Fare thee well, Amanda. I look forward to The Dark. And to meeting again in liminal spaces. 🖖

I very much doubt that, P. 😉 But kind of you to say so. Take care. x

And you, Wrath. It's been a pleasure. x

But the increasing numbers of bots and the hard-of-thinking means that social media is a far less pleasurable experience than it once was. So, to quote the late, great Douglas Adams: So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that 2026 brings you much joy and happiness. As for me, I've decided it's time to shut up shop here on Bluesky and elsewhere. I've 'met' many lovely people (you know who you are) since first dipping a toe into the waters of Twitter, long before Musk polluted them.

I feel the same about Jools' Annual Hootenanny as I did about The White Heather Club when I was a kid in the 60s.

You would indeed! In the short time she lived next door, she not only managed to lock herself in our downstairs loo twice, but also drank so much during one of our occasional evening get-togethers that I literally had to carry her home. She has been much missed since leaving for pastures new.

A few years ago, I was walking through the village with our neighbour, the local vicar, when a car roared past us at well over the 30mph limit. At the top of her voice, she screamed out "TOSSER!!" and stuck two fingers up at the driver. Now THAT is what I call muscular Christianity.

It seems that I was supposed to take the leg of lamb out of the freezer two days ago. So Christmas lunch might be a tad light on the protein this year.

Ah. The Bristol Cream. He'll be off his head by the time he gets down to us.

Sherry? That's a bit posh, pet.

Oh, dear lord. That's my Christmas ruined. I humbly apologise, Your Luminescence. My only excuse is that I'm so senile I forget who is on which platform. Which is very Brief Encounter of me.

Being somewhat Scrooge-like, I like to keep my festive greetings to an absolute minimum. But it wouldn't be Christmas without pulling a Bluesky cracker with @wrathofgodherself.bsky.social and @andromedadurham.bsky.social . Wishing you both a joyful time. *raises a glass of Advocaat*

Sixteen years ago today, this curious icicle appeared from a dish of water in our garden.

Couldn't agree more, Wrath. Modern sitcoms make Terry and June look positively subversive.

No tea sellers in Cheltenham, as far as I know. Although I have just discovered a supplier based just south of the town. I might order a range of teas from them and hold a Christmas tasting.

👍

Earl! 🙄

We live in a village in the Cotswolds. The people, on the whole, are relatively well-heeled. So why, when I look at their posts on the village Facebook page, do they appear to be semi-literate? What has happened to education in this country?

I love a cup of Eral Grey (very Jean-Luc Picard!). But I don't think I'd wnat to drink it throughout the day. More of a 'special' cuppa.

Winter Song YouTube video by Emily Smith - Topic

How have I never heard of Emily Smith? Her Winter Song is like a Ted Hughes poem set to music. Sublime. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCoT...

And that voice with its studied poshness. And the smugness that emanates from her in waves. I could go on...

I find it extremely difficult to believe that anyone could warm to such an arrogant, I'm-never-wrong politician.

"I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer."

What an ugly world we live in. Well done for taking a stand, Robin.

Absolutely! I now realise the ambiguity in my post. What I meant was, the Sidhe and their kind would never have any truck with something even remotely iron-y.

Neither the Seelie nor the Unseelie Courts recognise the points of the compass. Especially Magnetic North. Far too ferrous.

I have a sneaking suspicion your bloke doesn't need a teacher. But even for a seasoned player, Rob Fennah's good company. Better than dear old Bert and his Play In A Day.

Fennah Rob This channel shows you how to play the trickiest guitar pieces with minimal fuss - and all my unique idiot proof chord and finger position charts are FREE! As a performer I've had a number of hit sin...

If he hasn't already found him, Rob Fennah on YouTube is a great teacher. www.youtube.com/@fennahrob6934

@andromedadurham.bsky.social I meant to ask: is him indoors enjoying his Strat?