3284 - Taking a raincheck

What a wet day, the rain's gone on and on!
So much so that there's now a giant hole
In the Mancunian Way, please don't fall in!
The rain's enough to make of us a mole
Burying ourselves deep down like lumps of coal
It's eased off now, and the weather forecast
For the weekend's OK, so I will roll
Up at Piccadilly station, half-past
Twelve tomorrow, with a big group, a taste
Of beer and the Glossop folk train to come!
Should be fun, while Jo's in Spain and I'm all
At a loss for what to do these two Sats
Last week, Huddersfield, this week, Glossop. Fun
And beer are intertwined, be still, my soul!

3280 - City dwellers, successful fellas

Not much to report today, except for
The changing British weather, now sunny
And warm, now raining, wonder what's in store
From one moment to next, can't wait to see
The front door's fixed, I got a brand new key
Got to do a copy for the lodger
Tomorrow a duplicate for Javi
Just remembered, tonight it's Manchester
City's first game, against West Brom, it's the
First chance to make a statement, Blues could soar
To top of table tonight, seem to be
Contenders for the title. And they were
Pleased no doubt at Chelsea's stumble, a poor
Draw at home to unfancied team, Swansea

3245 - Rain rain, you won't go away

In between two viewings this second evening
Last night, the Polish girl, tonight, Javier
From Spain (with two mates). While here, heard the ring
Of my phone, someone else, she's called Eva
Is coming to view it in half an hour
It's very dark, rain-clouds grey and heavy
Not a great advert for British summer
And tomorrow night, for the comedy
The forecast's terrible, don't think I'll be
Taking my guitar, probably not doing
The song-based act I had planned, so I'll spare
Myself rehearsals of them, and maybe
Instead tonight I'll do some selecting
Of old jokes and write new ones to try there

3244 - Room with a view, and a boiler

I've finally advertised the flat. I took
Some good photos before the clouds appeared
And the skies opened. One girl came to look
As soon as the ad was placed. It looked good
She seemed keen, but saw the room, is afraid
Of boilers, and decided to say no
A Polish girl in leather, but she said
No.... Immediately she was keen to go
Oh well, this happens a lot, I don't know
Who'll say yes, hope they're not mad, and not fucked
Up in the head, and therefore not too weird
Tomorrow, a guy called Javier will show
Up at seven, no bed yet, but with luck
I can get one quickly from Old Trafford

3226 - Saving it

A nine hour day at work today, by God
Consequently, I'm not too energised
Glad I did the painting last night when could
Though started late, the sun was out, I rised
To the task, stepped up to the plate, surmised
It would be lighter than tomorrow (now)
And that was right, today's dull cloudy skies
Have produced lots of rain during work hours
But I kept dry inside as drank the flowers
The heaven-sent liquid manna, like blood
Into a vampire's throat, fangs sank in thighs
I'm sort of up to date, I'll rest my bod
Saving money, relaxing, it feels wise

3217 - The Russian wind is coming

Not enough sleep last night, can't wait to get
In bed, no energy left. Watched two hours
Of a French film, will watch the rest the next
Time I get the time, between sun and showers
The sun's still up, but will it allow us
To finish before its gold light has gone
It's fairly chilly, Russian winds blow us
Or Arctic or Atlantic, where've they come
From, not sure. Tomorrow, presentation
At work, and a submission to submit
And later, a quiz in the pub, where pours
The beer once more, as it did last night. Fun
I suppose, but I think I must try yet
Once more to stop for a while, get focus
 

3210 - Blow brother blow

The weather's disgusting, cold, such strong wind
The trees outside are waving like mad fans
At a concert, the sound of much moaning
Like banshees clinging on to every branch
I thought a tree might fall down with a crunch
Against my flat, crashing through the window
Knocking me over, unconscious til lunch
It's not an evening for somewhere to go
Count myself lucky that I'm inside, bro
I hope the spring leaves have fully strengthened
And can cling on despite the gale to clinch
Their place for the summer that's started. Oh
Yes it has, it's the First of June. Begin,
Season of warmth, sweaty nights and sun-tans

3181 - News from Nuremberg

I woke at 12, slept well and recovered

From last night's drinks with Julius. The weather

Is rainy today, so I decided

To look round the National Museum here

I saw most of its many rooms, took four

Hours, beginning with a guided tour that

Focused on certain objects, how monks were

Living there, never speaking. But she said

They found buried females too - funny, that

Maybe it wasn't so terribly bad!

