoon and evening.
4.2 I'm still thinking about the lunch in the RAF Club on 19 June.
4.3 I am thinking of a return to the New Forest for a bike-ride. Our Grapple organiser lives in the New Forest, and he wants me to visit. He and his wife would welcome passing cyclists, especially if one of them was wearing a Grapple tie. Tea and rich fruit cake - that sort of thing.
5 Meanwhile, the Grapple reunion was a successful one. About 30 of us, including guests, sat to table. There were fewer of us than last year, but no-one seemed to mind. Thirty of so may be the number that we can expect. So be it. The reunion worked. Those who attended had made the effort to do so. It was evident that the reunion was an annual event. I sat next to a chum, by the way, who was the last Serviceperson to leave the Island, his departure being in 1964. (Long after the rest of us.)
5.1 Our secretary, the one who lives in the New Forest, (see previous paragraph), introduced the possibility of a move from the RAF Club to somewhere else (where there are three Vulcans); there was some support for the idea, so I'll have to work on the lad and the rest of the committee to ensure that, for one reason or other, we remain where we are. We're familiar with the Club, the facilities are all available, the Club is in London. (And the chum, in his enthusiasm to maintain the freshness of the event, wants to take us to the north of Birmingham.)
6 Meanwhile, seek opportunities to meet some Norwegians. Go to the shops again and buy some chocolate. Or some postcards. Then walk home.
7 You're about to begin the run. Stick to it. Walk-and-run. Walk-and-walk. You'll complete. And then you will be back in EG.
8 I registered that you wrote about Matthew. I'll wait for further news.
9 A radio programme today about a group of soldiers, including wounded ex-soldiers, who had made a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Waiting for you.
Stayathome.
2 Yes the patio gathering was its usual comfortable and easy self. Luke, Lauren, and Annabel were the three young people, and they just got on with their playing. How good it was to see them. Otherwise, the eight adults - four pairs - talked to each other, whilst their host filled their glasses, attended to the young people, and helped young Luke to cut the long loaf and the cheese and to take bread and cheese in the basket to the table. We assembled from 1900, and we closed sometime after 2100. A sufficiently warm evening, the closing of the day - the living and the talking were easy. Terry and Carol lingered and the three of us continued to chat until 2200. As ever, it's the company which counts.
3 The cycling today was satisfying. I hadn't been out on a bike for a week; I hadn't been out on the Audax since we returned from the Somme. I put a pannier on it, and I could sense the difference. Including the rides to and from Three Bridges, I cycled about 50 miles. I was pleased to have done so, even though my knee is (level 3.5) painful as I key. I'll ask your physio to attend to the knee when you return.
4 Mr Scott and I are looking forward to your company, here in East Grinstead. Guess what: we're thinking of a bike-ride. David will be on leave next week, so we have it in mind that he will come to EG for a sleepover, so that he can attend to biking and to his role as my adviser on the purchase of a new laptop.
4.1 There is a screening of the NT production of The Cherry Orchard on Thursday 7 July, afternoon and evening.
4.2 I'm still thinking about the lunch in the RAF Club on 19 June.
4.3 I am thinking of a return to the New Forest for a bike-ride. Our Grapple organiser lives in the New Forest, and he wants me to visit. He and his wife would welcome passing cyclists, especially if one of them was wearing a Grapple tie. Tea and rich fruit cake - that sort of thing.
5 Meanwhile, the Grapple reunion was a successful one. About 30 of us, including guests, sat to table. There were fewer of us than last year, but no-one seemed to mind. Thirty of so may be the number that we can expect. So be it. The reunion worked. Those who attended had made the effort to do so. It was evident that the reunion was an annual event. I sat next to a chum, by the way, who was the last Serviceperson to leave the Island, his departure being in 1964. (Long after the rest of us.)
5.1 Our secretary, the one who lives in the New Forest, (see previous paragraph), introduced the possibility of a move from the RAF Club to somewhere else (where there are three Vulcans); there was some support for the idea, so I'll have to work on the lad and the rest of the committee to ensure that, for one reason or other, we remain where we are. We're familiar with the Club, the facilities are all available, the Club is in London. (And the chum, in his enthusiasm to maintain the freshness of the event, wants to take us to the north of Birmingham.)
6 Meanwhile, seek opportunities to meet some Norwegians. Go to the shops again and buy some chocolate. Or some postcards. Then walk home.
7 You're about to begin the run. Stick to it. Walk-and-run. Walk-and-walk. You'll complete. And then you will be back in EG.
8 I registered that you wrote about Matthew. I'll wait for further news.
9 A radio programme today about a group of soldiers, including wounded ex-soldiers, who had made a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Waiting for you.
Stayathome.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
The Outside World
1. That was a lovely surprise yesterday evening. No dramas just a pleasant hello, and how are you! I take it that the patio evening was as jolly as ever.
2. I was shocked to read in Liam's email that Hannah got knocked down by a car just before their holiday. That must have put a damper on their holiday plans. Knocks and bumps do not heal as quickly when one is that bit older.
3. I had a trip out yesterday. I was dropped off at a small parade of shops about 30 minutes walk away next to a local railway station. The station was a lovely building and I wished I had taken my camera. I ambled round the few shops then headed back. The schools had just come out, so I had to be careful that I wasn't mown down by all the cyclists.
4. Then I got lost, I missed the turning off the main road and remembered a small path which had been pointed out so took that and wove in and out and eventually found their road. What should have taken 30 minutes took an hour. Of course I did not have the right shoes on so back suffered consequently.
5. We heard yesterday that Matthew has got MS. He is very angry and will not let anyone visit. This is all very difficult for poor Tessa. We do not yet know the true extent or the possible outcomes. He is not a particularly mature or stable person at the best of times, so quite how he will cope, who knows.
