So windy at the summit, it’s nearly blowing me over!

This afternoon’s walk.

This morning’s walk

I’m easily satisfied with the best of everything.

Added bonus: the version of The Wicker Man I’m watching, is the Director’s Cut, containing some additional scenes that were removed from the cinema release. Only seen this edition once before. Adds an even more powerful layer of menace.

Starting to watch a great double bill right now.
Two of the best horror films ever made.
Starting with The Wicker Man, to be followed by The Haunting.

Cheeky squirrel!

do good work at local level, outperforming the previous administrations, simply to gain support for Reform Parliamentary Candidates in the future? Will their true colours come in, under a Reform national Government?
That’s my concern here.
Are Reform trying to con us?

🧵ends

But Reform are actually doing a really good job at Leicestershire County Council.
Would this make me vote for them to form a national Government?
No. Never.
And here’s where my cynicism kicks in.
Are Reform councillors under orders from Farage and his cronies to deliberately

🧵continues ⬇️

minority administration following last year’s elections, I was horrified, because of Reform’s highly damaging and downright vile policies at national (Parliamentary) level.
My apprehension was strong, despite the Tories seriously mismanaging the Council for many years.

🧵continues ⬇️

Maybe this is the cynic in me, but…

I’ve long believed that you have to consider the essential differences between local and national politics, and vote accordingly, not necessarily for the same Party.
Take Leicestershire County Council for example.
When Reform set up a

🧵continues ⬇️

Boy, did I need this large single malt tonight.
Up at 4.30 a.m. to get Sue to Leicester Coach Station to catch the coach to Heathrow for her flight to Madrid. Then I drove to Howden near Goole to visit a very dear friend. Dinner at my local pub. Now collapsed in front of the TV.

George has got his bouncy castle, and Jack…well, Jack’s just bouncing.

Coffee and a book in the sun on a Sunday morning.
What could be better?

Two shots of the night sky from my garden a few moments ago.

Nighty night, George ❤️

I’m not naive enough to believe that the impossible can’t be done.

Oh no! There’s always something, isn’t there? X❤️

Thanks, Viv. I did let you know by Twitter DM yesterday, but I know you’re not on there much nowadays.
My doctor hadn’t been unduly worried, but until I got the official all-clear, there’s always that nagging doubt.
How are things with you at the moment? xx ❤️❤️

David Barnett signing books in the St Ives Bookseller

Signed copies of WITHERED HILL, SCUTTLER’S COVE and SCRATCH MOSS now in St Ives Bookseller. Grab ‘em while they’re hot!
#horror #folkhorror #books #stives #cornwall

Got the result of my CT scan. No anomaly with my oesophagus, but my left tonsil is enlarged, which is probably why the gastroscopy camera wouldn’t go down.
Taken off the cancer pathway, which is a great relief.
Non-urgent phone appointment with my GP in a couple of weeks.

Cover of forthcoming folk horror novel TWISTED PIKE by David Barnett, featuring a graphic fox on a black background

Hey, folk horror gang, my fourth novel in what I'm now calling The Withered Hill Quartet, TWISTED PIKE, is confirmed as scheduled for release on October 1. Are you ready to return to Withered Hill?
Info and pre-order links on the @canelobooks.bsky.social website now! www.canelo.co/books/twiste...

You can find all my books at Awesome Books.
I guess awesome suits my five novels and collection of short stories!

www.awesomebooks.com/search?autho...

Janice Tjen: ‘I almost quit’: Janice Tjen opens up on journey to WTA success | TOI Exclusive | Tennis News Indonesia's Janice Tjen (ANI Photo/Naveen Sharma) New Delhi: Indonesia’s rising tennis star Janice Tjen has rapidly become one of the sport’s most compelling breakout stories. After a stunning 2025 season, she made history by winning the Chennai Open, ending a 23-year wait for an Indonesian WTA singles champion, and surged into the top 50, the first Indonesian woman to do so this century.

Janice Tjen: ‘I almost quit’: Janice Tjen opens up on journey to WTA success | TOI Exclusive | Tennis News

Indonesia's Janice Tjen (ANI Photo/Naveen Sharma) New Delhi: Indonesia’s rising tennis star Janice Tjen has rapidly become one of the sport’s most compelling breakout stories. After a…

One for @morganwhovian13.bsky.social

Good to be back out here.

I’ve missed these sights during the winter