A morning in the office was very productive - in January I'll be starting a Norwich book group all based on Reading Around the World. The plan is to look a translations, genres, specific countries/regions, and even translators. Now to do some research before the full launch. #libraries #BookSky 📚💙

We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation in 2025! "Each of these books arrives in English in expert and accessible translations that honour the art and voice of their original authors." tinyurl.com/f9sccz4v

The weather presenters keep saying how mild it is here at the moment - it didn't feel it when I went for a walk earlier, but that could have been the breeze, grey skies, and general dankness. Some of the leaves are still trying to brighten things up though. 🍁

Yeah. Today was incredibly November. However cataloguing the collection of items from a Norfolk Regiment man who served in Mesopotamia in WWI with the last item being proof that he and his two best friends survived was a real high point. As was getting to handle his 1917 sunglasses. #museum 🏛️

Happily I woke up migraine free today so we had a lovely walk in the sunshine, a roast dinner, and then did some shopping for and visited a friend recuperating from an operation. Losing most of yesterday means I'm not ready for the week to start again but what can you do? 📷

Well just as well I had no plans for the weekend as I’ve spent the day with a migraine. Managed a walk so got some fresh air but that’s it for the whole day. Still waiting for my annual neurology appointment to discuss these and potential new treatments but bleurgh. 🥴

Really hoping that most people around here have set off all the back garden fireworks that they’re going to - Sooty has been so good but when he’s on your lap you feel him tense and quiver when there’s a loud one. When they stop he relaxes again but they seem so much louder this year. 🐈‍⬛

Well I know it’s unseasonably warm this week but I don’t think it will last long enough for these bramble flowers to ripen into blackberries. I’m not huge winter fan but I know that we do need the cold weather and rain/snow more than I need year round spring weather…

A grey day here, and while it is warmer than you’d expect from November it doesn’t actually feel it to me. I think I’d just like to hibernate…with a stack of good books and a supply of ginger cake and custard. #autumn

Huge thanks to @biggreenbooks.bsky.social for posting out my Halloween treat to myself so quickly - a book about books with extra cat themed merch really wasn’t something I’d pass up! Plus of course it’s a book in translation… 📚💙 #BookSky

Very pleased to see the Giving Tree back in @waterstones.bsky.social #Norwich. All the tags represent a book choice from one of Norfolk's looked after children and ensures they get a book for Christmas. I didn't have time to browse today so got a voucher for staff to use picking books. #BookSky 📚💙

Thanks to the patience and kindness of other birders we got to see the elusive jack snipe from the East Bank at Cley today, then further on our first pintail of the winter. And we didn't get rained on! 📷🪶 #Norfolk

It was incredibly windy out in Norfolk today and so not so many birds about as you might expect but the weather itself was perfect for walking. 🍁📷 #Norfolk

Halloween isn't my thing but there's some brilliantly decorated houses in our street and the whole 'only ring doorbells of houses with pumpkins/decorations' really works here - even if Sooty has spent a lot of time in the window looking a bit like a prop! He's more into treats than tricks tho! 🐈‍⬛

By pure chance we managed to time our walk with dry weather and the most glorious sunset. As well as the wind the sound track to the outing was the call of the wigeon. A good start to the weekend! 📷

We're getting better at checking the weather apps (and view from the window) and timing our walks with the best weather. It was a glorious autumn day earlier - now it's just overcast and chilly. #autumn #norwich #walking 🍁

After failing to influence time yesterday Sooty has turned to @tomgauld.bsky.social to work out how he can rule the world more effectively (and get fed when he wants rather than when the humans say…) #blackcat 🐈‍⬛ #booksky 📚💙

It would appear that this week I am only reading books with red/white/black covers! Quite a variety of themes too! #BookSky 📚💙

Announcing the longlist for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation 2025! Featuring 10 languages, 12 publishers, 4 collections of poetry - and much more. The longlist travels from Argentina to South Korea, from Haiti to Romania, from Sweden to Slovenia. tinyurl.com/4cu8sdv9

What do you mean just because it is dark it doesn’t mean it is dinner time yet? #blackcat

Something different for a Monday night, but I have of course got a book with me!

Here’s hoping that this winter consists of far more weather like we saw this morning rather than what we got this afternoon! Oh well - classic movie Sunday continued with the absolutely bonkers Powell & Pressburger Oh…Rosalinda! 📷🎬

Many thanks to @biggreenbooks.bsky.social for my #BuyAStrangerABook parcel - coming home from a trip to a new book makes the post holiday blues easier to bear! #BookSky 📚💙

Time for one final walk in the sunshine around Poole Bay before we all had to come home. A mid-week break was ideal for us all and so many fun times, quirky moments and happy memories made. 📷

In the continuing adventures of 7 go and in Dorset we got to Brownsea today and got to spend time with the beautiful red squirrels, walk miles and see amazing views and fungi, then go bird watching in Poole harbour. So many family memories being made. 📷🍄🐿️

The weather didn’t spoil today after all - we spent hours at Monkey World while the weather was good, saw Corfe Castle in the rain then rounded the day off with a Greek meal and games of Uno. It’s the first time all of us have gone away like this and it’s a real memory making trip. 📷

Family holiday to visit lots of wildlife sites, do lots of walking & photography. The start of Storm Benjamin arrives 30 minutes after we all arrive and start our first walk! We retired to the pub to plan, and then make contingency plans, and then contingency plans for the contingency plans...