6. A very big day for AFC Wimbledon. Apparently Alex is taking the boys to Manchester where they are playing Luton. If they win this they will go into the leagues. It will have taken them nine years to go back to their rightful position. The anger over the DONS being moved to MK still exists and it is what fuels their determination.
7. I see the intrepid cyclists made it to John O'Groats with a day to spare. All credit to them. When they described the hills it made me shudder. Do you fancy doing it?
Best go and see about breakfast.
2. I was shocked to read in Liam's email that Hannah got knocked down by a car just before their holiday. That must have put a damper on their holiday plans. Knocks and bumps do not heal as quickly when one is that bit older.
3. I had a trip out yesterday. I was dropped off at a small parade of shops about 30 minutes walk away next to a local railway station. The station was a lovely building and I wished I had taken my camera. I ambled round the few shops then headed back. The schools had just come out, so I had to be careful that I wasn't mown down by all the cyclists.
4. Then I got lost, I missed the turning off the main road and remembered a small path which had been pointed out so took that and wove in and out and eventually found their road. What should have taken 30 minutes took an hour. Of course I did not have the right shoes on so back suffered consequently.
5. We heard yesterday that Matthew has got MS. He is very angry and will not let anyone visit. This is all very difficult for poor Tessa. We do not yet know the true extent or the possible outcomes. He is not a particularly mature or stable person at the best of times, so quite how he will cope, who knows.
6. A very big day for AFC Wimbledon. Apparently Alex is taking the boys to Manchester where they are playing Luton. If they win this they will go into the leagues. It will have taken them nine years to go back to their rightful position. The anger over the DONS being moved to MK still exists and it is what fuels their determination.
7. I see the intrepid cyclists made it to John O'Groats with a day to spare. All credit to them. When they described the hills it made me shudder. Do you fancy doing it?
Best go and see about breakfast.
Friday, 20 May 2011
The sun shines
1 It's only to be expected that it should. After all, today is the day of the Grapple Reunion. A sub-set of the elderly group will assemble in the RAF Club and will take the annual opportunity to be in the company of others who, long ago, spent a youthful year on the island to the south of Hawaii. I suppose we'll look at each other and see how one is faring compared with the others. Look out for further details.
2 Bridge last night. On the first board, your correspondent, being dealer, opened 2C; the LHO overcalled 4D; partner responded 4NT. Opener and responder make their way to 7H, played by opener. Contract made. It could have been 7NT. Later in the evening, your correspondent, being dealer, passed; LHO opened 1D, opener's partner passed; RHO responded 1NT; at this point, your correspondent, having no diamonds but having some seven points including five clubs to the KJ bid (a cheeky) 2C; passed out; with the aid of a friendly lead, your correspondent made 12 tricks. I gave Anne Brown the news about Noah. I wonder if, instead of enjoining him to get 'on your bike', will tell him to 'get in your boat'.
3 Following the reunion there will be a gathering on the patio. Tomorrow will be anniversary of Terry's birthday. So we can wish him well. We'll miss you. Even as we do, think of us.
4 There will be a Father's Day brunch in the Club on Sunday 19 June. Perhaps that might be the day for an assembly: Mass, followed by lunch. How are you fixed for that day?
More to come.
Stayathome
2 Bridge last night. On the first board, your correspondent, being dealer, opened 2C; the LHO overcalled 4D; partner responded 4NT. Opener and responder make their way to 7H, played by opener. Contract made. It could have been 7NT. Later in the evening, your correspondent, being dealer, passed; LHO opened 1D, opener's partner passed; RHO responded 1NT; at this point, your correspondent, having no diamonds but having some seven points including five clubs to the KJ bid (a cheeky) 2C; passed out; with the aid of a friendly lead, your correspondent made 12 tricks. I gave Anne Brown the news about Noah. I wonder if, instead of enjoining him to get 'on your bike', will tell him to 'get in your boat'.
3 Following the reunion there will be a gathering on the patio. Tomorrow will be anniversary of Terry's birthday. So we can wish him well. We'll miss you. Even as we do, think of us.
4 There will be a Father's Day brunch in the Club on Sunday 19 June. Perhaps that might be the day for an assembly: Mass, followed by lunch. How are you fixed for that day?
More to come.
Stayathome
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Careful!
1 Earlier today, as I and a colleague, sat in the landlady's front room - a tidy front room - we wove an Undeserving scarf, one which we then wrapped round the client. He had told her he had been working (in Thailand as a teacher of English). She didn't take clients who were on benefits. Last Friday morning, so she told us, he had offered her £35 for the room when he had told me that the night's rent would be £45. His small room was untidy. He had asked if he could sit in the garden; no, he couldn't. He had steamed open a letter from me to her. (Meanwhile, she had taken a letter addressed to him, one which also carried a SSAFA sticker. He had a laptop computer in his room. We listened and drank our tea and coffee in the tidy front room.
1.1 Later, he and a friend were in the nearby Waitrose cafe when we were there. Before we left, I went over and said Hello to him and to his friend, and I wished him well at an interview which, he told us, will be held in Midhurst tomorrow. We didn't tell him what we had agreed with the landlady, namely, that his stay in the boarding house - no breakfasts, except for him - would cease on the agreed date, 6 June.
1.2 I sense that he is beyond our reach. He is homeless. He is presently living in a small room. He is receiving benefits. There was no indication that he had claimed Housing benefit. But my colleague takes the view that we cannot rely on what he says. The landlady is uneasy. At present, I cannot continue. The case of the 50-year-old man who is homeless can be told only as it develops. Look out for continuations.
