I have one of those birdsong clocks and for the next five months, too-witt too-woo will mean only one thing: a robin.

Up to 410! One more push! Thanks everyone 😘

Frank Cottrell Boyce's 'The Door in the Pillow' (Radio 4 extra) is perfect ghostly listening for a Halloween weekend. Wonderful script, moving performances.

A brief thread on the debt I owe Backlisted Podcast. This podcast dedicates itself to giving ”life to old books.” But in this case, it gave life to a new one.

This is a great little nugget!

A Helen Bradley painting on sale in a gallery near Piccadilly. She didn’t paint seriously until she was in her 60s - Lowry encouraged her to base her pictures on her childhood memories. I love the fact that Santa is being totally ignored while everyone watches a fight....

I was writing a message containing the words ‘big hugs’ to a bereaved friend and I’m so glad that I realised just before sending that spellcheck was offering her ‘big Ugandan...’ (why?????)

“I want to shower you with sugar lumps, and ride you over fences.
Polish your hooves every single day, and bring you to the horse dentist.'

Feeling suddenly much better about the fact we came second in this quiz...

🐰🐵BUNNY VS MONKEY & THE LEAGUE OF DOOM Jamie Smart
🤖MEGA ROBO BROS: DOUBLE THREAT Neill Cameron
🛠OLLIE SPARK & THE ACCIDENTAL ADVENTURE Gillian Cross #AlanSnow
🎂WISHED Lissa Evans

are in BookTrust's Great Books Guide! Find the full list here: ow.ly/LMbP50LmV1b 🎉🎉

Hugely enjoyable quiz at The London Library yesterday, with questions set by John O'Farrell. The evening was only marred by the fact that the team that beat my team into second were all about twelve years old.

Say NO to self ID

Just managed to re-register with the NHS website after changing GPs. In my imagination, Bill Gates is welcoming me as guest of honour at the 'IT Skills Gala.'

More joy from St James, Piccadilly: Grinling Gibbons’ (wondrous name, wondrous talent) lime wood carvings, more than 300 years old, as freshly beautiful as the day he put down the chisel (or whatever it as he used...)

Look at this knockout cover!Congratulations Philip Womack on the US publication of #wildlord .

Stacking Stork

I had a little wander round lovely St.James, Piccadilly today, and stopped to admire the sentiments on this tomb. Not a bad epitaph.

This is what happens when an unpopular brand gets a really good publicist.