AUGUST

Thursday 1st August 2024

I turned down a two-grand budget for some work today. I’ve tried doing war-related stuff before and couldn’t stick it. I’ve had a bad head most of the day. The buses through Moorside were shit. I waited an hour. One went up the estate but didn’t come back. On the positive side, Poetry Jam was ace tonight. All three guests – Just Think Phil, Mandy Maxwell and headliner Shaun Fallows – were excellent. The energy was high all night. The open-floor poets were great. And Shaun sold all his books. Thanks to Steve Wood for a lift home. I’ve had my cheese sandwiches, I’ve got orange squash and I’m off to bed soon. 11.10pm.


Friday 2nd August 2024

Big day off. I walked into town about eleven. Got into a queue for the cashpoint for my allowance then went to Motech for a 27.5 x 2.8-inch inner tube. A spare for the Sonder. I wanted a cheap tyre for the Rockhopper but Bits 4 Bikes is closed until next week. I bought some black jeans in a charity shop for £3.50. In Tesco I saw three magazines that I’d like to read: Trail, Mountain Biking UK and Vive le Rock music magazine. But I’ve got loads to read already. I didn’t bike today coz I wanted a day to adjust after the busy bookmaking and adrenaline of Poetry Jam. Tonight there were street riots in Sunderland. Cars and buildings on fire. More planned by far-right gangs across the country over the next month. Terrible. 11.15pm.


Saturday 3rd August 2024

Out at eleven on the Sonder Frontier bike. Didn’t come home till twenty to six. Did little sections in various locations – hill climbs in woods by Sandy Path, pallet riding in Castleside Quarry… It was a good day but I need to get fitter. I feel like I’ve been beaten up. Aching all over. Ate lots of chicken tonight. Chilling out on the couch. My August to do what I want. 11.53pm.


Sunday 4th August 2024

All the social media stuff has been a big distraction today. Where is all this ‘patriotism’ gonna end? I’m still a bit achy from yesterday’s ride. I’ve been trying to tie up loose ends before going to Jen’s tomorrow. Still a fair bit of paperwork to do, so it will be next weekend before I clear it. Been listening to Suede all evening. Wish I’d seen them at Newcastle City Hall last year. 11.11pm.


Monday 5th August 2024

I was up quite early but found myself dilly-dallying and spending time on unimportant things. I touched up some of the scuff on my Sonder chain stays after the little spill on Saturday afternoon. The buses were surprisingly good today and I was at Jen’s by half twelve. Chatted for an hour about current events. Then I went out to Newcastle to give Susan Brownless her pamphlets. The money will pay for Morecambe Poetry Festival. Me and Jenni had chippy chips and curry sauce then watched a Reece Shearsmith interview. But I think I fell asleep. Bed soon. 10.47pm.


Tuesday 6th August 2024

Scrolled social media and watched a bit of television. Me and Jenni watched Joyride starring Olivia Coleman as well. Went out for bread and wagon wheels. Watched League of Gentleman live. I’m going to ride the bike again tomorrow. 10.07pm.


Wednesday 7th August 2024

I didn’t leave Gateshead till ten this morning. Bus Journey was swift. I went to the bank to check my account. Kelly Neil was there. She asked how I was doing. I don’t think I’ve had a conversation with her for over forty years. We were in the same class in infant school despite my being a year older than her. I bought a copy of Trail hillwalking magazine. I didn’t feel like biking tonight but pleased I went out. Managed to side-hop off a small ledge. And got up some pallets in the quarry. 11.04pm.

Thursday 8th August 2024

Selected a gig set for next Thursday’s event with Julie Grant and Friends at Prohibition in Newcastle and made a little booklet for it. Got some typing done but still way behind on my catch-ups. Need a workshop sorted for next Wednesday. Pleased the new term doesn’t start till mid-September. I’m tired. I’ve ordered four presents for Jenni’s birthday. I read a bit of the Trail magazine about a fell runner called Joss Nayler who kept going well into his eighties. 10.42pm.


