4817 - Train trouble

Woke up before eight, plenty of time to
Have breakfast and watch the rugby final
Before walking to town to meet with Jo
The train to Liverpool was an ordeal
It couldn't actually get to Liverpool
We had to change, the line to Lime Street blocked
And caught the Southport train to 'Pool Central
The Merseyrail far as Birkenhead Park
The 437 bus to Greasby, walked
To my mum's house on Thorns Drive, saw her new
I-Phone with all the apps and her struggle
To work it! Caught taxi to pub and talked
And ate for two hours or more. Taxi to
Mum's house again, then home by bus, not rail

4689 - Instagram Karma

Last day at work before going to Milan
And I facilitated at table
In a conference in Liverpool and ran
The high-level and high-grade crucible
Of potentially uncontrollable
Know-alls, but it went well and I received
Good feedback, and it was enjoyable
Tired on the way home on the train, but waived
Having a nap then or at home. Not peeved
Though, cos I instead did preparation
For the trip, started to pack, was able
To book a taxi to the airport, shaved
My hair again, posted on Instagram
And Twitter, so busy, incredible!

4608 - A walk to Wahaca and back-a

Ten hours' sleep at least. When I woke I made
Big improvements to my bedroom, I threw
Out that dusty purple carpet and laid
Out my two new Moroccan rugs and now
The room's clean, and I'll now be able to
Keep it clean far easier in the future
Sadly though, my Bony Tony shirts do
Not look good, both are tinged with pink from the
Wash, from my new red tee shirt. Manchester
Piccadilly, met J, who decided
She wanted to go to Liverpool. Blew
50 quid in Wahaca. Visited
The old Queen's Dock offices, flats now. Paid
Quick visit to Mathew Street, loud and crude

6 April

4592 - EU and me

Waiting for Juncker and Barnier, about
To hold a press conference on, yes, Brexit
Each interview outside Parliament, shouts
From Remainers, mainly, with flags and shit
It feels like Friday, but it's Thursday. Not
Much going on tomorrow at work, just a
Leaving do for Steve, he's not staying put
He's going to work in Liverpool, nearer
His home. Soon I'll have a new manager
Meanwhile there's food and drink to go down snouts
Don't think it'll be a late one. I'll sit
There with them til teatime, then off home for
More drinks most likely. They've still not come out
To deliver their pejorative verdict

4578 - Cool Hand Uke

A high energy day - always the best
Got in quite early, worked hard, important
Work too, EU exit, could have got stressed
Trying to lead a focus group, distant
Strangers by Skype link, can't be hesitant
When results needed that day, come what may
Produced a short paper, just what they want
Hopefully my reputation will stay
Good, or get better. Steve is on his way
Lives in Liverpool, becoming distressed
At the long commute, and disenchanted
With the workload, my manager's away
Meanwhile, I exercised tonight, and blessed
Was my uke session, were my flaming hands

4525 - Train not in vain

Visited mum with Josephine today
She's still full of beans, we had a good chat
Though J was often too keen to convey
Her thoughts on music and on this and that
Poor Grandma in danger of being left out
But we had Sunday roast down in Greasby
They had run out of most choices of meat
And we had extra helpings of gravy
We got home quick, mum paid for a taxi
To Merseyrail, then at Lime Street, delay
Was nil, caught a train, took me to Deansgate
And took her home to Wilmslow directly
Now it's Les Miserables, and then I may
Read 'Drinking Games' before the lights go out

4487 - Etch a comedy sketch

Been to see Mum today, for pre-Christmas
Presents and cards exchange, and a nice meal
I went by Northern Train and, well, it was
OK, and from Lime Street by Merseyrail
And the 437 bus. Nothing failed
So much cheaper than car hire, and I could
Work on my comedy ideas, and sail
To the end of my 'What?' my Fringe show should
Entail, broadly speaking. Sunday's a good
Chance to sketch out the actual show, then pass
The ideas to the venues, see if they'll
Accept the show, knowing there's still a load
Of time to refine it, resolve issues
And then chances of success will be real

