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Hello there

Well, what news? Quid novae?, as they used to say during the Roman occupation.

But seriously: summer is here and I’m out and about again, reading my poetry. The hibernation is over. In fact, I feel there’s a Rachel Pantechnicon revival going on. Yes indeed. With a bit of luck, I might even start getting bookings from Apples & Snakes again soon. It’s been a while.

There has been a big portrait of me hanging in the Mall Galleries. They’ve taken it down now. It was part of the Royal Society Portrait show. My friend Keith Robinson painted it. He’s the only person from Grimsby ever to have been exhibited by the Royal Society. And it was the only painting in the show that didn’t include a violin or a rugby ball. Not sure how it slipped through the net, really. It’s enormous, though. Not sure what he’s going to do with it now.

Also, someone has had a tattoo of Cheese-Grater Leg-Iron Lion done on his ankle. I saw a photo of it the other day. I was going to change Cheese-Grater Leg-Iron Lion’s hairstyle, but I can’t now. It’s a responsibility. His name is Jerry Hellfire. If you know him, ask if you can see it.

Did you hear me on Radio 4’s ‘Off The Page’ with Andrew Motion? He read a very good poem about brackish water. I read ‘Lady of Shalott Day’. He was thoroughly charming. And eloquent. To be honest, whenever the presenter asked me anything, I said ‘I agree with Andrew.’ Not sure that was what they wanted.

And there are shows afoot. If your town has a poetry night, I could very well be there soon. I have a map with pins in, you know. The east coast between Whitby and Skegness is a bit uncharted, if anyone wants to make me an offer. Do it now before I start wanting to stay at home again.

Anyway, best regards

Rachel P