A barking dog woke me up at 04:00 as usual, I’ve got a cold, it’s a non-drinking evening and I’ve spent far too long struggling with today’s Wordle (don’t even…). Pretty rotten mood in general tbh, and it could be so much worse come 22:00. Or better.

There’s a suggestive mushroom in my compost bin.

Out for a stroll and a pint for my dad’s birthday, and eeh bah gum it’s warm! 🥵

I’m covered in insect bites and it’s making me sad.

Mixed feelings about the Argentina national anthem. Dull initially, but ends on a high. The Switzerland one starts off sounding like “Happy Birthday”.

After sitting up drinking until 2am last night, the last thing I need now is to sit up drinking until 2am again, but here we are.

What a difference a month makes.

I never drink at home during the day. There are of course exceptions to every rule.

Hallelujah!! I’ve had to drink five pints of beer first, but I’ve finally managed to go for a slash. Another five pints and I might even manage one of an acceptable colour. Hot isn’t it.

We’ve had a “new” ice cream van coming down our road this week, and it plays The Birdy Song, which I now can’t get out of my head. Also, looking at the state of it, I reckon it sells more than just Mr Whippy.

Apparently The Cricketers in Horbury have a cracking beer lineup tonight, and I really do feel like calling in for a pint or three. I doubt I’d be made welcome though, dressed as I am only in threadbare boxers.

We’re having our annual boiler service and the central heating is currently on at full blast.

Looking from Pule Hill with Marsden and the Colne Valley behind me and the cutting on the A62 Manchester Road straight ahead. The Standedge tunnels are buried deep in the hill below me, and spoil heaps from their excavation can be seen on the right. Redbrook Reservoir on the left.

I’ve got a technical problem at work to think about, so I’m going to climb this during my lunch break to clear my mind while I do so.

The traffic on these roads is atrocious.

Has a goal ever been scored from a short corner?

Hydration break with inappropriate glassware.

I’m pollinating my cobs.

I’m enjoying my morning coffee down by the river where it’s still cool. But then I’ll be going back into the brewhouse 🥵

As a rule I never drink on school nights these days, but with this heat I’m considering breaking that rule “to help me sleep”.

Yesterday our sour cherry tree was full of almost ripe fruit, so I just went to harvest it only to find the tree stripped bare, and only leaves speckled with blackbird shit as evidence of what happened to it.

With Portugal v Spain being played in Dallas, tonight’s earworm is fairly predictable.

Strange night last night. I tried to sleep, but a combination of heat, noise (thanks neighbours!) and general anxiety meant that I hardly slept at all. I did manage to see the last half hour of the football though, having pretty much given up by then. Still mashed in by 7am this morning 👍🏻

This monstrosity of my own creation is a Midori Margarita. I’m quite pleased with my rimming skills. #CocktailNight

This cat just randomly popped up on my Facebook feed. It’s made from the same fabric as the Canadian football strip!!!

A bit more info on the excavator now that I’m home with time to research it. Brought from the USA in 1954, it is known as “Oddball”, and weighing in at over 1,200 tonnes it worked at St Aidan’s from 1974. It “walked” at a brisk 0.3mph, but hasn’t moved since 1999. It’s bloody massive.

The Canadian football shirts look as if someone has been wearing them while they painted the living room ceiling.

Walking dragline excavator at RSPB St Aidan’s near Leeds. With Firstborn.

Watching the bats.

Anti-🦟 defences deployed: • Insect repellent • Citronella • Trousers tucked into socks • Beer* *I don’t know either, but it’ll make me oblivious to the bites if I drink enough. Which I intend to do.

There’s plenty of pasty white male upper half flesh on show in Huddersfield today. None of it mine I hasten to add.

Ok, hands up, who’s had the Um Bongo song as an ear worm for the last couple of hours?

My expert analysis of the first half: That was a bit shit. #ENGDRC

I’ve just discovered a benefit of my father recently becoming a widower: He can attend school concerts instead of me! 🎉 🥳

A stroll by the river while The Boy plays tennis. There are flies. Many, many flies.

We had chickens called Barbara and Margo. Barbara got taken by a fox and Margo had an appointment with my chicken dispatching cudgel.

Brazil has by far the best National Anthem #BRAJAP

Ah. Wimbledon every time I switch the wireless on for the next two weeks then. Now I know how people who don’t like football feel.

Last year our cherry tree produced a grand total of two fruits. While still far from spectacular, this is a definite improvement.

My dad is coming round later which gives me chance to show off in the kitchen and garden. Lamb shanks in red wine, freshly dug kestrel spuds, peas, broad beans and something summer fruit related are on the menu.

Fuck the fuck off! Not even a word. Wordle 1,835 4/6 🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩 ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩 🟨⬜⬜🟨🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Mrs Tiggywinkle has come to admire my beetroot.

Something something piña colada… No signs of rain though unfortunately.

🐞 larvae hatching on my hops.

Savoury snack selection in our corner shop. What’re y’all having?

We’re on the verge of a summer fruits glut so I’m preparing my wine making tackle. I reckon these camden tablets will be absolutely fine.

Due to a total lack of volunteers I got drunk on my own. I also ate the spare ribs that have been in the smoker all evening on my own ✌🏻

I’m in a foul mood because reasons. Who’s going to get drunk with me?

Ah. Not for long though.

Woo hoo, it’s raining!!!