¦ dialling in from Jesus Mound ¦
07:58, sitting at the broak oak-table in a large open room, white walls and comfortable looking antiques dominate the peripheral vision. To my left are large double-french doors, of dark wood, leading out onto a wide expanse of decking, then a long garden filled with trees, before merging with Jesmond Dene beyond. The light is grey with a mischevious patina of sunlight, gentle rain spatters the skylights above me. "The Sun Rising" by Beloved is playing on the laptop.
I woke up at 7:30 with new ideas for my CV. I jumped out of the sofa bed (sleeping in dad's old room downstairs) and scribbled them down. One mug of tea. Putting stuff away in mum's garage I found my old cricket ball. It brought back vivid memories of being 9 and 10; in particular of my childhood friend Alex getting a marmaduking from his dad for bowling incorrectly. I've dropped the ball into my backpack, I'll take it back to Bristol and put it on my desk in the Sky Bunker; not because I'm into cricket, but because it is a tangible link to my childhood, and, I suppose, there is something of my father there too.
08:06 knocking back the cold dregs of my 1st mug of tea. Looking a little bleary eyed but feel alert and looking forward to the day. Today is Friday, I'm here in Newcastle until next Thursday night. An unexpected treat; my funds are gone so I didn't think I'd be able to afford another trip up here but Jo drove up Wednesday for work so I grabbed a ride, and I have a 5 quid return flight next week. Bargain.
This time last week I was on my way to Paris with Jo. Blowing the last of my funds on celebrating 5 years with my woman, partner in crime and best friend. What an amazing trip. Too much to jot down on a blog so the memories will appear alongside photographs in my website's secret window. Highlights though were sitting on the Eiffel tower after sunset, just gazing out across the city; standing by the King Louis XIV's mansion at Versailles gazing out in stunned awe at the gardens; wandering around Montmartre; sitting outside a cafe on the street, beams of afternoon sunlight lancing through the glass of Leffee beer on the table, spiralbound notebook on my lap, strong coffee in a tiny cup; an incredible meal with Jo on the Champs Elysées. Mainly though, I continue to fall in love with France, something that only really began last August with my trip to Montpellier, Arles and Aigues Morte.
Over & Out
Djr