Short gig to help a mate out yesterday evening. "So can you come play accordion dressed as a pirate for half an hour or so?" "Hell yeah."

No, I haven't taken up gaming. Just a virtual scamper through the German trenches with @sommecourt.bsky.social of @oldfrontline.bsky.social Wishing I was back out there.

First time out in the WW1 OR kit I treated myself to a couple of years ago. (Does one good to join the ranks occasionally!). Me with my great-uncle, LCpl James Crowley, KIA near La Boiselle 1st July 1916 with 20th Northumberland Fusiliers/1st Tyneside Scottish. Feeling oddly emotional.

Rabbits, sah... tha'sands of 'em. Slowly integrating the latest rescue into the herd.

Working on some of the photos for the forthcoming book today. Remembered how much I liked this one from a couple of years ago.

Working at Sacred Heart tonight. First time I've actually felt Christmassy this season, on Twelfth Night. How ironic. 😔

Furry idiots. Starting to integrate the new arrival. L to R Dougal, Talisker, Dusty, Cassie, Allenby, Twilight, Brennan.

At work. Feeling a bit drained and not really in the zone but here we go.

Throwback to Christmas 1996 where the school has a "come in civvies" day, everybody turns up in jeans and t-shirts and the 17yr old Bevster arrives as Louis XIV of France. Some things never change.

That point when your publisher's deadline is getting closer so you just lose it and start writing about boobies.

Goat rib rack about to go in the oven, plateful of baklava made, yep the Bevster's Got Company...

Yeah I should probably update my laptop background, the laptop's older than my daughter and I've had Bri on there from new... #totalluddite #technophobe

Schools workshop on Tudor/Jacobean fashion last week!

At work this evening. It was a tad chilly.

Morning, Dougal.

Our local Christmas lights parade last night, our tribute to the medics of #WW1. Followed by our pre-Christmas party before the season gets underway...

Preparing for the town Christmas Lights switch-on today, we're doing a tribute to local lad James Calvert Spence and his heroic service as a medic in #WW1 My little 1955-dated Singer Featherweight breezing through the work as always!

Real Life's been hectic for the last few months but as the exodus from the Muskiverse continues, I should probs pop up on here more often. Welcome to my little corner... it's chock full of sewing history stuff, tickly tortoise feeties and the trials of cohabiting with six rabbits. Buckle in...

Had a lot going on in Real Life lately and social media's taken a back seat, but here's the latest creation I've been working on between family stuff, photographed at 11pm after a rough day. The second pic is nearest to the actual colour. It is very, very pink. Not my usual colour but I love it!

My friend and colleage John Sadler's interview with the History Hack podcast team, discussing his latest book "The Heavy Water War- Beating Hitler to the Bomb". Listen to it on Spotify at open.spotify.com/episode/6KXZ... Buy the book at amzn.eu/d/0GtSlJP

Really pleased with these, taken by Chris Hoare at @Heugh_Museum in December. First time out for my newly-acquired #WW1 SMLE rifle!

I wonder what's currently on the workbench. Or should that be in The Works...

First introductions- 5mins closely supervised. The lads aren't quite sure what to make of the new boy.

My kitchen bench this morning. Seven of these round items are delicious shortbread. One is a piece of carbolic soap used to persuade the rabbits not to eat the door frame. I'll let you work out what just happened. 🤢

At Heugh Battery today marking the anniversary of the Hartlepool bombardment in 1914. Brief Anglo-German footy ensued but everybody ended up dead. Obvs.

"Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may; I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe in play. In yon straight path a thousand May well be stopped by three. Now who will stand on either hand, And keep the bridge with me?"

Take your time, Creator, and breathe. The world is rushed right now, but it's not a race to the finish, this one. Every stitch, every word, every brush stroke, every movement, every song is made of love, and it will be so perfect because love went into it.

There are few things more happy-making than a good cheeseboard.