How... strange. Our neighbour Miss Cabot brought over a pot of chicken bisque "for the cats, since you're dining out this evening." She Knows Things. ✨️❓️✨️ She stayed for tea, fussed over Crowley and actually complimented my home-baked lemon drizzle cake. Complimented. My. Lemon. Drizzle. Cake. 💛

Did you know the 100-mile South Downs Way is the only National Trail that sits entirely in a National Park? 🥾 People have been walking this ridgeline of the South Downs for as far back as we can discover, all sharing the views we've come to admire. 📸: Sam Moore

I normally sleep on the right. (My right, your left?) Otherwise, amply accurate representation of this very moment.

I think I'd fancy a cheese souffle for dinner. Haven't had one for ages and ages... perhaps I could tempt Crowley to beat the egg whites to a nice peak? When he wakes, I'll ask him if I can impose upon his significant forearm control. ✨️

3:38 AM, the cottage bedroom: Beneath a woolly blanket, paper-weighted by two dozing cats, and beside my own beloved. There truly is no greater Heaven than this night. The fireplace is down to embers, crackling softly. Now and again, Crowley mumbles in his sleep and reaches out a hand.

5:25 AM, the cottage bedroom: Current temperature 0°C. It might have been mentioned in passing, perhaps in a book somewhere, that angels are unaffected by heat or cold. This is absolutely untrue. Winter is beautiful, seen through a window in a cozy den with a roaring fire and a cup of tea.

2:53 PM, in front of a merrily blazing cottage fireplace: Crowley, being my champion, nipped into the village earlier for provisions, including a dozen excellent coconut macaroons, which somehow disappeared under the guise of "just another nibble." Thus, macaroons and cocoa for lunch.

6:51 PM, the cottage: *slips on lumberjack top, looks left and right, surreptitiously miracles more firewood* Practically the same thing, I suppose.

This happened today. Aziraphale was making lunch, and I was bored. Or tired. Or both. It’s an original, and I think it’s shit. But well…

"Imagine"?

I think it's darling!! ✨️✨️✨️ And you've captured our essence; me smiling happily whilst dragging you, unwilling, in my wake. I shall treasure this always. *tapes to refrigerator door*

Today's alt #BirdOfTheDay theme is #sparrows, so here's a Eurasian tree sparrow. #birds #photography

6:04 AM, the cottage kitchen: Absolutely perfect evening. Awaiting the new year, having a dance or two in the cozy greenhouse, then into the chilly midnight, hot toddy in hand, to sit on our very own park bench, little bonfire blazing at our feet, and exchange a few heartfelt sentiments.

My New Year's suggestion: Love fiercely, whenever you can. Love with your entire heart and soul. Love fuels every Universe. ❤️

Half an hour until midnight here. I've seen the dawn of nearly every new year, Crowley, and none has been more beautiful than this one. You are my every new year's wish, and I resolve to love you forever. Putting my mobile device away. I want to ring in the new year in a very special way. ✨️✨️✨️

I will confess that, in private moments, I rage against my inability to make grander change in the World. My attempts are akin to putting my foot out to trip a speeding locomotive. But small things, tiny kindnesses, gentle words; these insignificant pebbles can form, in quantity, mighty dams.

Just a brief moment for an expression of deep gratitude and thanks to all. You were so very welcoming and patient with this silly angel who didn't always grasp innuendo or technology. But I do try. Wishing you a kind and gentle new year. You are all quite wonderful and I cherish each of you. ✨️✨️✨️

Let's see, haven't done a really big blessing in quite a while... *rubs hands together* All righty... what say we just go for a "general good-will" thingy? Crowley, dear, may I borrow you for a moment? ✨️✨️✨️

'Man vs Galaxy' by Lorcan Taylor-Hood ✨ A stunning capture that earned a runner-up place in our most recent Astrophotography Competition. Entries for our 2025/2026 Astrophotography Competition are open! 🔗 Find out more: www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-night-s...

Look how moist I am! As a cinnamon roll, I mean... obviously. And Crowley... Oh, Crowley... The forbidden thoughts...

4:52 AM, the cottage front room: I am exquisitely relaxed. Every muscle has seemingly been replaced by warm custard, and my thoughts are carefully wrapped in cotton-wool. Crowley has raised the art of wing-grooming to some superlunary, tantric level. ✨️✨️✨️

And breatheeeeeee ☺️ A tiny reminder to try and find a moment of peace in your day. 📸: Mark Sparshott

M1: The Crab Nebula apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25122... This is the mess that is left when a star explodes. The Crab Nebula, the result of a supernova seen in 1054 AD, is filled with mysterious filaments

I forgot to tell Crowley, but I'm going to note it here, so I don't forget: When fetching post and pastries from the village today, I spied a FOR SALE notice pinned to the wall. This might be PRECISELY what we need for country life, zipping about in a motorcycle and sidecar...!!

