Photography for the forthcoming book today... the point when you realise you can do the history of the British army's bang-stick on your kitchen floor...

Yay.

Sorting out images for the book today, forgot how much I liked this one from a couple of years ago.

Good god I thought I'd seen the back of these buggers but despite this fiasco two years ago, same bloke's in our emails wanting freebies. Self awareness much? 😬 (We're already booked that day so saves us a lie!)

She's perked up a bit... Fray Bentos spent last night throwing up so that was fun to clean up at 4am, poor little bugger wasn't right at all. Seems she just got too greedy before bedtime. 😑 In other news, torts can projectile vomit up walls. Who knew, eh?

Sometimes when you've had a shitty couple of weeks, the contented chomping of a tortoise with a bean is a great emotional cleanser.

Anyone know that BA used to operate “British Airways Helicopters” and had 6 Chinooks? Those ran to support oil rigs in the North Sea but they also ran an “Airlink” high frequency Heathrow-Gatwick shuttle service, and a Penzance to the Scilly Isles service. #avgeek #avgeeks

Damn things are everywhere... Cassie's been here four weeks now. Slowly integrating her into the herd because they're territorial fighty-bitey little sods and vets bills are expensive.

Fame at last- that's me and the lads during filming in Byker a couple of years ago! Nobody batted an eyelid... 😬

First time out in the WW1 OR kit I treated myself to a couple of years ago. Me with my great-uncle, LCpl James Crowley, KIA near La Boiselle 1st July 1916 with 20th Northumberland Fusiliers/1st Tyneside Scottish. Feeling oddly emotional.

And quite right too, well deserved!

Greetings from the office.

Test-driving the new foam sprayer thingy I got for the Karcher. Bloody brilliant. Marengo now, in theory at least, smells of cherries. Go on. Sniff my Volkswagen.

No, I haven't taken up gaming. Just a virtual scamper through the German trenches with Paul Reed of Old Front Line Podcast. Wishing I was back out there.

Short gig to help a mate out this evening. "So can you come play accordion dressed as a pirate for half an hour or so?" "Hell yeah."

Yesterday the Leng review came to Derriford (Plymouth) to hear all sides of the issue surrounding PAs in the NHS. Derriford is well known for employing a high number of PAs and so it makes sense for them to visit. The review is meant to be unbiased and fair.

This time last week we were speaking at #SSDAconf25 in Peebles. The Utterly Brilliant Timmy Mallett unlocking some memories there! Everybody say bleeeeaaaahh!

An absolute joy to talk bang sticks and bayonets (why yes I have a substantial collection!) with Paul Reed and the Old Front Line Podcast supporters last night!

Tudor school workshops for a lovely Year 5 group today. I do love demonstrating hair taping, even if it's a bit messy without a mirror- that's the base for all those fancy headdresses, and a great way to wear the mane up without ponytail headaches!

Working on a WW2 film today... yes, I sorted my helmet net out after that, cut me some slack I'd just died in battle...