Monthly Archives: October 2018

I didn’t realise how much yesterday’s march had taken out of me until I got up this morning and discovered that I was sore in places I’d forgotten I even owned. I’m not trying to make myself out to be … Continued

Sorry – say what again…? 600,000 people? Oh – not just a few then. (Also, St Crispin’s Day is 25 October… but anyway.) I haven’t been on a demo for about 35 years, and R had never been on one … Continued

If you know someone who’s mad enough to stuff steel wool into what looks like half an old kitchen whisk, attach it to a chain, set fire to it, and whirl it round his head; and that person offers to … Continued

I spent much of the morning enduring a second round of dental treatment on my canine tooth (the good news being that the endodontal surgeon is very happy that all the infection has been cleaned out, and has now filled … Continued

I have ducks diving, ducks surfacing, ducks rolling snails around their mouths and then apparently swallowing them whole, and ducks rolling snails around their mouths before eventually giving up and spitting them out again, because they’re just too big to … Continued

A day that began well has ended in great sadness. R and I entertained his aunt and her husband to lunch today, as they travelled back home from a short break in Gloucestershire. It was really lovely to see them … Continued

Absolutely nothing of interest happened today, so I won’t test your patience by wittering on. Instead, I’ll give you two of my favourite recipes for dealing with a glut of quinces (with apologies if you’ve been with me long enough … Continued

It’s not often that I have the opportunity – or the desire – to eat my subject, but I’m pleased to report that this pomegranate was delicious. R says that he’ll be happy to eat another one just as soon … Continued

The young male tufted ducks that appeared on the Avon a few days ago are maturing fast: every time I see them their pale flank patches (which I always think of as bumpers) are getting whiter, and their crests are … Continued

I’m indebted to R for today’s blip: I was in my study, grimly working through a mountain of files, when he called up the stairs, “Sparrowhawk in the garden, if you’re quick.” I wasn’t very quick, on account of the … Continued