I'm typing this in Five Reasons - that's the

Name of this Nuremberg hostel I'm at

It's getting dark, and I still need some food

Think I'll walk outside, find a cheap supper...

3173 - United in Munich

Am enjoying my evening, had good day
With Josie in Arndale and Old Trafford
A bit of rain but mainly stayed away
And quite warm sunshine meant that it felt good
Strangely when we got to Old T Jo did
Not want to look round the club shop this time
So with the Jappy snappers, stood outside
Then wandered off to Lowry mall, a fine
Mocha in Costa til six, then soon flyin'
Home by tram and train. Now my holiday
Is looking even better, yes I've scored
A hit tonight, I'm meeting Minji Kim
In Munich. For timing that good I'd pray
But no need, it's gonna happen, by God!

3147 - Car trouble pt 9

The weather's wet as hell, hell yes it is
And there's more rain tomorrow, so they warn
So I'll stay in tonight, no wet or freeze
For me, and no booze either. Got to pawn
Everything this month anyway - I'm goin'
On holiday at the end of April
But also been caught motorway speedin'
Last month, driving north hurriedly with Pearl's
Stuff in the hired car. Not that evil
Only did 58, officer, please
But no, a fine awaits, points must be borne
But wait - I may qualify for a li'l
Training course. Hope I go on one of these
Fingers crossed that I don't end up forlorn

3123 - Seasons of shiver

I've put the heat on - but they said it was
Getting warmer! Not yet it's not, not hot
At all, the heat is small, it's at micros-
copic size, like the world's smallest teapot
Divided by a million, that's a lot
Of tiny teabags from me, Tea Bagster
The heating's on now though, it's a hotspot
The heat is on, and heating up faster
It's blasting out heat, a master blaster
Such waves of heat, heatwave without a pause
Actually it ain't so hot, no it's not
But I'm snug as a pearl in an oyster
With my warm woolly on, it's quite a buzz
A cup of tea, and writing this sonnet

3054 - Dozy Boxing Day

This is a day late, I confess. Spent at
My mother's house in Greasby. Robin was
Here til 3pm, then he drove in that
Downpour which turned into a blizzard fast
Back to Lichfield for a pub gig. I spaced
Out a bit in the afternoon, think it
Was tiredness, but football updates helped pass
The time. Birmingham thumped 4-0, a great
Result for The Rams, anchored in third spot
Almost finished that novel - what was it?
Oh never mind, didn't give me a buzz
It's Viv Albertine's autobiog fate
Has decreed I read next, and now I've got
Two more good books as presents for Christmas!

Fri 26 Dec

3009 - Full leather jacket

A quick sonnet before I head off out
On the tram to West Didsbury, an old
Eighties stomping ground, it'll be a trout
(Sorry, treat) to revisit it, I'm told
(No, I'm doing the telling!) Not too cold
So I'll stick with the thin white coat, I won't
Change to the thick black one yet that was sold
To me last year, not had a great amount
Of wearing so far. When temperatures mount
(Sorry, plummet - when they go down the spout!)
As they tend to do when winter takes hold
I'll wear the black one, and also, all count
On seeing me quite soon out and about
In my new brown leather jacket. Clothes gold!

