Tag Archives: lisa

Life-changing Australian poet

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Not an Australian poet, but Andrew on the beach at Winterton

A quiet few days in terms of getting out of the house, but of course the Olympics were coming to a climax and Dot was also – well – reaching the apogee of her house-cleaning programme preparatory to welcoming the Murrays when we return from Devon. The house now looks terrific and I am beginning to relax a bit. The weather has been good.

Have been out a bit, though. Yesterday, after our regular haircut, I rendezvoused with Lisa D’Onofrio and had a late lunchlet at Waterstone’s. As literature development officer back in 2003, she opened the door for me to take part in a poetry project which eventually turned into InPrint, and so changed my life, transforming me from a closet poet into a real one. She is a really good poet in her own right, but she is now living in Australia, her home country. We had a good 90 minutes of reminiscence and catching-up, following which I bought a new pair of trainers.

On Sunday Dot and I went to see Jessie after visiting the cemetery at North Walsham. It was actually a bit warm to sit in her summerhouse, so we moved indoors for scones and strawberries. She seems very well, apart from family worrries.

Last night I had my second game of chess this calendar year – a bizarre affair in the first round of the club knockout tournament. I got a clear advantage fairly early on and should have won, but I was too timid, blundered and then he was clearly winning. But he dropped a piece, and I got the advantage again, but couldn’t make anything of an extra pawn in a queen ending. So we have to play again in September. Not a classic. However, I picked up my prize for best game played at the club last season, which turned out to be a£25 John Lewis voucher – more than 100% larger than I thought it would be.

The Olympics has now ended, but it lingers on in the newspapers and on TV. After a brilliant opening ceremony, the closing ceremony was very poor musically (two songs from George Michael and Russell Brand singing a Beatles song – is that the best we can do?) though it did end with The Who, bringing a bit of belated class to the proceedings. Someone said that before the Olympics, everyone thought we were poor at sport but brilliant at music: now…

Long lunch

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Poet Lisa D'Onofrio, founder-member of InPrint due to return to her native Australia next month. Children Blossom and Dashiel modestly avoiding camera in foreground.
Poet Lisa D'Onofrio, founder-member of InPrint due to return to her native Australia next month. Children Blossom and Dashiel modestly avoiding camera in foreground.

Recently returned from West Norfolk, when we had a very long lunch at Congham, home of Sue and Richard Moore. Gave a lift to Teri and Sidney Lockton. Also present: Jo and Mike Stone. Very inventive vegetarian food from Sue, climaxing in a stunning pavlova with lichees. Much talk on various topics, with some political disagreement. Not me, mate. I stay well out of all that. Teri is a stained-glass artist who had produced a lovely window for Sue and Richard. Before we set off I drove to Swardeston to deliver some poetry leaflets for the Edith Cavell festival. Had some difficulty finding Nick Miller’s house and am still not sure if I delivered them to the right place! (As it turns out, I did.)

On Thursday had a small party for Lisa, who departs for Australia next month. Excellent food by Dot. For more details, see the InPrint website. Earlier that day paid another visit to the hospital for demonstration of an interesting device that might help complete my recovery. Afterwards walked across to the university and then over Eaton Park before catching a bus full of students which made its slow but irresistible way through the city and delivered me to Thorpe Road, tired but quietly satisfied. Also went for a walk on Mousehold yesterday, covering two miles plus. I wonder if anyone but me would go for a walk if dogs didn’t exist. Looked out for lost cat whose owner spoke to us earlier in the week, but no sign of course. I suspect one of the dogs had it, though of course I have no evidence…

Hotel in Venice now sorted, by the way. All systems go.

23 April 2009

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Grandson Oliver watching Norwich v Watford at Carrow Road and looking worried – justifiably, as it turned out, because although Norwich won that one 2-0, they are now in a desperate situation.

Lovely summer weather continues. On Tuesday Lisa came round (with Blossom) to talk about the poetry walks. Since then a message from Lucy seems to indicate that she expects two walks each day, and not one – and that we’re expected to be there the whole day as well. I don’t think either of those things will be possible. Meanwhile I’ve arranged to go out with Lisa to Paston on the 29th to reconnoitre the planned walk(s).

Yesterday Phil drove me to Coventry for a meeting with Dr Saad about the severity and nature of Andrew’s illness. We were able to persuade him that there had been no sudden deterioration, but it was a long-term problem, with the same continuing symptoms. Afterwards we took Andrew out for a drive – first to Corley Rocks (after going completely the wrong way when we asked him to direct us: his “that way if you want to; I don’t mind” wasn’t tremendously helpful), then to Memorial Park and a quick look round where we used to live – Beanfield Avenue and The Chesils. We ended up at TGI Friday’s for a full meal just before 5pm and then dropped him back at The Langleys just after 6pm – checking that his new stereo turntable was working OK. Brief chat with Halina, then an easy drive home across the Fens. I say easy, but Phil must have driven about 350 miles during the day. Arrived home before 9pm, feeling pretty tired. Dot had had a good P4C afternoon at Horsford School and had had a clean-out in my study.

I should mention that the plumber came and fixed the bath drainage pipe. All household fittings and equipment are now working properly, but Dot is at the dentist. I am due there tomorrow. I had a blood test first thing this morning, which has become such a familiar thing to me that I can almost look at the needle going in. But not quite.