So much for squirrel proof feeders. Mr Squirrel is still way too smart. Damn him!

I found this in a 1920s book owned by my grandfather, being used as a bookmark. Such a beautiful little note. William Pile was a bookshop, stationer and printer in Sutton. It’s a sorry you were out and we couldn’t deliver note.

Had a friend round today. We spent the afternoon with my grandma’s sewing machine, working out how to get it operational. Vague memories of being taught how to use it as a child came back to me as we worked on it. Great bit of kit. #sewing

A quick stop at St Lawrence Church, Bovingdon today to see the family graves. It was largely rebuilt in the C19th but the tower is medieval.

Winter sun through the trees. Bit nippy out there today for our Boxing Day walk along the Grantham Canal

The church of St Margaret, Owthorpe, Nottinghamshire. A strange looking church, medieval in origin but heavily rebuilt in the C17th. Beautifully situated down a long footpath from the village in the middle of a field.

Reindeer and polar bear outside Loughborough town hall, spotted on the way back from an excellent nine lessons and carols at All Saints. One of my favourite parts of Christmas.

Today’s clearance find from mum and dad’s house is a large unused bolt of this cloth. Mum used it to make the lounge curtains. I always hated it. I would guess it maybe early 80s.

Went to the funeral today of a beloved elderly relative. And then all the way home we were subjected to the most beautiful sunset. (Picture taken through car windscreen). Will miss you Marge.

All Saints Rotherby looking beautiful in the sunshine this afternoon. Apparently you can go champing here if you’re looking for somewhere to stay.

In other news, I’m told that my mother in law has already purchased my Christmas presents and has picked out a couple of ‘strange’ things for me. This. Does. Not. Bode. Well. She once bought me a jigsaw of a 1920s Radio Times cover. (Yes it’s the thought that counts and I am grateful)

🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid. A pissed off thread using data. Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10

Lovely vintage set of details for Seagrove Hotel in Sandown Isle of Wight. Not sure if 1930s or 1950s but love the sanitary arrangements. The hotel actually existed until recently but is now closed.

So this week’s rather icky find is a box containing the dilapidated remains of 100 year old butterflies (see comments for pic) belonging to my grandfather. In those days it was accepted practice to catch and mount them like this. Nope.

Low sun on my walk this afternoon. Soon be the shortest day

Still looking for somewhere to get shot of all these old 78 records. Don’t really want to have to throw them in the bin - especially the Rachmanioff one. Anyone any ideas? They weigh a ton!

A poorly placed sign gets me wondering if we’re growing bananas in the UK now? 😀

Sunrise ❤️

Winter skies can just be stunning, even when they’re just 10 minutes walk from your house

Ahhh, childhood memories! Classic vinyl LP rediscovered

Clearing of parents’ house continues. Today we found a set of 78 vinyl records of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No 2 played by …… Rachmaninoff himself.

I always suspected house clearance was a risky business

Someone I vaguely know has sent me an email with a photo in which was clearly intended for someone else. Nothing wrong with the photo just not meant for me. Do I a) tell them of their mistake (and potentially embarrass them) or b) pretend like it never happened? Such a British thing to worry about.

Sitting enjoying a Saturday night film in our living room and got attacked by a giant wasp. Have retreated to the dining room.

I was sorting some old 1930s photos of my family yesterday when this tiny photo fell out. It has an inscription on the back. I wonder who Robert Jessurun was. It’s not a name I’ve heard before. Anyone know what the last line says?

I’ve seen this gravestone at Southwell Minister many times. Still makes me laugh every time. Keeping it real 1620s style

Sending love to staff at the University of Leicester today (and other unis affected by redundancies). I know it’s been a rough day.

Another of my grandmother’s gems. Sadly, while I have the instructions, only two of the pattern pieces remain so I can’t make it

Autumn colours in the lane behind our house this afternoon. #fabulous #autumn

More fabulous old knitting patterns of my grandma’s. Mostly 80s and earlier. Gotta love those looks

My mum never was one to throw away useable plastic bags. Bless her #houseclearing

Enjoyed our visit to Mount St Bernard Abbey this morning. Glorious sunshine and a fascinating little shop, plus a nice walk.

There’s a large spider that has spun its web across the bedroom window. Can’t now open the window without disturbing this lovely creature and wrecking its web #spiders

Today’s house clearance find from my parents’ house is these curtains. They don’t seem too bad til you realise they’re made of a towelling material. Yep, you too could dry yourself on the curtains.

Nice to see my grandfather was keen on plants as I am.

There are of course many fascinating books in dad’s collection. They go back to the late C19th some of them. I liked these two first aid manuals I found yesterday

I hate throwing books away (i.e recycling). But with these there isn’t much choice. I’ve taken a huge amount to Oxfam and Age UK bookshops, but these are too old / dilapidated / out of date. My dad never could part with anything. Bless him.

The trees are starting to look autumnal

Last of the toms. It’s a pretty cold night tonight. Went to gather the last of the self seeded tomatoes from the bottom of the garden. Enough for a little chutney hopefully.

Dr sends me a text saying, please book in for your flu jab using the link in this text. I click on the link, and I get a message saying no appointments available, please try another time. What? #baffled #nhs

Also spotted today on the side of a car up the road, the infamous Box Tree Moth. Glad I don’t have any box hedges.

Visiting favourite uncle and aunt this afternoon. He has pigeons. Aren’t they lovely?

Autumn skies fill with honking Pink-footed Geese - kicking off our #AutumnArrivalSpotlight series! 🍂 As they return from Iceland and Greenland to grace our wetlands, who’s spotted their signature V-formation?

Sorting through my mother’s old Enid Blyton books. This is the inside flap from the Mystery of the Secret room. Not sure that policeman would pass his DBS today.

Looking at the forecast for the next few days I see we’ve got to the time of year when the weather yo-yos around. 23 degrees on Friday, 14 on Sunday.

Was collecting @legionofllama.bsky.social from his literal marathon in aid of historic churches on Saturday when I spied these amazing carved pew ends in Croxton Kerrial church. There are lots there. Visit if you can. #woodensday

Today has mostly been about shouting at banks, who refused to let me pay money off against our mortgage for reasons known only to themselves. I may need an early night to recover.

Victory was mine today. 15 churches bagged and 26 miles hiked. Recovering with a tasty kebab from my favourite local Turkish restaurant. Almost 200 quid raised as well for charity. #rideandstride

So much attitude!

Dear garden wildlife, shhhh. Owl screeching outside the window at 5.40 followed by a hornet trying to get in through said window a few minutes later. Shhh. Snoozy time