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

Delphi hummus with Gail’s seeded crackers is a boss level snack. Or dinner if you’ve been out having cocktails and can’t be arsed to cook.

This morning’s entertainment. Absolutely loved it. Her paintings really come to life when you can see the textures and scale. Saville’s drawings and studies are stunning. Highly recommended

Today’s Guardian prize crossword is genius. I’m nearly there

Having a happy cry. Brilliant job Lionesses. Queen Chloe 🙌

I had a mild case of Covid during the pandemic but this last week has been hideous. Totally wiped out, no sense of taste or smell, hearing in left ear gone. Never slept so much. Think I’m finally starting to feel a bit better but we shall see in the morning

Finished Birding yesterday. Such a great book with wonderful characters. So wise on memory, baggage and choices. I’ll be thinking about it for ages. Thanks for writing it @regretteruane.bsky.social 🥰

Just spent a few days in my happy place (Lake Como). I’ll now be refreshed and relaxed for at least the next 3 hours

It’s been a long and stressful day but I’ve decided to rewatch Blur’s Radio 2 in Concert performance as a personal antidote to all the Oasis coverage (I’m sure they are fine if you like that sort of thing but it’s just not for me)

It’s been a fabulous #Glastonbury for the female acts this year.

Woah Robert Smith just joined Olivia Rodrigo on stage. Glad I ditched The Prodigy

Quote with a pic of you from the 80s Looking cheerful. Don’t know what happened to that hat.

Watching Four Tet live on iPlayer. Always great. Gold star for the Mazzy Star sample. #Glastonbury

Just seen an ad for Live Aid at 40. God I’m really ancient

I do love #SoccerAid. UNICEF is a wonderful charity and the match is massively fun.

Visited my mum today. We watched Homes Under the Hammer together. I now know what you all mean about the amazingly literal incidental music. Incredible stuff.

Absolutely love Van Gogh’s pen and ink drawings. The mark-making is incredible. One of the best things in the recent amazing National Gallery exhibition

Probably one of the most played records I have. Sublime. Still can’t believe the record company didn’t see what was (excellently) coming. The clues were there guys

Now playing. This cat simply cannot resist a photo op

Some very fun tennis happening right now. Draper v Monfils #RolandGarros

Race Across the World is such brilliant tv. Ep1 - some of these people are going to be massively annoying. Ep4 - I love them all and want everyone to win. Every single time. Another of those shows where the celeb version is just not as good.

Horrific news from Liverpool this evening. My thoughts are with everyone affected.

It’s my late friend’s birthday today. I’ll be spending the evening listening to goth music in her honour.

Gail’s stuff is lovely and her prints make excellent presents. I’ve just treated myself to a turntable slip mat and some lovely notebooks

@olliehaggart123.bsky.social Happy Birthday to you! I hope you have a great day 🥰🥳🍸🙌❤️

Melville is watching #eurovision

Sent my best mate flowers for her birthday today. Apparently delivered Sunday but actually not. Just chased it up. Well done those couriers

Been busy being amazing this morning. Now I can get back to being just adequate. Really busy there today, which is good news #GiveBlood

Been doing some planting in my little outdoor space. I’m not allowed to use the cat’s look-out post. That pot is his. Zoom in for his look of total defiance.

Watched Flow this afternoon. Absolutely stunning film. Breathtakingly beautiful and quite dark.

@brokenbiros.bsky.social that was an easy block. Totally not what we were talking about!