I'm sure I'll get tons of flak for this, but at a time when ITV = football, BBC1. AND 2 both tennis. Blummin' ridiculous.

I'm going to start a new trend and work from home in my car with the Aircon on. Not entirely sure yet how I explain my laptop perched on the steering wheel to any passing boys in blue....maybe there'll be a lawyer out there who can spring to my aid....

My wife is binge-watching Poldark. The remake. I simply cannot believe that throughout the entire 5-series run it has never EVER rained on the beaches...

Interested in thoughts about film scanners at the lower end of the market! So many options....

So, anyone doing anything entertaining this cool grey bank holiday? I've been planting up the wall pots. Yes, the very epitome of rocknroll..... (Petunias, btw...)

Another instalment of "Things Which Aren't What They Were". I'm becoming convinced that Pimm's isn't as strong a flavour as it used to be. Think I need another one to double check...

My 2026 blackcurrant project is completed....

We're jamming!

In other news, what would you say are your musical "guilty pleasures"? Mine would be Barbra Streisand and The Seekers. Not, I think, that they ever performed together....

I like to ask whether it's too early, on this lovely lovely day, for a 2nd Pimm's....

I'm a big fan of the Dutch radio station NPO but am bewildered by recent programming! Last Sunday - Bach St Matthew Passion (Makela conducting the RCO live) - and Friday Bach St Matthew Passion (Suzuki conducting, also live). Two complete SMPs in a week...???

I have just enjoyed a lovely week off, doing various tasks at home and just revelling in Not Being At Work. Of course, Monday morning will start to loom at some point over the weekend but am doing my very best Not To Think About It...

I'm reading that José van Dam has died in his mid-80s. Karajan's Gurnemanz (amongst loads of other roles, of course)

In charity shops today, my restraint should have won n an award. 6 books, a cafetiere (unused), a large killner -type jar, and a shirt (which was miles too small), but I did not buy a cdset of Karajan's 1960s Beethoven symphony cycle at the almost irresistible price of £1. The struggle was acute.

Charity shop haul...

@aitch62.bsky.social this time grapefruit....

Prompted by BBC news but also regularly heard on a certain property purchase programme, what do people think about pronunciation of "communal"? I mean, obviously those who say "COMM-unal' (stress on 1st syllable) rather than"commUnal" (2nd syllable stressed) are wrong'uns...

Slightly late "heads up" for the excruciating "Nuts In May" on bbc4 this evening and iPlayer!

This evening marked a truly historic occasion. Never before, in all my decades, have I ever either made or consumed Spaghetti Carbonara. Ok, with pancetta rather than guanciale but needs must and Waitrose didn't have the latter. Would I do it again? Oh yes...

Heads up - "Howard's Way" is back! Ok, just a rerun on U+Drama....

Anyone interested in Wagner may like to know that tomorrow the German TV station 3Sat is showing all 4 parts of the Ring. Production from Zurich Opera 2024, Noseda conducing. Starts 8am UK time.

Anyone had any interesting breakfasts? I'm looking at you @aitch62.bsky.social ...

Donald McIntyre has died aged 91. My first Wotan courtesy of the Boulez Bayreuth Ring, before I encountered him many other roles. Never heard him in the flesh, though.

OK FOLKS I'm on the thorny horns of a difficult dilemma- whether to cull the cardboard box collection in the garage....

Just finished this, the latest from this interesting writer. A good if frankly somewhat depressing read.

In other news, I made a cake....

I'd just like to say: the 3rd Downton abbey film: utter utter waste of time!!!!

This is a splendid book, beautifully written. Not a dry history in any sense.

Very pleased finally to have picked up this set for an excellent price. Marvellous Sea Symphony!

@robertflute.bsky.social Lyric FM today 6pm broadcasting Stanford "The Critic" recorded at the 2024 Wexford Festival!

Today's facepalm moment arises courtesy of this morning's bread baking. Someone decided to use a paper tin-liner to discourage bread from sticking to tin. Instead of which, loaf stuck to the paper. Yes, yes it was me.🤣🤣😭😭

We've been out this evening! Into the peopley world! New RSC production of "Measure for Measure". Not remotely familiar with the play. Would I go again? No. Do I wish I hadn't bothered? Also no.

The results of about 15 mins foraging. So - jam, crumble, cobbler...?🤔😃

Lovely day today - warm and sunny. Rain apparently tomorrow. Lawn could do with a haircut but instead...

Haven't posted much lately as I've had a few days in N Wales (lovely), bought cds on Ebay (excessive (only 1 duplication),pottered about in the garden (thirst-inducing). Today after a rather nice 9am service I've made a loaf (60% white 40%granary) & a mince + pea curry (too much passata). ,

Testing has established that Pimms does not freeze in an icecube tray. I'd thought at its low-ish alcohol content (21%??) It might.... Anyone know how low the %age has to be before an alcohol-bearing liquid will freeze?

I've decided it's "too hot for gardening o'clock "....in case anyone was wondering

May I just say

One aspect of 20th century history which has always particularly intrigued me is how a civilised European country can have degenerated Into Nazism. This most excellent book looks at that.

Isn't Rod just fab...

Anyone want to buy two water butts???? Can't see my having a use for them any day soon....

@foxlanebooks.bsky.social how nice, a typically fast despatch from those nice people at Fox Lane Books including this!

I found myself in a few charity shops...

I read that adding dried chilli flakes to a bird feeder deters squirrels but has no effect on birds. No. It doesn't. Can confirm it has absolutely no effect whatsoever!!!!

A few from Carisbrooke Castle

A few pix from Osborne House...

Nothing like the pleasure of the arrival of a forgotten order

My granddaughter (15) has told my wife she thinks I'm posh. Apparently this is due to the way I speak and - most intriguingly - the way I pour drinks. I am hugely keen to understand this.....

I'm wondering just how cross Starmer and Trump are that tomorrow's news headlines might just have been stolen under their noses...

The Curse of a certain auction site. Sold a cd set to someone who now wants a refund saying it`s not as described (it isn`t - it`s in better condition) but refuses to spell out how and why. And of course there`s no mechanism to reject his return request. Sometimes it`s just not worth the effort.