Bleurgh - CFS crash, and I could fall asleep right now, but I want to sew. I have yoga later, too, which helps my CFS, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Grumble.

I've been a little quiet on here. I blame a chest infection that I've had for over a month and a bathroom refurbishment. I'm all used up with very little battery left. I've not sewed for weeks 😢. What's everyone else up to? #rdguk

Woo hoo. One of my favourite tv programmes is back. Digging for Britain with @profaliceroberts.bsky.social . I usually end up with a list of places I'd like to visit, and this time, I've actually had a go at archaeology at the @uniofreading.bsky.social Cookham Field School! #DiggingforBritain

Something to brighten up the dark evenings in the New Year! Brand new #DiggingForBritain - packed full of incredible new discoveries!

In February this year, I lost a marvellous friend who adored Christmas. I feel like I have inherited a little of her Christmas spirit, and I'm feeling particularly Christmassy this year. Lissy, you are loved and missed.

Aw, just like the olden days when I went clubbing. You'd take a disposable camera if you could be bothered & most photos were blurry or messy 🤣 Much more fun no pressure to be Instagram ready. BBC News - Time to get smartphones off the dancefloor? - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Here are my most recent reads- Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor (💕🐋), The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet (😵🩸😲), and next up is Hexy B✨️tch by Daisy May Cooper. I have varied tastes! What have you enjoyed recently? #booksky #betweenthecovers #rdguk

I went on a Reclaim the Night March this evening, campaigning for women's safety. Before we even got going, a man walked past shouting, "Feminists suck," and we were heckled by boys who appeared to be as young at 12/13. There's a lot still to do. #reclaimthenight #rdguk

My eldest son's school is offering mine pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine after their Christmas service. To me, that is more of a con than a pro. I like neither. I once judged a mince pie competition in my capacity as a councillor, a real demonstration of my commitment to public service. 🤢

I'd just like to welcome the brilliant charity I work for @pactcharity.bsky.social . Please give them a follow. www.pactcharity.org #charity #rdguk

Just watched this shocking report on BBC News - this requires immediate action from Government . And no prosecutions – a sick joke ! www.bbc.com/news/article...

One of my favourite things is having a go at different crafts. Last night, I made a wrapped rope bowl at Reading Sewing Bee, which was great fun but required quite a lot of concentration. #artsandcrafts #craft #rdguk

I've just tethered the bins to the fence. #stormbert

Loved the Sambathon on Strictly today. It's quite a different skill set to dance competitively in a group like that. Fab-u-lous!

Anyone else expecting this storm to turn up with a bad cockney accent? BBC News - Storm Bert: Weather warnings in place for high winds, snow and rain - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I'm a very keen walker, having really got into it during lockdown. Today's walk was about 7km with the fabulous Walk Works starting and ending at The Henley Distillery (with a cheeky gin purchase on the way home).

I had a go at Rebel Ballet today with plies to Abba and a dance to Queen. It was rather good fun! I was, as always, very conscious of the awful noise my knees make, though. Can you get knee mufflers?

Great to see the fabulous MERL on here.

Children accounted for the biggest rise of any social group falling into poverty a shocking new report has found - a record 36%, or 5.2 million children are now in deprivation Child poverty is the big issue of our time. We have got to end it www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

100% need this. I think I had it the first time round. www.hobbycraft.co.uk/fuzzy-felt-b... #balletsky

Dear Bluesky folks, here's a lovely picture of me and my Dad. Both of us have been Mayor of Reading. I'm super proud of this fact. 😊 Do you have a picture that makes you proud? #proudpics

Without trade unions & the workers willing to back them we wouldn’t have • a minimum wage • maternity & paternity rights • pension provision • holiday & sickness entitlements victories which have benefited every single person in this country tuc.org.uk/joinunion

I don't think anything can prepare you for being a parent to a premature baby. I had a few days to prepare, but my youngest son's birth at 30 +4 was still a shock. It was a traumatic crash c-section with beeps, rushing, and a general anaesthetic for me. ##worldprematurityday

Loving Strictly this evening. The Pet Shop Boys then a touch of Rich Man's Frug and Kylie, all of whom I adore. youtu.be/zuCgGm4i5-8?...

It was a ballet day today. I have finally achieved a calm pirouette. I've been studying ballet for nearly 40 years (with a 15-year gap), so I have proved it's never too late to make improvements. Just keep trying. #ballet #dance

Joining in with the #bookshelves sharing, here are two of mine. One artfully captured in the mirror. I like my bookshelves to not only hold books, but memories and interesting things like tiny, eclectic museums. #bookshelf #books #reader #museum

Hi everyone! I'm starting off on Blue Sky with a blue jumper I made from lovely French terry. I also made the pink cord skirt. I 🥰 sewing, gardening, archaeology, history, ballet, reading, walking, mini adventures, and swimming. I'm an unashamed socialist and LGBTQ+ ally.

Cicero was a very wise man