Excellent, this. Compassion, eyes-wide-open honesty. Love’s past, desire’s history: not what might have been; just what was. A garden, symbolic of good & bad…full of the wrong things? or the right things we don’t recognise? Ending up alone, needing to stop fighting against being ordinary. Relatable.

Bleurrggghh. Head full of snot. Tickly chest. Hoarse. Echinacea etcetera.

Birdsong overdrive out there.

Wordle 1,734 3/6 ⬛⬛🟨⬛🟨 🟨🟨⬛🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Post a gif of who you wanted to be as a kid…

Only at Casa Nigello… the Nuke-acino.

@soberalmu.bsky.social We chatted about music playlist for Colouring In. Here’s all the songs referred to, either directly or subtly. 🎶

Bach / Bite

Good morning from west Lancashire, where first coffee of day is being partaken on the east terrace.

Wordle 1,733 4/6 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛🟨🟨⬛ 🟨🟨⬛⬛🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

This image of St Patrick is in St David’s Cathedral, alongside similar images of St David and St Andrew. He looks pretty cool, I think.

Sad news about Len Deighton. One or two mighty films sprung from his books. I also remember really enjoying SS-GB and its alternative history of the outcome of the Second World War. RIP

Nothing beats how this post makes me feel. Someone takes a chance on my book, enjoys it, is moved. That makes it all worthwhile: the throwing of words at a screen, arranging them in the right order, creating a tale. When someone loves my work like this I know I will keep going 💕 #booksky

Hmmm, just read through what I was writing yesterday. It felt laboured, ponderous, glib at the time. A new day with fresh outlook and… it’s pretty good. Looking forward to getting back to it later this morning. #writing

Making my usual playlist for trip to the beautiful south on Friday (and back again). Always include London Calling in the hope it comes up on shuffle as the train crawls into Euston. Musical roulette… What will it be though 🤔

Morning, people in my phone. I’ve looked at clouds this way.

Wordle 1,732 3/6 🟨⬛⬛🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Need some zzzzz 🤫

Made rash decision to go away at Easter, and fuck the shrinking pension pot. ✈️

Probably not. Morning you rock-steady crew.

Wordle 1,731 2/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

That Tudor needs to get Kinsky on.

Good to see my kids briefly today, one before and one after celebrations with their mum. They’re still kind of like this in my head.

Just finished a good chat with my old school friend about my trip to St Albans next weekend. A solid agenda has been created, including me cooking dinner for them and a trip to Grand Cholas for top notch food. I’m blessed with amazing friends. 🌹

Wordle 1,730 2/6 🟨🟩🟨🟨⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Post the best picture you’ve ever taken of your pet.

Drop something brown 🍂

Piano practice this morning was all fast and difficult. Tch

Wordle 1,729 4/6 ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟩 ⬜🟨⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Good morning from the shadows of sunshine.

Binge watched a terrific Sky Arts trio of shows about bass players. One headed by Peter Hook, then Melissa auf de Maur, then Nate Mendel. My favourite instrument and some of my favourite moments in songs derive from great bass lines. These shows made me happy.

Respond to this with an image for a film that always cheers you up, but don’t name the film. Just share an image 🌹

Getting ready to send out ARCs of "The Feathered Tree" by @allanfj.bsky.social I have a handful of copies unallocated ... #BookSky #YA #YoungAdult #Fantasy #Environment #Trees #Review #BookBlog #UK #UKBooks #Devon @librariesunlimited.bsky.social Text in #AltText

Wordle 1,728 5/6 ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨 ⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜ ⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜ ⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Need to step away from socials. 👋

While prepping and cooking and eating I had New Music Daily on. Enjoyed these songs

My One Meal A Day hoo-ha this week has got me eating at weird times. This afternoon it’s a frittata with this lot thrown in.

Tea. Sometimes it’s essential.

I liked this. Work, mundane and dull, is a source of contentment & order: it rewards loyalty; has value. It’s like home. The MC is doubted by convention. It is ‘not normal’ to be single and childless. When she steps away from the store, she is bereft. Life only has meaning in that place. #books

Just walked to and from the gym, about 2.25 miles - thus saving about £379 in petrol. £393 £403 #winning.

Though if anyone wants a PA with 30+ years experience.... HMU!

Making a start on next section of new novel. There’s an outline in my head and some scribbled notes. These 👇 questions get me into the right place before any writing can start. #writing

Got most of my chores out of the way so time to get my beard and face pampered.

Wordle 1,724 4/6 ⬛⬛🟨⬛⬛ 🟨⬛⬛🟨⬛ ⬛🟩⬛🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I made a slightly sniffy comment about The Untouchables earlier. I’m glad I watched it thanks to @madamegothica.bsky.social Imagine the idea that villainy, not to mention political or corporate or police or judiciary corruption actually get punished. Is that history now? Yes, I’m naïve.

Saw that The Untouchables is on N’flicks. I’m not going to watch it. Except the titles and that righteous opening music.

My grandma and her sisters: my great aunts. On the left - Hilda, Nora, Lena and Mabel. On the right, at my parents’ wedding, 1949. I learned not to mess with them, or anyone. I wish I’d known them for longer. But I’m lucky to have these photos and I’m thinking of them on IWD.

London people, I fancy two or three nights in London to take in the Tracey Emin exhibition at the Tate and would like recommendations for accommodation if you have them. Please and thank you x

Ready boots…