On a lighter note: F#.

On the last point, the recent introduction of them in Greggs in Worcester is a disaster. The system is very confusing, and as most people who eat in sit upstairs and the shop is crowded at the counter downstairs, nipping to ask for the code is a real annoyance. So I now go to Greggs less.

The more shops make my life as a legitimate customer less pleasant through crude anti-shoplifting measures, and the more they lecture me about it and imply I'm too stupid to have realised theft was a major problem, the less I want to spend money in those shops. See also locks on coffee shop toilets.

Oh dear, that's not great. But it's here now, and the design is very much appreciated!

@huskyteer.co.uk Thanks very much for the post that arrived today! :)

Thank you! :)

On the plus side, at least for me, I see that Sainsbury's now have rhubarb and ginger hot cross buns...

Some of us never stopped writing them!

Quick reminder that I mostly post on Dreamwidth. Username is loganberrybunny there; journal largely public. You're welcome, though please bear in mind that I do journalling/blogging partly because I *don't* just share everyone on here's opinions. You will probably be annoyed by some things I say! :P

#UKPonyCon is back! And this time? In Leicester!
Join us between October 30th and November 1st at ‘The Venue@DMU’ for a spooky ‘Trick Vs Treat’ theme!
Learn more about our new venue and our theme via our blog post HERE: www.ukponycon.co.uk/blog/uk-pony... #UKPonyCon2026

I have been trying to explain panto to an American who has never seen one or been to the UK. They asked me to try, by the way, I wasn't just pestering them.

Suffice to say I'm not sure I was entirely successful!

(Oh yes you were, etc.)

Honestly, if coffee shops don't actually start *doing* something about this (just the odd sign or announcement would be something) then they'll lose my custom.

If you come and sit in a quiet coffee shop and start playing your phone on speaker the problem is YOU. Grow up and start caring about someone other than yourself.

Happy birthday to Sandra Peabody, a woman of great courage and integrity. After surviving despicable abuse by certain co-stars on the set of Wes Craven's first horror film, away from acting she has devoted fifty years to building the safer, supportive spaces she was cruelly denied. I wish her peace.

Reminds me of this.

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope it's as good as it can be for you.

2025 meme, Q16: Most frustrating place you went this year?

Unusual question! Evesham might shade it, though. It has the potential to be a lovely town. It has its moments, but much of the centre is just depressing. The Spoons is ridiculously small, too.

2025 meme, Q15: Favourite way to travel?

This!

I don't want to make a scene *after* I've been pushed towards the road. I want it not to happen in the first place. Parents of toddlers manage this. So can dog owners. 90 percent of them do, to be fair.

If I'm being really unpopular today... people should not have dogs like that if they live in old towns with narrow pavements by busy roads. It's dangerous, as I found today, and that overrides their wish to own that kind of dog. If they live in the middle of nowhere that's rather different.

Hello again Bluesky! I hope you had a fine Christmas. :)

2025 meme, Q14: Say something unpopular.

"He only wants to play" is not a magic get-out from you training your dog to behave properly and not jump up at people who don't like that.

2025 meme, Q13: Eggnog, yes or no?

I really don't care about it. Up until a few years ago I basically never saw it over here; it felt like a purely American thing. It's spread, a bit like pumpkin spiced latte (also overrated IMO) but I haven't had any this year and probably won't do all Christmas.

2025 meme,Q12: Best place you want this year?

Anywhere with friends! But in terms of places I visited on my own, I actually really liked Ellesmere. Just a pity north Shropshire is such a pain to reach by bus. :P

Indeed! Also because the joke doesn't work otherwise: "What do you call a really fast bun? 'S gone!"

2025 meme, Q11: Does scone rhyme with cone or gone?

I'm not sure what this has to do with 2025! But it rhymes with "gone". Always. I would die on this hill, except for the dying part. And also the fact that I'm not on a hill. But apart from that. :P

Hello from the Morgan Experience café, on the Morgan Motor Company site in Malvern Link. (I'm not doing a factory tour or anything, but the café is open to the public.)

2025 meme, Q11: What's the best crisp flavour?

Right now probably pigs in blankets, but sadly that's seasonal. Salt and vinegar probably wins out of the standard ones, though prawn cocktail and pickled onion (separately!) are rarely unwelcome.

2025 meme, Q10: Do you hate anyone you didn't last year?

David Hess.

Last year I only knew him as a musician. Now I know him as an abusive shit.

2025 meme, Q9: Say something silly.

"Something silly."