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

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!

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

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

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

3037 - Drunk as a sober skunk

A rainy day, a cat and a dog day
Bad weather in Manchester shock, oh my!
First time in a month, comedy, hurray
Maintained, while doing that, my state of dry
I.e. no beer for me, though Dermot tried
To knock back Guinness, only two pints, mind
Not like the old days, five or six pints plied
And necked on a long session. Now we're kind
To wallets and bodies. Not hard to find
Non-alcoholic beer that tastes OK
Today it was Bavaria, nice to try
I've got a trip there in the spring, I've lined
Up Munich as one stop, on holiday
Next spring, when I'll drink real beer, me oh my!

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

2996 - Like the desserts miss the rain

I'm cream crackered and wet through to the skin
Been out for a nice bite to eat and chat
Been awake since 6:30 of morning
I don't like waking up early as that
And now I feel like a drowned cat or rat
Manchester's autumn rain not let me down
Think wetsuit rather than a cricket bat
I just got home from a night on the town
Can't wait for bed, but first got a nice brown
Toffee-flavoured yogurt to be eating
Or are Muller Lights simply a dessert
I think they're healthy or am I a clown
The strawberry one seems yogurty when
I have that, but I've not fond of that fruit

2982 - Manc street sweepers

The last night's drinking has arrived, just three
Bottles of beer and that's all folks, it's done
I was gonna go out, but you can see
It's pretty wet out there. I did go down
To the Deli-Lama and hung around
Outside to see who was in. No surprise
Not many were out, so I turned around
And went back home. I'm tired, had two late nights
So I'll just strum a while, and close my eyes
Early-ish for a change, get energy
Back for the future life which should be fun
It shouldn't be a drag, should be all smiles
And like 1,2,3 and like ABC
OK, I'll get to it now this is done

2971 - Train in rain

Rainy morning, walked to Piccadilly
But coat made me warm, took it off on train
Got off at Wilmslow, dry now, saw Josie
We walked to station, Manchester again
Same as last weekend, Old Trafford the scene
She was hoping for an MU phone case
They didn't have them, the trip was in vain
But I bought her a football from the trays
Of dark blue balls, dark blue is their away
Strip this season. The shirts are seventy
Quid each, sixty for kids' sizes. Refrained
From splashing out that much. You'd be amazed
At all the foreigners in that store, pre-
pared to part with humongous cash therein

2917 - Stationery to stationery

Overdid it somewhat last night, I think!
Woke at eleven, was late for the train
To see Josie. I briefly thought a think
That I should call it off, what with the rain
Forecast from the Bertha ex-hurricane
But I wanted to see my little belle
And we had a nice day. Arndale again
Buying her back to school stationery, full
Bags from two shops, stuff for art, maths and all
Wanted a cafe meal, keep in the pink
No fast food, not today, just for a change
But went to Wagamama. Really full
After my dish and also helped to sink
Some of Josie's big soup! But can't complain!!

2909 - Pesetas from heaven

A lie-in, oh heaven, and then did stuff
Til about 3:30 when played guitar
Then out to town, avoiding rain, enough
Of being soaked, met Nancy, Yenira
Her Spanish friend, in Subway, drank my share
Of Coke, then to the Castle, sat upstairs
Some noisy women, loud jukebox, found a
Seat downstairs, then we went to Gullivers
For Tales of Whatever, and what occurs
Is hard to follow, if you're Spanish, tough
Walked Yenira home, and it's not that far
From hers to mine, nor from my place to hers
Now I must go to bed, imagine love
It may exist, although I'm not so sure...

Sat 2 August

2908 - Dratislava!

