Mum won on Bingo she won 1/2 dozen pirex plates I didn't win anything as usual.

Here’s another poem for National Poetry Day. This one is called ‘A Brief History of Modern Art in Poetry’.

We have just come down from the top of the post office tower. It was very exciting being 499 feet up. The cars and buildings looked like dinky toys.

A quiet start to Bank Holiday Monday. #Northamptonshire

Act of remembrance today at Oundle and Ashton war memorial in the centre of Oundle, Northamptonshire.

Memorial in St Andrew's Church, Cotterstock to Lieut Kenneth Robert Dundas, who died #OTD 1915 at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. 'This tablet is placed here in remembrance of all Kenneth's love and glorious fearlessness by his devoted wife Claudia 1919'

I’m encouraging the use of autograph books for summer 2025. Here’s mine, featuring Iris Murdoch’s autograph from 1969 when she came to my school, and Rev Richard Coles’ from 2017. In the background - a few drawings in a vintage autograph book.

Hello! 👋 I’m Gail, a one woman design studio, based in #Manchester My online shop is full of bold & colourful prints, homewares, t-shirts and stationery. Go on, have a nosy gailmyerscough.co.uk

Harriet: Oh, ain’t it just lovely! Bystander: I beg pardon, but I painted that picture, and I am truly pleased to find that it appeals to the people. Harriet: I don’t mean the picture - it’s the frame as my young man here made! Pitman’s Shorthand Weekly 1892

Happy #PostboxSaturday from Blatherwycke in Northamptonshire.

‘Dear Martha. Just a few lines to ask you or perhaps to formally invite you to meet the other members of the proposed “speed class” in my study on Monday evening at 7 o’clock precisely’ #postcard #PitmanShorthand #50MysteriousPostcards

It was called Edge Hill College of Higher Education ‘in my day’ (1977-1980) and the degrees were conferred by Lancaster University.

My 1st postcard with message in Pitman Shorthand. It features in my book 50 Mysterious Postcards: Pitman Shorthand Messages from the Golden Age of the Postcard. ‘I am writing this in shorthand because they always read what is on postcards at the post office here.’

'I hope you are keeping up your Shorthand. How did you enjoy the holiday at Gorleston on Sea.’ Official Sir Isaac Pitman postcard, sent 1904. #PitmanShorthand

A regular source of pleasure to dip into

I keep the 50 postcards which feature in my book in this album. Since publication in September 2022, I've collected more postcards with messages in Pitman Shorthand and now have about 500. Fifty Mysterious Postcards: Pitman Shorthand Messages from the Golden Age of the Postcard.

I’ve watched several TV programmes where cars are restored but I have a feeling that these two are beyond salvation. #Abersoch

Maybe London isn’t as exciting as Paris, but it’s a change any way.

Marion’s diary #OTD 1943 ‘I stayed in all day. I didn’t go to work. My boil was very bad. Nothing happened.’ #PitmanShorthand

'There are four cases of smallpox in Macclesfield. I hope you don't get it.' Postcard of Kingsway, Cleethorpes with message in Pitman Shorthand. 'How are you getting on with your camera? I have only took three snaps up to now.'

Preparing for a talk on Fifty Mysterious Postcards in a couple of weeks. There’ll be secrets, confessions, loans re-paid, German measles and Eric (‘He is the best ever!’) #PitmanShorthand #postcards

'Everything is going on well just now with us here and the above youngster makes the house livelier than ever.' Real photographic postcard of 'The biggest rogue in North London' with message in Pitman Shorthand.

'The man in the boat lives at the Ferry Cottage which you will have heard about before.' Postcard of Corby Bridge, near Carlisle, with message in Pitman Shorthand, posted 1905.

Wallace and Gromit postcard, with message in Pitman Shorthand, on its way this morning.

Postcards (and other things) on my wall.

I won the fancy dress.

I shan't write again dear.

The sun just burns through my nylons.

Postcards with messages written in Pitman Shorthand, secret diaries, and my book Fifty Mysterious Postcards: Pitman Shorthand Messages from the Golden Age of the Postcard.

Will you discover your ancestors through a postcard sent more than a hundred years ago? Posted in the Past ~ Hands Across the Sea is available from your favourite bookshop for only £7.99. mybook.to/HandsAcrossT... #Genealogy

At the Andy Warhol exhibition in Milton Keynes today. Where IS everyone? This is the place to be

With this chap, admiring The Longest Yarn exhibition, at Peterborough Cathedral today.

On the top shelf at Oundle Bookshop - Fifty Mysterious Postcards.

Postcard of Gorleston Harbour from Cliffs, sent 1905, with message in #PitmanShorthand ‘I spoke to Mr Adams about you when he was resting in the garden. He says we should keep a draughtsman but the trade is not good enough to allow him to pay one now.’

‘Thanks for sarcastic letter.’ Postcard of Lambeth Palace, London, with message in Pitman Shorthand to Ethel.

Not sure whether I need this toilet roll holder with anti-slip mat for my mobile phone.

In Walkers Bookshop, Oakham, today and spotted two copies of Fifty Mysterious Postcards on the top shelf of the History section.

Postcard of Corporation Street, Birmingham, posted 1916 to Miss Drake from Will Penny, with mysterious message in Pitman Shorthand. 'Excuse writing shorthand but I think it is best. You did not keep your appointment this morning.'

Can you spot the cat in this example of an 'incidental cat in estate agent's particulars'?

Postcard with message written in Pitman Shorthand, posted in Bradford in 1904. ‘This is a very pretty place and although we are close to a railway station it will be quiet compared with Manchester.’

I was awarded a Pitman Shorthand speed certificate for 140 words per minute in 1974. I can't imagine writing for 10 minutes at 250 words per minute - the British Speed Record in 1894, achieved by Mr G W Bunbury of Dublin.

'Will you kindly note that this is only the 3rd of the month and you have received two letters and two postcards. I only wish you to take note of the fact - I don't want you to think that I mean anything of course.' Postcard 1903 with message in Pitman Shorthand #Southsea

Marion's diary for 15 January 1942 #Glasgow #PitmanShorthand 'Met Mum in town and I bought a brown hat. We had tea in Pettigrews where we got the hat. We went to the * club at night. Sally Mitchell was there.'

Marion's diary #OTD 1942, written in Pitman Shorthand. She went to see Reaching for the Stars and Three Men from Texas (written in longhand). 'Maikie phoned at 6 o'clock. Nancy went to see Brenda and she was a little better.'

Postcard of Lord Street, Liverpool posted 1901. Message in Pitman Shorthand begins: 'My dear sir. Hope you will excuse the delay in answering but I have been very busy with masonic duties.'

‘See the conquering hero comes, sound the trumpets, beat the drums. Sports prepare, the laurels bring, songs of triumph to him sing.’ Postcard with message in Pitman Shorthand 1904

Today's #HigherEducationPostcard shows Dartington Hall, which was from 1961 to 2010 Dartington College of Arts I don't know what year the card dates from, but it seems the Fabians used the hall extensively in the early 1940s at least. Can anyone identify any of the participants?

Sent in 1907 to W Blythe, Chelmsford: Thanks for card. I did not tell you but I shall meet you at station. 2nd would be alright. It will not be necessary to travel 1st unless you want to. Len ("Have you seen any of these before" @kathryn11baird.bsky.social and Jayne did the shorthand work for me.)

Please do not disturb this cat who is busy at work. One of my favourite examples of an 'incidental cat in estate agent's particulars'.

‘Dear May. Just a little addition to your collection. You and I singing a song of love.’ Postcard of A Duet to May Clarke, posted 1903, with message in Pitman Shorthand.