Monday 20th April 2026

Monday again, apparently.

On Fridays, the weekends and on Mondays, I can lay in until six (weekends) or beyond on the other two days. Sad, then, that either my brain or my body has me awake at half four for some reason.

I have learned to go back to sleep. That is until Cleo jumps on the bed, climbs on my feet until I am laying in a place she is happy with.

I am then pinned to the bed.

So, I get up moving my legs around her, so not to wake the little raggedy cat, get dressed and go down to have a coffee and see what the world can throw at us this week.

Jools went swimming over the weekend, so had a day off on Monday, but there was a tip run to do, as one of the water butts had sprung a leak.

So the new week begins.

Jools took her friend to a café in Walmer, which she does each Monday now, so I go out for a walk.

I used to go out for walks all the time until I knacked my knee because I wasn't walking enough, so I would go out, with camera, and see where my feet would take me.

I go over the fields, after checking that the Early spider orchid along the road was OK. It was, and the sign I made still in place.

No butterflies about due to the keen wind, but under glorious blue skies with fluffy clouds, it was rather wonderful.

I went down past the farm, and up the down to the secret bench, where I rested for half an hour, looking over the dip to the golf course where the bespatted ran after golf buggies and generally ruined a good walk.

I walked on.

I toyed with the idea of going through the wood, but the sun trap along Green Lane was too tempting, so I turned down there. Only for the sun to be too warm, so the butterflies that were about were very flighty.

At Windy Ridge Farm I turned into the wood, mainly so that their dog would lose sight of me and stop barking. It did mean that I stumbled across a Speckled Wood butterfly on a branch, and it rested long enough for me to rattle off some shots.

Out of the wood, and down the track past the paddocks each with a horse, one grey mare came to say hello and eat brambles.

I took her picture.

Before climbing the short hill back to Collingwood and then back to our street and home. Finding Jools home, she made a brew for my weary legs, and we sat outside enjoying the sunshine, in the lea of the hedge.

Lunch is pan fried asparagus in butter with crusty bread and parmesan shavings.

We know how to live.

We nip into Deal in the afternoon so I could check on the Record Store Day leftovers, and treat myself to a splatter vinyl version of The Stranglers "Rarities".

We buy a pasty for supper, and we come back home.

As Jools pricked out her seedlings, I made a batch of short cakes as we had nothing sweet in the house, and had them cooling on a wire rack in under half an hour, all ready for supper.

There was football in the evening, Palace v West Ham. A good game, but ended 0-0, with neither team having a cutting edge.

Sunday 19th April 2026

Sunday comes around again.

And this week really merits the title, Super Sunday, as there was a game at the top of the Championship, a or the Merseyside Derby and the title decider between Arse and Citeh.

But before then, much to do.

The usual: get up, get dressed, have breakfast and go to the gym for seven. Do my forty minutes, get hot and sweaty.

Finish.

Before driving to the National Trust's place on the cliffs for an orchid hunt.

Friends had visited the week before and said there were plenty of Early Spider spikes, so it was our turn to hunt them.

At ten to eight the entrance isn't manned, so we don't have to pay, and were the only car parked overlooking the port.

I get the camera out, and despite wearing just a t-shirt and shorts, it wasn't cold, so a walk down to the top of the narrow path and down it was pleasant.

I see just one spike on the way down, badly trampled and not in flower. Further on under the frame I find just one spike at first, but a second all the way along, on top of a chalk wall with a dreadful drop to the rocks below an inch or two beyond.

I'd tackle that on the way back.

Further on there was one flowering spike a metre down a sheer drop, so I just looked. I checked until where the platform of flattened grass marked where the Cliff Road turned inland, so I turned back.

With the sun at my back, spikes would be easier to see.

I hoped.

I came to the spike on the chalk wall.

I carefully crept along the sloping chalk face, that faced towards the Cliff Road so was safe, then inched on my belly to the spike.

I imagined my friend, Tony, having kittens as he watched me get my shots.

All I had to do was get back down.

I crawled backwards.

Which is when my footing slipped on the damp grass, and down I slid, grazing my right shin causing me to swear loudly.

I landed in the long grass, safe and sound, with just my stupidity for company.

I walked to Jools who had found three spikes on the edge of the Cliff Road just beyond where the narrow path started. And then on the path we saw a good half dozen spikes we had missed on our way down.