Last day of Central Europe holiday
Up at 4:20 am, oh my God
Caught the X-13 bus at 5:03
Or thereabouts to Bratislava's good
Main station - not! Why? My train was delayed
By - wait for it - 100 minutes! Shit!
Thank God I got up early. If I had
Gambled on a later one I'd have missed
My flight, quite likely. Just about made it
As it was. Got soaked as I made my way
From Deansgate to my flat. It felt quite odd
Being back here, not in a Slavic state
Or a Magyar one. Europe's my mainstay
for mind-expanding trips - it's mental food

Fri 1 August

2880 - Rain in vain

A rainy afternoon and evening
In Manchester, not really a surprise
A half-day's work, then plenty of eating
At Buffet City, belly big as eyes
With Nancy, first night out for two weeks. Sized
Up the chavs, ate our fill, then up the road
To the B-Lounge (The Brunswick) after five
Watched Germany beat France, chatted a load
Stayed there, few Guinnesses, Brazil allowed
By hook or crook to progress, denying
Colombia a good goal. Had surmised
Brazil would go through. Decided we should
Relocate to The Castle. More drinking
A long night in the end, said my bye-byes...

Friday 4 July

2824 - Hungary for you

Quick sonnet here now on this afternoon
Rain falls then stops outside, shower season
I need to see what's on tonight quite soon
And also Easyjet's Hungarian
Flights in July, time for preparation
For that holiday break to Budapest
I've got a travel book about it, it's been on
My shelf for months, but now I must invest
Some time and energy to see the best
Things to do there. I'll visit Miklos then
And we'll go to a festival. Was on
The beer again last night with John, discussed
The Greece and Albania trip. Should be fun
Walking the hills, then we're Tirana bound

2822 - Brighton later

It's a rainy spell, lasting several days
Well we need some, I spose we can't complain
My jacket with the hood's back. Had a phase
Of wearing my new lighter jacket, stayin'
In Paris last month, but the rain might stain
It, plus my head keeps getting wet, you know
Tonight Derby play Brighton, so I'm prayin'
For play-off first leg victory that shows
The rest we're goin' up to the main show
In world football, the Premier League. Some praise
Will be due, if we do, to MacLaren
The Wally with the Brolly, since he rose
From the grave back to earth, can he now raise
Himself to heaven? Rams all bleat his name!

2808 - Souper douper

Been out all evening trying to sort out stuff
Most of it went OK, I'm satisfied
Now back home, quick sonnet, then I will snuff
Out the electric candles and get lied
On my bed, and hopefully get shut-eyed
Need nuts and soup, get them from Sainsburys
Tomorrow morning's walk to work, no ride
Necessary. Can walk to work with ease
Might be showers though, summer jacket is
Not cut out for rain, velour's not that tough
Tomato soup for today's lunch. Worried
I might not like it, but now no worries
It was OK. Had cakes too which I loved
Supper at the chippy. Rare case of fried

2781 - Bye bye Johnny

Was merrily facebooking and tweeting
Last night, when unexpectedly, Derm got
In touch and said, Come for a pint, I'm in
The New Oxford, so I went out and got
Quite wet on the way there. And tonight, got
To go out again to see him to talk
Comedy ideas. If he's not, I've got
A few possible thoughts. Today at work
It was John Durkan's leaving do. I talked
To some old faces I'd not seen, loving
Chatting away, but thought to self, I've got
To get back to the office, put the cork
Back in the bottle, knowing this evening
Was waiting, couldn't get drunk, least not yet

2566 - The heat is on and off

Back home, it's easy I see now to get
To my mum's by train and bus from Salford
To Greasby on the Wirral. Can forget
The expense of hired cars now, can't afford
Them very often anyway, it's sort
Of wasted money in these times, stops me
From tattoos, drinking, etc! Must sort
Out priorities, live a life of ease
Like yellow submariners, the Chinese
Or Beatles acolytes! Not getting wet
Either now, the rain's eased off, sun has caught
The land and flowers, trees budding, the freeze
Is non-existent, heating bills forgot
As climate changes, but waves lack concord

2555 - Raining on my parade

Woke up quite late, quarter to eleven
In no time at all, football had started
Watched the League Cup Final, and Sunderland
Lost to Man City, but it was close. Good
Result for Villa, beating Norwich. Sped
Into the rain (on foot) to the Castle
Where it was a performance night. I tried
A partly ad libbed piece, started off well
But sadly the ad lib flopped, Dermot failed
To live up to the occasion again
The sketch was about people who had died
And I was a medium. His idea, tell
Me how he can't even raise some laughs when
It's his idea? Around it get my head

Sun 2 March