Sad news about Rob Jones, a quiet genius of British brewing. I'd known him since the Pitfield days. Here's the obituary I've written for the Morning Advertiser: www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026...

On Wednesday evening at 8pm UK time I’ll be listing a collection of one off necklaces I’ve made using Victorian & Edwardian chatelaine stamp holders, an acorn thimble holder, lockets (incl 1940s scallop & clock lockets) & oak leaves I’ve cast in silver. My shop is here: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...

Had this unsettling character giving me the side eye while I ate my tea tonight ... we were wondering if this was the work of @littlerrichard.bsky.social @scarfolk.bsky.social

About to have this mad sounding cocktail with celery infused clarified milk and other weirdness

Unexpected nature's bounty - walking home last night, found someone had attacked a neighbour's cherry tree, and these branches were strewn in the pavement. Hopefully I can salvage some?

Early June garden bouquet (from a few years ago but my eyes and brain need this kind of thing today-perhaps yours do too) 🌿

Might go to the cinema to see Backrooms later. Hope I don't take a wrong turn down a forgotten corridor and end up lost in the cinema's liminal spaces ...

GOOD MORNING! Here's this week's round-up of good writing about beer and pubs with a vague theme of the difficulty of making brewing work in 2026. boakandbailey.com/2026/06/news...

Kumi Shibata, Guidepost, watercolour, 2024

Honestly can't keep myself away from this place @thewildswan.bsky.social @thornbridge.bsky.social

For lunch today I have made a "Farmer J special" - things I ate at FJ last week but made myself last night. This Bold Bean Co. Fennel & tomato salad, with date syrup roasted shawarma sweet potatoes. Finished with smoked salt!

Oslo Pride video 🥹 🏳️‍🌈 #Pride #LoveIsLove

Martini time and nibbles. Trying out these Whitebox freezer martinis that were recommended by Bluesky-ers (pretty punchy - will buy again!), and these fancy Baron Bigod crisps

A break in gardening for a cup of tea and some reading - @c20society.bsky.social publication Brutalist Britain by the much esteemed and much missed Elain Harwood, with beautiful cover illustration by Paul Catherall

BLOG POST: Pub people love to chuck around the term 'Britannia table' – but what is it, exactly? Why do we call it that? And what does this type of table *mean* to people? boakandbailey.com/2026/05/the-...

Ah jaysus. This is a hefty thing! #BskyBeer

I can't believe Terry Farrell's beautiful Embankment Place is lit up in exactly the same colours as the dusky sunset sky! Pretty magical to view this at exactly the right moment, from the 5th Floor bar at @southbankcentre.bsky.social @c20society.bsky.social

The pinkening!!

I have had a languid day of not doing very much at all! But now chilin with @thehoplocker.bsky.social lads and some excellent beers as the sun starts to set

Randy Mosher's book on taste is coming out on June 1st! He told me about this book when I met him years ago, and it sounded excellent. Really looking forward to this. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...

Managed to squeeze in a mint choc chip ice cream from Morelli's

I got to visit five pubs in Broadstairs yesterday - The Royston, Sonder, The Magnet, The Chapel Bar and Bookshop, and Mind the Gap. Each have character and great beer! The Royston is definitely my favourite though.

After a decent walk around cliffs and beaches, I'm now in Sonder - really like the vibe here

Pretty glorious view

Second stop - so delighted I'm getting to have lunch at Tony and Becky Rodd's restaurant Fifteen Square Metres, near the sea at Broadstairs!

First stop in Broadstairs is the wonderful Royston micropub - love this place. Lots of interesting stuff here (artwork & artefacts) besides the good beer!

From yesterday’s print version of The Guardian - my obituary for my beloved Des.

Zipping through Kentish farmland again on the high speed train!

Lunchtime view! Looking out over the river. Particularly enjoying some PoMo (Minster Court) and Brutalism (Tower Hotel) in amongst the city mêlée

At @c20society.bsky.social to hear @grindrod.bsky.social speak about his latest book Tales of the Suburbs (which is an excellent read!). Several books on sale here are already in my collection, but I am tempted by more ...

I'd like to recommend this Farmer J / Bold Bean Co. recipe to you all - had it at FJ for lunch yesterday, getting it again today, have ordered the ingredients to make a big batch at home for lunches next week! boldbeanco.com/blogs/beansp...

Delving into this book from @seasideferry.bsky.social again, to prep for another little seaside day trip this Friday - going to Broadstairs this time!

It's BBQ time!! Starting with chargrilled tahini broccoli and pointy peppers, moving on to sumac pomegranate red onion, before the meats and prawns make an appearance!

Hot Citra-cat!

Realised we had never watched this, so settling in now for a (low res!) viewing, with Riesling and Chinese takeaway. Good Sundaying (is it Sunday? I've kinda lost track)

Love it when I'm drinking a beer on the picnic rug in the garden and Citra and Simcoe come to hang out with me

Gah. Think one learning I can take from today, is that I should leave scallop-cooking to the professionals. I just don't really enjoy or trust them when I've cooked them.

Visiting this place seeking great cask - not disappointed!

Excursioning

Peacock Spider (genus Maratus), a group of tiny Australian jumping spiders famous for their vibrant colours and elaborate courtship dances to attract its mate. They are very tiny in size only between 2-5 millimetres ( the size of a pea)

Butterfly or moth? About 2cm wingspan. Can't get up close for a good look, it's on the outside of my kitchen window!

Welcomed back to London with a pint of this!! At @thehoplocker.bsky.social

There are days when I miss being an editor. I loved writing headlines. Whoever did this, I hope they took the rest of the day off.

Cute prop plane

At the airport

It's happening again 😲 From Norfolk this time

Just started reading this from @seamas.bsky.social, love the horror expressed for anyone on screen doing a very bad attempt at a Northern Irish accent. Satisfying to read my own outrage on the page.

I just can't stop eating this stuff. Conscious it will go out of season soon!

Oops hadn't realised @atticbrewco.bsky.social were in the mix for this one as well! It was tasting pretty fine!