Had a lovely walk on the Chesterfield Canal from Retford to Hayton with John. Lots of rural views on the way plus the charmingly named Whit Sunday Pie lock. Just 1 more section to walk to complete the whole canal.

Had a lovely return visit to Berry Hill junior parkrun volunteering on finish tokens with John as a marshal. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome again. #LoveJuniorParkrun

Had a great morning at our NENDY Brackenhurst Campus parkrun event #1 with John volunteering as parkwalkers to recomplete the East Midlands region once again. A lovely route around the buildings & across the fields. Many thanks to all today's volunteers & good luck going forward. #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Peppered mussels & salty chips www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... Improvised with 'packet' mussels as no fresh ones in shells for sale & new potatoes were soaked, oil sprayed & oven baked. Tasted great! Emporio delle Spezie looks amazing.

A fab linear walk on the Chesterfield Canal from Retford (with a splendid old co-op) to Worksop (with a splendid old pumping station) with John. Plenty of rural views between both towns & Ranby village on the way. A real mix of weather - sun, wind & rain! Delighted to see one boat on the move too.

Had a lovely return visit to Worksop College junior parkrun volunteering as barcode scanner with John as timekeeper. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves in the sunshine today. Many thanks for making us so welcome again. #LoveJuniorParkrun

Had a great time exploring Wellingborough heritage trail with John. Lots of interesting information about the history of the town, buildings, residents and the zoo! Stopped twice for refreshments as it was so hot.

Delighted to visit our NENDY Queensway parkrun to recomplete the East Midlands once again with John. Multiple laps of the playing fields in the sunshine so lots of opportunities to cheer on other participants. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. It was a scorcher! #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Orecchiette with courgettes, parmesan cream and almonds www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... I found orecchiette which was a bonus! Easy to make and perfect for dinner in this heatwave. The almonds added a nice crunch. Will make this again.

I've read along with Agatha Christie’s #ReadChristie2026 for June & managed 4 versions of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: the book in Poirot The Perfect Murders, the DVD in ITV's Poirot Collection 5, BBC Radio 4's full cast adaptation & the audio book read by Hugh Fraser.

Walked the final section of the Shropshire Union Canal with John from Backford to Ellesmere Port and the junction with the Manchester Ship Canal. We've enjoyed the whole route from Autherley Junction and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Lots of sunshine today!

Had a lovely morning visiting The Wirral Way junior parkrun with John volunteering as marshals. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. Our 100th different junior parkrun volunteer location 🖤💯🖤! #LoveJuniorParkrun

A splendid linear walk on the Shropshire Union Canal with John from Backford to Chester in the sunshine. From rural countryside through the suburbs to the city centre. We saw the Tom Rolt bridge and even walked the cut to the River Dee. Just 1 more section to walk to reach Ellesmere Port now.

Had a splendid time visiting Erddig parkrun with John and all the other CowFest tourists 🐄🐮 this morning. A single lap loop of the parkland through the trees, along the stream and around the hall in glorious sunshine. We even saw real cows! Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun

Had a splendid time visiting Erddig parkrun with John and all the other CowFest tourists 🐄🐮 this morning. A single lap loop of the parkland through the trees, along the stream and around the hall in glorious sunshine. We even saw real cows! Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Focaccia sandwiches with mortadella & parmesan cream www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... Found authentic ingredients! Added tomato & green leaves. Took them on our canal walk & ate them in the stunning surroundings of the Chesterfield Canal.

A lovely sunny linear walk along the whole of the Shropshire Union Canal Middlewich Branch with John from Wardle lock at the Trent & Mersey Canal to Barbridge Junction. Lots of rural views, 2 marinas & several locks. Loads of moving and moored boats. Stopped for a delicious Snugburys ice cream too.

Had a lovely linear walk on the Chesterfield Canal from Kiveton Park to Worksop with John. Beautiful rural surroundings with lots of triple, double and single locks. Just the one boat moving! Stopped off for a much needed ice cream and later a coffee on the way. A glorious sunny summer walk.

Had a lovely morning visiting Millhouses junior parkrun volunteering as funnel manager with John as a barcode scanner. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. One million parkrun events - wow! #LoveJuniorParkrun

Explored the Bosworth 1485 Trail South with John. A circular route from Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre then via the Ashby Canal, Dadlington, Stoke Golding, Shenton & The Battlefield Line Shenton station. Found 3 of the sculptures on the way. Lots of glorious rural summer views too.

Back volunteering at Market Bosworth Country Park parkrun as first timers' welcome and finish tokens with John as this week's RD. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. One million parkrun events - wow! #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Spaghetti (or linguine) with mussels, parsley and lemon www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... A really delicious recipe which was super easy to make. No shell on mussels here so I didn't get the crack, rip, unzip! Still tasted great though.

Ooh, look 👀… Absolutely delighted to see that we have a new NENDY as a new East Midlands 5k parkrun event – Queensway parkrun has started. John and I are really looking forward to visiting to recomplete the East Midlands region again soon. #LoveParkrun

Walked the rest of the unrestored section of the Chesterfield Canal from Killamarsh to Kiveton with John. Plenty of evidence of the route & even some water in places. Found both ends of the now abandoned Norwood Tunnel before reaching the navigable section. Came back via Kiveton Community Woodland.

