Happy Christmas to all you lovely people who keep me amused everyday. Hope you get everything you want and all have a peaceful but fun time. Love from me and the family. Xx

Told you you couldn’t park there.

Fucking hell The Range. What year are you living in? Nag free, Compliant? How is this shit still being made and then actually approved to be put on sale?

Really sad news about Martin Parr. He was such an influence on mine and so may others photography. He saw the beauty and joy in the mundanity of life and brought it to life in his work. What a legacy of work he’s left behind for us.

So spending over £300 just before Christmas in the vain hope that I may have an enjoyable day in a field in 9 months is a perfectly reasonable thing to do?

No spoilers but Stage Fright was brilliant. Funny, clever and a couple of proper jump scares. If you get the chance to get tickets then do so. #insidenumber9 #stagefright

Mrs B loves her @gailmyerscough.co.uk designed phone case I got for her birthday. Some lovely stuff on her website ideal for your friends this Christmas. Go take a look and support a talented artist.

Excellent night of frivolous fun @fesshole.bsky.social live with most entertaining @robmanuelyeah.bsky.social pontificating proceedings. Can recommend for a good night out.

I’ve been to Southport. As expected it is a horrible place with horrible things in it.

The painters have been doing the front and back of the house. Lovely job lads but leaving the doors last and telling me they should be dry to close in about 5 hours is taking the piss.

Went to one of those over 30 daytime indie disco things on Saturday. Had reservations obviously but it was quite good fun. Played all the obvious tracks which you would but let the side down by playing Mr Brightside. That’s never indie.

Post you from a different era. 1990. A studio in Brixton recording some jingley jangly song that no one has ever heard or would want to. Lovely Rickenbacker 360 though.

Not my Queen.

Stupidly put on the daytime telly. Someone who should know better is telling me how to wash my clothes with conkers. Suffice to say I’ve turned the telly off.

Chez Che

Took the new camera on its first work job. Having eye detect for the first time that works is just a joy. Nailed it every time. Nice to shoot at high ISO and still get clean images too.

If you see this, post a concert photo you took.

Hmmm, I seem to have bought a new camera. Just had a look at Nikon Z glass. Oh boy, looks like I’m still using the F mount for a few years longer.

Overheard at the vets. And what’s your dogs name? It’s Oscar Carlisle. Oscar Wilde? No it’s Carlisle. Not like the famous actor. I am in Southport so this should be expected.

There’s the boy reaching the heart racing speed of up to 50mph on a young drivers hour taster at Oulton Park. He enjoyed it but even he expected to go a bit quicker than that.

@richardhawley.bsky.social was on fine form last night at Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Coles Corner played in full & a nice treat to hear For your lover give some time which was mine and Mrs B’s first dance. Excellent evening.

Happy Slow Horses day to all who celebrate.

Had an enjoyable evening watchingThe Bends go through the greatest hit of Radiohead. A nice mix of young and old seemed to have had a good time too.

57 today. So I’ve done bugger all as is my wish. Slap up meal tonight and home to start on this tasty looking curio. 57 though. How the fuck has this come round so quickly?

Lovely wedding shooting yesterday in the Lake District. Managed to dodge the shit weather that was expected. A win for all of us.

Daughter has passed all the GCSEs she needed to. Off to 6th form to do politics, geography & history. Very proud dad parents today.

Bumped into Daft Punk chilling out on their hols in Albania. #daftpunk

Not a bad BnB for our second destination in Albania. Lake Shkodër is lovely. Soooo peaceful. #albania #Lakeshkoder

Really enjoying the new @willcarver.bsky.social book I’ve picked for my holiday read. Realised I always pick something dystopian when I’m in the sun. #nothingimportanthappenedtoday

On my way to Montenegro. Got up at 03:00. Grumpy tired mode currently usurping holiday mode.

Got to say that made me a bit emotional. Well done you fabulous lionesses.

Daughter has made a bacon butty. Teenagers are just the worst.

Went to Halifax Piece Hall last night to see Paul Heaton. Absolutely wonderful gig & venue. Caravan of love at the end was perfect with everyone joining in. Gig of the year up to now. #paulheaton #halifaxpiecehall

Another pleasant afternoon watching Mrs B singing with the Liverpool Indie Choir at The bombed out church. Nice memories as 14 years ago we were married there. #liverpool #liverpoolindiechoir

It may look like some flimsy bit of tat you pick up for a fiver & that’s because it is a flimsy bit of tat I picked up for a fiver but I have a nice breeze & no flies puking up in my butter dish. Recommended.

Went for a canal walk yesterday & met a couple living their best nostalgic life on BMX bikes. A couple walking their cats, a giant Tonka dumper truck and unsurprisingly found myself in a pub at the end of it.

Daughter has gone to her prom tonight. She made me take some photos with her goofy boyfriend Jake. Worked out putting all the dress, hair, nails etc together it’s cost us nearly £500. Madness!

I seem to have found myself at a charity tennis tournament. Booze seems to be free. I seem to be out of my depth.

Sorry, what?

Daughters 16th birthday party on Wednesday though actually birthday not till July 5th. 30ish yoofs descending on our little terraced house. Not looking forward to it. Black balloons are so now apparently.

Callan & Will Hay films. Thanks Dad.

Thanks to @vinyloffers.bsky.social I’ve just got this gem through the post. Lost mine at some house party decades ago so nice to have back in the collection. #vinyl

Cheers Ange, you played some bonkers all out footyball and it was great. It all went a bit shit but you brought us back a cup. Couldn’t have asked for more this season. You deserved better but Spurs will be Spursey. #COYS

Chloe & Joe. Shot recently on their pre wedding shoot at Southport botanical gardens. Some challenging light to deal with but I think they’ve come out alright. #southport #southportbotanicgardens

If going to Belfast you should take one of the black cab taxi tours. Absolutely fascinating visiting the area of the troubles and getting an in depth history from a local. I’ve learnt so much more than I thought I knew before. #Belfast

They love a mural in Belfast. Bright colourful and inventive. Scattered all over the city they add to the urban charm of an already architecturally lovely place. #Belfast

Spent the last few days in Belfast. Absolutely cracking city to visit. Obviously sampling the local beer was high on the list. In no particular order, if you’re going, these are the best pubs. Friendly, fun & full of character.

Front & back garden sorted. Windows cleaned. Well deserved afternoon booze.

Ahhh, that’s nice. A house near mine all decorated for someone’s marriage.

Just been mocked, spoken to in a rude patronising manner, belittled and made to question every life choice I’ve ever made. Other than that enjoyed the first half of this Stewart Lee show.