Not quite dark at 6pm. We did it: we got through the winter.

Sun. Blossom. Saturday.

The valet unwrapped a parcel of 1980s rubbers and has cheered up. Tag yourself, I'm Zelda.

Morning. 'It didn't work. It's not anything. It's a disappointment'. The valet is having an existential crisis.

@nigella.bsky.social 's Christmas loak cake, from begining to end. Nice rainy afternoon job and I'll have cake for a fortnight now.

Baking with Kath Day-Knight.

Post something green 💚 Nice bit of West German pottery.

Rainy day in the garden splitting snowdrops. Lots of brightness coming.

Byelection mug special.

Morning. 'Sunrise over the sea' says the valet. Just wish he'd chosen a green mug after the byelection result, but hey. Absolutely delighted by that result: thank god Reform lost and Labour starkly see the consequences of pandering to racists and alienating their own voters.

Morning. Valet having a lie in so Chazzer choice today. I'll be honest, I forgot to do a shape, so let's pretend I meant to draw a G for... Gerty? Garbaldi? Bonus bed hair photo.

Good sky on the way home. A few decent days' weather really does lift my mood.

It's crocus day at work. Glorious.

Glorious day to cycle to work.

Morning. 'Tulip today' says the valet. Never a good sign when I have to ask what way up it is. Still, cheery red mug for Wednesday. Half way through the week. Ish.

First run for a week. Not too bad, though as Girls Aloud sang, I'm just a snot machine. Song of the run: Sigrid, It gets dark. Though it was very light and warm this morning, no complaints.

Morning. Valet having a rare lie in, so it's Chazzer choice. Tried for an eye in the froth: I'd score me 3/10.

Mole update.

Doing the cities of the East Midlands today. Here's Derby.

Nottingham looks very nice empty.

It's almost pleasant commuting on a day like this.

Morning. 'I've done a small gecko' says the valet. Another Monday, with an exciting trip to Derby planned. My carriage (The Red Arrow) awaits.

Morning. 'It's a bunch of grapes' says the valet. I'm sure there will be other ideas. 13° and sunny today.

It's actually warm and dry, so I've mowed the lawn/moss, pruned the roses and admired the bulbs. Brenda says hello.

Morning. 'Trivial Pursuit ' says the valet. Yep. Saturday, feeling coldy so not sure if I'll get a run done. We will see.

Cheers. Slightly surprised by the valet's finger.

Morning. Valet back on duty. 'I've done you a disco ball.' Which I think he has.

Bread ready for the weekend.

Morning. Valet having a lie in, so Chazzer choice again. I tried really hard (not really) with the shape and... Zigzag maybe? Anyway, Thursday, my Friday. Feeling a bit rough so hope I haven't got a lurgy.

The valet went to London to see a show, and all he bought was some stickers for his nana phone case.

Cycled to work. Not sure I've ever been colder.

Post pancake day breakfast.

Morning. 'I've done a stiletto shoe. ' Valet looks again. 'I've done the Eiffel Tower'. Not sure the break was helpful. Anyway, Wednesday. We can do this.

Advertise your accent with a gif.

Bonus run because the weather is so nice. Not quick because it was a bit slippy underfoot and I quite like having unbroken hips. Song of the run: Lady Gaga, Bloody Mary.

Bonus run because the weather is so nice. Not quick because it was a bit slippy underfoot and I quite like having unbroken hips. Song of the run: Lady Gaga, Bloody Mary

Morning. Valet having an actual lie in, so Chazzer choice again. I've gone for an abstract artwork called Composition #4. Tuesday, which is my hump day, which is confusing.

The protein chums have cleaned Marks and Spencers out of cottage cheese, but fortunately they've not got as far as Iceland. Rejoice.

Motivation to run was zero, but a good morning to get out. Song of the run: Fischerspooner, Emerge. Hard not to run faster to this.

This is the valet and his dance partner winning their award yesterday. The valet may have cried.

Morning. Valet is on half term so getting a lie in (aka playing 1980s advert songs on YouTube right now.) So it's Chazzer Choice. I even attempted a smiley face: valet rather withering on my competence. Monday: we meet again. Huh.

Drop an album that was important to you when you were 19.

Spent the afternoon at the valet's dance school in a church hall, watching him get the annual School trophy. Very proud. I also danced the Lancers and the Virginian Reel: I am less proud of my shambolic performances.

Bluesky is a good thing because it's prompted me to play this again (thanks to @dnlmrkrssll.bsky.social). Left To My Own Devices is one of my top five songs ever.

Morning. 'I've excelled myself. I've done the common house spider'. Well, I'd say this is the Valet's best yet. How's your Sundays? For me it's a lie in then off to Cotmanhay to watch ballroom dancing.

My notifications are now a mess of different threads about mushy peas, tall men and badly buttered bread. Not quite sure how to reply to anything.

Valentine's Day chippy tea. Class.

Nice walk along the river and Watersports Centre with my best mate, taking about the daft things we did in our youth. Bit of flooding along the way. Can see why Park Run was cancelled: part of the route is now lake (pic 3). Have spent most of today outside. No regrets.

For a week every year, this scruffy bit of grass in Bridgford Park is transformed into a Persian carpet of crocuses. One of my favourite things about living here.