All that was left then was the walk up the sloping chalk meadow, through the gate, up the steep steps, up one more meadow back to the car.

We would have gone home for breakfast, only it was still only nine, and maybe Ange and Sean would be on the beach swimming.

And as we drove down Castle Hill, Jools asked if it was a good day for breakfast.

That it be.

Anyway, no sign of our friends down on the beach, so we drive back round to Castle Street, park and walk round to Chaplins, only to find it closed for the weekend.

No matter, just around the corner is another café, on Market Square, so we take 30 seconds to walk round, get a table and order our food.

Now what I will say is that you never know how big a new place's breakfast or meal might be. So, I order an extra sausage, Jools had tomatoes and black pudding. So, when our meals arrived they were huge.

I must remember to order meals for my current appetite not what it was a year ago!

I fail to finish the mushrooms and toast. Jools leaves her hash browns.

We were full to bursting.

Back to the car then, drive home for another brew, sitting on the patio to watch the birds in the warm sunshine. Until it was time for a shower, to be all clean come midday when the football began.

Ipswich v Middlesborough to start with. Boro' leading 2-1 going into the last few minutes when Town got another "soft" penalty.

So it goes.

Then the Merseyside derby, with Liverpool scoring late on through Virgil to take the three points at the Dicky Hill.

And finally, the big match. Citeh v Arse. And not a bad game, though Arse really didn't have a shot on goal, were chasing the game 2-1 and never looked like scoring.

And didn't.

A quiet evening, wildflowerhouring, and to bed at nine. Tired from doing nothing.

One year ago

On this day in 2025, we flew, as part of the tiger tour, back to New Dehli for most to fly back the next day, and for four of us to continue on the extension.

I reread my post of the day, and make no mention of what happened that day, but it was a day I thought I was going to die.

I mean, that might sound over the top, but when you have grown up just assuming your body works when you want it to, when something doesn't, it comes as a shock.

And when what didn't work was my lungs, it was bloody frightening.

I am sure I have written about this before since, but here goes again: I was walking off the plane via the air bridge, and was struggling, I went to breath deep, and there was no more oxygen to take from my lungs.

Jools had hung back, helped me breathe to calm me down, but from then to the end of the tour I struggled with hills and stairs. It was a shame that the next part of the tour was to the mountains, and the hotel was reached via three flights of stairs from the car park, though there was a lift.

I was mindful not to slow the others down, so I stayed back first night at the hotel by the lake.

On top of that I had ulcers on my legs, that required Jools to dress daily.

In short I felt I was falling apart.

It was the lowest point, though there would be a couple of other events that showed I had to change. And change I have.

I have lost 25Kg, 52lb, or something close. And am able to walk for hours without needing to sit down. I can climb hills and stairs, slowly, but get it done.

I wouldn't have done it all without Jools who has been a rock, and has provided a kick up the backside when needed.

I hope more weight loss, more phys, and more enjoyment out of life this year too.

Saturday 18th April 2026

It's the weekend again!

That means up, not so early at six. Drink coffee and go to the gym.

I gym it, whilst Jools swims. I struggle to do my forty minutes, but get it done, though am hot and bothered by the end.

I wait for Jools in the café, so then we can go home.

Home for brews and breakfast, before its time to test Scully again. Her insulin has been reduced, so we have to keep an eye on her.

We have the radio on, Huey playing great tunes, then a shower, all to be done for half twelve when the football begins.

An afternoon on the sofa; first watch Portsmouth beat relegation-threatened Leicester 1-0, then listen to the radio as Leeds beat Wolves 3-0, while Norwich came from behind to beat Bristol City 4-2 at their place.

There was still time for more football: Spurs v Brighton. And Spurs had not won since the 28th December, and are now staring relegation in the face.

They went into injury time 2-1, only for Brighton to level with the not quite last kick of the game.

The stadium fell silent, Spurs players fell to their knees.

So it goes. So it goes.

Friday 17th April 2026

It's Friday again.

So I go back to sleep after Jools gets up to feed the cats and get ready for yoga.

I was awake again at ten to six, Jools was opening the curtains in the other rooms upstairs, I so get up, and get dressed.

I make a coffee, drink that before taking the bins out.

Back inside to warm up as it was chilly, make a tea and check on the world.

It's going to hell on a tea trolley. But it's been like that for decades, only the Shitgibbon makes it worse. So much worse.

Once Jools comes back, I take the keys to do some hunter-gathering at Tesco before the crowds get there. With their kids.

