2156 - Old gold dream

In bed all morning, we needed that, yes
Then halfway through the afternoon we strolled
Alongside the ship canal, for the best
Way to get to the Quays. The girls both pulled
Overhanging berries and then they throwed
Them at the ducks and geese. The rain increased
Just as we got there, so we ate our fill
In the shopping mall food court. Paninis
And ciabattas, wraps and crisps, there was cheese
And onion, prawn cocktail, a real crisp fest
Got taxi home, past the new school just built
It's Oasis Academy, Jodie's
Secondary school, early September's
Not that far off. Olympic gold dream's dulled

2155 - Love up north

Very tired, woke up and made usual love
Usual these days, that is, not like before
The bed is red, all sweat and fire, we strive
To reach the highs and lows, we rise and soar
We get up to see the heavy rain pour
Tidied up boxes and bags all around
Finally we've an empty tidy floor
Sunny afternoon, listened to some sounds
As I walked - we also want to change round
The younger one's school, so we can arrive
There en route to the secondary, not far
Then to walk each morning after the dawn
The girls seem happy to be here up north
And me and Katy are so close, you know

Mon 30 July

2154 - Pink guitar

I'm very tired, me and Pearl saw Josie
But before that, lots of books in boxes
All part of getting this small flat ready
For a family of four, a feat that is
Well on the way now, though we're not at ease
Just yet. Got rid of clothes and pink guitar
Katy cleaned up the kitchen - Sainsburys
For brunch with Pearl, then I drove the hired car
To Wilmslow, gave books to a shop, then we're
Driving Josie to Knutsford, quite sunny
We had a nice meal at Pizza Express
Next door to the sweet shop which locked its door
After we left. To the park, then Josie
Dropped home, then likewise Pearl, my dear girlies!

Sun 29 July

2153 - Breakfast at Katsouri's

A humid day, the kids helped make it fun
We woke and then they came in the bedroom
Took the old bed to the tip in the van
We were worried there wouldn't be headroom
Breakfast at Katsouri's with big mushrooms
Then back to flat to clear up all the mess
Boxes fill the floor of the living room
But the kids tidied theirs quickly. Caress
Or two for me and Katy eased the stress
Sorted out piles of clothes, and watched it rain
Popped to the nearby McDonalds where soon
We were hitting a ball around - oh yes
More sorting out, and then we watched a film
Just watched yesterday's lighting of the flame

Sat 28 July

2152 - All together now

We're all together now, the deed is done
Up at 6.30, cleaned the flat, ready
To drive to collect them all in the van
A frenetic hour when we all carried
Stuff down stairs from their flat as speedily
As we could manage, in considerable heat
Then north we drove, me, the kids, and Katy
I get on well with the kids, they are sweet
After all the lifting, the aching feet
The new telly's not working, it's not on
Missed the Olympic opening ceremony
But already the flat's not quite neat
But getting there. Tomorrow will soon come
And we'll get sorted in our new home, see?

Fri 27 July

2151 - Fireball XL5 Plus

About to watch the Olympic football
Kick off, Team GB versus Senegal
The torch is being carried, and it's all
Getting exciting now, a fireball
Meanwhile the list of things to do was tall
But I've done many, now I can relax
In preparation for their arrival
I've made the bed, and I've cleared out some books
Tomorrow, I drive a van with boxes
At the ready, down to my old Lichfield
When I'll collect two young girls and my girl
Friend, and we'll start new lives, we'll take the knocks
I'm excited beyond recent recall
Life starts anew, and it will be so full!

2150 - Let the games begin!

The Olympics began, women's footy
GB beat New Zealand, and so they should
Meanwhile I've done more school stuff - hopefully
I've got the kids into a school that's good
Oasis Media City which has moved
To Salford Quays, although the younger one
Is still in primary. Hot day, with cloud
Cover. The perfect sunshine has moved on
South, but even there, soon it will be gone
By Friday's opening ceremony
That day's when Katy and kids move forward
With their lives, and my own life will move on
My mobile messages won't load up. We
Are prisoners of technology, oh Lord!

2149 - Tea for one (but not for long)

Hottest day of the year so far, but not
Outside much, just the walk to work, that's all
Today was novelty tea day -  a hot
Cup of choc flavour tea.... Ah, wonderful!
Followed by orange flavour tea, cupful
Of that followed by pomegranate tea
Slurp, burp! Burp, slurp! Come on, all you people
Raise your teacups, join me in ecstasy!
Glug from your mugs, a merry company
Just like my taste has slowly got less sweet
So I'm changing from coffee to tea. Well
The latter has far more variety
At the cafe, it's cheap for a whole pot
Stuff yer bleedin latte, matey. That's all!

