Monday 20th April 2026 The numbers game My first time reporting to the finance committee. It went well. I was able to demonstrate my understanding of the numbers and position, advise on actions taken and next steps and every seemed pleased - I was universally thanked and congratulated. Very happy.

Sunday 19th April 2026 Changes every day It's been a pretty good day and I've accomplished quite a lot. I've dismantled the four poster bed which is going to the caravan and built its replacement in Essex. I've flipped the room around and somehow it's cozier now despite being more open. I like it.

Good morning Bluesky. Going to have a productive day. Already been to the tip and said goodbye to the microwave, kettle and toaster. That showed them! Waiting for Tesco to open so I can get some breakfast. Later - bookkeeping. You caido that on an empty stomach! Pax!

Saturday 18th April 2026 It's in your eyes First time in weeks that I've not had sore, painful or infected eyed. Finally got a daytime and night time regimen that's halted the decline and is instead maintaining my eye health. Such a relief. I'd become totally obsessed with looking in the mirror.

Google is insistent on showing me photos of Clio. Tonight's prompt "Look who we found."

Friday 17th April 2026 I can see clearly now Realisation can be a wonderful thing. It can also expose betrayal. There was a time when everything was wonderful and pure, but it was all a lie our parents and teachers told us. Hence the betrayal. Would it have been better to always be told the truth?

New microwave up and running after last week's disaster. Wonder if I'll still be nuking beans in this one in fifteen years time??

Is this thing on? Good morning! My final day at Felixstowe this week. I've realised what's wrong with me when I'm here (empty home aside). Lack of routine and no purpose. So I'm going to fix that. But first - breakfast 🥞

Thursday 16th April 2026 Life on my own Bit of an off day today. Life on my own is an adjustment and to some degree on my off days the absence of routine and caring for another is detrimental to my wellbeing. There's been thoughts of needing someone, but that's not justification enough to do it.

Now that I've escaped, I'm concerned that it was the box that was holding me together. Bit of a mess today. Bum.

Managed a few more hours sleep. Now sitting in bed with a steaming mug of coffee and contemplating going for an early morning walk when it's light. Feeling anxious for some reason. This happened last week at the caravan but the microwave did catch fire so who knows what the day has in store?!

I went to bed much too early 😞

Wednesday 15th April 2026 Take me home, country roads Back in Suffolk. Feels longer than a week since I was here. Looking forward to a relaxing couple of days after a run of being busy. One problem after another today (silly things and not work related) so spoilt myself with a chippy tea.

Tuesday 14th April 2026 If you're happy and you know it After the funk I got myself in yesterday, and a restless night of stewing, I got up today with a better mindset, and H's words ringing in my ears "Take in solutions not problems" so that's what I did! Day panned out fine and was rather nice!

Sunday 12th April 2026 Money! Today has mostly been about money. Carried out an initial review of the accounts of a local charity, but also been through the process of setting up software for Making Tax Digital which starts now.Fun! Saved money by cutting my own hair and didn't take the car out.

'Goodbye Jenny Wren', the first episode of C.A.T.S. Eyes, was broadcast on this day in 1985. A spin-off from The Gentle Touch, Jill Gascoine reprised her role as Maggie Forbes in a radically different type of series.

“What would you do if you were in charge of Star Trek?” A completely new starship exploring a previously unseen region of space, set after Undiscovered Country with no fan wank, cameos, recasts or lore. Stories on a human scale about decisions and actions that change lives on an individual level.

I crushed so heavily on Simon. I thought he was a beautiful person and I'm sure he still is.

Good morning Sunday! Oh my goodness I slept solidly from lights out last night until now and that feels amazing! ☺️☺️☺️

Saturday 11th April 2026 Spirit in the Sky Took delivery of our first bottles of locally produced spirits today! They'll be on sale from Monday which is rather exciting! Did some good work today. I love making people welcome in the shop and helping them out. They seem to appreciate it too! Happy.

Woke up roasting hot and now I can't sleep. Feeling discombobulated. Frustrated with yesterday and bits of this week. Also dealing with emotional fallout of last job finally being over. Gads!

Friday 10th April 2026 Please Mr. Postman "Your parcel will be delivered between 11.20am and 5.20pm. This is an expectation and delivery is not guaranteed" so says Royal Mail. 4.20pm a white van being driven by a sexy European man pulls up with my new microwave. "You excited for this, yes?"

Thursday 9th April 2026 Burning down the house Had cause to use the microwave this evening (salad for tea) and something went very wrong. Strong smell of burning so I yanked it off the shelf and ran outside with it. Fair to say it's kaput. Going home early tomorrow to receive John Lewis delivery.

Bought myself a Vileda mop and bucket set today as I had a spare £20 and mopped the exterior of the caravan. It's come up a treat. The lingering smell of floor cleaner is making my eyes prick a bit mind.

