I loved this book! A joy for anyone who enjoys beautiful, necessary things made by skilled people with a passion for their craft.

Polls are open till 10pm this evening Remember decisions are made by those who turn up - vote 🗳️ for local champions who’ll work hard for you all year round PS Don’t forget you need ID to vote 🗳️ in person #VoteLibDem #Banstead #Redhill #Horley #Reigate #Merstham

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So many beautiful trees & landscapes from the “AYear in Normandie” exhibition by #DavidHockney @ the #SerpentineGallery. And such a beautiful walk from Victoria to Kensington Gardens. Families picnicking, rollerblading, cyclists, runners and people dancing salsas at the bandstand. A joy!

Busy morning - a swim, bread & granola for the week made. An afternoon/ evening of culture - a David Hockney exhibition followed by “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”. So much to look forward to! #serpentineGallery #NationalTheatre

This weekend I was at a family wedding where, apart from catching up with family & friends, I had conversations about beachcombing & mudlarking, the “History of Scotland” tapestry in Galashiels, an “am-dram” production of Julius Caesar. So much laughter, so much ceilidh dancing. What a joy!

#YNWA #LFC #J97 Will this be year the Hillsborough Law will finally get onto the statute book?

Had a wonderful day @ Wakehurst looking at the blossom, the bluebells, new growth on the trees, feeling the sun & occasionally the wind on my face, hearing the birds singing. Came across this handsome fella eyeing up a potential mate. #wakehurst #kew #simplepleasures

So many bluebells on show today!

The bread maker we inherited from my mother-in-law 3 years ago has finally died on us so I went “old school” & made this loaf by hand courtesy of a gentle reminder from my faithful “Delia Smith’s Cookery Course - Part 1”. Not perfect but it tastes great!

My lovely Syrian neighbours have delivered us a meal & baklava to celebrate Eid. To those celebrating, Happy Eid.

The English National anthem is an absolute dirge & always sounds worse when compared to the stirring, upbeat Marseillaise.

A wonderful exhibition of Ancient Egyptian craftsmanship at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. From the making of sarcophagi, jewellery to glassmaking, woodwork to weaving, painting & pottery. Definitely worth a visit. (And the building itself is beautiful.) #fitzwilliammuseum #ancientegypt

The very definition of optimism -hanging washing out on the line today! Watching those clouds closely though!

Sunny but cold walk through the park. Good to see kids football training in full swing. Lots of laughing & shouting! Bonus - stopped to watch a Red Kite lazily circling above us. So beautiful. #simplepleasures

I recently reread “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold” knowing I was going to see the drama at Soho Place Theatre. I really enjoyed the internal monologue by Leamus but was a bit concerned by the “water boarding”! Would definitely recommend the production although it is closing soon.

At the Royal Festival Hall I came across this patchwork display showing the century 1851-1950, each patch representing an event or achievement in that year. Just post-WW2 the fabrics were recycled & made by 80 women in 2 months! Worth a visit if you are in the area. #rfh #patchwork

No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition. Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

I do love a good crime thriller & this one is just brilliant! Didn’t see the twist at the end. Genuinely a book I couldn’t put down. #valmcdermid #crimethriller #useyourlibrary

Daffodils spotted on my walk this afternoon. It was a bit damp but this made me smile.

There is a tree I pass almost every day and around this time of year my spirit is lifted by the snowdrops & early crocus that grow under it & always make me feel Spring is just around the corner. Today was that day!

Having a baking morning using ingredients from the local Community Fridge. The bread is now bread pudding & in the freezer. The over ripe bananas are now 2 loaves of banana bread. #communityfridge #reducefoodwaste

Visited a beautiful exhibition of contemporary textile art Denbies Vineyard today. Such stunning work by local craftswomen!

Apparently I might be Addressing the Haggis in the Victorian Market Food Hall on Saturday. Plenty of practice shouting coffee orders across the place. Might have to improvise though…

‘Tis the season for Seville Orange Marmalade! First batch made & a further 5 oranges in the freezer for summer.

I’ve just finished this beautifully written book by Nigel Slater. A great book to curl up with under a blanket on winter days (although I’m sure Nigel would disagree & want to be outdoors!). A few recipes picked out to try next Christmas.

Over the summer OH & I picked 35lb of brambles to make jam as wedding favours for our DD2. I have just made the first of 12 batches. Looks like it will be a busy Spring but absolutely a labour of love. #springwedding #madewithlove

A photo of Loch Lomond taken on our West Highland Way hike in April ‘25. Hope to continue from Fort William to Inverness along the Great Glen in ‘26.

The last of the gingerbread people to be gifted this year. Never to old for a gingerbread person!

Every year we make a free-to-download-and-print-off-yourself colouring-in Advent Calendar. This year’s heavily features Bigfoots. Please share! Download it for free here… www.worldofmoose.com/pages/2025-b...

Thrilled to offer this fully funded PhD opportunity with a focus on outcomes-oriented approaches to green industrial strategy. Be a part of challenging dominant economic narratives with researchers in heterodox economics, putting theory into practice. Apply by December 14 ➡️ buff.ly/26IhPxr

This, from the Guardian, is Ryanair at its very worst. It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this... I wonder if legislation is needed?

Following an irritating email & a query on an order we had great customer service from #OVO & #BreadAhead today.

I have just returned from the theatre Royal Haymarket & have seen a brilliant production of Othello that will stay with me for a long time. David Harewood, Toby Jones & Caitlin Fitzgerald all excellent as was Vinette Robinson as Emilia. #shakespeare #othello #theatreroyalhaymarket

#riotwomen oh God that conversation between Anne Reid & Tamsin Greig’s characters brought a tear to my eye. I have had those conversations with my own mum. Tough conversation but so real to my experience with a dementia parent.

Just returned from Twickenham. 2 excellent games, brilliant stewarding, lovely volunteer helpers, wonderful atmosphere, the best result! Well done #redroses.

Excellent result for England but huge respect to Samoa! No contracts, away from young family & some having to take unpaid leave from jobs. Well done! #RWC2025

Not my team but #cpfc deserved that win. Dean Henderson had a great penalty shootout!

#BBCLauraK where are the Green Party spokespersons? Where are the women? And in a week when discussion has been around voting age at 16, where are the younger MPs? A cliche maybe but very “male, pale & stale”. And Farage - Again!

Devastated for Sweden as they played so well but hell, England! Penalties such a cruel way to end a tournament! #WUEFA2025 #SWEENG

This is not looking good for England. #SWEENG

Well done England but I hope Wales can grow & build on what they have shown in this tournament. #WUEFA25 #ENGWAL

I can’t see beyond Spain for the #WUEFA2025. They look head & shoulders above the other teams I have watched. Italy have the best dressed management/ medical team though.

I had minor eye surgery 2 weeks ago & this week I have made 3 cushion covers for DD1 & this cushion kit I have had for 2 or 3 years. Such a joy to get back to my sewing machine again! So many projects stacked up over the last few months.

Spain looking awesome! #ESPBEL

How did Finland lose that?! #NORFIN

We spent a gentle afternoon at #kelmscottmanor the home to William Morris & family. The buildings date from 1600s with later additions. You may not agree with his brand of socialism but the man had vision! Some of his fabric designs, embroidery, paintings, books on display. Pretty gardens.

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/footba... Heartbreaking news. Thoughts go out to his family. #YNWA