Another stupidly early start. Off to the channel islands today.

London today. I'm in a somewhat precarious state, so arrived an hour early and am parked with coffee. Have seen a nice whippet in here though.

So, my first ever comedy show was tonight, and it was this. I am the token straight.

Going into London today. I'm off to see a stand up comic (first time ever) with a friend (not seen in person for a year or so) and going to a part of London I've never visited. This should be fun.

I also have a new reform councillor. I am inspired, and have a new hobby. As we're a coastal ward, I could start with complaining about him not doing ANYTHING about the small boats that might start landing here. I mean providing blankets and assistance. I know what he thinks I mean.

Sunshine, long weekend, and.. a fox in the garden?

I appreciate English wasn't the sign writer's first language, but still mysterious and faintly unsettling.

Hi ho, hi ho, into That London I go Neither rain nor smog nor tube strikes shall stop me attending whatever pointless meeting I'm scheduled for.

"I would love to find someone who doesn’t think that ‘a lot’ is ‘too much’ – who loves how *much* I am, and sees that as incredible value for money." NEW blog post: I want to be loved. www.girlonthenet.com/blog/i-want-... Gorgeous art by @stuartcb.bsky.social

Back in Nottingham for the night, one night on a retail park does limit the amount of trouble I can cause, so I'm probably quite safe.

So, Nottingham then. Landed, and turns out my pub is right next door to the rock music pub from my last visit here. This is good news.

Home for the night, before going to Nottingham for a couple of nights. Therefore, dinner is pizza.

Checked in to my hotel room. Single bed, a good 5 minute hike from reception. Sunday night, nothing open walkable from here, so I got myself a pre pack sandwich and (reduced to clear) caramel creme egg while filling up the car. Next thing to do is at 9am tomorrow.

Trying to get this app or discord on my tablet as I'm going to be away from home from Sunday night possibly until a week Tuesday night, and that many nights in a hotel room alone will give me cabin fever.

Holy crap. 4am alarm tomorrow, and 5am alarms next Monday through Wednesday. I am not impressed.

WFH in the sunshine, not bad at all. WFH and a walk to the coffee shop, even better.

Good morning youse lot. I am already a hundred miles from home, thanks to a 5am alarm. There will be 4 more 5am alarms, and about 1500 miles in the next two weeks. At least it's sunny and I got to drive through the dawn.

Sunshine! Again! That's two days in a row! Might go outside after all.

Speaking engagement today. Second ever. First one scared me rather badly, and so this one has had me freaked out for two days and not sleeping well. Have reserved time in my calendar for "post event nervous breakdown" and yes that is what I titled it. Gout means no beer afterwards either.

Right, knocking down issues one at a time. New car, done. Stupid early start at the office (arrival 6.40am after an hour's drive), done. Now to spend until 9am updating my registration on every parking app and the dart charge site.

Rest of week off was predictably eaten up with Stuff. Trip to Cheshire and Liverpool to visit her college friend who is having a bit of A Time Of It, and to help empty her stepmother's flat now the lady herself is in a home for dementia care. Come back, 3 month old boiler is not working. Joy!

I've booked a week off to get over some shit, and like the idiot I am, have booked half term. However, I'm still going to London tomorrow.

Five jobs I've had: 1) Concrete batcher 2) Theatre technician 3) Mainframe operator 4) Counter-fraud investigator 5) Broadcast IT bodger

Port now, fizz later.

Christmas task completed.

Working today (supposed to be on annual leave, but too much to do.) However I do have the office to myself. Peaceful, but I do have to make all my own coffee today.

Fishy pie, because turkey is just passé now.

While I wait for things to cook, here's what the sea looked like yesterday.

Today's slow start was worth it. Now making the inevitable bubble and squeak.

+1 grownup point to me. Wrapping underway, and at no point has the sellotape been told to fuck off.

Rolling this one out again because it's my favourite #Christmas thing I've ever written (mildly erotic, not super filth, mostly cute)

Unsupervised until Christmas Day, it's 9.40 and I've already gone to a café, had a coffee and considering a breakfast roll. Absolutely not because I saw a breakfast roll go past just now.

Waiting for tyre place to sort things out. Meantime, coffee at beach café, watching the single small fishing boat do it's thing.

Today has not gone well. Quote apart from (waves hands) all this, and Chris Rea, I hit a pothole. Then I caused a hazard on the dual carriageway when the tyre completely disintegrated and I had to abandon my plan to drive home slowly. Sigh.

Sea at night, lit by reflections off the clouds, with bonus wind farm lights.

Cookery day. Make-ahead for Christmas bread sauce, sausage stuffing and cranberry sauce (none of which I'll get to eat, so made extra :-) ) Also made cottage pie for dinner tonight. Kitchen is a bomb site, much cleaning underway.

2 pints at lunchtime has hit me harder than I thought. Hic.

Off into London again. For a week of annual leave, I've done a lot of miles and a lot of meetings. Definitely just doing shopping after this though. Not even opening Teams. Unless I get bored and lonely in London. Then I might.

So, at the end of the allotted 3 days of work, new boiler is 90% installed and 0% working. At least the kitchen electrics are working again. I am in a hotel in Nottingham with a bag of Maltesers, having had a hot shower, and am feeling the glare from Herself at home even at this range.

Summary of birthday weekend. Lots of lovely wishes from nice folk here. Gifts from both sisters of the "thoughtful assorted small items" variety. Cookery school voucher from work folk. However: Roof leaking. Garden room leaking. Boiler failed. Kitchen electrics failed. Herself in a right strop.

Contemplating my plan for tomorrow. Do I go for early start, early train escape, and home, or lounge until check out time? Today was quite lazy...

So the curry was indeed fabulous, and I am now going to head back to the flat, as I have used up most of my bravery points on two solo meals in public today.

Solo dinner, the hardest bit. Have chosen Thai Square, and just ordered the house special Andaman curry. Stand by for reports. My being alone is being masked by the huge office Christmas party table next to me.

Lazy breakfast near Cannon Street, baked eggs and Stuff. Prices set to let you know how trendy this place is. Surprised they let the likes of me in. I'm fully expecting it to be delicious and therefore worth it.

Right, good morning London. See you're still wet and full of people. I'm in need of plans for the day, starting with breakfast and coffee. Then I reckon finding something to do tops the list. Winter Wonderland? The TfL museum (someone specific may have feedback on that)? Wank in bed all day?

Blown it again, failed to plan anything to do this evening, so ended up doing nothing. So, bedtime already?

Checked into my flat. Actually really nice, right next to Mansion House, and 6 floors up, so quiet ISH. By However there's a full length mirror at the foot of the bed. I can see myself. Not a fan.

Right. Off to London until Friday lunchtime. Managed to pack in one small laptop rucksack plus CPAP machine satchel, so that should help on public transport.

Good morning from an airport hotel. Free breakfast is underway, and it's mostly families and student-age groups. All the tables for 1 or 2 are free... Save for me.