Battersea born and bred, now living in Sussex. Freelance editorial manager. LOVE Earl Grey tea, books, The Archers, CPFC and all things ginger. Owned by a collie and a marmalade cat. Pisces: never knowingly decisive. Fav hieroglyph: Eye of Horus
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Amid all the stuff about ‘dangerous London’ and ‘broken Britain’, new figures show the homicide rate in London is at a 10-year low. Killings dropped by 26% over the last year, from 78 to 58. No one under 25 was murdered during the school summer holidays.
That’s proper good news 💐
I thought the moths hadn’t reached the loft. I was wrong. We married when our son was 9. His outfit was a leather jacket, black T-shirt, DMs and a Sinclair tartan wool kilt (loved Monarch of the Glen). The effing moth larvae have eaten holes in the kilt ☹️
Genuinely, I think you’re a super human being. Enjoy your coffee 💐
Morning all! Off to Brighton for ENT micro suction apt. Will be good to hear properly again (It’s a fungal infection likely caused by swimming. Have adverse reaction to usual medication NHS to the rescue. Private audiology clinic can’t treat 🤷♀️). More loft sorting this afternoon.
Ah, summer of ‘76. First year at girls only secondary school, we were allowed to switch to summer uniform early. The punk’s in King’s Road still wore their leather jackets, though.
Hope the weather’s kind to you today.
Good news about the horse, hope improvement continues. Happy lunching!
We’ve had solar panels and battery for two years. Love seeing how much power is being generated on bright days throughout the year.
Message received. Rain dragging heels leaving Sussex. Over and out.
Hope aunt is seen on time and you have a treat planned for afterwards.
I’m equally sorry you and OH have this to face and pleased you have confirmation. I hope there is lots of practical help and advice available in your area.
Hope it goes well 😍
Hope scan shows all is as expected. Does this feel like the homeward bit now? 🤞
I hated it too. I’ve always really liked my son as well as loving him!!
I’ll have the top left, please 😍 although they’re all stunning and the skill of the seamstresses is as breathtaking as Galliano’s designs 🙌
More willy waving – www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
Opinions needed for a quick poll (which I can't do here as a poll)... #Morecambe or #Blackpool? What's your preference? Just an M or a B as a response will do altho I'd be interested in your reasons. #Lancashire #seaside #seasidetown #coast #livingbythesea #NorthernSeasideTowns #NorthWest
No, but in 1971, when he was 1 ish, my youngest brother knocked over a large tin of orange paint on to a purple carpet. Mum had left him on the potty while she got on with dinner! (No, I’ve no idea why there was a tin of paint with an unsecured lid in the middle of the sitting room either 🤷♀️)
Heritage Open Days Lewes, 12th -14th September 2025. Experience what happens in the Crown Court, with no obligation to stay! friends-of-lewes.org.uk/hod2025/ #FriendsOfLewes #HeritageOpenDays #LoveLewes
More than happy to help him pack and would even give him a lift to the airport. Arse!
We need your help again. Coul Links is an extraordinary coastal dune habitat, home to rare and remarkable wildlife. But it is now threatened for a second time by plans for an 18-hole golf course that would cause irreparable damage. Your voice could help save it. 👇
Morning ORCs. Overcast with hints of blue sky. It will rain, though. I know this because we have a log delivery due and OH likes to worry about the logs getting wet before we stack them. Me, I don’t care – it’ll only be superficial dampness and they’ll dry out. I rather like being out in the rain 🌧️
Will the 15 year olds even be awake?!! All goid wishes to Lurchpin™️ .
🙌😍
The book is beautiful and reflects the time and thought put in to creating it. When you make another one, you’ll be able to enjoy the process and work at your own pace.
I’m so sorry for your worries. I think we’ve been encouraged to underestimate just how big a change a body goes through in pregnancy. Thank goodness it’s being taken seriously and investigated. I hope she’s able to find ways to relax and have a holiday at home. 🤞 a diagnosis is made soon 🤞
There are some in Parliament with their head screwed on right. The following Facebook post from NE Derbyshire Labour MP for one. More like this please!
Imagine the message it would send if Gary Lineker won 'Presenter of the Year' at this year's National Television Awards Standing up for compassion & the right to speak out And, the feathers it would ruffle My lovely followers, you know what to do: nationaltvawards.com/vote 🗓️ Deadline: 12th Sep
Thoughts and prayers 😂😂
🤞🤞🤞🤞
Morning #OriginalRollCall ers. Happy September. OH’s toenail discolouration almost certainly not a melanoma, will be reassessed in 3 months to make sure. Definitely not fungal. Probably bruising caused from weekly football. Busy all weekend but not sure what I achieved – must learn to relax 🙄
Good luck to elder kid 🍀🍀🍀🍀
You have my sincere sympathy – I remember how exhausting it is. back in 2016, I fractured a rib from coughing so hard. Hope it starts to abate very soon.