Yesterday, in our leisure hours, Crowley and I endeavored to bake cookies. After a brief discussion, we agreed to make half traditional gingerbread non-genders and half gingerbread voodoo biscuits. They are both very good, especially when dipped in a malty biscuit tea.

3:09 AM, cottage bedroom: *wipes fog from glass* I can see the very faint glow of the heat lamps in the greenhouse from upstairs. The tiny seeds are asleep, buried in their warm soil, much like Crowley, buried in his blankets. Winter is cold, but necessary. It keeps us safe.

Considering this look for the New Year. I would be but a pale imitation, as this woman is an absolute Goddess. Dolly Parton is a Book Angel! 🩷

11:56 PM, cottage fireside: This afternoon, a delivery van trundle up our drive. The kindly delivery person deposited into my hands a bulky parcel. I brought it inside to the kitchen, where Crowley awaited with a bit of a smirk. "Open it, angel!" He raised his afternoon Bertrand Corbieres...

Excellent advice, my dearest! ✨️✨️✨️

During my brief interval, the well-being of the Bookshop was enquired after, which I thought very kind, indeed. The Bookshop is indeed thriving in the quiet, enjoying its own demi-retirement. We engaged a very meticulous, discreet caretaker for our periods of absence. It's working beautifully. ✨️

And might I add, it's rather unfair that Crowley can allow his hair to lengthen slightly and results in looking like a film star. But if I allow my locks to run slightly amuck, I daresay I look like a pale, neglected shrubbery.

This is very nearly accurate, except that we are meant to collect our post at the little shop by the little library, and I'll say, "Crowley, I'm walking in for the post, " and then Crowley says "Do you want me to drive you? And I say "The walk will do me good."

2:18 AM, in the cottage kitchen: With it being well past midnight, I am allowing myself to retrieve my mobile telephone device from the kitchen drawer, ending my self-imposed media restriction. I've missed you all terribly, but I do have rather a tendency to prattle on about nothing.

In news of absolutely no importance, I wore dungarees yesterday, at Crowley's request. And what I've always referred to as a "lumberjack top," but for some reason, my saying "lumberjack top" sends Crowley into gales of hysterical laughter and he refuses to explain why.

Looking sheepish 🐑 If you're out on the Downs please do remember to leave gates as you find them and keep dogs on the lead when near farm animals. 📸: Linda Barker

Crowley? Come along... it's not actually "cold" and we're just having a brisk walk. It's tradition! Put on your lovely new scarf... all right, three scarves! A heavier jacket? All right. I've my lovely new "hoodie." It's perfectly warm enough. Boxing Day Walk, commence!

Ah, Boxing Day. The perfect day for a festive stroll 🥾 Need inspiration? Tap the link below for our best Christmas walks! 🔗https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/best-christmas-walks-in-south-downs-national-park/ 📸: Jamie Fielding

Boxing Day thoughts 🤔 #boxingday #achristmascarol

In a concession to tradition, I'm baking a lovely, rich custard bread pudding (couldn't stop thinking about it!), with a whisky cream sauce. Just for Crowley, I'm substituting Macallan 18 y.o., which is like drinking fiery silk, for the usual bourbon.

5:04 AM, 25 December, our cottage: Our paths were always so intertwined that it seems both inevitable and a miracle that we've ended up where we are. I cherish our every moment together and could never fit all the love I have for Crowley in a box with a ribbon round it. So my token this year...

A perfect ending for a perfect evening 🥂✨❤️

Decorating a Christmas tree in the bookshop together 🎄

Sometimes, very rarely, nightingales sing in winter 🐦‍⬛

Snowy Christmas Eve in London 🌨️

We do end up sharing a chair, more often than not...

✨This NASA/ESA/CSA #Webb Space Telescope image shows the Westerlund 1 cluster, a group of massive stars located in our galaxy which are nearly as bright as a million Suns each. 🌌🎄🧪🔭 🔗 esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/10/The_exotic_stellar_population_of_Westerlund_1

Christmas isn’t Christmas without mistletoe. Fun fact: Mistletoe can occur on up to 200 species of trees although rarely on conifers. 📸: Sian Spiers

4:57 AM, the cottage kitchen: Yesterday was windy and cool, so I buttoned up my overcoat and wound a woolly scarf round my neck, then made my way to the village post, as I had some few letters needing a stamp. I then popped to the bakery for the Brioche that Crowley enjoys, and headed home.

I also adore that, right now, it's 4:44 AM.

I hope I'm not being divisive, but I adore a well-made bread pudding.