@backlisted.bsky.social @tonywhite.bsky.social I once sold an old Flymo blade to Penny Rimbaud on eBay, the Hermes courier couldn’t find the entrance to the Crass commune. Rereading brought this weird moment to mind…

Tour day. Nervously watching a large assembly of Hari Krishnas set up their food give away right in the middle of my route. Oh well, beats the “patriots” from the other week. Can I ask them nicely not to bang the drum while I’m talking?

In the Guardian Blind Date today: he claims he's never read a single Blind Date column ever and she's its biggest fan ever. A recipe for slow, creeping disaster. My review:

These also just arrived from @caferoyalbooks.bsky.social The recent exhibition of John Dean’s 1976 photos taken in Nottingham really captured people’s curiosity.

Been waiting so long for the sequel, I’m going to have to re-read @tonywhite.bsky.social’s The Fountain in The Forest in anticipation.

Mushy Peas not pies.

Over on FB a picture of the Victoria Centre Mushy Pie stall has surfaced. @grindrod.bsky.social My episode of Monstrosities Mon Amour talking about the Centre is still available wherever you get your podcasts! www.facebook.com/groups/20722...

I can hear tha patter I ma heid as I read. Saving the intro for the end. #agnesowens

Thank you for your insight @kirstininnes.bsky.social glad I saved it for the end!

Just devoured this in one sitting. If you’ve never read Owens, for heavens sake save the (excellent) intro until after you’ve finished (I’ve started doing this as a rule whenever there is a new intro. I think they should be outros!)

Ah the joy of summer! The foundation garments. The chub rub. Trying to find clothes in natural fibres and sandals in which it’s possible to walk! #maso

Going to be in Cardiff to meet a pal in a few weeks - any recommendations for quiet yet funky cafes/ bars near the station gratefully received. Diolch. #Cardiff

Tour day. Oh great not only stinking hot but the flag w*nkers are out in noisy force in the Old Market Square. #Nottingham I updated my badge collection

@boakandbailey.bsky.social have you ever come across The Brewing Trade Review on your travels? Have just discovered an old friend’s Dad took photos/wrote articles about Notts & Derbys pubs for it in 1956. Would love to track them down, at Uni of Warwick, but wonder if they’re available elsewhere? Ta

Banned word list: “Picky bits” 🤢 (I like a lot of the foods but god, that makes me never want to eat without a knife and fork again).

@lucigosling.bsky.social Hi Luci, when you were researching roadhouses did you come across any pictures of the Knights on the Road circa 1932, or the Nottingham Knight, trying to work out if it ever had a flat roof? Thanks very much-Lucy

I don’t do lists.

For anyone who has spent time shopping in #Nottingham this is a great listen. Hosted by @grindrod.bsky.social with @notrock.bsky.social I used to live opposite the Vic Ctr & at the top entrance it had a mural of the Palio di Siena which disappeared when it was extended substack.com/@johngrindro...

Putting a bit of love back, one place at a time… podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...

Not a Danny Boyle in sight… Festival of Britain guide (bought at a carboot some years ago)

This weekend marks the anniversary of the birth of Urban Planning activist Jane Jacobs. There are global events to celebrate and remember her work, including this one, in Nottingham, on Weds 6 May, 4 pm. I'm hoping to participate and it's free to take part: www.2hd.uk/janes-walk-n...

Monstrosities Mon Amour live! Recording a show in front of a live audience at the Horse Hospital, London, on Sunday May 10, with special guest the brilliant @gmdarksky.bsky.social Part of an amazing afternoon of music, readings and chat www.johngrindrod.co.uk/events/monst...

For letter W in the #AtoZBloggingChallenge we have a very short piece on Watson Fothergill, or should that be Fothergill Watson?! Featuring Loughborough, my #OnePlaceStudy @notrock.bsky.social lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.com/2026/04/so-w...

I really enjoyed this episode of Monstrosities Mon Amour. @notrock.bsky.social is such a star.

Do any other writers suffer from this? I’ve had a load of “great” ideas in the last couple of days and now I’ve set to them they all seem terrible. Is it the not getting paid that’s kicking my confidence?

Such a great interview with a wonderful writer about his progress and his process. Congratulations on the paperback @peteralanross.bsky.social 🦊

If you listened to the latest Monstrosities Mon Amour with Lucy on Nottingham’s Victoria Centre you’ll want to see this!

In case you missed it, I’m excited to say I’m on the latest Monstrosities Mon Amour : open.substack.com/pub/johngrin...

Nice to be benignly trolled with archive photos. Thanks Facebook.

Nottingham peeps: this is a fascinating 30 mins listen about the Vic Centre. Sad that I didn't get to the Tudor slash Western themed Berni Inn.

I’m thrilled to have been a guest on my favourite podcast! Thank you John, that was a lot of fun. #MushyPeasAndMintSauce

There's a new episode of Monstrosities Mon Amour! Featuring Lucy Brouwer, the magnificent @notrock.bsky.social, on Nottingham's big beast the Victoria Centre and Radiohead's lost single Pop is Dead open.substack.com/pub/johngrin...

Really wanted this crime book set in the 1950s to be good, but a character just told someone to “Enjoy!” And someone else referred to “banter” in a way that sounded like they said it yesterday. Why am I like this?

Got a “reply guy” on FB. I’ve made it to the big time!

Middle age shout out. Is there no free app with common physio exercises where I can follow spoken instructions so I don’t have to stare at a piece of A4 with my reading glasses on while I try to unkink my neck?

The former Underhill Studios, Deptford. Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed rehearsed here. Now part of a chemist's shop and used as a store room for pharmaceuticals, which seems appropriate.

Yeah novelty hot cross buns, whatever, but have you tried enlivening a disappointing HCB by slicing it and making it into French toast? No photo coz I ate it.

I'm pleased to say that I'll be appearing at the Derby Book Festival on Friday 22 May at 1.30pm. I've spoken about my work at the festival twice before and they've been very enjoyable events. I'd be glad to see you – yes, you – there. www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/events/peter...

This week I’m in Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester, doing talks and generally being suburban www.johngrindrod.co.uk/events

Tour guide woes: some students (?) in the building above my stop decided to scream throughout a section of my tour yesterday. Now can’t decide if I’m paranoid and they weren’t screaming because of me, if it was some sort of weird orgy, or if today’s youth just don’t got no respect.

In the latest Guardian Blind Date: OH MEIN GOTT! My review:

I have a historical society joke, but we don't have the resources to put it online yet.

“The savoury snack” @secondmentions.bsky.social

Meanwhile … watsonfothergillwalk.substack.com/p/the-flying...

At some point during the pub quiz, the cork sole of my German shoe has fallen apart. It squeaked as I walked for the bus, how did this happen?

Wouldn't you LOVE to have me on your podcast/radio show/other modern communications thingy? Tales of the Suburbs is out next week, and it would be smashing to get word out as far as possible over the next few months via the medium of chat. Slide into my DMs or www.johngrindrod.co.uk/contact x

Always have a great time at Five Leaves Bookshop in Nottingham. Please come along! fiveleavesbookshop.co.uk/events/tales...

BBC News - Newcastle pubs ban AI art from breweries to protect local creatives - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...