2 In the meantime though I must be careful. It is easy to label someone, in this instance, as undeserving. Even if the label is (sufficiently) well founded to attach it to the man, he is still homeless. And his side of the story, a brief version of which he gave me in the cafe, has not been heard. We didn't put the accusation of having steamed open my letter to the landlady (no doubt because we don't know how to do it or we don't know the implications of so accusing a person; we're out of our depth).
1.1 Later, he and a friend were in the nearby Waitrose cafe when we were there. Before we left, I went over and said Hello to him and to his friend, and I wished him well at an interview which, he told us, will be held in Midhurst tomorrow. We didn't tell him what we had agreed with the landlady, namely, that his stay in the boarding house - no breakfasts, except for him - would cease on the agreed date, 6 June.
1.2 I sense that he is beyond our reach. He is homeless. He is presently living in a small room. He is receiving benefits. There was no indication that he had claimed Housing benefit. But my colleague takes the view that we cannot rely on what he says. The landlady is uneasy. At present, I cannot continue. The case of the 50-year-old man who is homeless can be told only as it develops. Look out for continuations.
2 In the meantime though I must be careful. It is easy to label someone, in this instance, as undeserving. Even if the label is (sufficiently) well founded to attach it to the man, he is still homeless. And his side of the story, a brief version of which he gave me in the cafe, has not been heard. We didn't put the accusation of having steamed open my letter to the landlady (no doubt because we don't know how to do it or we don't know the implications of so accusing a person; we're out of our depth).
What can I say
1. What can I say except repeating what I have already said. The days stretch out before me and once small persons' bedtime arrives, I count the minutes until I can retire to bed. Tiredness comes upon me after the domestics after which inertia sets in and prevents any meaningful activity.
2. Meals are planning, shopping is accomplished, cooking then ensues. In amongst all this the washing goes on frequently, followed by hanging out and ironing. The early mornings are the times when Isaac wants me to play trains on the floor or do drawing. We usually have about an hour of such activity before the depart to kindergarten.
3. Some information gathered today - there are three main Norwegian newspapers. The front cover resembles the Sun or the Mirror. Two are gossipy types and the third more serious but mainly centred around Oslo. The Poles have migrated to Norway to. I met a handyman at their new house who had lived in Norway for 10 years.
4. The sale of houses seems to be very swift here. They sold their old house last week and today all the contracts have been signed and it is no longer theirs. They bought their new one in a week. The new one has two basement flats which are going to be let.
5. The Guardian is on sale here, not the Guardian as we know it, but an International version. An article about the secret life of libraries showed that people routinely stole books from libraries. The people in Worksop like antiques and hip-hop biographies, and in Barnsley they prevent Mig welding and tattoos. The Marylebone Library has achieved a rare equality. Its most stolen items are the Jewish Chronicle, Arabic newspapers and the Bible.
6. Claremount University has launched a new department, secular studies. It entails studies of non-religious people, groups. thoughts and cultural expressions. Interesting!
7. The Times Crossword is a daily activity, but I never seem to do as well on the screen as on paper. Will try harder next time.
2. Meals are planning, shopping is accomplished, cooking then ensues. In amongst all this the washing goes on frequently, followed by hanging out and ironing. The early mornings are the times when Isaac wants me to play trains on the floor or do drawing. We usually have about an hour of such activity before the depart to kindergarten.
3. Some information gathered today - there are three main Norwegian newspapers. The front cover resembles the Sun or the Mirror. Two are gossipy types and the third more serious but mainly centred around Oslo. The Poles have migrated to Norway to. I met a handyman at their new house who had lived in Norway for 10 years.
4. The sale of houses seems to be very swift here. They sold their old house last week and today all the contracts have been signed and it is no longer theirs. They bought their new one in a week. The new one has two basement flats which are going to be let.
5. The Guardian is on sale here, not the Guardian as we know it, but an International version. An article about the secret life of libraries showed that people routinely stole books from libraries. The people in Worksop like antiques and hip-hop biographies, and in Barnsley they prevent Mig welding and tattoos. The Marylebone Library has achieved a rare equality. Its most stolen items are the Jewish Chronicle, Arabic newspapers and the Bible.
6. Claremount University has launched a new department, secular studies. It entails studies of non-religious people, groups. thoughts and cultural expressions. Interesting!
7. The Times Crossword is a daily activity, but I never seem to do as well on the screen as on paper. Will try harder next time.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Just as well we met
1 Yes, it was just as well that five of us, Richard Jones, Anthony Deevson, Patrick, June, and I met in the cramped office to talk more about the transfer. Much of the time was occupied by the the transfer of the members' balances, and, in particular, the transfer of the members' loans on the date of transfer, 31 May 2011. Richard needed to know the amounts of the loan on the date of transfer. He wanted to know on the morning of 31 May. Richard, knowing now how we operate, will think afresh; I will be ready to travel to the Co-operative branch in East Croydon on 31 May to secure a statement of our account and return with it to EG so that I can scan and send it to Worthing or else deliver it to Richard in the office. A friendly meeting - of course - but a meeting which we should have held sooner (though we we had no inkling of the problem).
2 From there to Armed Forces Day. A friendly meeting, of course. And we care close to the completion of the planning.
3 And so I have returned, in time to put something on the blog before The Moral Maze and the preparation of something simple to eat. As I spent time with George Hillman this morning, the day has been absorbed in meetings. And yet there remains business to be completed. (Early this morning, by the way, I resumed swimming, without goggles.)
4 Yesterday, I wrote about the encounter in the Visits room at Brook House. But my exchanges with the detainee occupied me. He was distressed when first we spoke as his application to appeal against the refusal to grant him ILR had been supported by an explanation in which there was a serious mistake. He showed me the papers. He also showed me a draft of a letter which he intended to send to his MP. His struggle continues.