If they’re meant to be Paddington and the late queen, I imagine they’re taking the flags down. Neither would want to be associated with Farage and his ilk. Paddington was a refuge and the current Royal family descend from Greeks and Germans 🤷♀️
Sussex, UK.
The msm rarely ever call him out on his policies and never point out those that would lose him support, eg dismantling the NHS and switching a US style private healthcare system. He’s allowed to spout hate and walk away from the consequences.
Yes please!! I’ll skip the bacon and contribute mushrooms, if that’s OK. Kettle’s on for more tea 😉
Morning #SORC ‘s, #OriginalRollCall at the weekend is lovely. Watched day break while everyone else slept. OH has an NHS dermatology clinic apt this morning to find out whether the discolouration of his toenail is fungal or a melanoma – 🤞 for the former. Happy weekend all 😘
"University of Cambridge psychologist Sander van der Linden, who has pioneered the inoculation approach, is impressed...some of the effect sizes are modest, but then the biggest effects are actually amongst those who have the most influential misperceptions” he says. www.science.org/content/arti...
Well played.
![Just Stop Oil @JustStop_Oil tweets: Aug 27 So you're saying if we'd sprayed stuff white and then put a red cross on it the media would have supported us? You live and learn I guess. [Below, a roundabout in England painted with St George's flag]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ysg7hp6kgncoryoll2fz2pgk/bafkreigk4oedxcpckuvxaegjqc4atmjkfmb3guwybbialo6o5aiaq6m5jq@jpeg "Click to view full size")
Coughing repeatedly is exhausting and a big strain on the body. Hope you begin to feel you’re on the mend very soon.
They represent everything I loathe about being British/English. They bring shame on the flags and nation they claim to love.
I’m walking 25k to raise money for Cancer Research UK. I’m 60% of my way to my total. I’m greatly thankful for the help from the wonderful people on here. Can you help me reach my £500 target? www.justgiving.com/page/david-e...
This petition is just the start. We need our broadcasters to understand if we elect parties we want to hear from them ALL. Democracy on the people’s terms NOT framed by the media 4 years out from an election. Sign the petition for political coverage reform. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
These days I have a strong desire to live in a comforting world that’s a crossover between that of the Ladybird artists and that of Shirley Hughes.
"I fear we could have a situation where Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, yet no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation, deaths and captivities in Gaza." @EdDavey.LibDems.org.uk
This call is still open - send us your patient-led-research manuscripts!
I’d think it was in response to me doing something daft, possibly mildly amusing. Now off to look it up.
Morning ORCs. Excellent idea that whoever’s around first starts #OriginalRollCall Unlikely to ever be me but I’m very grateful to all of you who pick up the baton 🙏🏻 The rain’s on pause and birds have gone bonkers, feasting on hawthorn berries – mostly long-tailed tits and blue tits.
That is a gorgeous top. Eye-catching but not loud. Most definitely a bargain 💕
Red blood is the best blood! Pants to further delays, 🤞 it’s not too long to wait for the MRIs. Hope that whatever your weekend plans maybe they go smoothly.
Action-packed days! May each of your journeys be delay free and all you meet be on good form!
Fingers crossed for fewer visits 🤞🤞
As I expected Ed Davey’s decision to boycott Trump banquet banished from any bulletins by 6pm. A chance for broadcasters to have the leader of the 3rd largest party set the agenda. Had it been Farage it would still be leading. Fairness now, sign the petition. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
The Evolution of UK Grievance Politics Britain” in under 30 years, here’s how UK grievance politics evolved into a permanent culture war machine.
Born in Turkey, raised in Palestine. Turns out he was an immigrant. Move along, no irony to see here!
It’s one of those days when every football fan who doesn’t support Man U. is feeling quite perked up. I do feel for you lad, though.
The wait is almost over. 🦅 RETURN - the breathtaking story of how the White-tailed Eagle was brought back from extinction - premieres this Friday 29th August on our YouTube channel. Fifty years in the making... Who's ready? youtu.be/i_A7_E6vIwQ?...
Is it possible, before 2029, for the current government to introduce legislation that would limit the power of a potential illiberal future government? Asking on behalf of all concerned but lacking in understanding of the law.
I’ve put a reminder in my phone calendar for a week before. This is the ‘contract’ part of the email NYT sent in case it helps:
Morning all! Mood more buoyant this morning. Nabbed a copy of The Little Book of Hygge in a charity shop yesterday and plan to try approaching winter with a more positive mindset. The birds seem very cheery this morning, I think they’re sensing the rain is coming. Happy hump day everyone 😘
🤞🤞🤞
Left school 44 years ago (dropped out of A levels) but still get that back to school dread lateAugust/early September and I liked my school!