Friday 9th August 2024

Took my Sonder Frontier bike on the bus to Watergate Forest Park. Warmed up on some low rocks then managed to get across three boulders but currently lack the upper body strength for back wheel dismounts. I then rode around Beamish and found some good twists and turns. Back on the cycle path to Consett around four o’clock. Tried to read tonight but fell asleep. Still have paperwork to complete. 10.35pm.


Saturday 10th August 2024

In Consett for supplies. Bought a rear tyre for the old Specialized Rockhopper. Checked finances after dinner and prepped a workshop but due to unforeseen circumstances it’s been cancelled. Watched Suede live in Dublin from last month on YouTube. Brilliant set. Great crowd. 11.23pm.


Sunday 11th August 2024

Went out for hoover bags and got my kitchen carpet looking decent. Rode my Sonder tonight and found new trails to try next time. Wanted to stay out longer but fading light forced me out of the woods. Still have paperwork to do and a gig set to rehearse. 10.35pm.


Monday 12th August 2024

Jen’s parcels arrived. As did the new Henry Rollins book. It’ll be next year before I start reading it. Pleased to get the September Poetry Jam event page sorted this afternoon. Needed a lie down first. Lately, I seem to be wiped out most afternoons by about two o’clock. Got out on the bike for a while tonight. 10.35pm.

Tuesday 13th August 2024

Spent a few hours checking out trails on foot in Wolsingham this afternoon and caught the bus back. Checked out hill climb bike videos online tonight and watched Sex Pistols – The Filth and the Fury. I wanted to make books but was too tired. Hope I feel better tomorrow. Can hardly hold the pen. 11.44pm.


Wednesday 14th August 2024

Watched Frank Carter and the Pistols online this morning. Lots of people slagged them off but I thought last night’s Bush Hall show sounded pretty good… I didn’t want a flimsy cover for my setlist pamphlet, so I glued the printed card to a second sheet. I now have a dozen sturdy copies of Prohibition. Pleased to stay awake all day. 11.52pm.


Thursday 15th August 2024

After all the prep for the gig, I had a shit first half coz I couldn't see my words. Jenni did a lot from memory to combat the same problem and was great. I don’t know how Ann and Lewis managed but they were both ace as well. In the second half, I didn’t use the stage area or a mic and asked for the house lights to be on. I managed to redeem myself, made eye contact, and enjoyed the set. Julie’s and Mr Collard’s songs were great. Ami Leigh sang well too. Thanks to all at Prohibition. 11.50pm.


Friday 16th August 2024

In Newcastle most of the day buying bits and pieces for Jenni's birthday. Also got an Iggy Pop photo and lyric book reduced from twenty-five quid to a tenner. And a copy of The Damned – Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead? music documentary DVD. I fell asleep in the library. I’ve got toothache for the first time in a few years. Fingers crossed it goes away. 11.47pm.


Saturday 17th August 2024

Chuffed to get the grass cut and tickets ordered for Laughing Stock for Jen’s birthday. In Consett this afternoon for wrapping paper and final bits and pieces. Had chicken curry for tea then an enjoyable evening wrapping stuff up. Fell asleep on the couch for a while. Had ginger cake then off to bed. 11.23pm.


Sunday 18th August 2024

Listened to some Iggy Pop tracks and followed lyrics in the Til Wrong Feels Right book. Commented on brother Mark’s Facebook thread about bikes. Went out on the Sonder Frontier in woods near Shotley Bridge Cricket Club but rocks were too greasy and mossy to ride. Didn’t want to risk an accident on the eve of Jen’s birthday. We watched Ghosts on iPlayer. 10.11pm.