5 I found it hard to keep my distance. I know that my client has a problem, otherwise how could I and others continue to engage with the clients. Yet the explanation (of the panel's rejection of the application) did contain an egregious error. I could understand the detainee's distress. And whilst the error gave the detainee the opportunity to counter-attack, I could understand his unease at his future being in the hands of qualified people who could make such an error. So I will talk to Anna tomorrow. I will engage with the case.
5.1 And yet we did move from the case to other matters, to Big Issues in the Bible. We discussed the interpretation of the laws of Moses, particularly those to do with women. We talked about about the changes in the status of women (and men) over the past 50, 150 years. The conversation flowed. His spirits had risen. He was buoyant when we parted.
5.2 And I must write to the Operations Manager about the absence of a Visitors' Charter. Whilst there are more than ten rules about the conduct which is required of visitors there is nothing about the conduct which a visitor can expect from a member of staff.
Lots more, but I must attend to my dinner.
Stayathome
(All day there could have been rain; there may still be rain before tomorrow. In any case, it is a damp(ish) evening, so I may postpone the watering.)
Keep looking to the front. Keep posting.
2 From there to Armed Forces Day. A friendly meeting, of course. And we care close to the completion of the planning.
3 And so I have returned, in time to put something on the blog before The Moral Maze and the preparation of something simple to eat. As I spent time with George Hillman this morning, the day has been absorbed in meetings. And yet there remains business to be completed. (Early this morning, by the way, I resumed swimming, without goggles.)
4 Yesterday, I wrote about the encounter in the Visits room at Brook House. But my exchanges with the detainee occupied me. He was distressed when first we spoke as his application to appeal against the refusal to grant him ILR had been supported by an explanation in which there was a serious mistake. He showed me the papers. He also showed me a draft of a letter which he intended to send to his MP. His struggle continues.
5 I found it hard to keep my distance. I know that my client has a problem, otherwise how could I and others continue to engage with the clients. Yet the explanation (of the panel's rejection of the application) did contain an egregious error. I could understand the detainee's distress. And whilst the error gave the detainee the opportunity to counter-attack, I could understand his unease at his future being in the hands of qualified people who could make such an error. So I will talk to Anna tomorrow. I will engage with the case.
5.1 And yet we did move from the case to other matters, to Big Issues in the Bible. We discussed the interpretation of the laws of Moses, particularly those to do with women. We talked about about the changes in the status of women (and men) over the past 50, 150 years. The conversation flowed. His spirits had risen. He was buoyant when we parted.
5.2 And I must write to the Operations Manager about the absence of a Visitors' Charter. Whilst there are more than ten rules about the conduct which is required of visitors there is nothing about the conduct which a visitor can expect from a member of staff.
Lots more, but I must attend to my dinner.
Stayathome
(All day there could have been rain; there may still be rain before tomorrow. In any case, it is a damp(ish) evening, so I may postpone the watering.)
Keep looking to the front. Keep posting.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Hip hip horrah 17 May
1. From early morning one by one the flags were going up in the neighbourhood. Large flags on substantial flag poles, small flags with birch leaves along the gates. Flags, flags everywhere. Methinks they take it seriously here.
2. You would feel at home on this day. The general fayre is sausages and ice cream as much as you feel like eating. Nothing else sausages and ice cream.
3. Shortly after 10 the drums were heard in the distance. Time to stand outside with the flag to wave, best clothes and a rosette, and horn. Up the road they came, marching, twirling their batons, the girls in the red dresses. All the children and most of the parents were dressed in national costume and those that were not had their best bib and tucker on.
4. The train, as it is called, was around a mile long. All along the way, the cries of hip, hip, horrah for 17 May.
5. Well what did we do after the procession had passed? Had an ice cream, of course.
2. You would feel at home on this day. The general fayre is sausages and ice cream as much as you feel like eating. Nothing else sausages and ice cream.
3. Shortly after 10 the drums were heard in the distance. Time to stand outside with the flag to wave, best clothes and a rosette, and horn. Up the road they came, marching, twirling their batons, the girls in the red dresses. All the children and most of the parents were dressed in national costume and those that were not had their best bib and tucker on.
4. The train, as it is called, was around a mile long. All along the way, the cries of hip, hip, horrah for 17 May.
5. Well what did we do after the procession had passed? Had an ice cream, of course.
Monday, 16 May 2011
The Norton Anthology of American Literature
1. Piecing together or guessing about someone else's life by the things they leave behind is an intriguing business. The removal of the first volume from the bookcase revealed numerous blue and yellow tags attached to the pages of the book. Opening the tagged pages, one could see copious written notes as well as the text. Was it the master or the mistress of the house who studied American Literature and where? Interesting.
2. The page fell open on the beginning of a narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, who had made his escape from a southern prison-house of bondage. He was asked to speak at an Abolitionist meeting. He apologised for his ignorance and reminded the audience that slavery was a poor school for the human intellect and heart. When he had finished the writer rose and declared that Patrick Henry of revolutionary fame, never made a speech more eloquent in the cause of liberty, than the one the audience had just listened to from the lips of that hunted fugitive.
3. Another page falls upon letters from an American Farmer, letter 3 What is an American? He begins 'I wish I could be acquainted with the feelings and thoughts which must agitate the heart and present themselves to the mind of an enlightened Englishman, when he first lands on this continent. He must greatly rejoice that he lived at a time to see this fair country discovered and settledl he must necessarily feel a share of national pride. when he views the chain of settlements which embellishes these extended shores. When he says to himself this is the work of my countrymen, who, when convulsed by factions, afflicted by a variety of miseries and wants, restless and impatient, took refuge here. They brought along their national genius'.