2148 - Some summer

The summer has arrived, the sunny spell
That we think of as summer, just days long
The kitchen's too hot, and it's hard to chill
In the living room - yes, the heat is on
Done some washing, and car bookings are done
Collected Tom's pictures from yesterday
Of my Mum's do, they're in their own album
Listening to The Old Grey Whistle Test, grey
Are its fans now, I guess. Sun, go away
You're shining in my face, dazzling me. Hell
Don't complain, winter will soon creep along
And freeze us in its glacier grip. So hey
Shine on you crazy crazy orange ball
Stick around for the Games down in London

2147 - Eighty years young

A lovely sunny day for my Mum's do
Her eightieth birthday party - we all went
Except for Robin's kids that Clare withdrew
But he turned up, and everyone else lent
Their time and chat, though not all of them spent
All day getting there. The food was real nice
I filled a bag with some before the end
And am about to gorge on it, no lies
Tall Tom was there, snapping away, like spies
Him and Vee, the secret photograph crew
Sat in the garden, Josie's chatter sent
A cute young touch through the talk, and I tried
To speak to various old faces all through
Her numerous putting me off attempts!

2146 - Black and white riot

It's the last quiet weekend day for a while
Or possibly even ever, who knows?
I've been listening to Mahler. Next week I'll
Listen to Symphony no 9, grows
On you, but Symphony no 3 does
Not, so far. Also reading lots, a book
About the 60s / early 70s
'There's A Riot Going On!' - further look
At that turbulent time. Memories seem stuck
In that era sometimes, when juveniles
Were the all-powerful Boomers. Fashions froze
After then, that time's heroes had their luck
While later generations just seem pale
But tough times are back. Before great art - wars...

2145 - Holes in the fabric of ... socks and eyes

My headache's easing from last night's boozing
Not as bad though as Katy's injured eye
She walked into a tree branch while texting
A little twig poked her so painfully
Yet she carried on work heroically
Today it got worse as she cycled in
Realised that she also couldn't quite see
Properly. It was checked and there's a hole in
Her cornea! I ask ya! There's holes in
My boots, talking of holes, that keep letting
In water, for the ground's rarely been dry
My socks are now getting a dampening
Soggy feet in a sorry state, squelching
As I walk. Blinking hell, get well, Katy!

2144 - School of rock

Off work today, and I've used it quite well
Seen the first day of The British Open
Golf tournament, and also cleared the shelves
Of many of my books - bye bye to them
Got to make room for Katy and kids when
They arrive next Friday. Got some boxes
From local shops. Rang Salford LA and
Found schools applications have arrived this
Week and what's more, good news - there are places
In all the chosen schools! On Sunday we'll
Be at my Mum's 80th birthday up in
The Wirral, so I wrote my speech which is
Quite funny. There's even a song as well
Played guitar quite well, now all tasks are done

2143 - Wet summer from above the clouds

One of those long days. Down to Southampton
With FlyBe, bless 'em, non-refundable
Stewardesses in red dress, and the man
Camp-sounding. All then is as usual
Tried to sleep there and back with minimal
Success. The meeting was friendly. Biscuits
Supplied, thank God, as I had no lunch, well
Not unless you count a choc bar and crisps
At ten past three. New book, but read its script
By then. Nothing to do on the return
Flight, but shut eyes, and later on, marvel
At the thick white cloud masses, little bits
Of ground visible beneath, reflections
Of sunlight as wet surfaces dazzle

2142 - Endless summer

It's a really grey day I have to say

The Jet Stream, high up in the atmosphere

Over the Atlantic, this year has strayed

Further south than normal. The result? We're

Deluged with rain, permanent low pressure

I read in today's paper that this Stream

Is going to move back north. The forecasters

Are predicting an improvement. A dream?

Perhaps just propaganda, so things seem

Not so bad, maybe worth a holiday

In Britain in August? Don't disappear

Abroad, there's no need! You can let off steam

On the Yorkshire coast, Cornwall, Anglesey

Slap on the sun cream, don't get burned, d'you hear?