Yes, thought I was imaging it!
Happy birthday to youngest daughter and happy giving-birth-to-her anniversary to you!! 💐🎂🎉
I took advantage of their 75% off annual subscription so have it for a year for £10. Will renew each time that offer’s available. The offer pops up quite often. I’ve set a reminder to cancel just before auto renewal.
Hope they have an amazing time. A friend’s son is doing a 400 day trip across Europe and Asia. He’s been keeping them informed with daily updates on Instagram.
Buone mini vacanze!
Crikey, Tony! MiL sounds amazing – do you think she’d spill the beans if your grandchildren ‘interviewed’ her. We have a conversation my son did with FiL about his war service, so much info he never told his sons and priceless to us.
Everything crossed for you 🍀🤞🍀🤞🍀🤞🍀
I hope he’s home soon and makes a speedy, full recovery 💐
I understand Kenton has PTSD and won’t feel safe till Markie is caught, but it should be obvious, even to Kenton, that George’s offer is going to lead to even more problems in the future. Jolene will not be happy either #TheArchers
I’m both sickened and frightened by the BBC’s platforming of Farage whilst all but ignoring the LibDems, (especially given the number of MPs they have), Greens, SNP and Plaid Cymru. The BBC has forgotten it’s job is to be independent and report facts not opinions.
It is not an act of thoughtfulness to give someone vouchers to whiten their teeth unless they’ve expressed a desire to have them done themselves. I hope Emma doesn’t give in to George’s tactics #TheArchers
Morning Guy (hope your summer has been good), morning ORCs. Feeling very flat and lacking motivation. The obvious end of summer is not helping, nor is the feeling of complete helplessness in the face of all the world’s problems. Just need a kick up the bum (that’s me and most world leaders 🙂).
Wow, what a haul!
Hope boycat is well on the mend and is grateful to you and OH.
Morning Caroline and ORCs. Look lovely outside. Intend to spend today listing the jobs that need doing around the house and working out a plan. Some nitwit’s painted a red cross on the mini roundabout but son’s made me promise not to go and paint it out. Does it count as damaging public property?
🤞 the predicted rain arrives and the horses are limp-free again vety soon.
Autocorrect has had fun there!
Great sunrise, Jay. Worth being awake for one as lovely as that.
Pleased to hear your sleep was a bit better. Fingers crossed it stays the way for a good while to come 🤞🤞🤞
Steve Shirley escaped the Holocaust as a child & went on to found one of the earliest software startups. The really impressive part? She employed women programmers who had been pushed out of the workforce after having kids, & allowed them flexible, family friendly, work from home jobs—in the 1960s!
@scouselakes.bsky.social Wondered whether this might ring any bells with you from your librarian years.
Every now and then I ask this. Does anyone remember the name of a 1970s British children’s book (for 8-12yo) in which a girl lives in a house surrounded by Bronze Age barrows? Think like Alan Garner, but not him. Almost definitely a Puffin book.
This is a list of all Puffin titles from 1941 to 1969 in case it’s one of them. www.publishinghistory.com/puffin-books...
I don't post here often, football X has a large "footprint" so it's still useful for pundits, broadcasters, fans, media. But the level of racism, its intensity and explicit threats are now at the pre "people are going to be killed " stage. And I don't know what to do. Stay fight it or walk away.
Walk away. The racists on X are not open to any form of discussion.
I really hope tonight will be a peaceful one for you 🫂🫂
He’d benefit from seeing a well qualified therapist that specialises in PTSD #TheArchers
It’s a lovely, peaceful place to go on a sunny day. Wouldn’t want to trudge through the mud to get there in winter.
How about this, Guy? I cry every time I listen to it. There’s also an episode about Super Saturday and another about the 2012 Paralympics. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
#SundayPixFields Chatri Memorial in a field on the South Downs
Ooh, I didn’t know about the boat tours – I’m tempted.
Yikes – what a horrendous thought!!!
Ooh, OK!. However, I agree about Harry. I think he’s been treated appallingly by the press. They took their revenge for him being outspoken about the media’s role in Diana’s death. Will and Kate don’t seem particularly popular amongst my friends or my son’s friends (early 30s).
Not many farmers would tell you that we need to eat less meat; that wealthy landowners shouldn’t moan about inheritance tax but should “pay the whole fucking lot”; & that Reform UK are “a load of rich rightwing toffs” 😂 But Devon farmer Guy Singh-Watson does: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I love seeing the wind farm come into view as I drive along the Beacon.