4449 - Nice Day 1

Up at 5, bowl of cereal, then taxi
To Liverpool Airport, and no waiting
Straight on the plane, 2 hour flight, quiet, so we
Both got some rest, which we were both needing
At Nice Airport, caught bus, soon admiring
The Prom des Anglais, though the sky was grey
The sea was still partly blue. Alighting
At the main gare, we walked such a short way
Azurea Hotel, rue Paganini
Rested a while, then before dark began
Walked round the streets, mild evening, kids at play
Bought chocolate and pizza. First day OK
But rain's forecast for tomorrow, so the
Options are limited for sightseeing...

Sun 28 Oct

4348 - Reasons to go to Bolton Part 3

Day trip to Liverpool, blue skies again
The venue was the Liner Hotel by
The temporarily closed Lime Street station
So I went by National Express coach, my
Ticket on my phone. Lunch, rice and curry
Chatted to Karen, and others besides
On way back, dropped off outside Sainsbury
Now I know how to arrange it, avoids
Walking to Chorlton Street for future rides
Played uke, ate, showered, recycled in bins
Ordered a car so we can see Mummy
On her birthday next week, and I've saved loads
By hiring from Bolton and not from town
Seventy quid saved, and no word of lie!!

4345 - No lime with that

Drinking coconut milk instead of juice
Makes a nice change, and slightly healthier
Not only that, but today I ate shoots
And leaves aplenty. Question and answer
Over lunch with Helen, sea bass with a
Bunch of salad. For tea, when tea-time came
My rocket, watercress, spinach mixture
Populated half of the plate, with some
Beans and the rest of a quiche. In my tum!
Arranged Friday and Saturday pursuits
Plans foiled by Liverpool Lime Street closure
Meaning couldn't afford to visit Mum
With the kids. Pearl's too tired after Venice
And I cannot afford to hire a car...

4304 - Pass the port!

I've lost my passport - an emergency!
I'm off to France on Monday, sacre bleu!
I'm off to London tomorrow, mais oui!
But I now need a new one to ensure
I can go on my course that I've paid for
Unless it somehow turns up, I must take
Thursday or Friday off so I can draw
Out money for a replacement, and make
My way to Liverpool - so much at stake!
That'll be a hundred quid, probably
What a waste! Where's it gone? Was in the drawer
In the kitchen, I thought, but no. A fake
Memory? Well I've looked in a frenzy
All over the flat, and it's just nowhere!

4270 - Play yer uke better

Listening to the football while I type this
Liverpool away to Roma, semi-
Final of the Champions League. Barring did-
aster, Liverpool will go through, surely
I'm addicted to playing uke. At the
Office, I couldn't wait to get it out
Unorthodox combo of ELP
And The Fall - played Industrial Estate
Repetition, Totally Wired (that's great
To play along to), Mr Pharmacist
No Bulbs, Victoria, oh, and Fiery
Jack. Eat Y'self Fitter chugs at a rate
Funny to play all these old favourites
Heard on the Peel Show back in the 80s

4231 - Tunnel of all you need is love

Although I woke early and was quite tired
I knew I'd be OK because it was
A day when I'd be driving in a hired
Car, taking J to the Wirral, Grandma's
House, where we had good craic, was a real buzz
Jo played her indie music all the way
Her phone connected to some small speakers
Listened to her tracks on the motorway
Ate lunch in Greasby, I had pork belly
And chocolate bomb for dessert. Josie had
The idea to drive to Liverpool, caused
The possibility for me to say
Let's drive through the tunnel, and so we did
I'd been driven through it when a small lad

4102 - Jobs on the line

Although promotion's not immediate
As hoped, I got an email of congrats
From my third and last interview, a great
Performance that I thought was my best yet
And that was in Liverpool (Direct Tax)
I'm on their reserve list, which means I passed
And just need to await a job offer
When a vacancy comes up - Manchester
Of course, not Liverpool - no daily treks
There and back on the train tracks - what despair
That commute would be! Time wasted, no fate
I wish for, crammed like sardines with nowhere
To sit, early start to avoid being late!
And I still hope for more job offers, natch!

