If you are the captain of an Icelandic trawler and decide to have a game of deck cricket, whatever you do, don't field first upon winning the toss. Your crew will likely mutiny and it is easy to make your fall look like an accident. It's cold down there.

Attention unpublished writers from underrepresented groups! Want a chance at three generous cash prizes (£750-£2500)? Enter the Mo Siewcharran prize, hosted by Bookouture. Contest opens 2 February 2026 and closes on 2 May. More info here: buff.ly/K5zd9jA

Always follow:

The talk I am giving on the RAF Lymington WW2 D-Day airfield sold out, so if of interest, a second date has been arranged. Book a seat on www.ticketsource.co.uk/nfhwa

I just got a comment on a fic I wrote two years ago, and it put a smile on my face. If you read something you like, let the author know, especially if they're indie—it can make their day (or night), and lord knows we all need a boost these days.

Hee hee.

Tonight!!!!t The Ted Lewis Centre is proud to present "Get Carter Theme Revisited," an event that brings together the worlds of film, literature, and music in one unforgettable evening. Book your tickets at: buff.ly/hE6dvhH

There's nothing odd about loving an old airfield!

Worth signing up for.

🍾Monday Mysterious Mayhem & Memorial Moment🍾 has #Bestof2025 &links to #mostviewed 👨‍❤️‍👨 #MMRomance #StarWars 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 by Steve Perry, @frankwbutterfield.bsky.social @charliecochrane.bsky.social @jackienorth.bsky.social #StarWarsLegends #historical #mystery padmeslibrarybooks4all.blogspot.com/2026/01/mond...

Cricket at its glorious best. Only to be rivalled by the day my husband had someone caught off his bowling via a deflection from the (non-helmeted) wicketkeeper's head!

Each Friday morning in the school term, our wholesomeness level goes off the charts as we welcome our under 5s group, Friday Fledglings. On our blog, hear from Fledglings leader Charlotte about what a typical Fledglings morning involves, and how to get involved. merl.reading.ac.uk/news-and-vie...

In the next few days we'll be sharing more about our birthday and what's coming up in 2026. Before then (important): we'll be marking #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay tomorrow!

Some time ago I advertised a talk I was giving about RAF Beaulieu, a New Forest WW2 airfield. The tickets sold out and some asked if I could organise it again. The hall has kindly let me repeat the room booking... so, if you want to come along, you can book a seat for the second date.

A belated Happy New Year. Started my year as I intend to go on, God willing, poking about in interesting places. (Remains of an inert Upkeep bouncing bomb test run, New Forest.)

Is your New Year's Resolution to finish that book? Join the CWA Criminal Contenders, and receive newsletters, tips, competitions notices, and all sorts of useful things. Plus, it's free! Join here: buff.ly/GyfeTur

The BEAULIEU letters this morning. The letters were originally cut and filled with chalk circa 1910, when this land became the site of just the second flying school to open in England.

📖 HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Cathy Pickens buff.ly/pzAZ5JI with ‘True Crime Stories of the South’!

Books & Reading #99 This applies whether you are a writer or a speaker and comes from a remarkable wordsmith #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booklover

Thanks for being part of another very good, normal and rural year here at The Museum of English Rural Life <3 We'd like to wish you a very happy holidays, and a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. Our socials will now enter hibernation until 5 Jan 2026. See you then!

Reminds me of dear old David Steele being sponsored in butchers' items.

I love a Nine Lessons and Carols. Hoping to get to the one in Romsey on Thursday, if this blooming virus ever clears.

Semiotics has had a massive influence on language, literature and media alike - and if you'd like to know more, including how to apply it to your writing, then our new course this January is the one for you! www.eventbrite.com/e/semiotics-... #semiotics #writing #writers #writingcourse #courses

Aaargh!

if you like our posts you will LOVE our merch, featuring (among other delights) an absolutely giant hog merl-shop.co.uk/shop/livesto...

Tonight!!!!!! On 9 December at 7.00pm, join former police detective and popular crime novelist Graham Bartlett for 'Write Your Detectives Right'! This online workshop is free for CWA members and £15 for non-members. Purchase your tickets at: buff.ly/fq3Gasb.

I would pay good money to see Joe Root batting on the Iceland team's pitch.

This!

A (very) local hero.

Wikimedia UK has been awarded a grant of £56,198 from National Lottery Heritage Fund towards our ‘UK Heritage 3D Data at Risk: Developing a Strategy for Long Term Access & Storage’ project. The grant will help ensure future access to the UK’s 3D heritage data. More info: tinyurl.com/3ma28psr

Always good to see something new from my old mate Peter Tickler.

🎵 On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me / A mouse with a lobster taxi 🎵 Shop the world's most sophisticated merch this Christmas: merl-shop.co.uk/shop/curiosi...

About 89/90 I 'captained' him in a six a side tournament on the Oval. I took one wicket. Alec Stewart. c. Thorpe, b. Spencer. Though I had used four different balls in one 8 ball over as 3 went down the Harleyford Road. Must have been carnage for drivers out there!

Oh that we lived closer.

That's me completely choked up.

the world of brands craves powerful, authentic, memorable and accurate advocacy like this. yet the means stares them right in the face: make a tote bag with your logo on it being held by a mouse riding a lobster

Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research? We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections. Find out more: collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/

On November 29, meet author Ruth Goldstraw at the University of Gloucestershire Creative Writing Festival. Tickets are free, and you can book yours at:

Oh, you know how to put the boot in!

This!

Party time! Saturday 9am to 6pm EST (whatever that is in your time zone). Fun, chat, giveaways...all at Vicky Locey's. www.facebook.com/groups/14391...

One of the many events that affected Mr C when he used to travel for work.

Calling Independent Authors! On 25 October it's the Indie Author Book Fair (part of the MK Litfest). Info and tickets at: buff.ly/wy0OESp

Save the date! On 9 December at 7.00pm, join former police detective and popular crime novelist Graham Bartlett for 'Write Your Detectives Right'! This online workshop is free for CWA members and £15 for non-members. Purchase your tickets at: buff.ly/fq3Gasb.

Please Repost For @BBCCiN Hi all you lovely bidders; thank you so much for the support you have given @ChildrenInRead again this year. Can we ask a favour? When making your payment via bank transfer or Paypal can you add your Lot Number? It makes our admin so much easier. ❤️

well done, all!

To honor #VeteransDay2025 Sat Series Spotlight w/my #reviews for 👨‍❤️‍👨 #MMRomance #mystery 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Cambridge/Alasdair & Toby by @charliecochrane.bsky.social #CambridgeFellowsMysteries #AlasdiarandTobyInvestigations #historical #postwar #BritishMysteries padmeslibrarybooks4all.blogspot.com/2025/11/satu...

!!!

If you're local, these talks are always worth attending. Good biscuits, too.