Hallsfoot, lunch and a grim drama

Have done quite well on Hallsfoot's Battle this morning and have managed another 1000 words focusing on Ralph and the cook. Am nearly at the end of that scene and am hoping for a dramatic punch to it and a twist in proceedings, but I'll have to see what the keyboard decides. Lord knows I never know what will happen until I'm there. It's all done by smoke and mirrors. Anyway, it brings me nicely into the 74,000 word range, which is pleasing.

This morning's meditation piece is:

Meditation 42

Bronze, linen,
silver

surround the mysteries
of God.

When you stand
at the entrance,

do not seek words.
In time

they will come
to you:

blue, purple,
red.


Today has been our post-Christmas lunch with the office at Cambio's in Guildford. We love it there - great food and it has the best toilets in the whole of Surrey. Honestly, I'm not joking. They're gorgeously done out in black chrome, silver and mirrors, with separate handbasins, individual hand-towels which you use and then put in the laundry basket, and posh soap. Bliss. Given half a chance I would probably move in. Toilets are vitally important, you know - they are the measure of a civilisation. In my opinion. And yes, I visited twice. I would have gone a third time too, but even I realise it might have looked strange. Anyway, we had a fantastic time and stayed for ages (in the restaurant, rather than in the loos). They were probably glad to get rid of us indeed.

Tonight, Lord H and I are out at the theatre to see Someone Who'll Watch Over Me. Based on Brian Keenan's utterly marvellous account of his imprisonment in the Middle East, An Evil Cradling (which everyone ought to read as it's rich, poetic and horrifying all at the same time), I can see it's not going to be a lot of laughs, but is probably ideally suited to winter. And the present political climate. We will be better, more meditative people after it, I am sure. But, goodness me, if you include The Diary of Anne Frank, then my drama viewing this week is certainly on the grim side of grim. Anyone for a comedy?...

Today's nice things:

1. Writing more of Hallsfoot
2. Poetry
3. Lunch at Cambio's
4. Theatre (although I admit "nice" probably isn't the word here ...).

Anne Brooke
Anne's website - gearing itself up for grimness ...