Back to work tomorrow after two weeks' holiday, and only about 10%sure I can remember my password.

New post on Skuds.org called "September 2025" Read it here: https://skuds.org/2025/10/september-2025/

New post on Skuds.org called "Cumpleaños en Madrid" Read it here: https://skuds.org/2025/10/cumpleanos-en-madrid/

If anybody is going to Madrid and thinking of picking up some vinyl, I can recommend these shops + a few others. Unfortunately no dirt-cheap bargains, and no sign of any Ojos de Brujo or Amparanoia LPs, but a very thriving vinyl scene and at least 10 shops in the city centre.

My only regret about going to Madrid for a few days and visiting the zoo on my birthday is that I did not pack my big Canon DSLR with its 300mm telephoto lens. Smartphone photos really do not do the job.

Back home from Spain now. Always good to recognise Brighton from the air, even if we are a bit higher than when I flew over it in an A320 flight simulator/ I am all safe and sound, but can't say the same for my poor suitcase.

Why do airports have to be so dull, soul-sapping, expensive, and frustrating? I'm old enough to remember when flying was fun.

Trying not to think about how I will be taking the rush hour metro tomorrow with a suitcase. But I expect I will be fretting about it all night.

Scorchio!

Saying good morning to Cervantes and his characters before breakfast

Took a bus ride out to see this little place today. It has been on my must-see list for a while

Looks like rain in Madrid tomorrow. I have already done the indoor museums and face a choice of outdoor destinations - zoo or El Escorial...

Visiting the royal palace in Madrid and seems to have picked the same day as a mass pilgrimage

Did both the main museums in Madrid today. Now feeling knackered but cultured.

Got a 6am flight this morning so today was really a bonus day to explore Madrid a bit before the proper long weekend starts tomorrow. 21,000 steps later (all uphill, or so it feels) and I'm ready for my bed already!

I speak hardly any Spanish, but I seem to have a better grasp of the 'no dogs' signs than the locals do. Spent a happy few minutes watching a pair of JRTs zooming around.

Found this nice little record shop on my travels. My favourite so far.

Found the Prado. Bit late to go on today, but will return to see the Velázquez paintings

Madrid metro. I think I am going the righ way

Good start to my mini-holiday. Just found a new pocket I never knew about in a backpack I have been using for at least 5 years.

No, Google alerts on my phone, I do not want to see the highlights of my team getting beaten at home. Again. The fact that you even ask makes me realise how far AI has to go to be even slightly sensible.

On the way home from a party last night we were almost taken out by a stream of cars and bikes turning right into Crompton Way at 10:30pm. Took a walk down Crompton Way today. As expected, loads of rubber left on the roads. Looks like Manor Royal is still a playground for idiots.

Took a ride out to Dorking today and bought some vinyl - I was doing so well to get 21 days into the month without succumbing to temptation! No 70s LPs for a change, but could not resist Boomania for the memories and banging tunes.

Early birthday present from Jayne - a copy of my favourite cartoon by @mooseallain.bsky.social Not only funny, but beautifully presented and packaged by somebody who obviously has a love of good stationery

New post on Skuds.org called "No such thing as a free dinner?" Read it here: https://skuds.org/2025/09/no-such-thing-as-a-free-dinner/

New post on Skuds.org called "Random List #6" Read it here: https://skuds.org/2025/09/random-list-6/

I would consider moving abroad tomorrow if I could. But Brexit. Nice of NF to nail all the fire exits closed before setting light to the country

This BBC Proms at the moment is pretty wild. Never seen an orchestra conductor playing a drum while conducting. Also there is a 12 foot long guitar. Not heard of Rameau before but liking his stuff.

Just realised that the title of Baxter Dury's new album "Allbarone" is (probably) a play on "All Bar One" Now can't decide if I am a bit thick for not realising straight away or whether its just a made-up word and I am over-thinking it.

Back in one of my favourite cities for a few days. Working, so unable to to see any of the sights except on the walk to and from site I really must come back just for a short holiday some time.

I didn't get that emergency alert thing today. Maybe I didn't have my phone on me at the time? But if so, should there have been a notification or something? I get told that I missed a call from spammers or have an SMS with some marketing trivia, but not a potential disaster.

Watched the film Deep Cover tonight. That is one hell of a cast!

I see that Reform Ltd is still attracting the brightest and the best.

Got my pre-order in plus the Mrs. has got me a ticket for Brighton on the 20th. September is going to be a very Warrington-Runcorn month!

Watched Meg 2: The Trench tonight... It could have done with being 30 minutes shorter (which is true of all 2-hour films). Some would say that it could have done with being 2 hours shorter, but I have a high tolerance for rubbishy action films.

New post on Skuds.org called "August 2025" Read it here: https://skuds.org/2025/09/august-2025/

Not surprising. I thoroughly disapprove of Starmer's constant (and futile and counter-productive) pandering to Reform Ltd. and I've been a Labour member for about 30 years.

How good to see the media giving as much attention to the Green party (4 MPs) as they usually give to Reform Ltd (4 MPs) for a change. It won't last, but it should

Everyone knows there are 4 MPs for Reform Plc, but can only name 3 of them. Sarah Pochin is the Jose Carreras of right-wing politics! (Yes. I had to Google her)

In Clacton, the search for Nigel Farage enters its 424th day.

I see the fuckwits have been out in Langley Green. All the mini roundabouts have had the white paint removed by cars driving over them, so red crosses have been painted on all the keep left bollards instead.

A brave choice of brand name here www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FJWVHKCJ

Not left the house today (yet) but have racked up 2100 steps, and I think that at least 1500 of them are from going up and down the stairs moving the turntable and all vinyl from the spare room to the living room.

Would love to see an HR person trying to do improv comedy. The golden rule of improv is to say "Yes, and" to everything, but HR are programmed to start everything with "No" It would be like watching one of those SF computers that blow up when presented with a paradox.

Watched the 2019 Pet Shop Boys Hyde Park concert tonight. Again. Absolutely brilliant stuff. Need to put them top of my list of bands to see while I still can.

Wedding anniversary tomorrow. 24 years! I still can't believe anybody could put up with me for that long.

According to the titles of several emails a week that I delete unread I am on a roll with LinkedIn.

New post on Skuds.org called "The Phantom Roadworks Menace" Read it here: https://skuds.org/2025/08/the-phantom-roadworks-menace/

Went out for a ride today and picked up a Yes LP which is a) the only Yes studio album I have never owned b) their best-selling album by a mile Finally gave into the temptation after 40+ years.

You have to practically step into the road to see if any traffic is coming. I think I will be paying a visit with my scissors tonight.