3293 - Sisters of noisy

Nice day in in Wilmslow and Manchester with
Josie and (in town) with Pearl. Koffee Pot
Was our first stop. A late breakfast. It pissed
It down while in there, but with lots and lots
Of toast to munch, was occupied and watched
The heavy rain in Manchester, second
Day in a row, flowers on tarmac plots
As heavy drops land and spread all around
Momentary petals as they rebound
From impact. Then to Ziferblat we switched
For drinks and cakes galore, also somewhat
Unexpectedly, Monopoly bound
Our attention for two hours. Hug and kiss
For both sisters, time with them is well-bought

3279 - Costa del Stockport

A nice trip out to Stockport with Josie
She wanted white trainers, Nike brand, so we
Looked for them in the mall, and in JD
Sports we found some that fit, fairly quickly
And she put them on instead of her D
Ms (Doc Marten boots) - she gave them to me
To carry round. So humid, so thirsty
We went to Costa soon after McD
For more drinks. I took her back home early
Probably wise, tomorrow is her holiday
To Nerja near Malaga, with mummy
Who's recovering from a back injury
I hope they both relax, take things easy
And don't get sunburn, keep nice and shady!

3276 - Flagging interest

Tattoos - at last - these designs have waited
About 9 months since I chose them last year
The Cheshire Cat's clawgeous, the artist did
Well, well done Adam, you deserve a cheer
Although at times the needle was severe
Cool music playing, newish stuff unknown
Next up was the text from Hungaria
Script on my back, think that should be the zone
For more texts in different lingos. I'm goin'
To Croatia soon - Croat would look good
Next to the Magyar script. Finally, there
Is now a Swiss flag on my arm, wind blowing
In my mind anyway. New lock's fitted
On the outside door - couldn't get in there!!

3236 - Is it safe?

Been to see Josie, and her mum with her
Broken back in a brace, recovering
Or trying to, while perched on the sofa
Didn't go to Manchester, worrying
About terrorist attacks is spreading
Her mum and her were worried of the threat
Especially in Ramadan, with frightening
Reports on the news of some beheaded
Victim, or a mosque bombed, or beach of death
So went to Heaton Chapel, big dinner
(Lunch) and cheesecake, my stomach was hurting
Couldn't finish my Coke. Then to Stockport
Wandered round the shops and sat in Costa
Pleased that tonight, from drink I'm abstaining

3063 - Buildings in the mist

Early rising, for me, Sunday morning
Before eight, because I needed to be
At Vee's flat by nine-thirty. Was walking
Through Manchester town centre, and could see
Some interesting views, hazy through foggy
Mist, like the Beetham Tower just on Deansgate
It seems to float in the mist, so that we
Can see through it, it doesn't exist. Wait
A few minutes, the fog clears, and its state
Returns to solidity, air clearing
Saw Josie back to Wilmslow, a coffee
In Starbucks, then home. This evening, I made
King Gong with Dermot, as usual cringing
At goings-on. Now bedtime looms for me

Sunday 4 January

3053 - Yes, it really is Christmaaaaas!

It's Christmaaaaas! Noddy's driving Santa's sleigh
I was awake til half-past one last night
Messaging on Facebook, joking away
Preventing my own sleep by the phone light
Miraculously, slept til light was bright
The light of dawn, that is, the phone recharged
Was used pretty soon for pictures that might
Raise smiles online. Then into Robin's large
Hired car, up the road, to a hill with gorge-
ous views of the Mersey and of the Dee
Estuaries, up that hill the wind had bite
Since then we've eaten and talked, not yet played
Scrabble, but there's still time. Juice in the fridge
Sweets, biscuits, chocolates. One more? I just might

Thur 25 Dec

3029 - Falling down and rising up

Come Dine With Me this week's in Manchester
I might see a face I know - I hope so
There's a Dom. I know two, though one's Cheshire
Wait - there they all are, and the answer's no
I don't know this Dom. 'Tracksuit Dom,' you know!
It looks as though it will be amusing
Forgot to wear a belt today, oh no!
When I got to work, trousers were slipping
A bit too far down! Will be correcting
That mistake tomorrow, so when I'm there
My pants won't fall when I get up and go
Meanwhile, today I saw the opening
Of the new multi-storey. Took picture
Or two of Father Christmas outside. Ho!

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

2978 - Rugger bugger

Interrupted sleep last night, loud party
After an hour turned light on, read my book
Neared the end of Mary Barton quickly
But left the last few pages, which I flicked
Through on the train to Cheshire, on the track
I was on track to finish, and I did
Reach the conclusion before getting back
To Manchester. What did we do? We sped
By train and tram once more to Old Trafford
St Helens and Wigan met there, rugby
Grand Final, striped shirts, beer bellies, the look
Ate curry at the Quays mall, then we heard
Loud horns blown. Back in town, bought for Josie
A phone case for her i-Phone 4 - it's slick

2939 - London Day Five

Up early. Pearl's ice bucket challenge, then
Met her at New Cross Gate, after doctor's
Appointment. Went by bus to Greenwich in
The Green Cafe, then bought book, then onwards
To Blackheath via Greenwich Park, but there's
Steady rainfall. No coat. Bought more stuff there
Then train and bus back to Pearl's, then quick! Let's
Get to Euston! Bye, Pearl! Me and Jo were
On a delayed train to Wilmslow, Cheshire
Her mum collected her, then I then went
To Manchester, chores at home, then rehearsed
With Dermot tomorrow's regime, yes sir
Pints in the Salford Arms, then typed up in
My flat, emailed it to us both. Oh yes

