Fair comment (sideways glance to tower of books in the “to be read” pile).

These are seeds of Holcus lanatus- also known as Yorkshire Fog because from a distance it supposedly resembles the smoke that once billowed from the chimneys of northern factories.

Well worth a listen, even if you’re not that into museums or rural life. The mouse story is so sweet and sad and I will never look at the mousetrap in the same way again.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into our new podcast and left such sweet feedback! Your kind words, reviews and ideas mean the world to us. If you missed it: here's episode 1 of Absolute Units, the official MERL podcast! merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...

This small museum inside a baroque church in Lagos, is simple but spectacular. I particularly like the wooden figures in the cabinet of curiosities. What a contrast with the preserved church interior.

A fascinating visit to the recently reopened Merchant’s House in Marlborough today. Some links to the MERL via a WH Smith connection. Also a beautiful (if out of tune) harpsichord in the rather grand dining room.

I spent World Book Day in London. At the Tirzah Garwood exhibition, Dulwich Picture Gallery, I was mesmerised by Tirzah’s wonderful sketchbook, a personal item produced for her family.

Sketching and painting by the sea. Mostly blues, greys and golds.

Fell in love with this luscious painting - Saffron Field by Balraj Khanna while on a CityLit sketching course at Tate Britain yesterday. Fantastic day, learned a lot, had my eyes opened, met some lovely fellow artists, mostly beginners like me, guided by our wonderful tutor, Mario.

Is it too late to wish everyone @themerl.bsky.social a Happy Valentine’s Day? I and some of my fellow volunteers just love this charming St Valentine’s telegram currently on display in the Charles Hasler exhibition.

I really enjoyed the Forty Farms exhibition at Grasmere this weekend. Imagine my surprise when I turned up for my volunteering shift at the Museum of Rural Life this afternoon to find they’re setting up another one in the garden!