Hopefully all work finished for a few weeks - so let’s put my desk to a new use.

Congratulations to Janice and Talia, doubles champions at the WTA Birmingham Open, defeating British pair Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden in straight sets.

Congratulations to Janice and Talia, doubles champions at the WTA Birmingham Open, defeating British pair Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden in straight sets.

Congratulations, Janice and Talia. Match tie-break win in the semi, to go through to the doubles final at the WTA Birmingham event at Edgbaston. Final due to be played later today.

Semi-final now halted by rain. Play suspended for today. So another early start for Talia and Janice in the morning in their quest to reach the final of the WTA Birmingham Open event at Edgbaston.

You know how I said there were two flowers coming on the Yuca. Well, two more have appeared over the last couple of days.

Congratulations to Talia and Janice. Just come through the resumed WTA Edgbaston quarter-final, that was rain-delayed yesterday, by two sets to love: 6-4 6-2, in just over an hour. Because of the backlog, they’ve got to play the semi-final tonight?

If your butterflies you can always use margarine.

If you lose your hare, you can always get a wig.

George has found a loophole in the rules…

This’ll do nicely! Well done, Janice and Talia. Wrapped it up in less than 48 minutes. Hope they didn’t wear themselves out, because rain delays to the tournament mean they’re back on for the next round this evening!

Two flowers coming up on the Yuca plant. Still a fair way to go before they open.

Congratulations, Janice. Number two seed Janice Tjen has just come through the opening round at the WTA Birmingham event, by two sets to one.

No idea what Alex and Janice are up to at Edgbaston today, lol.

Janice is the number two seed at the WTA Lexus Birmingham Open event at Edgbaston this week.

Hhmmm. Just had a starling fly in through the open bifold, do a circuit above the island, up to the Velux and try to get out through there, before departing back into the garden through the bifold.

Simple colours in tonight’s sky.

My son has inherited my taste for fine food. This is what he’s eating at #RolandGarros

14 years ago today - 27 May 2012 - I became a published author! American online publisher, Smashwords, brought out my novella Malfunction, just as an ebook. Small beginnings, but it went on to eventually become the first chapter of my full-length novel, Timeshaft.

George is watching The Smeds and the Smoos.

Another hectic day coming up.

Haven is Wren Willoughby’s Remarkable, Thoroughly Entertaining, First Novel. Check out my five-star review here: stewartbintauthor.weebly.com/stewart-bint...

Caught up with my long-standing friend Tony R Cox yesterday, and picked up a copy of his latest novel, The Cruel Sky, the sixth and final book in his superb Simon Jardine investigates. Can’t wait to start it while sitting in the shade this morning.

I’m still outside at 7.38 p.m. with the remnants of my whisky, and our friendly pigeon.

Definitely a two-umbrella and iced coffee kinda day. That sun’s too much for me!

Lunch time

Bring on the day. I’m all ready for it.

Here he goes again. He’s taken this route so many times today.

The bluetits are gathering food regularly now for their family in our bird box. They’re in and out all day.

Sun’s quite warm now. Cheers! Even the blackbird’s cooling off.

…and Janice takes the match two sets to love.

1st set to Janice

This has been our home for the last few days

Janice is number one seed at the WTA event at Rabat.

Well, I know which I’d rather eat!

When you reach my age, the lower plaque is a tad more important than the top one.

Cool dude

George is inviting everyone to sing the Alphabet Song with him next time.

How do I put myself forward for the role of PM?

Facebook has just reminded me that this time 13 years ago we were just hours away from the first edition of Timeshaft being released upon the world.

Tonight’s clouds

Poor little Sparky’s not been able to fly properly for a couple of weeks after breaking a wing feather. Breeder told me to pull it out. Just done it. He squawked while I was handling him, but he’s chirping and talking as normal now.

As clear as a bell after the cleaned filter has been doing its job overnight.

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All done. Relaxing now over lunch

Okay. Time to get wet and muddy, cleaning the pond filter. (I scrub up well, don’t I 🫣?)

The trouble with the way some people vote nowadays, is that they don’t know what they don’t know.

Vote Greens, Lib Dem, Tory, SNP, Labour, Reform, or for any other candidate you prefer today. As long as you vote. Voting for some of the above will be destructive for the country, but democracy will be served. If enough people see through the smoke and mirrors, all will be well.

Right. Guess what today’s job is.