Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that 2026 brings you much joy and happiness. As for me, I've decided it's time to shut up shop here on Bluesky and elsewhere. I've 'met' many lovely people (you know who you are) since first dipping a toe into the waters of Twitter, long before Musk polluted them.

I feel the same about Jools' Annual Hootenanny as I did about The White Heather Club when I was a kid in the 60s.

It seems that I was supposed to take the leg of lamb out of the freezer two days ago. So Christmas lunch might be a tad light on the protein this year.

Being somewhat Scrooge-like, I like to keep my festive greetings to an absolute minimum. But it wouldn't be Christmas without pulling a Bluesky cracker with @wrathofgodherself.bsky.social and @andromedadurham.bsky.social . Wishing you both a joyful time. *raises a glass of Advocaat*

Sixteen years ago today, this curious icicle appeared from a dish of water in our garden.

We live in a village in the Cotswolds. The people, on the whole, are relatively well-heeled. So why, when I look at their posts on the village Facebook page, do they appear to be semi-literate? What has happened to education in this country?

How have I never heard of Emily Smith? Her Winter Song is like a Ted Hughes poem set to music. Sublime. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCoT...

I find it extremely difficult to believe that anyone could warm to such an arrogant, I'm-never-wrong politician.

"I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer." What an ugly world we live in. Well done for taking a stand, Robin.

@andromedadurham.bsky.social I meant to ask: is him indoors enjoying his Strat?

A very British question and your starter for ten. Can anyone recommend a tea (preferably available in teabags) that is strong yet bright in flavour? Ceylon is too weak for our tastes, while most blends favour Assam making the flavour too malty. Gasping for a decent cuppa.

@mrjamesob.bsky.social Whereas Johnson was a man of straw who had the ability to appear authentic, Starmer is a man of substance who seems inauthentic.

What traitorous dolts the British rightwing were to oblige Russia and the network of oligarchs who hate the power of EU collaboration and prosperity. Now we find ourselves isolated, the EU weakened and Ukraine being betrayed. Shame on all who paved the way… Farage, you’re front of the queue.

@mrjamesob.bsky.social Fagash won't apologise because the Trump playbook, which he follows slavishly, tells him no to.

Win an iPhone 17 in our Christmas giveaway! wn.nr/9xT8KfW

Apologies if that last post sounded mysoginistic. But this vogue for facial mutilation is reaching Cronenberg levels of body horror.

Dear God! Did Bezos have his wife designed by AI?

I don't mean to be pedantic, but...

Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you have seen: David Bowie Ayers, Cale, Nico & Eno Dame Emma Kirkby Tyrannosaurus Rex Blondie

Reader, I was there. First time around.

Tomorrow is my birthday (same as Jimi Hendrix 🎸). I'll be spending it with my agéd sister in the kind of hospital ward that no one walks out from.

Yet again, I despair for humanity.

It has come to my attention that our former Prime Minister, Liz Truss, is two sandwiches short of a picnic.

The situation is perfectly clear: Trump is innocent of all allegations made against him. He's simply refusing to release the Epstein files because he wants to protect those whose reputation might otherwise suffer irreparable damage. People like...*checks notes*...Bill Clinton. 🤔

Two words make me despair for the curent state of humanity: luxury handbags.

So, according to the BBC, some polls suggest that Starmer is 'the most unpopular PM in British history'. More unpopular than The Lettuce? More unpopular than Lord North, Chamberlain and Eden? Really? People need to get a grip.

I see Labour is in self-destruct mode again. 🤦‍♂️ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Perhaps Fiona Bruce and Laura K can take over from Tess and Claudia on Strictly. #shufflethepack

Of course, as Davie and Turness have resigned over accusations of left-wing bias, it's quite likely that the BBC Board will appoint Fagash as the new DG.

What's needed now at the Beeb is the replacement of Mason, Kuenssberg and Bruce. Until that happens, the bias will continue.

Astonishing. Davie resigns over a Trump speech, when it should be because of the BBC's endless platforming of Fagash and Co.

To illustrate Musk's obscene Tesla pay packet: counting one dollar a second, it would take you (roughly) 32,000 years to count $1 trillion. That's 400 lifetimes.

Palace Script. In Gold. Quelle surprise.

@mrjamesob.bsky.social Nonce-ense. Nicely said, James.

Imagine a world without Trump, Musk and Farage. It wouldn't be perfect – the world never is – but it would be a damn sight better than the one we currently have.

'In Danish schools an hour a week is dedicated to the “Klassens tid”, an empathy lesson for students aged 6 to 16 years.' If we did the same here in the UK, maybe we could become one of 'the happiest countries in world' too. www.adeccogroup.com/future-of-wo...

“Very hard IQ test”

Well done, Grauniad, for living up to your reputation as the nation's favourite misspeller. Litchfield, indeed.

I've never subscribed to the idea of an antichrist, but the ongoing abhorrent behaviour of the🍊🤡 makes me wonder if it's time to rethink my agnosticism.

Assuming we all survive this, future historians will look back and recognise that the flaw in democracies was in allowing dumb people to vote.

Oh no. Andrew Windsor has 'given up' his title of Duke of York. The very foundations of my world are crumbling.

61 years-old. What on earth must the painting in his attic look like? #theageingeffectsofhate

Looking at this 'huge win', it's difficult not to conclude that the 🍊🤡 is actually the manifestation of Belial/Abaddon/Mammon (take your pick). www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Surprised by the current horrific state of the world? Two words: Kali Yuga.

Social media is so strange. People actually get angry (and foul-mouthed) if you hold an opinion they disagree with. Even if it’s over a trifling matter. When did the world lose its sense of perspective?

Wouldn't it be amusing if No Kings/Antifa turned out to be a larger movement than Maga?

Much needed dynamic fillip for an otherwise gloomy morning.

The world is in chaos. How do I know? Unichall has been replaced by some overpaid numpties kicking around a ball on BBC2.

Truss is, without doubt, a country mile ahead of other Tory leaders when it comes to cringeworthiness. That said, Badenoch is coming up on the rails.