Off to Greece on Friday for 10 days. I can’t believe it has been 8 years since we last visited Skiathos. Looking forward to a bottle of Gordon’s Space or two in De Facto Bar (the islands only gay bar) and seeing dear Christina, the owner!

Remembering my great grandmother Mary Sheppard born this day128 years ago. Salt-of-the-earth, and tough-as-old-boots. She died when I was 17. My first funeral. She outlived four of her five children. Here with neighbour, Mrs Heath and a milk stout!

Current mood… AirPods in en route home… 🎶 George Wright at the Wurlitzer organ of the Paramount Theater, New York… playing a great arrangement of That’s a Plenty 🎶

A bloke (he was a bloke) from a removal firm just left. Here to estimate move cost. Rather rough and ready. I thought of him handling my bibelots, doilies, and treasured items! I’ve had three in some time ago, but now we’ve a date the one I narrowed it down to - fully booked 🙄

It's not the council's fault you're about to give birth to a 12th child you can't provide for.

It would be better if the vote was kept for over 21’s paying tax, who have lived in this country for at least 5 years and have been clear of a criminal record, for 10 years. This is just socialism manipulating the vote. #KeirStarmer

Birthday lunch for Anthony with the rest of the lads, at The Physician in Edgbaston. #DearOldPals

A good start! Taxi arrives - asks what is the postcode of where I’m going to. What happened to the days when taxi drivers knew the streets all over? A very different pool of drivers today (if you get my drift).

You know who you have to vote for… join me, and give them your vote on July 4th!

More than a trim! The council workmen may as well have cut the tree down. #HorseChestnut #Butchered

It seems my little brother (33) and his lady have chosen Weston Park for their wedding next year. 100 for the wedding breakfast. Far too many, I say. I will of course have to send my frock-coat to the dry cleaners, my topper to be steamed, and my spats to be re-elasticised! 😀

One my trip down memory lane to area where my grandparents and great gran lived…. I saw what when I was a wee lad an off licence. I recall a mahogany panelled interior smelling of beer… and self purchasing my favourite chocolate…. Cadbury’s Old Jamaica. Now very different.

An old laundry delivery box… Very robust… Ideal for storage 🤔 Charity shop

This arrived today… sourced this copy online, after hearing about it from Merlin Holland (Oscars’s grandson) when on Gyles’s Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast.

Down memory lane today, as near to solicitors I walked around and about. Past my great-nan’s old house and nan and grandads. Their old neighbour was in the front garden... got chatting.. told me he was 90. I remember when front gardens with privet hedges, all now paved for cars

Remembering the ‘Widow of Windsor’, born Alexandrina Victoria. Queen and Empress of India. Born this day in 1819. Daughter of TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Kent. #QueenVictoria

Now that the #GeneralElection has been called is there any chance that Labour will now disclose why their former senior MP Nick Brown has been “cancelled” without explanation for sooo long?

Transparency for the many not just the few - or when in suits

House buying is an expensive business!!Had a level 3 survey, then owing to things highlighted a separate Structural survey, then for peace of mind a Timber survey (huge roof timbers) Now Valuation for Rebuild needed (to enable me to get insurance - it’s a listed building). 🙄

Oh well better delivered early! New integrated freezer just delivered. Old one would pack up a month before we move 🙄

House sale/purchase…. 12 weeks yesterday since I instructed solicitors… Still yet to set exchange/completion dates 🙄