It's not I don't like children, I mean I was one once, but I like my peace and quiet and space.

I go round getting what we need, trying to buy less food as we want to use stuff out of the freezer, but it's hard when you're hungry walking along aisle after aisle of food. I break and buy a bag of ridged salt and vinegar crisps, which would not last the day.

And back home to unpack, have breakfast, by which time Jools set off to walk to the library for her knit and natter group, leaving me to repot the new pot of basil I had bought, as the last lot done, was going mildew due to overwatering and me using the wrong soil.

This task was made difficult by Scully's blood ready at ten being low, so I have to force her to have some honey under her tongue, which she spent a minute gagging on until she had swallowed it all.

But half an hour later her sugars were climbing, and crisis over.

After lunch of pork pie, slaw and crisps, I was out again to snap a railtour, having been reminded of it by my friend Andy.

As I am now healthier, I decide to go to the footbridge to Shakespeare Beach, so drive to Aycliffe, park on the road before going through the underpass under the A20, then down the steep path down to the bridge.

And finding no one else there.

Though four people did arrive, two Japanese gentlemen just a minutes before Clan Line showed, so plenty of room for us all.

I snapped two Southeastern units as practice, then checking with RealTime Trains site, I saw that she left Dover three minutes late and was on her way.

I heard her feint whistle before we saw the smoke. Huge clouds of smoke as she turned the sharp bend by the Lord Warden Hotel, then accelerating along the side of the beach to the new viaduct.

Me snapping on auto like a machine gun all the time.

Then she was upon us, and in a cloud of smoke, under us and heading to the portals of Shakespeare Tunnel, and was gone.

All that was left was to climb the five flights of steps back to the path at the top of the cliff.

Deep breath, and here we go.

I reached the top, nowhere near as it would have been a year ago. And then a simple walk back through the underpass, up one final set of steps back to the car.

We had dinner once I got back home, before the rest of the afternoon waiting for six and the music quiz.

The mystery album was Rubber Soul by a young beat combo called The Beatles, but the clues so cryptic, only six people guessed it.

Finally, watched Coventry get promoted with a draw. Though whether Frank Lampard will still be their manager come August remains to be seen.

It's not that I have anything against Frank. Well, I have. He tried to get the Norwich job after Farke was fired, several newspapers ran the story he had been offered it, but hadn't.

And its not just that. With Frank, in the media, the club loses some of its identy as you become Frank Lampard's, in this case, Coventry City. As if over 100 years of history doesn't count.

Well, he's in the Premier League again, but I think he'll be poached by Chelsea, probably. Again.

Thursday 16th April 1026

30 years since my Dad died.

Doesn't seem possible.

It's Thursday again.

Apparently.

And so the alarm had been set, and went off at ten past five.

Cats were fed, kettle boiled, and coffee made. We had just enough time to drink that before we were out of the house.

Early mornings don't seem so early when its getting light again, but it is early.

So early the doors to the sports centre were not open when we went past, but the queue had gone by the time we parked and walked round.

I did another forty minutes at level fifteen, and getting nearer the 400 calories burnt in that time. 376 this time, and although it is getting warmer, and the session was tough, I got through it fine.

Back home for a relaxing cuppa. Then breakfast, and a shower after that.

Feeling human again.

An old friend of Jools's was coming round, Jude, for a chat, so I would retire upstairs so not to interrupt.

I read more of the last edition of Word magazine, now some 14 years old. The writing is supurb.

Of course.

Once Jools leaves I made a quick dinner of insalata. I had prepared garlic butter earlier, so the bread was sliced and put in the oven, cooked until golden brown and stinky. I also added some cheese to the butter for an added bang of flavour.

Then there was the chore of trying to stay awake for the rest of the afternoon. I made the mistake of going upstairs where it was warmer, and soon nodded off.

The expected rain didn't arrive in the afternoon. And instead it brightened up for a fine end to the day.

League 2 football in the evening; Bromley v Cambridge, with both teams going for promotion, it was an entertaining game, though goalless.

Wednesday 15th April 2026

Wednesday.

I start each post with the day of the week so I can keep track, because, quite frankly, every days seems the same.

Were it not for the gym, football and bins day, every day would be the same.

I sleep to nearly six, though it felt like it was half seven. Light enough to be half seven for sure.

Jools had her fitness class at half seven, so I would stay home as there was rain forecast for most of the day. And they got that right.