Monday 19th August 2024

Good to see Jenni opening her presents. She read a bit of the first Inside Number Nine script book. We watched a good episode of Frost this afternoon then got ready for the Laughing Stock comedy show. American humour can be a bit hit-and-miss but we both enjoyed it. All the stand-ups were good. I’m tired but pleased things went well. 11.52pm.


Tuesday 20th August 2024

Walked into Newcastle with Jenni. She had a work appointment. I bought a second-hand copy of Sci-Fi Lullabies by Suede for under a fiver. We had a meal with Jen’s mam and John. In Mark Tony’s, I spotted two of the comedians from last night and said, Great show. They shook my hand and one of them went over to speak to Jenni at the table. Later, we had cheese and crackers and birthday cake at John’s flat. Jenni got a lot of train-related presents. She packed tonight for another Edinburgh trip and I walked into Newcastle for the X45 to Consett. 10.49pm.


Wednesday 21st August 2024

Canny day. Completed all the college computer paperwork. My soundtracks were Sci-fi Lullabies by Suede and an Iggy Pop compilation album. I knocked off at four to get shaved then had a baked potato tuna salad for tea. I got changed and walked in the nuclear grey over to Delves Lane Village Hall which is further than I thought. Almost an hour from Moorside. It was good to see Kieron Young talk about his passion for walking, including overcoming depression and setting up a hiking group and going to Everest. I won his debut novel The Walker in the raffle and he signed it. By half eight I was in Aldi getting food supplies and home by nine. Read five chapters of The Walker then watched recent World Trials Championships on YouTube. Mint. 11.23pm.


Thursday 22nd August 2024

Chilly indoors. Needed a fleece this afternoon. I read the rest of The Walker by Kieron Young. Great descriptions of the natural world and encounters with strangers. Good use of obstacles and powerful climax. I don't know which bits aren't autobiographical, but he did say last night that a lot of it was based on personal experience. I started to go through my morning pages books this evening. There might be a volume compiling all the edited highlights of the first six months of this year out by December. But all the keying in will be a mammoth task. The weather got a bit brighter this afternoon but I'm waiting till tomorrow to ride the bike. Fingers crossed it stays dry enough to venture further afield. I did some abdominal exercises tonight. Reps slowly rising since starting a couple of weeks ago. But I'm not managing every day. Still sleeping on an afternoon. Bed soon. 10.20pm.

Friday 23rd August 2024

Out on the old Rockhopper bike. Mostly on road and gravel. I went up to Parkhead Station in a gale. That almost blew me off the bike. I went down into Stanhope where things were a bit calmer then just rode along a country lane past Brotherlee and dropped down into Westgate. I tried to find the old mines on a trail but got lost. I rode through Eastgate back to Stanhope. Had my tea and made it up Crawleyside Bank to Parkhead without stopping. The ride back to Castleside was a lot better than coming the other way. Home by 25 to seven. Was out about six hours. Didn’t do much tonight. Rest tomorrow. 11.28pm.

Saturday 24th August 2024

Slow day. A bit wrecked after yesterday's ride despite a decent sleep. Did some copy-ups and listed seventy unread books I have at home. I watched a Rollins clip about his mother's funeral and read about The Damned. I've eaten a baked potato chicken salad and lots of ginger snaps with hot orange squash. I hope to sleep well and get a Sonder ride tomorrow. OK. 10.21pm.


Sunday 25th August 2024

I was just getting warmed up on some new lines on the Sonder Frontier bike when I punctured. Tried changing the tube. Wouldn't pump up. Pushed home from Shotley to Moorside. Spent three hours changing the tube again. Thought I'd sorted it, but front tyre was flat after an hour. Buses to Jen's. Watched Ghosts and Romesh Ranganathan’s Tupak Shakur documentary. Jenni did hash browns for supper. 10.36pm.