4. And the reminder of the Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The cruel penal punishment in those harsh days. 'On one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threhold was a wild rose-bush, covered in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him'.
5. Walt Whitman 'When I read the book' There will soon be no more priests. Their work is done. They may wait awhile... perhaps a generation or two ...dropping off in degrees. A superior breed shall take their place ... the gangs of kosmos and prophets en masse shall take their place.
A new order shall arise, and they shall be the priest of man, and every man shall be his own priest. The churches built under their umbrage shall be the churches of men and women.'
2. The page fell open on the beginning of a narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, who had made his escape from a southern prison-house of bondage. He was asked to speak at an Abolitionist meeting. He apologised for his ignorance and reminded the audience that slavery was a poor school for the human intellect and heart. When he had finished the writer rose and declared that Patrick Henry of revolutionary fame, never made a speech more eloquent in the cause of liberty, than the one the audience had just listened to from the lips of that hunted fugitive.
3. Another page falls upon letters from an American Farmer, letter 3 What is an American? He begins 'I wish I could be acquainted with the feelings and thoughts which must agitate the heart and present themselves to the mind of an enlightened Englishman, when he first lands on this continent. He must greatly rejoice that he lived at a time to see this fair country discovered and settledl he must necessarily feel a share of national pride. when he views the chain of settlements which embellishes these extended shores. When he says to himself this is the work of my countrymen, who, when convulsed by factions, afflicted by a variety of miseries and wants, restless and impatient, took refuge here. They brought along their national genius'.
4. And the reminder of the Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The cruel penal punishment in those harsh days. 'On one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threhold was a wild rose-bush, covered in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him'.
5. Walt Whitman 'When I read the book' There will soon be no more priests. Their work is done. They may wait awhile... perhaps a generation or two ...dropping off in degrees. A superior breed shall take their place ... the gangs of kosmos and prophets en masse shall take their place.
A new order shall arise, and they shall be the priest of man, and every man shall be his own priest. The churches built under their umbrage shall be the churches of men and women.'
Sunday, 15 May 2011
It's done!
1 The event, the EG Annual Triathlon, becomes more dominant as it approaches. This year, it has impelled the ROG to undertake some training for the run. Setting aside a sense of what would be the Corinthian approach to the participation in the event, one exemplified by a sense that all that is required of a participant is that he turn up, preferably with clean kit, the ROG, now contemplating his twelvth event, ran along the Worth Way and began the day during a short holiday in France with a two-mile run.
2 It also prompted the ROG to prepare his kit the night before, to pack a bag, and to check the tyre pressures on his bike. In the normal way, such preparations are undertaken on the morning of the event. After all, as he reminded himself, the event comprised but a bike-ride, a swim, and a run. Given the well-founded expectation of completion, given also that completion rather than time was in the ROG's mind, there was hardly anything to worry about.
3 Yet the hero was on his feet at 0530. Shortly after 0630 he was racking his bike in the Transition area, and he was ready, in the swimming pool, about 0645. From there the programme ran according to expectation. The ROG breast-stroked his way to 20 lengths; the next component, the bike, was easier, but the ROG was conscious of the effort which had been put into the swimming and which, he guessed, was not available for the bike. Still, he did his best. Down the hill to Forest Row, from there to Colemans Hatch and beyond, through Hartfield, and past the new coffee shop, to the left-hand turn to the Holtye road, the climb, the road, the left-hand turn to EG; the legs were complaining but they were told to get on with it as there was no chance of stopping and indulging their complaints.
4 Still, the legs did make sure that their interests were registered. They were being called upon to an unusual extent. In recent weeks they had been on duty first thing in the morning. Even when they called out Stop there was scarcely any heed taken of their pain. So they proposed that this adventure should be the last such one. They made a good case.
5 They make an even better case when they were called upon to run. No interval, no recuperation, just one thing after another. So they registered their pain more or less straightaway. The run became a run-and-walk. Still, the ROG was buoyed by the acclamations from the marshals. Even so, the acclamations didn't prevent the ROG from taking a wrong turn. Yet he continued and a generous marshal shortened his route on the second leg. Not short enough though to avoid being overtaken by another elderly man, who might have been sixty-ten or more. The green run-in to the Finish beckoned. The ROG was running (relatively) strongly at the end.
6 However, it has taken some eight hours for the ROG to regain his composure. When he was agitated and, later, in composure, the recalled the pain in the thighs as he ran. For all the acclamations, for all the recognitions, those legs have won the day. The ROG finds it indisputable that he should refrain from triathlons. Of course, as the pain passes, as he cycles again without distress, perhaps even as he undertakes a short run, the ROG may come to think that his recollection is exaggerated, that there is another triathlon in it. Suffice it to say now that there isn't.
7 It was good to have completed. The time was 2h19m22s, a time which the ROG senses was a few minutes more than last year. Yet the time was within the target band of 2h15m plus or minus five minutes. So the ROG need not creep away. What he does need to do, at some later time, is to be ready to withstand the blandishments which seek to prompt him to one more triathlon.
Still, there is another one to add to the collection. Perhaps there is one more ..... ?
The ROG
2 It also prompted the ROG to prepare his kit the night before, to pack a bag, and to check the tyre pressures on his bike. In the normal way, such preparations are undertaken on the morning of the event. After all, as he reminded himself, the event comprised but a bike-ride, a swim, and a run. Given the well-founded expectation of completion, given also that completion rather than time was in the ROG's mind, there was hardly anything to worry about.