While Jools is gone I decide to do chores, which included cleaning the shower and sink in the bathroom. I spray some stuff on, wipe it off, then flush with water and is done.

Looked good.

Outside the rain arrived and stayed for most of the day.

Jools was out most of the morning, but came home laden with two Cornish pasties for lunch, which we followed by the last two short cakes, thus we would sleep through the afternoon. Or struggle against snoozing.

Jools watched a couple of shows on TV. I watched train videos and wrote some.

The afternoon passed.

Dinner was minted chicken, new potatoes, steamed cauliflower and the rest of the creamed spinach.

The potatoes were then served with the leftover marinade from the chilli beef from the day before.

Was magnificent.

The evening was football on the wireless and TV. Arsenal didn't lose, so went through to the semi-final of the Champions League, while I watched Wimbledon v Stockport from the 3rd Division. Was poor.

COVID: six years on

I read my daily blog posts from years gone by most mornings, and so I am currently reliving the first wave of COVID from March and April 2020.

Two weeks ago, I read an article on Substack by Christina Pagel summarising the COVID inquiry, which has been sitting and hearing evidence for some time now.

"However bad the first wave was in England - and it was awful - the second wave was worse. More than twice as many people were admitted to hospital with Covid in the second wave compared to the first wave."

Lessons were not learned. Lessons of the first wave for the second, as Johnson did not allow a Lessons Learned exercise take place.

Mistakes such as the delaying of lockdowns, the lack of PPE, moving elderly people from hospitals to care homes meant that tens of thousands of people died before their time. And meant that health carers had to risk their lives each and every day in trying to treat their patients.

“The healthcare systems coped with the pandemic, but only just. On a number of occasions, they teetered on the brink of collapse and only coped thanks to the almost superhuman efforts of healthcare workers and all the staff who support them.” - Baroness Hallet,

"Healthcare workers and support staff were obliged … to work under intolerable pressure for months on end. Some patients suffering from Covid-19 did not get the quality of treatment they needed and some non-Covid-19 patients had their diagnoses and treatments delayed to the point where their conditions became untreatable"

Family members died alone and unloved because of lockdown, causing untold grief on those who survived.

"There’s been about 6 or 7 instances where he texted us to say goodbye. We would try and phone or text back but, you know, his texts, because he couldn’t hold his phone very well, were often a little bit confusing to us. The other thing was he was so weak at times, he couldn’t pick up his phone…he’s bedridden, he can’t move…he can’t access any forms of communication and they [healthcare professionals] were so busy when often he would press the bell, and nobody would come."

Even worse was the second wave, which was avoidable and Sunak's "eat out to help out" created hundreds of thousands of mass tranmission events:

"Professor Edmunds, who served on the SAGE modelling subgroup Spi-M, testified that the failure to act to control the second wave “was not because of a lack of situational awareness or knowledge of how to control it. We let this second wave happen.”2 . Professor McLean, now the UK’s Chief Scientific Advisor, described it as the worst period of pandemic, saying:

“We could see what was coming and could not understand why the government did not act upon the science advice by introducing effective interventions”"

The UK was the first country to introdice vaccinations against COVID, and had that second wave been delayed or made smaller, tens of thousands of people whould have survived instead of dying. But Johnson had to "save Christmas."

I cannot understand how it is tha Johnson and other Ministers and advisors are not being tried for manslaughter at least, if not murder, for the deriliction in their duties, who grifted rather than act in the interest of public health. Some, like Johnson, should be hanging from a gibbet on Ludgate Hill.

And yet the media are largly ignoring the inquiry and its findings, meaning the population, the public are unaware of the failings of those elected to protect us, to act on science, not jut the science they agreed with.

If we do not learn the lessons of the past, we will have to relive it. Over and over again.

Tuesday 14th April 2026

I received a message last week, asking if I could take a friend from Australia and her husband round some of the orchid sites before they flew back home on Thursday.

The weekend was out due to trains being replaced by buses, so the next fine day was Tuesday.

That was agreed.

And being a Tuesday, I would go to the gym first, then pick up Jools to take her to her class before returning home for a shower. Then picking Jools up at nine twenty before go to the station to collect Lisa and her husband.

It was a packed morning, starting with a five ten alarm, drinking coffee and being out of the house at ten to six. Drive to Whitfield, get to the gym, do my forty minutes, burning more calories than ever before. Rushing back down to the car, getting home to pick Jools up before dropping her off at the Duke of Yorks so she could walk into town, do her class.

