I am defrosting the freezer. I may be gone some time...

17th January - “Old Twelfth Night” - is celebrated with Wassailing traditions. Local cider makers tell me that business property relief uncertainty is undermining their confidence and holding back investment in rural areas. I’ll keep fighting for traditional cider makers in Somerset and beyond.

Right, prompted by a visit from TechNeph, I have finally got round to playing with the microscope camera gadget he gave me ages ago. So, I thought I would try some mystery pics for my online mates:

Did I catch a fleeting reference on a news bulletin earlier that Amol Rajan is leaving the Today programme? Is the gabbler off to spend more time with his podcasts? Maybe his bestie Nick will follow suit.🤞🎉

Has Akram actually met Tom and Natasha? I mean, Helen's one thing, but those two are in a league of their own when it comes to management style.🤣 #TheArchers

There's an awful lot of tossing going on in #TheArchers tonight.

Watching Patience on ch4 and noticed one of the writers is Amy Schindler who played Brenda in #TheArchers.

William, you did contribute to Nic's death. If you hadn't kept her in purdah to cover up the MattSplat, she would probably have sought help when she started to feel poorly. It's all your fault!!! #TheArchers

I wondered when we'd hear about Miranda buying Home Farmhouse again. #TheArchers

Ooh - we've had a sprinkling of snow! A rare occurrence here on the Levels.

In honour of #TheArchers 75th anniversary today, I am making soup.

Public Service Announcement #thearchers #thearchersat75 #bbcradio4

Have you seen there is a new Midsomer on tonight @cha0tic.bsky.social ?

Dinosaur leg is in the oven.

A merry Yuletide to all my friends on here. May you all be replete and warm. xxx

I was wondering what happened to Philip Moss's Christmas jumper collection. Maybe they have been festering in the compost heap at Beechwood and have evolved into a lifeform which will arise to terrorise Ambridge... #TheArchers

I am going to make stollen. It's a Mary Berry recipe, so all should be well.

Watching something on STV Player (remake of Minder, which is quite amusing) and have just seen the Irn Bru Christmas ad. Brilliant, as ever. Who knew Father Christmas wears the kilt?

Cheese scone anyone?

This made me laugh like a drain, nasty person that I am. Did he really expect taking on a pub to be a walk in the park, the privileged wanker? www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...

Is this what Joy has planned for the Ambridge tractor run, do you think? #TheArchers www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Made an apple cake today.

Oh bleeding Nora, they've got that Coles bloke on ISIHAC.🙄

Noises coming from the kitchen. I am really hoping it is just the guttering overflowing and hitting the boiler flue outlet, and not the rats making a comeback. 😬🐀

I knew he was dodgy from the start. #Shetland

Father Christmas has just driven his sleigh down our street, accompanied by very loud music and a fire engine. (It's the fire brigade's annual charity thing.)

Ireland? Yes, George, it's beyond the bypass... #TheArchers

Isn't Xander old enough to dress himself? #TheArchers

A wee stocking filler for you this Christmas @fintantwrong.bsky.social ? www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...

Colley's fracture? #TheArchers

Going to watch what Leonard is getting up to with his bit on the side, Sue Johnston. #PlayForToday

I have put my heating on for the first time this season. Winter is officially here! This did mean I had to make an effort on the domestic front and take Henry on a tour of the radiators first, to prevent burning dust and cobweb aroma.

Watching #AntiquesRoadTrip and somebody bought a ceramic cat by David Sharp. I knew David, and went out with two of his sons. My beloved last cat is buried in what was David's garden in Fairlight.

Anybody else watching #Summerwater on ch4? I am very confused...

Waitrose has substituted gin for vodka on today's order. I shall have to reset the cocktail list...🙄

Somebody I knew gave birth at Glastonbury (stop saying GLASTO, Rex!), well she did get rushed to Yeovil hospital, but the baby was given free lifetime admission to the Festival. #TheArchers

I had a thought about Amber's family. Quite a few people in the car dealing trade are from Traveller families, presumably a legacy of their horse dealing and scrap metal traditions. If this is so for the Gordons, I wonder if she feels this is a stigma she wants to distance herself from? #TheArchers

Toad in the hole tonight. Posh chilli and fennel sausages - very spicy!

I shall so miss #RiverCity when it's gone next year. This exchange in the latest episode cracked me up: Older bloke: "I haven't seen a face like that since Peter Gabriel left Genesis". Young bloke: " I didn't know you were religious". 🤣

Ok President Trump, if you sue the BBC for $1bn for spreading lies, I’ll sue you for the same amount. I reckon Planet Earth would crowdfund that. Then I’ll buy Mar A Largo, turn it into a climate change research centre, free Melania, and put a 1000% tariff on orange face paint.

I haven't posted a baking picture for ages, so I thought I would. For some reason, they seem to get the most likes.😄

Is Tosh up the duff again, or is it just her #Shetland jumper?

Very excited to announce that our collaborative manifesto for 🌱 #PlantScience #Education has now been published! Educators from >10 countries and 30 institutions have contributed to it and we are incredibly proud of the final output. Here is a short thread 🧵1/4 doi.org/10.1002/ppp3...

pass this on...

Is semolina and polenta the same thing?

@lomelindi12.bsky.social Did the mustard work in your leek and potato soup? Coincidentally, I am making the same today, so I was wondering if I can enhance it with the addition of mustard.

Site managers are often unsure how visitors perceive dead & decaying trees in the landscape. 📘 Full report: forestresearch.gov.uk/news/public-... @nationaltrust.org.uk @kneppwilding.bsky.social Funded by Defra's #NatureforClimate

Enjoy the Sunday caption contest. Give away ❤️s, retweet to encourage more competitors, include #GirlsOwnCC

George laying it on a bit thick there. #TheArchers