‘A Drove of Hares’ (From a vintage ad produced for Boots the chemist) Artist: CF Tunnicliffe

Wednesday 8th April 2026 Alone I've really been missing Clio these past few days. Not that I haven't missed her the past six months, but the loss has been especially acute for some reason this week. I've cried a lot for her today. I'd give up a year of my life to have her back for two weeks.

I'm in Felixstowe. Coming here on Wednesday is going to take some getting used to.

I miss them...

Tuesday 7th April 2026 Working Man Flying solo today as my colleague was sick. Busy day but thoroughly enjoyed myself. Came home with a sick headache so having an early night. Helped an 83 year old who'd had their bag snatched on the station platform. Managed to get a bus pass issued for them.

Monday 6th April 2026 Takin' care of business Was reasonably quiet at work today being a Bank Holiday - so I had chance to refresh all the displays. Pleased with the outcome. I've moved items with better margins and more flow into prime locations. Might have some dissent but go to take the money.

Sunday 5th April 2026 We are family Quick run to Felixstowe last night to reconnect the water before the gas man returns. Stopped at dad's on the return journey today for Easter Sunday lunch cooked by my brother. Actually had some laughs. For once my childhood home didn't feel cold and depressing.

Saturday 4th April 2026 All things must pass This has been the first difficult week in the new job. Dealing with the consequences of previous staff bad decisions and practice has made things harder than needed and one of the team is challenging every change I make. Tired tonight. New start Monday.

Friday 3rd April 2026 Hangin' on the telephone So much lost property handed in today (and regularly actually - there are a lot of honest people around!) Managed to reunite owners with a mobile phone and a bank card but sadly the lady who came to claim a bracelet found it wasn't the one she lost.

Hot cross buns, anyone? Artist: Harry Wingfield (1971)

Thursday 2nd April 2026 It's a gas gas gas Gas safety test for the caravan today. Get a call to say it's failed on the pig tails and they'll have to be replaced before the safety inspection can be done. Was half expecting it. Must have been due for replacement. Hoping the rest is in good order 🤞🏻

Wednesday 1st April 2026 It's my party The final, final day of leaving the old place. Had a lovely send off at the local pub, with nice food, gifts, memories shared and old faces. They tried very hard to get me drunk, but I resisted. Did come home and take all my clothes off and lay on the bed.Lol

Tuesday 31st March 2026 Tired Eyes Delighted that I caught the eye infection early, and it's now been eradicated by the antibiotics. I can't even see the ulcer now - but boy am I tired tonight! Busy day doing year end stuff and meetings. Been authorised to retire the sub brand and adopt the master

Tomorrow is my Friday. Or it least it would be, if I wasn't working on Friday.

Monday 30th March 2026 Talking Loud and Clear Had my probation review back (ahead of meeting tomorrow) and manager very pleased, with all comments positive. H says I've been walking taller this past few weeks, I'm dressed smartly and seem to have more energy. My world has changed for the better.

Sunday 29th March 2026 Oh I do like to be beside the seaside First day back in Felixstowe for three months. The journey there and back seemed to take longer than the run to Norfolk in February, but was worth it Got some jobs to do. Exterior, patio and furniture need a good scrub. Next trip.

At the caravan (just for the day) and Christmas is finally put away. I've cleaned so hard the fumes are making me giddy. Either that or I've inhaled too much glitter ✨

I'm such a sad sack that I lay and watched the clock turn from 0:59 to 2:00 because I'd never seen it do that. I have an analogue radio controlled clock too and that fast forwarding one hour with the hands in high speed is just creepy. Anyway happy British Summer Time!

Saturday 28th March 2026 And don't it make you feel good Back to the new job and I'm just loving it. A whole new world of feeling and happiness has opened up to me. I get excited strolling in, waving to the market people, opening up the shop and doing good work. Had a lovely day. Life is good.

This time tomorrow it will be 7:02am. Good morning 🌞

Friday 27th March 2026 Here comes the sun Not sure how to feel tonight. It's not really sunk in yet. It's over. Done. Finished. And now on to a new chapter. A different future. In celebration, I've cultivated an eye infection and a corneal ulcer! Specsavers brilliant again. Got antibiotics.

Job done.

@dukeofpreston.bsky.social Wishing you a very happy birthday 🎈

It's here! I didn't expect to feel anything today - go in, do the day, leave at the end of the day as normal and just not go back - but I'm actually feeling rather excited!

Thursday 26th March 2026 Listen to the promise calling me Penultimate day in old job. It went better than I thought it would after problems surfacing yesterday. I worry too much. Nice workshop this morning on communicating your message in a rural setting. Thought provoking and some good takeaways

“Find a hedgerow on a bank and examine just one yard of it. Then make a list of all the different plants you can find in that yard. You will be astonished at the variety” (1965) Artist: Ronald Lampitt Writer: Richard Bowood