The view from my lap right now. This lad Eric has a few health challenges, and he's not getting any younger. But we love him, and there's nothing better than hearing him purr.

Almost reading the greats. (my latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books)

What. The. Actual. F...

Film you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Trek, Star Wars, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Ghibli.

open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p... An interesting article. One to come back to in a few months, I think, to see how things develop.

The eBook of Castle is only 99p right now. Repost this for a chance to win a signed copy of the original hardback edition. www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...

If through some inexplicable lack of curiosity you have never seen the 20-minute video tape of the Cramps playing live to the inmates of the Napa State Mental Hospital, and you need something to restore your faith in humanity, press play on this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jnk...

An excellent idea. I struggled once I got back to about 1200

Today makes five weeks sober (should I get through it). Unplanned, but stopped boozing to recover from surgery, and mostly I'm feeling much better for it. Not much of a milestone, but by far the longest I've been sober as an adult. #SoberSky

Something magnificent about Kemi Badenoch's self-confidence, and her claim that the Mandelson affair is entirely down to her asking questions at PMQs. Like a toddler who thinks their plastic steering wheel is controlling the car.

My cartoon for this week’s @newscientist.com

The same people who said that the mass murder of children in schools was a sad but necessary price to enable citizens to bear arms and oppose tyranny are now saying that if you carry a gun it’s your fault if you’re murdered.

Mark Gatiss, The Devil in Amber'. Second in the excellent 'Lucifer Box' series. Great fun, well-paced, camp, funny. This one feels like a Denis Wheatley pastiche. #BookSky #amreading

I don’t want to worry anyone but Digging for Britain has just said that the largest UK archaeological dig is currently taking place a stone’s throw from where MR James set A Warning to the Curious.

Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness.

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” —George Orwell (1984)

Wolfgang The Hunter Dachshund 1935

Hey, so if it’s cool for other countries to just remove “outlaw dictators” from their own countries, I’ve got a great idea about who should be removed next!

Judge Dredd exposed as squishy liberal in British citizenship debate shock

The Grand Basildon Hotel #makeafilmcheaper

How I'm walking out of 2025

Beautiful gift from a friend, and very much appreciated. An old Folio Society book. Useful for swotting up before seeing the Bayeux Tapestry in London next year, all being well. #HistoryBookChat #MedievalSky #BookSky

Random gig merch I forgot I'd bought until now. Gang of Four guitar and bass picks. Brilliant night a year or so back. Glad I got these.

My favorite tyrant joke: a man comes every day and peers at the front page of the newspaper without buying it. The newspaper vendor says, "what are you looking for?" "An obituary." "Obituaries aren't on the front page." "This one will be."

Self-indulgent post warning. Just had a date confirmed for my hip replacement op (I'm in the UK, so no ruinous bills after). 2025 has been about pain & frustration. 2026 will be painful, but recovery. Looking forward to my first post-op run, once I'm ready🏃

I'm an old bugger, and don't buy enough new music, but Huey Morgan played this lot on the radio this morning, and it was (to quote The Jam) a 'rush my money to the record shops' moment. Well worth a listen. 'The Chase', by They Are Gutting A Body Of Water youtu.be/aHlqmX71vV0?...

Got up, switched on the radio, and 'Up the Junction' came on. Can't think of a better start to the day #Squeeze

First Secretary of Defense you could defeat by painting a tunnel on the side of a boulder.

Eric preparing for his stint on #Jackanory (shows my age, though not his). It's gonna be a scary one!

Eric has a new bed. I think he approves.

Feels like the kind of day to play through the entire Aztec Camera catalogue. Let's start here.

"Hush, Horatio. Did you not hear the Dark Lord's call? Go now and summon the others, for it is the time of The Reaping. Soon we shall be bathing in the blood of our enemies." "I don't know, Max. I'm pretty sure that was just a can opener."

Fun (or not so fun) fact - the author of the “BBC bias” memo is a lobbyist for the American Pharmaceutical Group. U.S. pharma companies recently threatened to abandon the UK unless the NHS pays more for its medicines. They also donated millions to Trump’s campaign and inauguration

Excellent night hearing Mike Joyce talking about his life, and time in The Smiths, at Wylam Brewery.

I just read this, and would definitely recommend it. Sometimes, on finishing a book, one can feel bereft at being chucked out of that world (even if that world is unappealing, like the early '70s. I was there, and it wasn't great). Anyway, this was one of those books; 'WTF am I gonna do now?'

“It is also November. The noons are more laconic and the sundowns sterner...November always seemed to me the Norway of the year.” -Emily Dickinson, letter to Elizabeth Holland (Nov 1865) #everynightapoem #november

Dean Village, Edinburgh. A most enjoyable stroll.

It's Monday again and today I'm reading Hagtale by Sally O'Reilly What book(s) are you reading this week? 💙📚 #BookSky #AmReading #MondayReads #TBR alt text in images please

Follow Mr Apollo

Happisburgh

Yes, yes I know I keep banging on about my fucking book! However, if you want one repost this and I’ll do a random winner pick thing by the end of the week because I’m great like that. ♥️📚 #amindofmyown

Edwyn Collins at the Boiler Shop, Newcastle. Farewell tour. No photos, as I was busy enjoying the gig. Superb, as always. Great songs, great singer. Lots of smiles on lots of faces.

As ALL our senior military leaders meet with our Secretary of War today...just a reminder that THIS is the guy in charge of the most powerful military on the planet.

If you see this picture, post a random image from your device.

ICE attempted and failed to disappear a food delivery guy. It needed to be scored.

8 book recs for Hobbits to celebrate #hobbitday and the first day of Fall 🍃 My reasons for picking these books is available in the alt text

A happy find in Durham today. Been looking out for this ('First Light', by Geoffrey Wellum) #HistoryBookChat

Someone said on the radio earlier that Henry I initially defined a yard as the distance from his nose to the tip of his outstretched thumb. You'd think he'd get sick of it pretty quick. 'Your Majesty, you're needed to measure a field.' 'Whereabouts.' 'Northumberland.' 'FFS!'

Heading South for We Have Ways Fest 5. 3 days of war waffle from people much more clever than me, plus some military hardware and perhaps the odd beer.

I was giving Eric treats. Then I stopped. Getting the stink-eye now.