I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30041 in 36 mins and 45 secs. I just don't get on with this compiler. I manage to complete them but it feels like a chore rather than a pleasure. Weird. (Me, not her/him.)

For some reason,Yodel has directed on of my deliveries to the locker. Yes, they've diverted the one that weighs 20 kg and not the one that weighs 250 g. Thanks, Yodel. Thanks.

Last night, I dreamed I was going to see Joyce DiDonato. Normally, I would be thrilled. But in the dream, Joyce DiDonato was my dentist. Explain that if you can. #DrillingNotThrilling

I went for a swim at 18:00. On the way there I walked past a woman who was wearing a puffer jacket. A PUFFER JACKET. In this weather!!!!!

I can't help thinking that we ought to rebrand 'news programmes' as 'speculation fests'. And if I were Starmer - and I'm so glad I not - I'd schedule any announcement for Tuesday at 20:50. Y'know, just for the fun of it.

A mash-up of Pachelbal's 'Canon' and'I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside'? Is Radio 3 turning into 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue'? #ISIHAC

I may be wrong - it has been known - but I think the solution to 20d has a typo. Well, I suppose the Guardian has a reputation to live up/down to. I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30034 in 31 mins and 4 secs. Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

The corvids are out in force today, I see. I'm not convinced about the Ring-necked Parakeet though.

I've completed Guardian Quiptic Crossword 1386 in 15 mins and 23 secs. I think Chandler may be my favourite compiler. I can manage their crosswords, and I can retrospectively work out the clue when I make a guess. Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

I've just started listening to 'El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego' from the Met. The commentator said that women (plural!) have been dressing up as Frida. Seriously? At the Met? This isn't young girls going to the 'Nutcracker', it's real grown-ups. Apparently. Actually, I just hate fancy dress!

'Quartet in Autumn' at the Arcola is a delight. It’s based on Barbara Pym (adapted by Samantha Harvey) so, of course, it is. It's partly about life after retirement - so a bit close to home - but leaves you with hope, if you want to find it. Must add Barbara Pym to my reread list.

I can never quite fathom these stories, the basis of which seems to be "I couldn't talk to my friends about this, but I'm happy to share it with a national broadcaster so millions of people will know about it". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Hmmmm... I'm not sure that I would have allowed 3d.🙄/ I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30031 in 28 mins and 4 secs. Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

Connections Puzzle #1097 🟩🟩🟨🟩 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩 So, it’s one of those where the 'easy' ones are hardest!

'War Horse' has come home to the Olivier and it's as brilliant as ever. Why can three puppeteers walking away from their puppet be so moving? And, of course, there's the goose. I had a brilliant seat (centre aisle, row J) that was a bargain from the Friday Rush. Which is also brilliant.

I sometimes struggle with Paul's puzzles, but today I go there. Longer than I would have liked, but a win is a win. I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30029 in 48 mins and 12 secs. Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

Absolute tosh discussed in Parliament this morning over abolishing Healthwatch England. Ministers totally tone deaf on the well documented history of the NHS and DHSC diminishing patient voice. Their simple answer seems to be "we'll do it better this time, honest". They won't.

Too soon Mincemeat, too soon! It's six bloody months off.

Following the RSPB advice, I removed the bird feeders for the summer a few weeks ago. Today, a handful of disgruntled blue tits were flapping around the balcony making a racket. Obviously, they didn’t get the memo. (I'm told they should move away for the summer anyway.)

And as far Meta glasses? If they can make entry conditional on compoliiance, couldn't they make it conditional on actually TURNING YOUR BLOODY PHONE OFF? I'm sure Rosamund Pike would agree. As would most of the audience (I hope). And breathe...

I'm arranging collection of something. I've sent a list saying when I'm available. I've now received messages saying 'it doesn’t say what time you're available today. Can we come now?' No, you blithering idiots. It doesn't say when I'm available BECAUSE I'M NOT!!!! Sometimes I hate people.

This is very strange. Inormally find Brendan a bit of a struggle, but I raced through this one. I say 'raced', but that’s by my standard... I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30025 in 18 mins and 26 secs. Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

I was looking forward to a nice thunderstorm. And what do I get? Not a nice thunderstorm.

My memoir, A Mind Of My Own is now available in paperback which means it’s cheaper. Hurrah! If you’d like a dedicated copy repost this and I’ll do a random pick of five winners in the next couple of days. If you’ve already bought/read or listened to the audible version thank you! ♥️📚

I'm listening to something on BBC Sounds set in 1916. The BBC announcer referred to it as 'Edwardian'. You just can't trust the BBC these days!