2141 - In the old days, I'd be an old man

Got a cut on my head, but don't know how
I had a sore neck also yesterday
My left hand feels numb after a long go
On the keyboard or mobile; the texts they
Are a word tsunami sometimes. Knee played
Up a bit at the weekend when I ran
Or climbed. Josie pointed out there was a
Bald spot on my head where the hair grows thin
I have to be careful about back strain
I have to sometimes cut my hairy brow
I can still stay up late but now I lay
Down to sleep earlier than my former one
I've got a tender tooth today somehow
But despite all this I still feel okay!

2140 - Two noises

The washing machine's deafening final spin
Is background music to James Blake, it fits
Quite nicely together, chaotic din
Very mechanical. Oh dear, it gets
A bit too quiet there to hear. Oh, now it's
Louder - that's a relief. I need headphones
When the washing machine's fast spin in spurts
Of deafening cacophony gets going
This sort of thing in old days bugged my bones
But now I'm more relaxed, let the noise win
Or let the music pound the noise to bits
Oh, the machine's finale's coming on
And so it fades and dies, silence again
Apart from James Blake, still here in spirit

2139 - The Crewe crew

The weather was unexpectedly good
So bearing this in mind, what else to do
But go by train to Chester, for which we'd
Change at Crewe, the home of the barbecue
Walked to the Roman wall, from which the view
Was great of ancient ruins and River
Dee, almost in Wales. Me and Josie crewed
A motor boat, messing on that water
Just missing several buoys and ducks that were
In our way. We also saw from the road
The racecourse, busy with crowds, hats and shoes
And suits and dresses, but it was over
And the well-dressed masses began to flood
To the train station, and we went there too

2138 - Northern summer

I applied for school places for the kids
Today - let's hope we get a quick reply
Two weeks of school left, then they get a ride
Up north in a van, when I'll have to try
To make them smile on the big day, not cry
Read about a few things that we can do
This summer around Salford, in the dry
(Inside, in other words!) There's art, and you
Can make pottery, or enjoy a brew
In one of the cafes by the roadside
Tonight I'm relaxing, a DVD
And reading, resting, so I'm ready to
Enjoy walking with Josie on our wide
Roaming trail through Cheshire on Saturday

2137 - Cool school

It's a cold evening in July so I
Have had to put the heating on in here
I took the afternoon off work to try
To sort out schools applications, now we're
Almost at the end of term, to prepare
For Katy's girls to join schools in Salford
I'm hopeful based on advice that I hear
Let's hope it works out and they get in good
Primary and secondary schools - that would
Be a great start to their new lives. Time flies
It's now only two weeks til they appear
In my flat! I've eaten, now time for pud
Which will be nutty yogurt. Also my
Girlfriend will eat one too - makes us feel near!

2136 - Pork pie hat

I'm painfully full, had my fullest fill

Had ten pork pies for lunch and three sausage

Rolls, and a cake, and banana. I'm ill

My stomach will explode, it's a wreckage

I'm also very tired. Last night, carnage

Was on TV real late, the First World War

Dramatised. Soldiers crossing a footbridge

Of wood across a flooded field. The gore

Was lightened by a love story, the law

Surely in films to attract the female

Punter. Love's even there on Vimy Ridge

After work, that's in about half an hour

I'm back in the Black Lion where I'll swill

A pint with John, not seen him for an age

2135 - Peas and queues

When work was done I nipped home, but no tea
Though I was starving, I just caught the news
Put on some Mozart and spoke to Katy
Bad news about her bungalow sale - there's
A hitch, the buyer's dropped the bloody price
Maybe she can let it out when she goes
It's a difficult market, no surprise
Each transaction's a battle, toes to toes
But I hope nothing stops us being close
At the end of this month. Out with Nancy
Saw a film at the Black Lion and fair's
Fare, the food was nice too. A pie enclosed
In a ceramic pot, chicken with peas
And carrots, nicely cooked, and without queues

2134 - Whether the weather be shit or shit

As usual, the weather has made the news

Always a topic of conversation

It's worse than normal, true, but people's views

Seem unrealistic to me, quite often

They think that summer sunshine always comes

In Britain, like in California

When will they admit, cloud covers our land

More often than blue skies every summer

This year summer has been a real bummer

And spring was a wet thing despite the hose

Pipe ban after dry winter and March sun

Flash floods have flushed the high streets of Yorkshire

And festivals have crashed, kids got da blues

Poor Katy, cycling to work, soaked again

2133 - Tonsil tennis

A mainly sunny day, but with a shower
In Derby, where I met Katy again
No matter where we go there is a power
We are so close in thought and deed, we're one
While we were there we missed wet Wimbledon
Where Andy Murray slipped on the green grass
Struggling against Federer, dreams undone
Miracles so rarely do come to pass
Except for yesterday when two men classed
As hopeless outsiders won doubles, how
No-one's quite sure, but one was from Britain
I'm getting hungry, bedtime's looming fast
So when this is written, I'll eat, then lower
Myself into bed, read, and tire my brain!