I drove back home, had a shower and breakfast. Washed up and was all ready to leave at five past nine.

Phew.

I waited a few minutes for Jools to finish, then once she climbed in to Dover Priory, where there was no sign.

Turns out they had gone up to Folkestone Road to snap a view of the castle, but soon came back down and climbed in too.

First stop was Samphire Hoe, and knowing where the spikes were meant parking on the overflow car park, then walking something like five metres up the bank to where there was about a dozen spikes.

Tick number one.

Easy.

Back in the car and up through the tunnel, which they were thrilled about, then up the A20 to Hythe and turning off to go up Stone Street to Yocklett's.

Although there is much to see, target species here was Twayblade and Fly.

So along the lower track, with male Orange tips teasing us with nearly settling, but not quite, then up the down to the clearing. Behind the seat was just a single Fly, not quite in flower, but I knew were there might be.

Down the slope and there we found a large spike of Twayblade mostly open, and in sunlight.

So that was tick two.

And further along beside the fallen tree trunk were three Fly spikes open.

Tick number three.

We all got photos, and I wish we could have stayed longer, but the next leg was a long one.

Marden Meadow, has at it's peak, tens of thousands of Green-winged orchids flowering. This wasn't the peak, but I knew from posts to my FB group, some where.

Back down to the motorway and a twenty mile blast to Maidstone, turning off and along and up the narrow main road through Leeds.

A left turn to Staplehurst before striking out into the country again, beside the railway to the small car park.

We were the only ones there.

There were a few hundred (!) open or partially open spikes, more than enough to satisfy our orchid-lust. Though no white spikes, but a couple of salmon pink ones did delight.

Tick number four.

The weather, I should add, was perfect: sunny, little breeze and war without being too hot. All to show the orchids in the water meadow off to their best.

It was now one, so we go back to Staplehurst and find a pub, settling for the King's Head.

There was just one other table occupied, so we settled in and ordered lunch: the others all had a hanging garlic and tarragon chicken kebab, while I had a double smash burger.

It was all rather wonderful, and Lisa picked up the tab to say thanks for the fine day, which left us just enough time to get to our last stop: Stockbury.

The choice was either to go through Maidstone or double back through Leeds to get to the A249.

I chose the latter, and we made good time back through the village and its parked cars and timber-framed buildings jutting out into the road.

Up the North Downs, turning off down the narrow lane to the blocked off junction, parking next to the bollards. And to the right, the blue haze of a multitude of bluebells could be seen.

I take them in, then round the densest area, before doubling back along the narrow path, either side a violet shade of blue, like walking through a parted lake!

Lisa was thrilled.

But further along were several Early Purples.

Tick number five.

Before edging down the steep slope to the lower meadow, where, sadly, the Lesser butterflies hadn't made much progress.

Would my hope of a Lady orchid be in flower be realised?

Jools was in front, but missed a single spike with three open flowers just to the right.

I saw it.

Tick number six.

Full house.

We now had to get Lisa and her husband back to Dover for ten to five, as they had bought a cheap ticket that meant they had to get on that train. We had an hour for the 40 minute drive, we'd make it easily.

Back down the motorway to Faversham, then round the roundabout past Canterbury to Dover, down past the Castle to the station, where they were able to upgrade their ticket to get on a high speed train to whisk them back to London.

We drove home, just in time to feed the cats, where Scully was fine. And hungry.

For supper I cook the crunchy chilli beef again. Not quite perfect, but getting there.

Before finally, there was Ipswich on the telly again, but beaten by Portsmouth 2-0.

Monday 13th April 2026

The days, weeks and months just FLY by.

Can you believe its Monday agin?

Which means I get to lie in, if either my brain or body lets me.

They did let me unil, twenty to seven. Downstairs I could hear Jools getting ready for yoga. I get up, get dressed and go down. Jools was just leaving.

So I make coffee, check the news in the world, and am not that surprised that the Orange Shitgibon thinks he's Jesus, or a "doctor" as he calls it.

Jools comes back at half eight, so we have breakfast. And the matter of a haircut comes to mind.

I was going to leave it until the kids went back to school, but shocked to find that is on the 20th, and I might die of heatstroke before then, so down into town at nine to try to get a seat.

We park off Castle Street, and in my favourite shop there was a free chair, so I am shown in and he begins his magic.

