www.theguardian.com/politics/202... And more sleaze....

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... As a journalist, I collated copy from news agencies for the Birmingham Mail in the aftermath of Dunblane. Hacks can become hardened to tragedy but I was moved to tears by accounts that I read. The lack of knowledge and empathy shown by this staggering oaf is shocking.

Chilled melon soup sharpened with Minus 8 Vinegar and garnished with oregano, feta, black olives and evoo - perfect in this heat.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Reform: a party of spivs and crooks.

Quite the detail www.thetimes.com/article/aa2f...

Just the second day of July and already the blackberries in Highbury Park are ripening.

www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... Interesting breakdown of how tight restaurant margins are.

Need some advice on PR and common decency, guys? "An email sent to Wowcher customers on Saturday featured a list of getaways and activities under the subject line: "Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!"

www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... Thanks, Guardian. I needed a recipe telling me how to put stuff between two slices of bread.

Top marks to the excellent Wine Society for stocking this absolute bargain - £7.95 for a South African shiraz that's uncomplicated but bursting with black fruit and spices. Went beautifully well with bangers and mash.

After Nigel Farage claims we're living under two tier policing Keir Starmer slams him at #PMQs "His response has been to call for rage, rage, that's his response to a father that lost his son" "Exploiting this tragedy to creating grievance and division is wrong" "It shows exactly who he is"

After today's release of the Mandelson files, I can't see Pat McFadden remaining a minister once Starmer goes. Or maybe not even as long as that.

I'm old enough to remember when Warwickshire Bears last won a T20 match.

www.thetimes.com/travel/desti... A reminder of the days when Birmingham's hospitality scene wasn't under siege from rising prices, empty wallets and crippling taxation.

Wild flowers in Highbury Park alongside the railway line.

Back in Birmingham and enjoying the sunshine but still dreaming of this sensational tasting menu at the magnificent two Michelin star L'Auberge de Saint-Remy in Provence.

A lunch featuring brilliant wine, flawless service and food of incredible complexity and deliciousness at the two Michelin star Auberge de St Remy de Provence today.

Not exactly a light lunch: Gardiane de Taureau - Camargue bull stew very similar to a daube.

Market day in Saint Remy de Provence.

Excellent brebis and quince dressed with good olive oil and pepper to finish a long, enjoyable lunch at the charming Edu in St Remy de Provence.

incent Van Gogh's room at the former monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole near Remy de Provence, where he was incarated in 1889-90 after a breakdown.

Nigel Farage’s claim that he paid for a £1.4mn house with his fee from a reality TV show has been challenged by corporate accounts that appear to show that the income remained on his company’s balance sheet after the property purchase. www.ft.com/content/88ce...

I am seriously concerned by reports of intimidation and violence in Stirchley on Thursday, and have written to WMP. The Union Jack is a symbol of unity, not division; of patriotism, not polarisation. I condemn all attempts to hijack our flag and sow violence in our communities for political gain.

Escargots a la bourginonn rich with garlic, butter and nutmeg, a beautifully cooked entrecote with silky celeriac puree, roasted carrot and sticky, deep jus, a stunning cheeseboard and quite splendid ile flottante at Bistrot Saint Roch in Mausanne, Provence, has

Fabulous food, service and atmosphere M Restaurant in the centre of beautiful Lyon - a purple artichoke salad followed by superb guinea fowl.

Lunch at Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon in Paris - a club sandwich and glass of Aloxe-Corton. Beats a cup of coffee and sandwich at New Street Station.

Highbury Park looking pretty today.

Just remember. Farage isn’t really winning. He’s having power bought for him by foreign-based crypto billionaires and fossil fuel magnates. They want a corrupt PM who’ll sell off our NHS, bin NetZero and scrap our rights and protections to make more profit for them. Good day for moneymen and morons.

If you can get tickets, grab the chance to see Bertolt Brecht's The Resisitible Rise Of Arturo Ui at the RSC in Stratford until May 30 - brilliantly staged, brilliantly acted, powerful and so terrifyingly prescient. Mark Gatiss in the title role is magnificent.

In case you missed my previous post, don't open any links purported to have been sent by me on X: my account was hacked last week and X have been rubbish at sorting it out. It would be helpful if you reported any spam from my account to X. It might prod them into act.

Roasted beetroot dressed with Minus 8 Vinegar and served with oregano whipped ricotta, mixed leaves, walnuts and Sicilian evoo.

Beautiful banana bread with blueberry compote and lemon demerara crumb in the garden at The Den in Stirchley.

First visit to Samo Bistro in Birmingham's Great Western Arcade - and certainly not the last. Great service, great prices and dishes that are uncomplicated but prepared with proper skill and care.

Duncan enjoying a midday stroll through Holders Lane Woods.

Someone's hacked my X account, which I've scarcely used over recent times. So ignore any messages or posts since they won't be from me.

Holders Lane.

The rhubard and custard French toast at The Den in Stirchley is magnificent - indulgent and a beautifully balanced thanks to splodges of sharp rhubard gel.

🔴 NEW - Nigel Farage Has Personally Accepted £675,000 from Foreign Sources A-third of the Reform leader’s income has come from overseas interests since he became an MP. 📝 @writesbright.bsky.social

Scapece made with Minus 8 Vinegar #homecooking #Italian

So... #Farage thinks it's fine for his car to park in a disabled space. Because, after all, he's far more important than a mere disabled pensioner trying to drop his wife off. And allowing his thugs to manhandle the gentleman is fine, too. Are we happy with this? * www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Highbury Park.

Vance is releasing a new book soon.👇 Too soon? 😆😂

NYT reporting that under this ceasefire each ship will pay $2M to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. It was $0 before Trump launched this illegal war. 100-130 ships pass the Strait daily. Trump just gave Iran an extra $100M-$130M per day. Masterful gambit, sir. Impeach and remove this fascist—NOW.