3197 - Rug flats

Popped round after work to see V and P
Forgot to take V's big wheel fridge magnet
From Vienna, how forgetful of me
It's so hard remembering not to forget
At their place I picked up a rug, carpet
Isn't that common in my flat, which means
I don't need a vacuum cleaner in it
As brushing's enough to keep the floor clean
But this rug means I can no more be seen
With no hoover in the flat. It might be
Let to tenants soon, if I do a flit
Down to London, prove I'm not a has-been
(That's if I ever was), but nice to be
In bed reading. How could I get upset?

3194 - Where it's at

And now today, had a good time with Jo
Not seen her for two weeks, she is the best
Her Mum's done her back in, but she will go
Back to normality after a rest
Meanwhile, I think London is the real test
If I can make it there I can make it
Anywhere, dreams maybe, but it is blessed
With movers and shakers, more than this shit-
Hole of northern-ness, where there's no real wit
A sideways job move would let me there grow
Without real poverty constraining, let's
Give it a try, get my act ready, flit
From trying to impress no marks, a flow
A trajectory leading to success...

Sat 16 May

3193 - The gallant South

I'm gonna make this quick, I'm a day late
With this sonnet, I forgot to do it
Yesterday, what with work and getting straight
After my travels. So, remember it
I was told at work once again I'm shit
But I have potential. Come on, are you
Any better than me, no, so please quit
Feeding me this bullshit. Realised my true
Home might be London, that's the place where you
Are seen and recognised, and that's where fate
May await me, plus I love that great zit
On the face of the British landscape, grew
To unimaginable proportions, great
Place of destiny, maybe there I'll flit...

Fri 15 May

3142 - Midweek drink

Good night out with Pearly on Tariff Street
First, Kosmonaut, then El Capo, and then
The Whisky Jar, although that was no treat
Five quid for a sip of whisky, I drained
It in no time, but never mind, I've been
In there and that's good, I've sampled it now
A cool part of Manchester, though nothing
Compared to London, as Pearl said, and wow
She's been to many places down there, how
Many great nights she's had, that can't be beat
By anything up here in this Northern
Powerhouse, as it's now called down below
Back home in time for a drink as the night
Draws on, as time moves on, as life moves on

Wed 25 March

3118 - First full day alone (although spent with Josie)

First day of truly being alone, now Lou
Has been in London since yesterday when
I took him down with his stuff right up to
The gate of his new shared flat. Now I can
Do what I want when I want where I want
And I'll enjoy that, though with some regret
Because it's better with two. I must plan
For a lodger, cos I need to inject
Some income into my empty wallet
Preferably some clean crisp notes that will do
Amazing things for me, though it's quite zen
How cheap paper has such value, and it
Is just symbolic really. But gold's too
Rare to be used on a mass scale by man

3117 - Park Lane Drive

I've missed Match of the Day, it's finishing
I'll check today's results when I've typed this
Today I hired a car and went zooming
Down to London with Lou, took stuff to digs
Back in Hainault once more in south Essex
(In London really). Then the A12 took
Me most of the way to Pearl's but I missed
The Lewisham turn-off, somehow I hooked
Myself around in a circle, quite smug
When I managed to get there, no helping
Satnav, map or passenger to assist
Sadly she needed a small van to pack
All her stuff into, car's too small. Driving
Her things north alone, hoping to get pissed!

3109 - London and Brighton on no sleep

On the train to London Euston and then
We'll change and catch the tube to Victoria
From where we'll catch one more train to Brighton
It's excitin' lookin' forward to the
Tattoo convention, then a drink or two
Will I get any tattoos? I'm not sure
The prices might be too high, go over
The hundred I pay up in Manchester
For three smallish ones. After the tattoo
Show we'll go to the aftershow event
Or back to the hostel, I'll grab a beer
I'll be so tired by then, won't have a clue
I won't know where I am, won't feel no pain
(Hopefully) to endure, won't feel injured...

Fri 20 February

3102 - Fun and work combined

I'm listening to Spotify, guitar played
Not eaten yet. Have also written some
Comedy material for Tuesday, afraid
Otherwise there's not much time, since I'd planned
To go to the Castle, Monday eve, and
Watch 'First Draft' for the first time. It's
Looking like a good week ahead, the end
Of a good week just gone. Louis has split
From London to come here, no sign as yet
Of him, wonder if he'll turn up... she said
He would, Pearl did. So expect him to come
Here, but maybe not til awkwardly late
Soon I'll break off and cook something and taste
Pure relaxation, well-earned, not humdrum

3097 - Not feeling the heat

Passing time on Sunday evening, heat on
As it's still pretty darn cold. Tried to read
This enormous hardback that's really long
But it made me feel sleepy in the head
So now I've listened to some Wilko. Need
To familiarise his stuff for the gig
In March at The Ritz. Louis has indeed
Got the bus to London, where he's staying
At Pearl's and searching for rooms. He's coming
Back next weekend though to collect what's on
The bedroom floor, still. Most of it lies neat
In wheelie bins now, out of sight, thinking
Life somehow feels a little less humdrum
Each day I do what I want, so I am pleased

3096 - Shopping and hunting

A fun day out with Josie - some shopping
With her birthday money - two pairs of boots
And a shirt - plus yet more gammon eating
And a look at the make-up racks in Boots
Popped into Vee's flat, terrorised by cat's
Manic attacks, but funny nonetheless
Took Jo back home, then back for some more chats
With Vee and Louis, who's moving out this
Weekend to flat hunt in London. Back there's
Where he hopes his future lies, job hunting
Also to come, the main hope they'll recruit
Him into films before too long - success
Beckons with his clever critic's writing
And other creative writing to boot

Sat 7 February

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

2938 - London Day Four

Last full day in London, staying at Pearl's
After getting ready late, had breakfast
At '178' Cafe, New Cross, with piles
Of pancakes and bacon in syrup. Fast
Dash to the train station, Hampstead or bust
Met Orla, Pearl's pal, walked upon the heath
Nice pint outside, then once more caught the bus
This time to Regents Park. We had a brief
Walk round the gardens. Noticed that our teeth
Were starting to crave food, so walked a mile
To East Street oriental place, a most
Enjoyable sea food spicy soup! I believe
This was among the best things I've had. Swirls
Of flavour, orange soup. Oh taste of tastes!