I see in my reflection that I am now mostly grey, so should i use that "just for men" stuff, or just accept I'm getting old.

The latter I think.

Once I was shorn, I meet Jools in a new café on Market Square, have a coffee and a slice of pistachio cake. Because it was there.

Orchid season is beginning to ramp up, so off to Walmer to check on a small area of grass along the front where a couple of years back, a pair of Green-wing orchids appeared.

I parked nearby, and scoured the grassy area, but no spikes or rosettes seen.

And then to Kingsdown, to the SSSI to look for more Early spiders. Getting onto the site is difficult as the shrub is getting thicker year on year, but the site itself is fine.

I find two well developed rosettes with spikes, but fewer than the dozen or more seen a decade ago.

Then back home.

I was listening to a podcast, and I notice Scull was acting strange.

She got off the sofa by climbing through where the parts of it are supposed to join, but had come lose.

She was then wandering around the living room and kitchen, unsteady on her feet, and apparently nearly blind.

Another hypoglycaemia event.

I check her bloods: 2.5.

So, we try to get some crunchies in her, give her some sugar water. Half an hour later, her reading was 3.6.

More food, more sugar water.

She still staggered around, pupils dilated, but when pointed to food and water, she would eat.

Half an hour later, her bloods were still only 3.7.

More food, more water.

Jools had to go out, so I look after Scully. I turn round to find her no longer wandering around, drunklike, instead she was washing and lying just behind me.

I check her bloods: 7.8.

Out of danger.

She is off to the vet's on Wednesday, and so we hope to get some pointers.

Anyway, what brought it on was Scully not eating full meals, so the insulin acted like she had, so her sugars crashed.

So, something else to bear in mind in the future.

I spent the afternoon snapping pre-war postcards and photos for a possible donation to the Guard's Museum in London. But having done that it turned out most were widely commercially available and the museum had them already.

So, they will go back in the box until the house is cleared when we are no more.

I prepare dinner. Nothing special.

That left us the evening to fill. And there is football.

Of course.

Manchester United reverting to form and being outplayed by Leeds, who won at Old Trafford for the first time since 1981.

Hurrah.

So it goes.

Sunday 12th April 2026

Day two of the weekend.

Or Sunday as its better known.

And another day going to the gym, so set the alarm for six.

Get up.

Get dressed.

Feed the cats, make coffee.

On with the trainers, get the headphones, all to be ready for ten to seven.

I could have cried off, but things are going so well, I don't.

There were plenty of cars at the sports centre, more than usual on a Sunday, but the gym was empty, so most must have been there to get some lane swimming in before "family fun" began at eight.

After the session, we went to the café for a drink and a sit down, watching George power up and down the pool.

We had a drink there as we were to go to Samphire Hoe for some orchid chasing. The forecast wasn't good, best early on, so we drive down Jubilee Way and up the A20 to the turn off.

The way the wind funnels with westerlies along the cliffs beside the railway is something to experience when, foolishly, you only have a pair of shots and jumper on.

I would have walked all the way down, but walking into the teeth of such a cold wind numbed brains and legs alike.

We turned round at the second bench, having seen just one spike beside the path up to that point, but five in and around the overflow car park.

We met a couple of other orchidiots on the way, I told them where to go, then we stumbled back to the car, before driving to the tunnel and back home through the town and up Jubilee Way.

It was half nine. Time for a brew and breakfast.

Jools did some gardening, while I had a shower and prepared the vegetables for dinner.

Before then there was the Sunderland v Spurs game at two, which was long looked-forward to as to how Spurs's new manager would fare. Could he get a tune out of that squad?

No.

Only ended 1-0, but Spurs look a relegated team, and their senior management looked on from the stands. Expressionless.

Between the games I cook dinner: garlic chicken, creamed spinach, new potatoes and steamed veggies. All cooked, dished up and eaten by half four when Chelsea kicked off against Chelsea.

A dour first half, but that changed in the second when Citeh found overdrive and scored three. Chelsea had no answer.

And that was the weekend.

Some internetting in the evening, and to bed at half eight.

Saturday 11th April 2026

It's not just the weekend, it's Derby-day weekend.

But before then there was the usual stuff.

Like getting up, feeding the cats, drinking coffee. And then going to the gym, though only I went as Jools was going for a walk and a bit of tidying.