3 Yet the hero was on his feet at 0530. Shortly after 0630 he was racking his bike in the Transition area, and he was ready, in the swimming pool, about 0645. From there the programme ran according to expectation. The ROG breast-stroked his way to 20 lengths; the next component, the bike, was easier, but the ROG was conscious of the effort which had been put into the swimming and which, he guessed, was not available for the bike. Still, he did his best. Down the hill to Forest Row, from there to Colemans Hatch and beyond, through Hartfield, and past the new coffee shop, to the left-hand turn to the Holtye road, the climb, the road, the left-hand turn to EG; the legs were complaining but they were told to get on with it as there was no chance of stopping and indulging their complaints.
4 Still, the legs did make sure that their interests were registered. They were being called upon to an unusual extent. In recent weeks they had been on duty first thing in the morning. Even when they called out Stop there was scarcely any heed taken of their pain. So they proposed that this adventure should be the last such one. They made a good case.
5 They make an even better case when they were called upon to run. No interval, no recuperation, just one thing after another. So they registered their pain more or less straightaway. The run became a run-and-walk. Still, the ROG was buoyed by the acclamations from the marshals. Even so, the acclamations didn't prevent the ROG from taking a wrong turn. Yet he continued and a generous marshal shortened his route on the second leg. Not short enough though to avoid being overtaken by another elderly man, who might have been sixty-ten or more. The green run-in to the Finish beckoned. The ROG was running (relatively) strongly at the end.
6 However, it has taken some eight hours for the ROG to regain his composure. When he was agitated and, later, in composure, the recalled the pain in the thighs as he ran. For all the acclamations, for all the recognitions, those legs have won the day. The ROG finds it indisputable that he should refrain from triathlons. Of course, as the pain passes, as he cycles again without distress, perhaps even as he undertakes a short run, the ROG may come to think that his recollection is exaggerated, that there is another triathlon in it. Suffice it to say now that there isn't.
7 It was good to have completed. The time was 2h19m22s, a time which the ROG senses was a few minutes more than last year. Yet the time was within the target band of 2h15m plus or minus five minutes. So the ROG need not creep away. What he does need to do, at some later time, is to be ready to withstand the blandishments which seek to prompt him to one more triathlon.
Still, there is another one to add to the collection. Perhaps there is one more ..... ?
The ROG
Two languages
1. I wonder if I am at a loss. What can I write about in a blog that will interest the reader. The days have been a series of toing and froing (I see the spell check does not like this). We travel to the hospital and fro the home and to the home and fro the hospital.
2. The system here puzzles me as everyone is dressed in white trousers and white top with creeper sandels even the cleaners. So how does one know who is a doctor, nurse, cleaner or general handyman? Huge double doors keep the world out. One has to pull a cord to get them to open and then one wonders whether someone will pounce and restrict entry.
3. The mother and baby Noah (two biblical names I observe and not a bible reader amongst them - shh do not let on) are closeted in a room of their own, quite at one with the world. The little one seems to be of calm disposition at the moment. Time will tell otherwise no doubt.
4. The young man is bearing up to the event well, though is always quite pleased when his Pappa returns. At least then he knows that he has not been given to Grandma permanently. Norwegian is the more prominent language for him at the moment, understandably. Perhaps he struggled a little with the English on first meeting me. The automatic switch between languages is good to observe. Currently I am trying to see whether he translates for instance when I say tell Daddy ...... He learned Shadow in English yesterday and he did say the English word when he told his father. I gather from that the Norwegian word was not in his vocabulary.
5. And the triathalon! The physical preparation perhaps is more a mental one, convincing yourself that you will be entering a race. I hope by now the pains have diminished and you too have convinced yourself that this will be the last.
6. I gather it was James that you had breakfast with. Perhaps you could indulge me further and tell me how he is and how is feeling after the defeats and what his future plans will be.
7. Kaaren has lent me a book 'the battle cry of the Tiger Mother' Child rearing by Chinese parents - comparisons between Western and Chinese styles. Some of the ideas I have read about, and some are illuminating. You train your child to be the best not try your best. We are concerned about a child's self esteem, the Chinese can call their child rubbish and not be worried. Chinese bring children in the world to serve them so to speak, Western children were not asked to be born so do not owe a duty of care to the parents!!!! Some of the ideas expressed.
8. I managed to read Janice yesterday. What about these slut marches? I never knew they existed. What else has been written about them? Women can go about as they wish, it is their right. It does not mean they are sex symbols. UM!
Bye for now. Next job awaits.
Remind me never to get carried away should I consider opening a cafe!
2. The system here puzzles me as everyone is dressed in white trousers and white top with creeper sandels even the cleaners. So how does one know who is a doctor, nurse, cleaner or general handyman? Huge double doors keep the world out. One has to pull a cord to get them to open and then one wonders whether someone will pounce and restrict entry.
3. The mother and baby Noah (two biblical names I observe and not a bible reader amongst them - shh do not let on) are closeted in a room of their own, quite at one with the world. The little one seems to be of calm disposition at the moment. Time will tell otherwise no doubt.
4. The young man is bearing up to the event well, though is always quite pleased when his Pappa returns. At least then he knows that he has not been given to Grandma permanently. Norwegian is the more prominent language for him at the moment, understandably. Perhaps he struggled a little with the English on first meeting me. The automatic switch between languages is good to observe. Currently I am trying to see whether he translates for instance when I say tell Daddy ...... He learned Shadow in English yesterday and he did say the English word when he told his father. I gather from that the Norwegian word was not in his vocabulary.
5. And the triathalon! The physical preparation perhaps is more a mental one, convincing yourself that you will be entering a race. I hope by now the pains have diminished and you too have convinced yourself that this will be the last.