About Sun 31 Aug

2937 - London Day Three

A pleasant day, warm but not too sunny
Breakfast at our favourite cafe, New Cross
Then bus to Camberwell, then to Brixton
The place for fashion, reggae and all sorts
Electric Avenue, with market stalls
Bought a hat, wore it the rest of the day
Posed in Brixton, then Horniman House, all
The way to Forest Hill, then on our way
Again by bus to Lewisham, great way
To finish, lovely grub, and beer, hee hee
Beer cheese with croutons; then some crayfish balls
New Orleans-style. Good chat with Jo and P
Walked home from there to New Cross, chattily
Writing this, 'bout to watch 'Pushing Daisies'

About Sat 30 August

2936 - London Day Two

First of all, Josephine she slept too long
The morning wasted, got fed up waiting
(Bit like her mother.) Finally got along
To Goldsmiths Cafe, welcome lunch feasting
Caught train and tube to Sloane Square, for walking
The King's Road, Chelsea. Crossed the Thames to walk
Battersea Park power station, crossing
The Thames again, through Pimlico, a fork
Right, and crossed Vauxhall Bridge, plenty of talk
Along the South Bank once more, with the throng
Waited for Pearl. Men are always waiting...
Meal at Strada. Pearl's good news about work
She's going to be a teacher from next spring
But where, she doesn't know. She'll be moving...

About Fri 29 August

2935 - London Day One

Woke at 6:30, train station by 8
Collected Jo at Wilmslow station, and
Hung around park and shops a while. Not late
For the London train. Good. At Euston, planned
Our journey to Deptford Bridge. Had to spend
A few hours in Deptford High Street, but liked
The small independent shops all around
Hardly any chain stores, I was surprised
But Pearl said this was a typical sight
In South London. Food shops, fish shops, it's great
Pearl joined us at the 'Big Red' restaurant
Which is an old double-decker bus, right?
55 quid expenditure, oh shit
But good value. My pasta tasted grand

About Thur 28 August

2934 - Girls United

Very tired, quite a late night, guitar play
Then a drink, then late night conversation
So instead of rehearsing comedy
I'm staying in. Just as well. My alarm
Is set for 6:30. Must catch the train
From Piccadilly at 8 to Wilmslow
Collecting Josie with her bags, then stayin'
Around the shops and cafes til we go
To London on the midday train. I so
Enjoy exploring the capital. They
(My two daughters) like having good old fun
When they meet all too rarely. I don't know
What we'll do yet, but we will have good days
This week Jo's on the way towards woman

2933 - The Bucket of Water Sonnet

Last night's ice bucket challenge was good fun
Nancy and Dermot did well, have to say
And a fun time was had by everyone
Hope we weren't too rude for Yanira, eh?
She's old enough to hear that stuff, surely
Woke in the night a few times, so bit tired
And that brings us sonnetly to today
Fairly interesting day at work - quite good
To have Tracey and Julie back, both buoyed
Up by just-finished holidays, one in
Italy, one in Disneyworld USA
Just one more work day, then me and Jo head
Just like this time last year down to London
By train to stay with Pearl for a few days

2926 - Animal nightlife

Well where is Louis, when's he gonna show
He's been at his Mum's flat since Friday, now
It's Tuesday evening. He stayed at hers so
He could feed the cat while Vee B went down
To London to visit Miss P around
The capital's top spots and whatnot, see
Mind you, Lou also thought that he had found
Some peace and quiet, an opportunity
To write in a comfy flat, all lonely
And undisturbed by me, and yes I know
That does appeal to a writer. But how
Much longer will it be before I see
Him come through that door? The days go by slow
As I wait for the next trip - London! Wow.

2872 - Recover, recycle, relocate

Thank God a decent lie-in (no drink had
Either - gonna try to cut down on that
And on what goes with it). Been a bad lad
Have enjoyed two nights in, it's played its part
In feeling good and saving, too. Must start
Saving for my two (no, three) holidays
(Hungary, London and Greece). Chance to sort
My balcony (off work you see), old chairs
Tennis rackets, bikes, now removed, oh yes
Was gonna take 'em to the tip inside
A hired van later on, but left them at
The recycling area by these flats. Guess
That'll save time when moving Nance from bad
Rented room in Glossop to Bury flat

2794 - Eurostar, Eurostar, shiny suit and a big cigar

A restless night on Pearl's sofa, flatmate
Came in late, I thought she'd come in the room
Dropped off about midnight, that's rather late
Considering I was so tired. We zoomed
To London Bridge, then St Pancras, and soon
We were on Eurostar, the train to France
Jack Whitehall's dad and mum were both there too
We reached Gare du Nord, then the Metro lines
To Hotel de Ville, the weather was fine
We walked to l'Arc de Triomphe, and we ate
Petit baguettes and crepes. There was more room
On the Metro than in London. Still time
To walk to the Eiffel Tower, then caught
The Metro back to our cool hotel room

Thur 10 April