3006 - Spongiform

A lovely day the weather couldn't spoil
Hired a car, drove to Wilmslow, picked up Jo
It's better value, cars, when the rains fall
We drove to Grandma's, where she cooked spag-bo
Then chocolate sponge pud, and other things too
Lots of banter between the three of us
Grandma is getting better, I tell you
Not just her leg, but joining in, no fuss
About not interrupting - that's a plus
Took the car back, then caught the train to Sale
Met up with pals, I drank juice, that was so
Disciplined of me. Crisps and Maltesers
Were a later alternative to ale
Comedy night, then home, the football show

2906 - My brilliant Korea

This was written the following morning
Although I could have written it last night
I was real tired at Miklos', waking
It started off cloudy but became bright
And warm. We drove to Budapest to quite
A deserted flea market. I searched for
Some Communist relics and hats, and tried
A few on, but they made me look not more
Good than normal, shall I say? Little tour
Round Kispest, then goodbye with handshaking
Thanks, family! Train at the last minute
To Bratislava in Slovakia
Met Min from Korea on train, eating
With her that evening, then beer, then good night

Wed 30 July

2898 - Muggy Magyar

What a hot day, the last before my trip
And tomorrow's also going to be hot
I think therefore I am, no, I will, slip
Tomorrow morning into some clean shorts
And a thin t-shirt, for the shortish flight
To Budapest, capital of Hungary
There's the Danube, the Parliament, first sight
Of Castle Hill, the bustling streets I'll see
Once ruled by Soviet tanks, now they're all free
And in the EU, though tips, if I tip
Will be in forints - euros they do not
Use (very sensible)... Beer's cheap, hee hee
I'm so excited, that to get some kip
Tonight, beer's needed. An excuse I've got!

2893 - Can't strain my brain

A plane has been shot down in the Ukraine
That's where they're mainly shot down, not in Spain
It's plain the plane was shot down, causing pain
And people died, in burning fire and flame
Putin is innocent of this deed, that's plain
He's puttin' on a brave face, acting sane
Social media is reporting this shame
And satellites are recording the same
It's sunny now but soon there'll be hard rain
By the weekend the rain could be insane
While in Paris people might go in Seine
Whether the weather forecast is in vain
Or not, I don't know, it can be a strain
To get it right, but I can't strain my brain

2891 - Holiday! Celebrate!

A quick sonnet, and then a guitar-play
Ministerial shuffle in Downing Street
That nice young Nicky Morgan's gone away
Our workplace will have a new name to write
Papers to, recommending what is right
Not that I write any these days, ha ha
Steve was ill today, though I'm not sure quite
What he's got, but he's under the weather
Talking of that, it's been real pleasant here
Today. Went to the Post Office to pay
For Hungarian forints to spend at night
In Budapest taverns. Slovakia
Has the euro now. Collecting Thursday
Then I'll be armed with spends. Oh what delight!

2888 - Park strife

It's Saturday night, I've been to see Jo
Started off hot and sunny, shorts weather
But I wore long trousers and I was so
Hot at first but it got cloudy later
And rained, but before that we went to the
Park, Jo climbed a tree, then got stuck up it
I lifted her down. Paddled in river
Bollin (Jo, not me). Sat on grass a bit
Then had tea in the Bollin Fee, I ate
Cod and chips (cold peas as usual), while Jo
Had a pasta dish. Train to Manchester
Nic messaged. She is lying low, cos skint
Watching the third place play-off, it's a low
End to the World Cup for Brazil's players

Sat 12 July

2879 - Hire and hire

A hot day, a rainy day, walked along
The canalside, which is very narrow
In places, scared that I might fall headlong
Into the canal, hope I don't swallow
The dirty water, full of germs, you know
Got quite a lot done in the office, and
Ate quite a lot too - walnuts, soup, coco-
nut flakes, which are really more-ish. I spent
All of three quid on the way home. Account
Is doing OK now, my credit's strong
Thanks to my Post Office loan that's gone through
I've saved a lot these two weeks, but weekend
Looks expensive, out a lot, I'm going
To hire a car Sunday, see Ma with Jo