Had a lovely morning visiting Barnsley junior parkrun volunteering as funnel manager with John as a marshal. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. #LoveJuniorParkrun #VolunteersWeek

Had a lovely morning visiting Barnsley junior parkrun volunteering as funnel manager with John as a marshal. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. #LoveJuniorParkrun #VolunteersWeek

Had a lovely time visiting Frank's Farm parkrun with John this morning. An undulating route across farmland and through the crop fields. Even managed some voluntourism by token sorting after the event. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun #VolunteersWeek

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Baked fish and potatoes with oregano and lemon mayonnaise www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... Delicious & really easy to make. Had this after a day at the seaside. Even made the mayo. Perfect! Hope you have made a full recovery now Rachel.

Absolutely delighted to see the gap getting wider! 💜 Now 140 more volunteers than runs! 🏃369 parkrun run/jog/walks at 280 locations 🦺509 parkrun UK, parkrun Ireland & junior parkrun volunteers at 211 locations #LoveParkrun #LoveJuniorParkrun #VolunteersWeek

Had a fab evening volunteering with John at both the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust #JoesJog2026 & the Mattioli Woods @loroshospice.bsky.social #Rothley10k runs. Great to see all the runners come through for both events - you were all amazing. Well done & congratulations to everyone! #VolunteersWeek

Back volunteering at Aylestone junior parkrun as funnel manager with John as this week's RD. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves running, jogging, walking and volunteering today. #LoveJuniorParkrun

Had a fabulous morning at Y Promenâd Llandrillo-yn-Rhos parkrun with John recompleting our 'On The Prom' challenge again. Lovely flat out & back route along the prom with glorious views out over the water - a splendid location. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Twice-baked tozzetti with chocolate chips & orange www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ma... Easy to make, deliciously crumbly & mine were somewhere between Janet & Danny shaped! Ate them dunked in tea. Perfect! And Simona Mirto's website is fab.

Super excited to see that both series 1 & 2 of Obituary are now available on ITVX in the UK. We started watching this on RTÉ when we were on holiday in Westport in March. Can't wait to catch up with Elvira again. www.itv.com/watch/obitua...

I've read along with Agatha Christie’s #ReadChristie2026 for May & managed 3 versions of The Labours of Hercules: the book in Hercule Poirot The Complete Short Stories, the DVD in ITV’s Poirot Collection 9 & the audio book read by Hugh Fraser.

A lovely Bank Holiday Monday linear walk on the Shropshire Union Canal with John from Tiverton into Chester. From rural countryside via the suburbs to the city centre. Just one more section left to walk to reach Ellesmere Port now. Loads of boats on the move today. It was a scorcher!

A splendid linear walk on the Chesterfield Canal with John from the centre of Chesterfield to Staveley Town Basin via Tapton Lock on the navigable section. Then along the Cuckoo Way on the line of the former towpath to Killamarsh. Very sunny & hot! Lots of heritage & new features on the way.

Had a lovely visit to Graves junior parkrun volunteering as timekeeper with John as barcode scanner. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves in the sunshine today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. #LoveJuniorParkrun

Had a lovely time exploring Swadlincote heritage trail in the sunshine with John. Called in to Sharpe's Pottery museum for breakfast and a look around. Learned a lot about the history of plumbing & toilets! Some interesting buildings in the town too.

Had a lovely return visit to Coronation Park parkrun first anniversary event volunteering on finish tokens with John as first timers' welcome & barcode scanner. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today in the sunshine. Many thanks for making us so welcome once again. #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social Ricotta and breadcrumb balls in tomato, chilli and basil sauce www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ma... A great recipe - really easy to make and utterly delicious. Lovely tasty sauce and surprisingly robust balls. Will be making these again soon.

Had a great time exploring Bideford Heritage Trail with John. Lots of interesting information about the history of the town and port from the Elizabethan era. Climbed aboard the SS Freshspring and then crossed the old bridge to explore The Wharves heritage area and the old railway station.

Had a lovely visit to Torridge junior parkrun volunteering as timekeeper with John on finish tokens. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. #LoveJuniorParkrun

Had a super morning visiting Woolacombe Dunes parkrun with John. Delightful route through the sand dunes and along the beach including the Dune of Doom! I ran barefoot 👣👣👣 of course! Splendid views out over the water. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social Orzo with peas, broad beans, asparagus, parmesan & lemon Easy to make & tastes delicious (used tinned beans & peas). I've still not mastered the 'wavy consistency'! I must add George Eliot’s Adam Bede to my reading list. www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ma...

Had a great morning supporting the Desford Striders Bosworth Half Marathon mile 3 water station with John and lots of other Market Bosworth Country Park parkrun volunteers. Great to see all the runners coming through - you were all amazing. Well done everyone!

Market Bosworth Country Park parkrun volunteers all ready at the mile 3 water station for the Desford Striders Bosworth Half Marathon runners. Good luck everyone and see you soon!

Started walking a new canal! A lovely linear walk with John on the Chesterfield Canal from Drakeholes to West Stockwith and the junction with the River Trent. Just a few boats and locks but lots of rural views.

Had a lovely return visit to Concord parkrun to run while John volunteered on finish tokens. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. Concord now joins a select group of parkruns along with Lincoln, Belton House, Braunstone & Market Bosworth Country Park where I've run more than once! #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social Spring chicken thighs with spring onions, mint & peas. Easy to make & delicious. My skinless chicken thighs did not crisp up so skin on ones next time! Arabella Boxer’s First Slice Your Cookbook looks delightful. www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ma...