4088 - Pension tension

Horrendous long day, and not without stress
Set alarm, went in early, to finish
My slideshow presentation, which was less
Than I intended - I'd hoped to furnish
It with some funny pictures, kinda kitsch
But no time to do that. It still went well
Two talks, well-attended, on pensions which
Is a big subject nowadays. Was well-
Knackered, tried to sleep at home, but the drill
Of road-mending was too loud, so I just
Walked to Oxford Road Station. Sardine fish
Jam-packed train to Liverpool, a struggle
To find poetry pals Steve R and Chris
Good evening there, late train home. Bed, two-ish :(

Wed 1 Nov

4087 - This is a reunion

Another long day at work - a union
Meeting, then soup for lunch. Popped out to buy
Some dragonfly tea, no less, and drank some
It's mint flavour, not made from dragonfly!!
Rather late in the day, finally turned my
Attention to preparing my pension
Talk tomorrow. Worked til seven. Still I
Have not yet prepared the presentation
And then, after that's done, I've said I'll come
To a poetry night a long way from
Here, in Liverpool. Promised to stop by
To see some old faces, even go on
Stage and read poetry. Reunion
With friends from an art form I've said goodbye

Tue 31 Oct

4066 - Pension reinvention

A LONG day, woke at 6, lay in bed til
6:45, had breakfast, then walked to
Oxford Road, got train to Newton-le-Wil-
lows, then caught a train to Lime Street, although
It is being refurbished. Lucky, so
I made the meeting in Jack Jones House, which
Is a union place in Liverpool. Oh -
Enjoyed the talk on pensions. I am rich!
The Civil Service pension scheme has switched
From Classic to Alpha, but it is still
A good one. I look forward to a new
Talk I'll give to colleagues with this knowledge
Dozed on the journey back, refreshed and well
Able to host comedy night! Woo hoo!!

4065 - Pension tension

Acting class has just finished once again
Paid fifty quid, but that payment was not
From this month's money. I have still not spent
Anything yet, meaning the trip to Scot-
land, though costly, is OK - I have got
Enough in the bank to pay for it all
And the Belgian flights are already bought
To see December's Christmas market stalls
In the Low Countries. Now to have my fill
Of egg and cress sandwiches, News at Ten
Can't stay up late, I must be hot to trot
Onto the morning train to Liverpool
For what should be a good talk on pensions
That thing that the Government wants to cut

4003 - Barcelona Day 5

The final day went well - a few mishaps
But nothing serious, so cannot complain
Last day in Barcelona, a few laps
Of the grid street pattern, causing slight strain
To soles of feet and patience. All the same
We did Ramblas and the Diagonal
Then rested for an hour or more, half lame
I thought, dammit, my quest I must fulfil
To see Casas Batllo and Mila - well
I managed it, and it was great for shops
The Passeig de Gracia is one of Spain's
Top streets, and Jo found a Puma bag well
To her liking, spent her euros, so claps
All round. Now in Premier Inn, Scousepool, man!

Mon 7 August

3999 - Barcelona Day 1

A relaxing morning at home, TV
And coffee, mainly packed my bags last night
The big question - would I get soaked on the
Exposed walk to Piccadilly? Got quite
Damp, but avoided nasty downpours. Flight
From Liverpool to Barcelona was
Our intent, and we made Lennon Airport
In good time, and the flight was a success
Arriving 15 minutes early - yes!!
Walked around the airport trying to see
An info booth or the Metro. Tickets
Bought, lasting four days, fifty-five euros
For both of us. Metro and then taxi
Got to hotel, seventeenth floor - what height!

Thur 3 August