Monday 26th August 2024

A canny night's sleep then big morning pages about bike hassle. I read up on tubeless tyres. More hassle than they’re worth. I need a new innertube and will try to get things sorted on Tuesday. Me and Jenni watched the Who Killed Nancy documentary from Romesh Ranganathan this afternoon. Jen bought us a big pizza and chips tea. We watched The Chase. There was only one bloke at the end and he got beaten by The Governess by a mere second. We watched Corrie with the big institute storyline. Then weather-related songs on iPlayer: Madonna, Elkie Brooks, John Fogerty, Kate Bush, Travis, Elton John, The Bangles, etc. I hope this week is okay for me. 10.55pm.


Tuesday 27th August 2024

Me and Jenni had pizza for breakfast. Chatted till quarter to eleven. The X71 bus was full of hikers who got off at Burnopfield. I saw my sister Diane and nephew Kyle in Consett just before I reached the bike shop. Shaun told me I'd need a track pump to reset the tubeless tyre on the rim. I told Mam and Ernie my hassles on the phone and got some house DIY advice. Bought some wood filler and sanding blocks. The bike hassle has totally pissed me off. My WTB Ranger tyres weren't problematic to inflate. Why are the Vittoria Martellos such a fucking pain. I've achieved absolutely fuck-all today. Except how to release a tubeless tyre bead from a wheel rim. If I'd known there'd be so much hassle I'd have stuck with the Rangers. What a pain in the fucking neck. 11.45pm.


Wednesday 28th August 2024

I hate spending money. Mainly coz earning it is extremely difficult. No workshops since 13th July. Next one is 13th September. I needed August to get my breath back but I’m finding time away from my regular routine is making me mean and grouchy. So writing is indeed for wellbeing. Well, at least my writing facilitation is for wellbeing. Left to my own devices I can still churn out misery and self-indulgence daily. I’ve spent a lot of money getting the Sonder bike the way I want it. Right now, it’s at Bits 4 Bikes in Consett. In forty-five years of riding bikes not once have I ever needed to rely on a shop mechanic to fix a puncture. I’m no fan of tubeless specific tyres and wheel rims… Besides putting more wood filler in a hole in the wall at the foot of my stairs, I’ve done little but listen to a music podcast and copy up stray notes… I bought a track pump this morning. I hate spending money. 10.38pm.


Thursday 29th August 2024

Well, after fucking about with a dodgy tube of wood filler which I took back to B &Q for a refund, I got started on the front door restoration. The rough stuff has been sanded off and all but three of the seven panels have had cracks filled. I was on the phone to Mam and Ernie for a while today. This evening me and brother Mark reminisced about biketrial and moaned about human ageing – ailing limbs, poor agility, eyesight, hearing, etc. I watched the Toy Dolls on DVD for a while but was very tired. The days are flying by. I’m not at Jen’s this weekend. I aim to be biking again at some point. Okay, almost time for bed. 11.17pm.


Friday 30th August 2024

Got the rest of the cracks filled and two coats of mahogany woodstain on the front door. I don’t know how long doors are supposed to last but I got it second hand and have used it for nearly thirty years. Hope it lasts thirty more. I also sanded rust off a couple of radiators that haven’t been hot since 2020 and probably never will be again. I’ll buy Hammerite paint tomorrow before picking up my Sonder bike from Shaun’s shop. I am burning through cash, but August is almost at an end. I’ll be back on economy drive soon for the autumn. I watched part of Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead? – The Damned documentary – again tonight but the DVD kept sticking and skipping. I have a sore right eyelid. Tinnitus louder than usual. I’ve not been online much today. Hope I get some good bike rides in before the weather turns. I am still tired but feel a lot better. August not quite as I wanted really. 10.51pm.

Saturday 31st August 2024

Chuffed to get the Sonder Frontier back from Bits 4 Bikes. Bought two new inner tubes. Chuffed to have my front door sorted. A couple of DIY days have possibly saved me a fortune. I got some Hammerite paint and set to work on my bathroom and toilet radiators this afternoon. Hope to get out on the bike tomorrow. 10.10pm.