About Mon 1 Sep

2896 - It was a sunny day

This is a day late, no time yesterday
To write a sonnet, too busy you see
After the Shrewsbury trip followed by a
Late night in Salford pubs... Today, Josie
(My last visit before my holiday)
A nice sunny day, we both went to town
I bought some clothes for when I go away
Couldn't resist an apparent bargain
New jacket and World Cup t-shirt now owned
Josie tried clothes on in Hollister. Me
I just sat in an armchair, patiently!
Ate at Pizza Express, Wilmslow. Back down
To Manchester, met Nancy to have a
Chit chat, back to flat, more chat, late beddy

About Sunday 20 July, written Mon 21 July

2892 - Life training

It's late on Wednesday, out with P and J
To Wilmslow to see J in her school show
Then a Thai meal with both, then a delay
For the train back, a pint with P, Wilmslow
To pass the time, chatted during the slow
Trip back to Manchester and then a pint
In a beer joint in the NQ, and how
We caught up on stuff, discussed various points
In some ways she's ahead of me, a joint
Agreement that allure of faraway
Is attractive, the exotic, although
There's no guarantee, we both got to paint
With a broad brush, tomorrow, yesterday
Keep having fun til the end, never know...

Wed 16 July

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

2840 - Apple pi phone

Showers in May, we need them, so thank you
Went to Manchester with Jo, Arndale stroll
She looked at Hype bags, heard of them, have you?
I'd not, til today, but it seems that all
Her friends are getting them, and also call
People with the i-Phone 5, soon it's 6
Thus corporations keep us in their thrall
With their new releases, marketing tricks
I resisted Jo's efforts, but bought books
Instead for her, and I bought me a new
Green anorak from River Island! Mall
Wandering done, went to Wilmslow Starbucks
Not Costa this time. Walked her home, then stewed
Half an hour waiting for the train home. S'all.

2825 - The Konak, and how to get it

It's been a fun weekend, I've enjoyed it
A long weekend, cos I took Friday off
Spent writing, need to work more on that script
Saturday, went out dancing at the Trof
Avoided Eurovision, aural barf
Today went  to see Josie in Wilmslow
Gammon at the Konak Cafe we stuffed
Our faces with. Back in time for the show
Of Derby beating Brighton, go go go
To the  play-off final at Wembley. At
The Etihad, City won the league, chuffed
Blue half of Manchester. Played guitar so
Well, then watched footy highlights. Now to hit
The sack with 'Bleak House.' It's good night,with love!

Sun 11 May

2799 - Semi-legible late night scribbling

Hey, it's late, and I'm somewhat pissed, yes sir
Before I go to bed, I'd like to say
Today I got Jo safely to Wilmslow
And then I got myself to Manchester
Three bottles drunk, then I went to the Worst
Comedy Night in Salford, the Kings Arms
I read the short story I wrote, the first
Hearing of Francis Bacon-Sandwich
It went down OK, I would like to think
Not bad considering wrote it today
I am the new PG Wodehouse writer
Although I'm not gay, it went down quite well
My latest short story, not traditional
Comedy maybe, but it was quite swell

Tue 15 April

2793 - The excitement mounts

Woke at 6:10, put on my new jacket
Grabbed my big black bag, walked to the station
Got train to Wilmslow, 40 minutes' wait
For Josie to arrive with her mum in
The car. Went to Costa just to pass time
Then train to Manchester, then Koffee Pot
For a late breakfast, still just passing time
1:30 train to London, where we sat
Chatting for 2 hours, then we walked a lot
Round London, from Euston to Parliament
Then along the South Bank, far as London
Bridge station. When we got to New Cross Gate
We had chicken and chips, nice spicy eat
Then to Pearl's flat, chat, early night. Dream on...

Wed 9 April

2789 - Chocolate stout

It's early evening, I'm back from Knutsford

Beer Festival, which I enjoyed alone

No-one else turned up, but that's not my fault

I liked the beers, especially choc stout, one

Was not enough. It worked out four tokens

Got me four half-pints for five quid, and that

Works out as two-fifty per pint,and an

Excellent choice of beers brewed by firms that

Are mainly local, and are passionate

'Passion' I admit, is just a buzzword

But that's what they claim in the brochure. Goin'

To read some short stories tomorrow night

Hopefully, a good friend will hear my words

Til then I'm consigned to the twilight zone

2575 - All you can read

Re-opening day at Central Library
A day of showers and frequent getting wet
Me and Jo caught the train and meanwhile we
Tucked into sweets from a new shop we checked
Out in Wilmslow. Thought Nicola might get
There too to meet us, but sadly no dice
The echoey reading room, it was not
The same as before, it was not as nice
But still good to be back there. I had rice
And Jo had noodles - a new eaterie
Opened today near the station. I got
To see Derby win 5-0 - nice surprise
Beating Forest, their East Mids enemy
Now I look forward to going to bed!

Sat 22 March

2547 - Food and TV

Time is so linear, easy to follow
Unlike the streets of Cheadle Hulme or Hulme
Or an amazing maze, Hampton Court, oh!
Don't go there, or it's -iliation, hum
Sweep logic away with old Occam's broom
Watching TV, Casualty's got Charlie
Still nursing after all these years of gloom
He must enjoy it, I guess, though why he
Does? Oh, but it's cheap fiction, quite silly
I wish I had a French stick, avec l'eau
Non, avec vin, mais tant pis, I assume
It's more like fish fingers tonight for me
I feel like a Teletubby, and Po
Is the one I'd be, right here in this room!