Listening to a trailer on BBC Sounds. Cpl Jones is talking to Capt Mainwaring who tells him to get off the phone because he's having his picture taken with it. Cpl Jones responds with "I didn't know you could take a picture with a phone!" How times change...

If one of them is Nathan Detroit, we know exactly what they've been up to. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

If you thought laundrettes were like 'My Beautiful Laundrette', you should see my local. It's a contrast. It makes passive aggression into an art. If you're not depressed when you get there, you will be by the time you leave. Thank Heavens I only go twice a year - it's quilt-washing season.

100% agreement from me.

The ivy was planted in the pot on the right, but it has now sent a trail and rooted in the pot on the left. I do like a plant with a mind of its own. A surgical intervention may be needed as I have plans.

So, on 27 May, Royal Mail expects to deliver my parcel on 26 May. They're going to be almost as disappointed as me. Almost... Unless they've discovered time travel. Although with the technical prowess in the app, I suspect not.

I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30017 in 15 mins and 29 secs. After yesterday's disaster, I loved this one. A brain-teaser rather than psychological torture. Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d... '.

Bring it on! It's just what we need.

A sparrow appears to be weeding the window box. Yes, I am embarrassed. (But I have chopped down some of the weedy things and left them out as I assume it's for nest building/repair.)

My S-pen got atuck in my phone. I googled - as you do - and one response was to bang the phone (onto a soft surface). I tried - and it worked. Brute force and ignorance seem to win far more frequently than they should.

'Mass' at the Donmar is mainly four people sitting around a table, talking. And it’s gripping. The grief of all four characters is understated, and all the more powerful for that. And they all want to understand something that is beyond comprehension.

I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30012 in 18 mins and 18 secs. A new setter to me - but s/he can come again. I could follow this. There's also something quite satisfying about 18 minutes and 18 seconds.( Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d... :

I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30009 in 21 mins and 33 secs. All finished byb09:00. It’s a good start to the day. (And the sortvof crosswordxI like.) Get the Android app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

I'm not one ro criticise Tolstoy, but I think the opening sentence of ‘Anna Karenina’ is incomplete. He should have added ‘but most families just muddle through’. Yes, I have just been dealing with family stuff. Why do you ask?

It's been claimed that I’m a bit of an egghead: • I watch Shakespeare for pleasure • I watch foreign films with subtitles • I go to opera and stay wide awake • I listen to Radio 3 I listen to Radio 3 and then they say, "Donizetti tossed it off in a week..." and believe me I'm not sophisticated.

Royal Mail *estimated* delivery 09:10 - 13:10. I wonder at what point I should give up hope.

I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30005 in 34 mins and 15 secs. This was fun. I'd have been quicker if I'd not tried to use some idiosyncratic spellings... Get the Andoid app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

Who'd have thought Jimi Hendrix and George Fridiric Handel would have lived next door to each other? Not at the same time, obviously. I was there for the Handel: Lucy Crowe singing arias from Handel operas in Handel’s front room. It was a joy. A return visit is definitely called for.

I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30004 in 14 mins and 25 secs. / These are my favourite type of crosswords, a bit of headscratching but still doable - with some smiles. Get the Andoid app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

What are these people on? A love story? Seriously? A woman seduces and betrays a man. She then taunts him and he kills a lot of people including himself and the woman. A love story?

Spookiness of the day! I got a spam/scam call to my landline. I went to check the number on a website (on my phone) - and the number was already in the search box. (Presumably because kots if people were checking it, but it still seems a bit weird.)

I've completed Guardian Cryptic Crossword 30000 in 39 mins and 41 secs. And I hated it, I'm afraid. Hardly any clues that raised a smile. Definitely not celebrating 30,000. Get the Andoid app here play.google.com/store/apps/d...

Wordle 1,783 2/6 ⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Considering that this is the day where I thought a meeting that began at 13:00 started at 14:00, things have started looking up.

I'm not always a fan of 'versions', but Marianne Elliott's version of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' works for me. The play itself raises questions. Should we be really laughing at the seduction and destruction of innocence? And a very neat touch at the very end. (Go and see it to find out.)

I know it was quoting a listener, but - unless my hearing is totally stuffed - Radio 3 has just referred to "Verdi's 'Tosca'". I'm going to lie down in a darkened room for a while.