Weekends at the gym are the best. Certainly at seven before families are up, and the pool just has lane swimming, and the gym is mostly empty. Meaning I can get a parking space, go up to the gym and find all machines are empty, so I get on the bike and peddle.

Once I am done, having done another forty minutes at a higher level again, I go to Tesco for supplies, just to top up the fridge and larder.

Again, at eight its empty, so I whizz round getting stuff we needed, and on the way out top up the tank at the garage, with prices up 3 pence a litre in a week.

Back home where, for a change, I make sausage sarnies once the shopping was put away. Beef sausages.

Sausages made of beef.

Were good, not good like butcher's bangers.

A shower, shave and change of clothing, meant I was all ready for the game at midday.

Norwich lost to Ipswich last time out: the first defeat to them in 18 years. Last time they did the double over us was in 1992-93, so we were defending a 33 year record.

Norwich were really not up the the task. Town were better in all departments, but also helped when the referee gave the softest of penalties in the tenth minute.

Despite having over 60% possession and 17 corners, Norwich really never threatened, and Town scored a second just before the break.

City were denied a clear penalty, and on top of that, Nunez should have been sent off after three poor tackles after coming in, but the ref kept his cards in his pockets.

So, that was that.

Then were the main batch of games on the radio from three, with me sitting on the sofa with Scully while listening to the radio.

Pizza for supper, between the end of the games at five, and Liverpool game v Fulham at half five.

More sitting on the sofa watching that, listening to Stuart spin some Northern Soul and 80s soul tunes in place of Craig.

Thus ended the day.

Friday 10th April 2026

Friday.

Its the end of the week. Again.

We don't know where the days and weeks go, but they fly by.

And yet here we are, in the second week of April, Spring, maybe, has arrived, nights are shorter than days, birds are on the wing, as are butterflies.

Jools, obviously, was up at five so she could be out of the house shortly after six for yoga. I went back to sleep, and was awoken once when Cleo jumped on my legs to make a nest, and second when Jools drove off in the car.

There was the bins to do, make coffee and then check on the world, which hasn't got any better.

I had a slow start before I would follow Jools in walking up Station Road into the village, with she going for her "Knit and Natter" group, and me off to the doctor's for a blood test.

It was a brighter, warmer day than expected, but the walk up the hill was fine, stopping to take shots of various wild flowers in bloom.

In the village, the post box has been upgraded to one of them modern scanning ones, and I had wondered how the knitted toppers would cope with the change, to find a knitted garland draped around the box.

Then up the back lane past the school to the surgery, and once checked in I find appointments were running slow.

I had an appointment for half ten, I got in at quarter past.

I found I have lost a further 6 Kg, not as much as I hoped, but progress is steady and I am feeling better than ever.

I was 79Kg when I joined the RAF some 36 years ago. I might not see those weights again, but that is 24 kilos gone since last summer, that's 52 pounds, or close enough. I was doubting I was losing any more, but I was, so I will keep on keeping on.

My blood was red, but reluctant to come out, so both arms were jabbed, the right three times. Maybe not enough for all tests, but we shall see.

The nurse is pleased with my progress, so I left the surgery light of foot and spirit, for the short walk to the village shop for an ice cream.

Which I ate sitting on the bench judging people's parking abilities.

Once the ice cream was gone, I walk back down the hill, then up the other side to home, where ten minutes later Jools joined me on the patio for a brew and some shortbread.

Through the afternoon we watch the last two episodes of Beatle Anthology, which detailed the final two albums and the break up of the band, and finally the part reform and the recording of Free as a Bird.

Even as things were falling apart, the four of them continued to make amazing music, quite the achievement. And legacy.

I do the music quiz and win. As I was quickest on the keyboard.

Yay me.

Before we drove Steve from next door and our former colleague from the LFB, Brian to the village for a charity pub quiz. Though was in the village hall rather than a pub.

It was a fun night, we do OK, finish sixth, but our knowledge of modern TV show themes ultimately let us down.

We drank beer, ate snacks and laughed a lot, and had much to ponder as Brian told us of his battles with cancer over the winter, which he seems to have won.

Back home for ten, pooped and tipsy-fart. We soon go to bed.

Thursday 9th April 2026

Thursday.

And despite it being yesterday, I am struggling to remember what I did.

But here goes.

As it was a Thursday, there was the getting up early, drinking coffee and going to the sports centre for six, so to burn some calories.