6. I gather it was James that you had breakfast with. Perhaps you could indulge me further and tell me how he is and how is feeling after the defeats and what his future plans will be.
7. Kaaren has lent me a book 'the battle cry of the Tiger Mother' Child rearing by Chinese parents - comparisons between Western and Chinese styles. Some of the ideas I have read about, and some are illuminating. You train your child to be the best not try your best. We are concerned about a child's self esteem, the Chinese can call their child rubbish and not be worried. Chinese bring children in the world to serve them so to speak, Western children were not asked to be born so do not owe a duty of care to the parents!!!! Some of the ideas expressed.
8. I managed to read Janice yesterday. What about these slut marches? I never knew they existed. What else has been written about them? Women can go about as they wish, it is their right. It does not mean they are sex symbols. UM!
Bye for now. Next job awaits.
Remind me never to get carried away should I consider opening a cafe!
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Dinner-time, breakfast-time
1 The late-young and the early-old, they both met for dinner yesterday evening. The guest brought a plentiful supply of a mild curry together with a box of rice. During the cooking in the oven, the two talked about this and that and then went on to different others. The talking continued during the eating. Amongst all else, they registered the benefits of a home-based parent, one who ordered the domestic life, who was the centre of that life. After the meal, being up-to-date people, one attended to a laptop whilst the other was equally occupied with a desktop. The conversation continued even as the visitor drove away, about 2315.
2 The morning was occupied with the preparation for a second visitor and with a companionable breakfast. Coffee and scrambled egg on toast were provided, sufficient for sustenance whilst being no impediment to conversation. Lourdes, the life and death of a credit union, the radicalism of the present government, the impact of radicalism and hard times on the fortunes of a political party, the significance of the contest between Lords and Commons over the current Bill, the consequences of the result of a referendum on AV, the likely results of the district and parish elections in May, a consideration of the new Town Clerk, a recollection of the Pope's visit to the UK, the appeal of the recent Homeless service in EG, the experience of Catholicism being represented by a 100-story building, and concluding exchanges about influential authors - they all were discussed over the table. Both left the table well-fed.
3 And so to the day: a visit to an elderly man in East Surrey hospital, a reading at Mass, and a quiet evening, preparatory to a visit to Gatwick airport just after mid-day. Meanwhile, the search for a missing passbook may continue.
Home, lady, it's time to come home
2 The morning was occupied with the preparation for a second visitor and with a companionable breakfast. Coffee and scrambled egg on toast were provided, sufficient for sustenance whilst being no impediment to conversation. Lourdes, the life and death of a credit union, the radicalism of the present government, the impact of radicalism and hard times on the fortunes of a political party, the significance of the contest between Lords and Commons over the current Bill, the consequences of the result of a referendum on AV, the likely results of the district and parish elections in May, a consideration of the new Town Clerk, a recollection of the Pope's visit to the UK, the appeal of the recent Homeless service in EG, the experience of Catholicism being represented by a 100-story building, and concluding exchanges about influential authors - they all were discussed over the table. Both left the table well-fed.
3 And so to the day: a visit to an elderly man in East Surrey hospital, a reading at Mass, and a quiet evening, preparatory to a visit to Gatwick airport just after mid-day. Meanwhile, the search for a missing passbook may continue.
Home, lady, it's time to come home
Friday, 11 February 2011
The Mill Owners and the Workers
1.As in the Elizabeth Gaskin novel, people view things differently. The mill owners believe they cannot pay higher wages, because of competition from America. The Americans are undercutting the British prices. The workers need higher wages to survive and believe the Mill Owners are harsh and lack understanding. The Unions have been formed and insist all should belong, otherwise any man not joining will be excluded.
2. And tales from the Cottage, now the deeds of variation have been signed, the rats are abandonning the sinking ship. The detached house next to ours is up for sale. By all accounts the Landlord has bought it. No. 63, and 64 have gone. Perhaps sold who knows. The couple used to spend all their week-ends and holidays there. Watch this space to see what happens next.
3. My return on Sunday is 12 noon at Gatwick South from Podgorica via Monte airlines.
4. The Italian is going well, and I am pleased to report that I am getting some enjoyment from it.
The lone ranger
2. And tales from the Cottage, now the deeds of variation have been signed, the rats are abandonning the sinking ship. The detached house next to ours is up for sale. By all accounts the Landlord has bought it. No. 63, and 64 have gone. Perhaps sold who knows. The couple used to spend all their week-ends and holidays there. Watch this space to see what happens next.
3. My return on Sunday is 12 noon at Gatwick South from Podgorica via Monte airlines.
4. The Italian is going well, and I am pleased to report that I am getting some enjoyment from it.
The lone ranger
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
I met a Montenegran today
1. As I was walking all a lone, I had no time to stand and stare for who should I meet but a Montenegran.
2. In truth I spoke English to the chap who collected me to get Isaac from Kindergarten. He told me that Montenegrans were lazy and not hardworking. I asked if this was true and his reply was 'in part'.
3. I asked if Montenegrans rode bicycles. His reply was that Montenegrans only liked machines with engines.
4. He told me of a well-known joke here in Montenegro. A person when asked what they would like to be on their return to Earth. The reply was a snake. Why a snake: Why surely you must know that all a snake has to do is slither and rest.
5. He said that the Montenegran economy was built on fragile glass, but the people were proud to have their own country. That was the extent of the conversation - quite spontaneous;
6. For the rest Italian is progressing, the Elizabeth Gaskill novel is capturing and the sun continues to shine. Thursday will be a day for two year olds.
from life inside the compound
2. In truth I spoke English to the chap who collected me to get Isaac from Kindergarten. He told me that Montenegrans were lazy and not hardworking. I asked if this was true and his reply was 'in part'.
