I was so annoyed by the preponderance of promotional lunchboxes and the like that I refused to watch E.T. at the cinema and still haven’t seen it.

Shady cows

First meeting of the morning.

Lord, now lettest Nigel Farage depart in peace according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared: it's Count Binface, of all people. To be a light to lighten the country, and to be the glory of thy people of Clacton.

Northern Rail in winter: heating? What’s that? Northern Rail in a heatwave: more heat! More heat! Feel our heating as it spews out heat!

Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth. The first piece of art that made me think about the emotions of the subject of a painting (apart, perhaps, from the picture in the Ladybird books).

Hydration break.

“Is this Establishment in the room with us now?”

Every time I go into the Eighth Day on the Oxford Road I come over all Candice-Marie.

I suppose a flounce is out of the question?

Campsite full of campers having their silence ruined by a rotary baler. Unlucky.

The guy on the train next to me has someone saved in his WhatsApp chats as "what's this cunt want now?". That's an energy I can get on board with.

Morning crew

“I’m a bride! I’m supposed to be euphoric!” I’d forgotten how good Muriel’s Wedding is.

Derry. I must make plans.

Ah, the conversation with your mother that begins, “Do you remember… ?”, that you will lead onto the autopsy report and the funeral details.

It’s quiet in Wickes.

Hydrangea Break

Another day where I lose an hour of my life on Northern Rail roulette. I wonder if we will actually get to Manchester this morning?

First time sleeping under a duvet for a week.

It’s the time of year where at least one lucky flight landing at Manchester Airport gets to see me hanging out my washing while naked.

Just gave the postie a bottle of water out of the fridge. “If there was a breeze I’d be loving this, but this is brutal”. #TheHeat

Two thunderstorms and I can’t get the theme to Follyfoot out of my head. youtu.be/WVgyxhe849k?...

I went out for a walk at 04:00 to avoid the lunchtime heat and the early morning thunderstorm. Won on the first objective, not so much on the second.

Thunder! Can you hear it breaking through?

All the windows open until sunrise in the hope of dropping the temperature before I start work.

I watch more baseball than football and I am hugely enjoying the baseball crowds being introduced to football style support from the visiting World Cup supporters.

Lanyard update

I have brought cake into the office if anyone wants some.

I picked up the tab for lunch with Mum today. It seemed only fair to thank her. 60 years ago I was just wondering what all the lights and sounds and smells meant, she was wondering when the pain and bleeding would stop.

What you looking at?

Heaven is a sun-bathed upland drenched in the song of skylarks.

We’ve had Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, all set now for Childless Aunty Day.

MUPPET 1984

5 minutes into the presentation and we have had three “holistic”s.

Dropped an earbud. Nearly ripped the train seat apart. Found earbud. Whole carriage now thinks I am insane but I have my earbud. #Earbud

To everyone who tried to persuade me to watch Schitt’s Creek: you were right.

I’ve just been asked if I have any grandchildren. That’s a first.

Now looking for this t-shirt #WidowsBay

Some times needs must.

Funeral this morning. Her granddaughter came clutching a soft toy dog that I knew she had made for her. I had a moment.

Home early because the Wednesday meeting finished early. Going pyjama now to make sure that I don’t go out to the thing that I might have gone to tonight #SelfCare

Fair point

Hot

Stopping with my Mum this weekend. As I walk her dog the air is embroidered with the silken thread of the voices of the Staffordshire coalfields.

I’m getting angry at salad and eyeshadow and it isn’t salad or eyeshadow that I am angry at. I’m tired of being angry.

Off to meet with the microbiologists.

Widows Bay is going increasingly Inside No. 9/League of Gentlemen which as live very close to Royston Vasey makes me feel quite at home #Hadfield

As an anthropologist, I endorse this message!

At least I won’t have to leave Labour because of Blair again, because I’ve already left it because of Starmer.