This is really great. A crumbling Ukrainian spa resort against the backdrop of war. Incredible character studies and a stunning brutalist swimming pool. Beautifully made. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

I really love Storyville (tons of episodes on iPlayer). Beautiful filmmaking and glimpses of other places and lives. Just watched this wonderful film about aging and nature in rural Norway. Gorgeous stuff www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis... #Storyville

No cheating, repost with the most recent photo of your pet Toots having a snooze (usual behaviour)

Excellent to see women’s sporting achievements being celebrated rather than a flying Captain Tom this year #NYEfireworks

J is out at a ‘Spoons somewhere, right and proper for an 18yo on NYE. I’m watching REM at the BBC from a recording and considering going to bed 👵🏻

I fear I may have just donated blood that’s about 75% cheese at this point of the festive season #giveblood

Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...

And once again @rhodri.biz is providing an amazing public service with #duvetknowitschristmas . I drink to his dedication to the cause 🍷

J is at the pub with his mates (also all home from uni) so I’m watching Christmas ghost stories and drinking excellent wine. I do miss those early Christmases when he was little, but the world keeps turning. Cheers everyone 🍷

Just watched Train Dreams and just having a little cry (loved it)

The John Lewis Christmas ad is actually a real downer. The dad seems properly depressed and the dance scene is reminiscent of the really sad bits from Aftersun. Merry Christmas?

This is Deejay. He wanted to offer you a big nose and tiny tongue during this trying time. 14/10 (IG: deejayelgolden)

If Karen doesn’t win Strictly I’m going to kick off. I adore her #SCD

J is back from uni and we’ve been to Kew at Christmas. Open the Baileys, it’s officially Christmas

I’ve reached that time of year where I’m saying “ok, that looks like something we can do in January” about anything not urgent

Just caught up with the #SCD drama. Did not see that one coming. I’m team Karen all the way though

Really sad news about Martin Parr. This excellent film is still available on iPlayer www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

I received a lovely Christmas gift today. Toots has moved in.

Went to see the Wright of Derby exhibition at the National Gallery today. Small but excellent and really interesting. It’s renewed my interest in The Age of Enlightenment www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/...

Listening to some Nick Drake (not unusual). At the Chime of a City Clock is a very Scott Walker song. Obviously complimentary.

It’s my pet owl’s second birthday today. Happy Birthday Toots 🥳🐈‍⬛

Enjoying the 2010 Nick Drake tribute concert on BBC4 right now. Lisa Hannigan’s beautiful voice, wonderful Danny Thompson on double bass, Green Gartside’s lovely version of Fruit Tree. A reminder of Drake’s wonderful songwriting.

I didn’t read Wuthering Heights until my forties so I never considered it as a romantic love story. Maybe I would have if I’d read it at 17. Some books are just different depending on when you read them. Glad I waited for Moby Dick until my late forties. Would not have got it in my teens or twenties

One of those evenings where I turn up here late and have absolutely no idea what’s going on

This is really good. I recommend being horizontal with your eyes closed. Drone loveliness #nowlistening

I’ve settled on Enys Men and Invasion of the Body Snatchers for my evening viewing. Happy Halloween 🎃 👻

Loving Once Upon a Time in Space. Ron McNair might be the coolest guy I’ve ever seen.

We are only 2 clues in but I’m smashing it on Only Connect tonight

It’s massive baked potato with loads of butter and mature cheddar season in my house.

Very excited to have bought a couple of these. One is a Christmas present for someone, the other is very definitely for me

This really is an excellent playlist

It’s my birthday today 🥳 I’ve had a lovely day. Treated myself to a luxury pedicure and now J is back from uni for the weekend. Getting older is alright

Just switched over to the Last Night of the Proms. The flags are problematic these days but happy to see such a mix this year, including lots of EU ones. Hope Rule Britannia has been finally dropped (probably not)

J is now happily settled in his uni accommodation. I’ve been listening to a lot of early REM. Clearly my comfort band.

Disgraceful way to treat the #UsOpen spectators. I bet he doesn’t even like tennis 🙄

Been out saving lives again. Today’s snacks were s&v crisps and a Kit Kat. #GiveBlood

I do love Sabalenka but I’d be really happy for Anisimova to win this. Shaping to be a good match #USopen

These are the best crisps ever. Seriously in danger of ruining all my good work at the gym

Some very excellent tennis going on right now between Alcaraz and Djokovic #USopen

Just been to a personal training session. Planning on rewarding myself with a g&t

Looking at my personal and professional commitments for September and just hoping I’m still in one piece by the end of it. Usually my favourite month but this one will test me 😬

That weird thing where someone who doesn’t even follow you starts liking all your posts from ages ago 😬

Wore new boots to work today and now have blisters on both little toes. Hashtag September problems.

September’s coming soon youtu.be/ahJ6Kh8klM4?...

Just been reminded of one of my favourite Medieval things. blogs.bl.uk/digitisedman...

I went to a group dance class at the gym today. It proved I have no sense of rhythm and zero coordination skills. My Strictly dreams are in tatters (loads of fun, good workout , would totally go again) 💃🏻

Didn’t manage to book any Proms tickets this year as I’ve had family stuff going on, but just catching up with the Anoushka Shankar performance on iPlayer and wishing I’d been there. Absolutely gorgeous.

Just made a delicious saag aloo with baby new potatoes and extra spices. I’d include a pic but I was too busy filling my face. (One for @southlondongirl.bsky.social what’s for dinner replies)

Sublime

J passed his A Levels (hurrah) but now he’s going away to university (sad face). Doesn’t seem possible as surely this was only about 5 years ago