3. I asked if Montenegrans rode bicycles. His reply was that Montenegrans only liked machines with engines.
4. He told me of a well-known joke here in Montenegro. A person when asked what they would like to be on their return to Earth. The reply was a snake. Why a snake: Why surely you must know that all a snake has to do is slither and rest.
5. He said that the Montenegran economy was built on fragile glass, but the people were proud to have their own country. That was the extent of the conversation - quite spontaneous;
6. For the rest Italian is progressing, the Elizabeth Gaskill novel is capturing and the sun continues to shine. Thursday will be a day for two year olds.
from life inside the compound
In the dark
1 Yes, it was dark when I turned into Chartham Park. But I was not alone: the car behind me also turned left into the estate. As I walked from the car, other cars arrived. One of the two staff at the counter was on the telephone; the other was dealing with a member. When I reached the pool, there were four swimmers already in the water. So I joined two in the main section. There I swam for the time that it took to complete 42 lengths.
1.1 Afterwards, I bought and pot of tea and read The Times. In particular, I read Danny Finkelstein's article. Had there been no cloud, I could have watched the sun rise; alas, there was a full cover of cloud, so I couldn't.
2 So I was clean and bright when I joined some others in the Common at Sackville College. When the meeting began, there were 18 people in the room, including the warden and the administrator. I reckoned that perhaps three were under 60; otherwise, of the others some ten or 11 were 70 or over. Naturally enough, if you call a meeting for the morning, then only the elderly or old can attend. There were familiar people, including Peter and Joan Roberts.
3 Following a slowly-spoken contribution from the warden, Graham Edwards, there with Anne, spoke about the job. From 11 June, the College will be open for five afternoons a week; each opening calls for two guides. The season run to the beginning of September, about 14 weeks. He spoke of a mean requirement of seven attendances, about one a fortnight, across the season. In addition, there will be the Saturdays. By the time I left, I had determined to be a guide for this coming season and perhaps for the 2012 season. Following two seasons, I would re-consider.
3.1 To the RBL for fish-and-chips. I sat next to Dorothy Hartswell. We talked about Martin Green, about the museum, the community play, and the planned extension. That is, there is a plan, but as yet, no money.
3.2 To Argos to the young man and his pregnant partner. 10/02 I waited whilst they used the catalogue to buy bits and pieces for their flat. I paid the bill; we loaded the car, and I drove them to the flat. Routine business for your friendly, neighbourhood SSAFA caseworker.
3.3 Back to the client in Sackville College. Much of the IKEA furniture has been assembled, so I was able to sit on the sofa whilst he sat in a round-backed, padded chair. Previously, we had sat on wooden chairs at a small table. We spoke of the uses to which a charitable grant can be put.
3.4 Home, a sandwich, and Liam may collect me in time for bridge in Forest Row. 10/02 Liam enjoyed the session: five tables, five boards a table, conversation but no noise. All amiable. Liam is disenchanted with the Maypole club. If he had a Forest Row partner then he would be ready to switch from the Maypole to Forest Row. A meandering, low-level monologue on the way back. The absence of 'Now, what do you think? Thus said, a companionable session. We will not attend the Maypole session this evening.
4 Once again I was into the pool by 0640. There I remained until I had swimmed 40 lengths. Ten minutes with the Daily Mail. Home, breakfast, and on with business.
1.1 Afterwards, I bought and pot of tea and read The Times. In particular, I read Danny Finkelstein's article. Had there been no cloud, I could have watched the sun rise; alas, there was a full cover of cloud, so I couldn't.
2 So I was clean and bright when I joined some others in the Common at Sackville College. When the meeting began, there were 18 people in the room, including the warden and the administrator. I reckoned that perhaps three were under 60; otherwise, of the others some ten or 11 were 70 or over. Naturally enough, if you call a meeting for the morning, then only the elderly or old can attend. There were familiar people, including Peter and Joan Roberts.
3 Following a slowly-spoken contribution from the warden, Graham Edwards, there with Anne, spoke about the job. From 11 June, the College will be open for five afternoons a week; each opening calls for two guides. The season run to the beginning of September, about 14 weeks. He spoke of a mean requirement of seven attendances, about one a fortnight, across the season. In addition, there will be the Saturdays. By the time I left, I had determined to be a guide for this coming season and perhaps for the 2012 season. Following two seasons, I would re-consider.
3.1 To the RBL for fish-and-chips. I sat next to Dorothy Hartswell. We talked about Martin Green, about the museum, the community play, and the planned extension. That is, there is a plan, but as yet, no money.
3.2 To Argos to the young man and his pregnant partner. 10/02 I waited whilst they used the catalogue to buy bits and pieces for their flat. I paid the bill; we loaded the car, and I drove them to the flat. Routine business for your friendly, neighbourhood SSAFA caseworker.
3.3 Back to the client in Sackville College. Much of the IKEA furniture has been assembled, so I was able to sit on the sofa whilst he sat in a round-backed, padded chair. Previously, we had sat on wooden chairs at a small table. We spoke of the uses to which a charitable grant can be put.
3.4 Home, a sandwich, and Liam may collect me in time for bridge in Forest Row. 10/02 Liam enjoyed the session: five tables, five boards a table, conversation but no noise. All amiable. Liam is disenchanted with the Maypole club. If he had a Forest Row partner then he would be ready to switch from the Maypole to Forest Row. A meandering, low-level monologue on the way back. The absence of 'Now, what do you think? Thus said, a companionable session. We will not attend the Maypole session this evening.
4 Once again I was into the pool by 0640. There I remained until I had swimmed 40 lengths. Ten minutes with the Daily Mail. Home, breakfast, and on with business.
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