Crete: The Battle and the Resistance by Antony Beevor. Pretty detailed tome on a lesser known bit of the War, but one that - once the initial loss of the island is covered - turns into a resistance war with some completely Boys' Own characters and bonkers Cretan politics.

I once flew City to Rotterdam. A flight that could have been swapped for a circus cannon. I think I managed a quick Murray Mint before descent.

Love the BBC Radio 3 Unwind Sleep Tracks late at night. Though at times it does sound more like marching than a train, which probably gives some wierd dreams.

Introduce yourself with 10 bands you've seen live Portishead Frank Black The Vaccines Wet Leg Benefits Shed Seven Charlatans Pulp The Orb The Last Dinner Party

BBC6Music really catering to my demographic this morning with Aldous Harding and Boards of Canada

"They don't understand that we promised we would stop this loophole in October, and we still haven't done it." I'm collating each new piece of evidence of this continuing failure on an hour by hour basis now. bsky.app/profile/mend...

"Think back to your childhood. Do you remember when the anxiety started?"

And #r4today now has an apoplectic Martin Lewis rightly saying the govt is moving years slower than promised on regulation of big tech scammers. This sclerosis is what leads to populism when people no longer trust the system. (And the populists are bought by the scammers)

As any hardened prankster no, the operative word here is "caught"

The phrase "the thing I find fascinating" is always exclusively uttered by Wikipedia bandits who lack the stamina, depth, and perspective to be "fascinated" by anything. It's always shorthand for "this is a glib gotcha that I hope will make me sound clever to idiots".

As a person from Southampton who now lives right in between Boro and Hull, who should I support now? Isn't "football" the winner?

Aged like milk. Though tbh, fair enough on the EFL decision.

I've gone through all five stages of grief over this this evening. Mainly settling on a ticktock between depression and anger. Is this the human condition now, having to put up with this deep seated ineptitude?

So BBC news says that Grenfell will take 10 years to decide whether to charge, and HS2 probably won't run until 2036-2039 at earliest. This is why people have lost faith in govt. Neither of these things are the first time anyone has dealt with these matters. Perhaps we are just stupid.

Pick a Bond from the photos you already have in your phone.

The trouble with that 100 Best Novels of all time thing is that there are thousands of good novels, and so little time anyway. My reading rate this year has been atrocious. But then I blame starting a large historical non-fiction text for slowing it down. That and social-media induced inattention

für, um, durch, gegen, entlang, ohne.

Why is HMRC Phone line the most hateful experience ever? Every single customer experience design choice they have made is the most fucking infuriating possible.

Well, that Streeting resignation letter was turgid. Could barely get through it - and I am paid to read turgid crap for a living.

"But doesn't Rayner have a funny voice too?" No, she has a strong accent which the press can mimic but not mock without alienating voters. Similarly "I was a teen mum" is not a good attack line for them, as who wants to have a go at such a success story?

I think Ed Miliband is great. I like his personality. I liked his podcast, and think he has a grasp of policy and political direction. He has made strides at DESNZ. Our awful press would simply say "Another PM with a funny voice" and he would be toast. Sorry Ed.

In Scotland. So naturally I got an IrnBru with the meal deal. Will report back with more news as it happens.

Same, but Glasgow pls

I prefer this place to the other one, but I don't have many followers here yet. Help me with the odd share if you like what I do. Ta.

I come from Southampton, so I don't really like football. I hear that my home team is up to something though, so you know, good for them I suppose.

OK, so I took one for the team and listened to the #RestIsPolitics interview with Angela Rayner. I managed to get past Campbell talking over and mansplaining over the engaging new host, Vicky Spratt, and have to say I warmed to Rayner. She does certainly seem to "get it".

Why yes, I did pass my motorcycle test today, thank you for asking. #MidLifeCrisis #DontTellMyMum #brrrrmmmmm

Get your lettering straight, Transpennine! Oh, and whilst you're about it, who marks the front of the train at the left?!

Slightly increase a band The BeeEffGees

Just done the weekly ironing whilst listening to the Boards of Canada back catalogue. I know how to live on a Friday night, oh yes.

Watching the splendid #Attenboroigh100 celebration on the BBC. Can't wait for the Shatner one in 5 years!

If we could have removed Essex, and the US could have removed Florida, the World would have turned out differently.

What's the best, not silly, response to any crowing Reformists I encounter in person today?

These are people who hate Angela Raynor with a passion, because they’re still driven by the desire to kick shit out of the kid who hands in their homework. They’re wankers. Get over it.

The mayor in North Yorks has tried to budget for buses. Every time though the "what about more roads/parking!" car brains start squawking. In the shires we often don't help ourselves.

I fear that Zia Yusuf tweet doing the rounds doesn't actually go far enough for what his core supporter wants, which is a more Final Solution. At least it has enabled me to be less polite to Reformists when I meet them, as we can now call them what they are.

Come for the 35 year old Audi 100. Stay for the bread rolls and the meat Thing!

I think I might now be old enough that I am well behind another curve. Can people please explain Substack to me, and why it might actually be better than what I had it pegged as (which was a means of spending money to be stuck in a pub corner with Dominic Cummings with a very large PowerPoint)?

After a night of insomnia I gave in and decided to be productive. I am now at my desk for 6am. Remembered it is a bank holiday.

Slightly diminish a book: Jan Eyre.

1 hour ago: bus crashes into river in Paris. Bsky ever since:

"There's no such thing as 'Society'" We've been fighting this for years.

I enjoy a fast jet as much as the next man, but could the F15 doing laps over Elvington bugger off now pls? Trying to work.

Nick Robinson:"What's up with the flags?" Dagenham woman:"At the end of the day it says if you want to come here you live by our rules" I thought it was supposed to be patriotism.... #r4today

Or just maybe DC bounded into the office, high on lack of sleep and sniffing his own farts, and when he says "Hey guys, who wants to hear me read my substack on productivity at them?" it is perhaps not that surprising to be met by blank stares as people rapidly have to remember urgent appointments.

A friendly advice shop. Where people who want good in the world, but can't afford City lawyers, can come and find out how to do those things that will be good for the World (renewable energy or other sustainable techy or social ideas) I can't afford to lose tho. I'll let you know how it goes...

I see Bob Trescothick is hitting up the bestsellers. @benpartridge.bsky.social @beefanddairy.bsky.social

My phone reminds me that three years ago today Sally invited me on a date to the Installation of the new Bishop of Newcastle. She hasn't invited me to any other ecclesiastical investitures since, which is a shame.

After a frantic week of documentation running around before mortgage offer expiry - today I heard that my house sale fell through. #gutted And it only took 30+ weeks to get here. #FFS