Sunday, January 9, 2011

small boat

I woke up early, a few minutes after six. Anything before six counts as night-time so at least I made it to morning - but with only five hours sleep. Whenever I plan to do something on a particular day, I wake early. Today I am having some poetry people over for lunch in Brighton. The flat is set up for uncomplicated cooking. I have prepared vegetarian chilli and coleslaw with dill dressing. Will make beetroot with chopped herbs, and saffron rice. Fruit crumble for dessert, I have used plums and added some brandy butter left over from Christmas.

I walked into Brighton town yesterday, thinking to do various errands all at once. I exchanged some Moroccan slippers (lumpy inside so not comfortable) for a kilim cusion cover that I will probably take back to Signs Cottage. I went to Waterstone's to pick up a book I had ordered: What To Look For In Winter by Candia McWilliam, highly recommended to me, and the ability to read and focus has improved somewhat. Hallelujah, even though I can't read anywhere near as much as I once did. At Waterstone's I thought I would have a coffee then do a food shop for today's lunch. PWME are familiar with the wall of exhaustion that one can run into. I could feel it coming (a tsunami wall) and tried to ignore it. Ridiculous, as was the notion that I could have got myself plus shopping up the steep incline. A taxi back from town is very cheap and makes this kind of excursion possible. Near the Clock Tower there is always a small line of taxis waiting. I took one. Brighton is kind in so many ways, and beautiful. The Brighton Waitrose, however, is not a good experience - nothing like the one I pictured here which is still more or less supermarket heaven. Bad muscles and malaise after, and what is sweetly referred to as "emotional lability" - one of the side-effects of neurological disorder. The image: a small boat in bad condition suddenly having to negotiate storm conditions; you look out and see nothing but a grey wall made of water that may at any moment engulf you. This was actually a real situation, on my return from Gozo via Malta about twenty years ago, returning from a wedding I should probably not have attended in the first place. The boat was a relic from the second world war and a small group of us nearly perished in the sea. But lived to tell the tale. As one does.

Outside, a brilliant blue sky today. Timely and welcome.

9 comments:

trousers said...

I hope lunch goes well.

I like Brighton: I've only been there once (apart from a drive through it on another occasion) and I was severely hungover at the time. I'd like to go back at some point and experience the place with a clearer head.

Cusp said...

You did an awful lot yesterday. I hope the luncheon goes well and the atmosphere will give you the energy to enjoy. You have a sparkling 'champagne' day for it if weather is same as here and that always lightens the mood :O)

I'd love to visit Brighton again too, Trews. Haven't been for 15 years ....on way to interview Alsion Lapper who lives up the coast. Loved it a child too.

Have fun Signsie :O)

Zhoen said...

A taxi when needed is a great blessing.

Reading the Signs said...

Trousers abd Cusp?
Well you know where to come for Kaffee und Kuchen if you do make it to Brighton, eh what!

Though I say it myself, the meal was lovely, and worth the effort. Yes, I did too much yesterday but the champagne weather and light has helped.

Just had to look up Alison Lapper - yes, I remember her - blimey. Impressed.

Zhoen, it really very much is.

Mim said...

Oh, that wave. You describe it so well.

I hope the food was as delicious as it sounds and the company lively.

Yours for seaside,
M.

Reading the Signs said...

It was delicious, Mim. A lovely afternoon. And I slept for over 12 hours last night.

Fire Bird said...

the boat tho small is seaworthy

Collin Kelley said...

Sorry it's been so long since I checked in and said hello. Glad you're back to reading and surrounding yourself with poetry folks.

Reading the Signs said...

FB, I'm not so sure about that! But perhaps it gets there anyway...

Collin - how very good to see you! So glad about your novel and all.