2132 - Jackets and racquets

I'm typing this before The Hollow Crown
I'm getting excited, cos yesterday
I watched 'Richard II' and was blown
Away. Tonight let's hope that I can say
The same about 'Henry IV'. Delay
In screening due to tennis. I got back
From seeing Josie on a sunny day
The rain stopped and the sun shone through a crack
In the clouds. A new jacket for my back
The pockets aren't deep enough, a slight moan
I'll wear it though tomorrow in Derby
With Katy. Even if the skies are black
It doesn't matter. We will shop around
And then relax in mutual ecstasy

2131 - A sporting chance?

Why do we bother to cheer Brit sportsmen?
Andy Murray - Scottish, of course, to Scots -
Is currently struggling at Wimbledon
To get to the final. We're seeing lots
Of valiant effort, many superb shots
But even if he wins this match, the prize
Is a final with Federer... he's got
To raise his game almost up to the skies
To have a hope there. We should be more wise
And, as with football, low expectation
Of actually winning the major pots
Is rational. In golf, though our men rise
Through world rankings, how often do they win
A major? The answer's that they do not...

2130 - Shards of news

Cuts in the Army, oh what a scandal!
At least that's what the news is trying to claim
How can we insult soldiers who have all
Done so well in Afghanistan? They're maimed
Or worse. We've seen parades of their remains
Their families are proud, rightly, but for more
Of this expensive carnage, when the strain
On finances is so great, would be poor
Policy. Meanwhile, on the hallowed floor
Of the Commons, George Osborne and Ed Balls
Have been vying to call each other names
Like drunk louts, they accuse and then withdraw
Brandishing fists. The Shard, that very tall
London tower, is open to acclaim

2129 - Rainbows in my beer

What a cheek - the life drawing man fucked off
Because no-one had turned up, so he thought
I don't know where the model was, it's tough
For those of us who turned up, tickets bought
For buses from Chorlton and Bury... but
Some assholes just don't care, they just don't think
Luckily for me, I live nearby, got
A short walk home... Took Nancy for a drink
At the New Oxford, a good chat and clink
Of beer glasses, as usual, a good laugh
As I had beer and she had Coke, we talked
Sheltering from the rain threatening to sink
The night. A long-lasting rainbow above
Made everything OK, if you're that sort...

2128 - The return of the library DVD

Now the football's over, I've got films in
From the library, and Lovefilm's on its way
Too, now it's a new month. Dirk Bogarde in
The Servant (from the 60s), with screenplay
By Harold Pinter. Clouseau's finest day,
The Return of the Pink Panther was next
And then Winter's Bone, released recently
Roman Holiday, I had to reject
It's 3 for 2 today, would be extra
To get out 4 films. That's overdoing
Things, and time is limited anyway
I must also practice guitar, and flex
My reading muscles too. More inroads in
To Balzac last night, so I mustn't stray!

2127 - Balzac's no ballsache

Just had a blistering guitar session
My left fingers are left aching nicely
There's little left now that needs to be done
Should I be good now, should I be naughty?
Trying to resist that devil in me
The one that says, Reward! Reward! Reward!
But when you have had a kind of party
It's hard to sit and read a book, real hard
Yet having said that, I've started a good
One, 'Old Goriot' by Balzac... It doesn't
Sound like much, but having read round eighty
Pages yesterday, does what novels should
Nineteenth-century novels are more fun
They're like films of their day... they're history

2126 - The reign in Spain falls mainly in Ukraine

The reign in Spain falls mainly in Ukraine
Though some of the matches were in Poland
No matter who they play, it's all the same
Even Torres looks good, forget your plans
To beat them, Iniesta's better, and
Casillas really has safe hands. Our team
Did OK, I thought. Now it's football's end -
Well, until the end of this month, when dreams
And excitement return. But wait... the theme's
Now gonna be - the Olympics! A pain,
Like the approach of Christmas. Can you lend
Me earplugs and a mute button? These streams
Of hype will irritate me in the main
But good luck to our athletes, all well-trained