How did the cat guess he was going to the cattery? We'd got nothing ready at all but he still made a bolt for the back door when I went to stroke him (as I often do) as I went for a walk about an hour before we had to take him. Luckily I'd already locked the cat flap!

"It's raining out there, you aren't going to make me go outside are you?" So much expression in one little cat on a wet Monday

I know that this story is a warning to all museums regarding security but the more I read about the more sure I am that Feathers McGraw is involved and I keep expecting to see "have you seen this chicken" posters appearing...

Dave Allen & Ben Elton were the first two comedians that I watched as a teen (both with my mum on special late bedtimes!) I still watch Elton’s sitcoms but I’ve not watched/listened to his stand up in ages but I’m really enjoying his autobiography. Dave Allen still makes me laugh too! 📚💙 #BookSky

There were a couple of hours with some really glorious weather today and our walk was really enjoyable in the sunshine. We spent quite a while watching a kingfisher, then on the way back a flock of long tailed tits with a pair of fire crests mixed in. Of course I hadn’t taken my camera!

In tonight’s catching up on classic movies Sarah has never seen we’re watching All The President’s Men. As well as being a gripping story of which I’m only aware of the general plot it has some incredible cinematography. Am I contrary in finding Hoffman more attractive than Redford tho? 🎥

Fatigue is a real downer. Paying hugely for my fun day yesterday but still managed a gentle walk, where we found the biggest wild mushrooms I think we’ve ever seen! 📷🍄‍🟫

It might not be the biggest literary prize in the UK this autumn but the East Anglian Book Awards always have something interesting. This year I'm delighted to see graphic novel Florrie & debut novel The Eights by @joannamillerauthor.bsky.social on the lists 📚💙 #BookSky tinyurl.com/ytwuenvx

It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen a play at the Globe and I had forgotten how uncomfortable the seats are and how cold it can get at the venue in October. A fun play tho and another ticked off my list of plays seen. #theatre #London

Despite the grumpy face we got lots of purrs from the cemetery cat this afternoon! I’m guessing he was taking a break from chasing the squirrels - lost count of how many were scampering around today.

You win some, you lose some - tried a new Sri Lankan curry this evening. We like all of the ingredients but somehow the curry didn’t quite do it for us. If anyone can recommend some good slow cooker curry recipes or cookbooks I’d be greatful. #recommendations #cooking #booksky

It’s nearly seal pup time here in Norfolk so it feels timely to be reading Alix Morris’s A Year With The Seals. The book is a mix of love for seals, science, ecology, climate change impact & an acceptance of the different importance seals have for the Indigenous populations. 📚💙 #BookSky

I woke up with a headache that could almost have been a migraine this morning and while meds have kept it at bay mostly, it has been niggling in the background all day and I feel completely washed out. And I can’t concentrate on anything. Is it bedtime yet?

I’m not saying that a) it’s Monday and I’ve not yet engaged my brain Or b)I read too much on my Kindle or iPad But I did just try to plug my paperback in so that it was fully charged when I get home later… 📚💙 #BookSky I’m

We tried the new trail at the Norfolk Showground today. Hopefully over time it will become a little more interesting and nature filled but it was still an interesting walk - with a farm shop full of treats to reward yourself with afterwards! If only the sun had broken through... 📷🍄‍🟫

Well my library reservation list has grown hugely after watching @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social - every book title mentioned that our library service has I’ve ordered! #BannedBooks

Stunned by the Storyville documentary, The librarians. So proud of the US school librarians opposing censorship despite the dangers.

Watching @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social now and it really isn’t good for my blood pressure. I’m horrified at the content (as I knew I would be) and really hope that this censorship doesn’t last and doesn’t spread to the UK. But if it does you can’t bet I will be on any protests #BannedBooks

It didn't brighten up here today at all but we had a lovely walk in the woods - saw gold crests, long tailed tits, chaffinches, wrens & robins & heard a great spotted woodpecker. The most variety of fungi for years. Not at all confident on the fungi ID & definitely wouldn't try eating any of them!

My after work on Friday treat matches my book this week! 📚💙 #BookSky 🐧

Many thanks to @biggreenbooks.bsky.social and @lnr.bsky.social for my #BuyAStrangerABook post - now I’ve wrestled it off of Mr Norfolkbookworm I’ve really enjoyed @tomgauld.bsky.social Physics for Cats this afternoon #BookSky 📚💙

Attended an absolutely brilliant event about the #menopause this evening. @norfolklibrariesuk.bsky.social provides a friendly and welcoming space to share experiences and get help from an expert. My main takeaway is just how much bad information and gaslighting takes place. Food for thought

Going out out this evening so took a walk before the weather fully brightened up. The sun did come out half way round which was cheering and the antics of the squirrels were very amusing. The one good habit we've kept from Covid times is making sure we have a walk every day.🐿️