Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good. WE LOVED IT!

A much-needed week of refreshment, revelation, challenge and reflection Launde Abbey. Many stabs of joy with the excellent CS Lewis retreat and some extra time to enjoy the setting and opportunity. "The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning."

Another nightwalk at Launde Abbey to finish off today's CS Lewis retreat sessions. Beautifully clear and I had steady enough hands to get a decent picture of the Moon.

Never tickle a bear under the chin...

We LOVE the new iPhone 16 Pro advert showcasing its AI-powered "Clean Up" feature. Garrett the cat is a star. His judgemental look withers. It is our ideal feline! That expression! Oh please produce a life size Garrett standee somebody - we'll buy one.

Used our free monthly Sky VIP Vue cinema tickets to see the utterly delightful How to Train Your Dragon. A charming and brilliant "live action" version of the 2010 animated original. Followed this with our own sequel, How to Train Your Stomach to Enjoy Another Lunch at Mackintosh at the Willow

The Royal Shakespeare Company production of Titus Andronicus is a mighty & magnificent offering. Simon Russell Beale is triumphant in the title role, finding humour among the horror & subtlety in the tragedy. Director Max Webster reveals contemporary 21st Century relevance as the nightmare unfolds.

Caught up with the latest Mission Impossible - the Final Reckoning. A thrilling white knuckle ride, excellent story and those aerial stunts are breathtaking.

First cinema double for a while: we can never resist offerings in the Final Destination series and Bloodlines is as clever and gory as ever; meanwhile we loved the creativity and brilliant storytelling and acting in Sinners, a superb twist on vampires combining history, politics and thrilling horror

Have long wanted to see Salvador Dali's breathtaking Christ of St John of the Cross and at last revisited Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum to view it now it's back on display and was not disappointed.

Cousin Peter's visit to Glasgow meant we were duty bound to introduce him to the delights of a Mackintosh at the Willow afternoon tea. Not for us, you understand, purely the importance of allowing him to sample the venue and menu.

What better way to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday than to be in wonderful Stratford-upon-Avon

Words such as legend and hero are overused these days - but it was a thrill and a privilege to meet Olympic legend and sporting hero Sir Chris Hoy, who more than justifies such description. A genuinely nice guy and a true inspiration. Moving and powerful experience at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Extraordinarily silly and very funny, Kate Butch (she of Drag Race UK season 5 fame) went running up that hill to Òran Mór as she kicked off her UK tour in Glasgow. Affectionate, camp & hilarious tribute to Kate Bush Wuthering Sh*tes is a comedy and musical delight with real jokes and real singing.

A very short visit to our favourite place earlier this week but we made the most of it!

The extraordinary and impressive "Mars, War and Peace" exhibit by Luke Jerram currently at Rochester Cathedral is truly out of this world. Definitely not the freakiest show and bound to leave you asking - is there life on Mars?!

Took advantage of our Design Museum membership to see the amazing and fascinating Barbie®: The Exhibition before it closes later this week. More than 250 remarkable objects from the Barbie universe, with rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day.

Our Valentine's Day treat was a visit to the local garden centre for a scrumptious Valentine Afternoon Tea. When the photos were taken we'd already finished the Californian rose wine!

After a tough week we decided on the spur of the moment to have a proper Abba day to help unwind - Mamma Mia this afternoon and second visit to Abba Voyage in five days!

Great to be back yet again at the brilliant ABBA Voyage - and even better with lovely old friends. With Ann, Peter and Stephen.

I did so want a unicorn cake for my birthday in November but there were tears and trauma when there were none to be found and I had to have a mermaid cake instead. At the supermarket today the unicorn cakes were reduced, so.......

Farewell and R.I.P. to lovely Christopher Benjamin. Wonderful actor and true gentleman.

Thrilled to get to the newish Southwark Playhouse Elephant at last and to find our names on the supporters' wall #southwarkplayhouseelephant #swkplayhouse

And it's Happy New Year from us! Guess which one of us is awake and enjoying Sophie Ellis-Bextor's New Year's Eve party before seeing in 2025 to the sound of Big Ben...

We *could* have had yet another Christmas roast dinner but instead opted for a tasty traditional Scottish new year steak pie. Pre-panto meal at Beacon Arts Centre

Santa was kind on Christmas Day But the Grinch just couldn't stay away

A delicious Christmas dinner AT HOME. Stephen worked very hard and it was a triumph! (He didn't want his photo taken so it's a "before and after" of me 😂)

A "just back from church and shattered" photo. About to have a small drink before opening presents and having dinner.

Lovely Crib Service with plenty of congregation participation, kids dressing up and the good news shared!

Yes, you've guessed it! We couldn't resist another visit to the wonderful Mackintosh at the Willow for a final Christmas dinner before the big day. Thanks to Janet for sending the money to pay for our pre-Christmas Day treat.

A highlight of the year is our joint Christmas Carol Service with our friends from New Kilpatrick Parish Church & Bearsden Cross Parish Church. Apologies for my accent in the Scottish Bible reading! I accept the angel was a cross between Billy Connolly, Miss Jean Brodie and the cast of Taggart 😂

Magnificent "radio play on stage" version of A Christmas Carol by the brilliant No Nonsense Productions proves why Dickens' classic is storytelling at its finest. First class show at Beacon Arts Centre with accomplished cast.

Evidence that when we go out for lunch in December it's not always a full Christmas dinner 😂

Yes, it's Christmas lunch number... oh, I forget. But it was very tasty. By the way, for those with dirty minds the starter was crispy haggis bon bons with mash and whisky sauce 🎅

Gathering toys left for the Glasgow Children's Holiday Scheme in church, which will be handed over to the charity tomorrow. #allsaintsbearsden #glasgowchildrensholidayscheme #christmastoys #scottishepiscopalchurch #dioceseofglasgowandgalloway

As we were in the city centre it would have been rude not to go to Mackintosh at the Willow for another lunch. But not any old lunch. Yes, it was this year's 153rd Christmas dinner 😂 And very delicious it was too. #mackintoshatthewillow #christmas #christmasdinner

It's my birthday! "Age cannot wither him, nor custom stale his infinite variety."

Remarkable and creative retelling of Dickens' A Christmas Carol by students from the BA Performance in BSL and English programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Told beautifully and powerfully in an impressive and engaging piece of visual theatre accessible to deaf and hearing audiences.

In awe at the fabulous big screen version of the wonderful Wicked. Only the 1st act of the stage show with the 2nd to come next year and it is superb. Treats for Wicked and Wizard of Oz fans throughout. We loved every moment, every song, every performance. How can we wait a whole year for part 2?!

Thanks to Dobbies for the two free drinks and cakes to mark my birthday! It's later in the week but we thought we'd start the week as we mean to go on 😂 I should point out that Stephen was with me and I didn't have BOTH cakes and hot drinks!