It was another warm, sunny morning, though if the forecast was to be believed, it would cool down in the afternoon. So warm that not only did we have the back door open, but we had windows all around the house open.

Outside, birds sang, cats slept and the world cantinued to spin.

Jools went out to the tip and Tesco, so my main task was to create a "flag", to protect the Early Spider Orchid along the street. I saw the owner of the house the day before, so got his permission. He apologised for its mowing last year as he forgot it was there.

I sat outside to read, Sully joined me, and indeed it remained warm, though the breeze did increase.

After lunch it clouded over and turned downright chilly. So, windows were closed, though for the third day in a row, no heating was put on.

Jools watched more of The Testaments, while I went to the back room upstairs to read an old copy of the NME. Not that old, 24 years, but a lifetime away.

Digital piracy had just begun, with the new Oasis album leaked online. You probably couldn't give it away these days.

We finish the cheese and crackers for supper, then watch another episode of Beatles Anthology, where, one Brian died, you could see the band falling apart.

The music, however, remained incredible.

No football on TV, so to bed at nine and to sleep.

Wednesday 8th April 2026

Its the middle of the week. And so time for a lie in. Even if my body and brain have me awake at half five anyway.

It is to be the warmest day of the year. Tuesday wasn't just the warmest day of the year, in Anglesey, but the 25 degrees was the highest April temperatures since records began.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, and we should all keep drilling for oil so the executives can make more billions, who care about a planet, anyways?

The orchid season is now three to four weeks earlier than it was a decade or so back, meaning pollinators might not yet have hatched to do their pollinating jobs, meaning plants will not get pollinated, new generations of plants will fail, and those who eat plants, or whose food chain relies on plants might starve.

But plants.

It was mighty warm at Jelltex Towers, Jools went off to her fitness class at half seven, so I stayed here and drank coffee, had breakfast, then began chores. Like watering the plants, checking the ponds, filling the feeders.

And then going out for a walk.

Reading my old blogs, I see I used to walk most days, and most times up to Windy Ridge. And I hadn't been there for months.

So I put on my boots, grabbed my camera and set off.

Off over the fields to Fleet House, pausing to take shots of the track and the view to Kingsdown Leas, before turning down by the farm and up to the not-so-new bench just before the top of the down.

I sat there for half an hour, enjoying the peace, broken only by the calls of skylarks and buzzards.

Along Green Lane beside the edge of the wood, and where there were about a dozen Brimstones, one of which settled long enough for me to get a shot. I also saw a Speckled wood, a Small tortoiseshell and a Peacock, though they didn't settle.

The new owners of Windy Ridge farm have a new dog. Very barky.

It barked as I walked along the lane, when I stopped to take shots, and carried on as I walked past the farm and to the top of the track leading back down to Collingwood.

I turn for home, seeing more Lesser celandines than I have seen before along Green Lane, now spreading further and further east.

When I got home, Jools was back, so we had a glass of squash and sat on the patio until the heat forced me inside.

Yes, heat.

It had gone beyond warm, which as nice as it is, means that the only place to see out the day should be the chilled interior of a nice country pub somewhere, or one at the seaside.

We can't go far, or one of us has to stay home as there's a delivery of wine coming. My only concern it arrives before dinner time so I can test one of the bottles.

Lunch is that old standard, pork pie. Bought last week before breakfast when everything looks delicious and is swiped into the trolley.

We watch more Beatles. And its clear things are going downhill, especially after the trip to Indonesia and pissing of Imelda.

Penny Lane is still the greatest moment in popular music, an to hear it again with the band on the actual Penny Lane for the promotional film, is a joyous thing.

They even managed to squeeze in a sexual act into the lyric, and the BBC missed it.

For the afternoon there was a little churchcrawling, as I took my group to Blessed St. Mary of Walmer again, having arranged it to be open. Again. And calling the warden the day before to ensure he didn't forget.

I was even able to inform him, via Hasted, when the church's tower was taken down, as in 1800 it had already partially collapsed and contained but two bells.

The group loved the church; the Chancel arch, the Duke of Wellington link, but the glass is something left to be desired.

We were done by three, so I rushed home to pop the already boiled potatoes in the oven for dinner to go with the pie and steamed vegetables for dinner.

The evening contained no football on TV, just on the radio. So I laid on the bed, then in the bed as I followed Liverpool's match in Paris.

I woke up at ten to find they'd lost 2-0, and so it was time for more sleep.