Image thanks to Kuow.org I’ve recently read two books in which the line between the reader, the author and the book have been blurred. The first was ‘Riccardino’ the final book in the Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri, where the intertwining of writer and protagonist was a device to allow the author to finally kill … Continue reading The book chooses the reader
Riding Big
Image thanks to CyclingUK.org Cycling and cyclists have been very much in the news last week following some changes in the highway code. Even though these changes have been in place since January of this year they have had little publicity and most people are unaware of them. With 30% of car drivers stating that … Continue reading Riding Big
Peak Halloween
Yesterday I experienced something I have never experienced before. Peak Halloween. When I was a lad, All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve was ‘celebrated’ after a fashion but nothing like it seems to be these days. I would beg my mam to buy a turnip to make a lantern which would lead to an … Continue reading Peak Halloween
A handmade tale
Even in the world of Postcrossing there are different spheres of interest. I have blogged at least once before about this fascinating project that encourages people to send postcards to others around the world. Since I started I send one a week, with the application selecting someone at random to be the lucky recipient. I … Continue reading A handmade tale
As nature never intended
Image thanks to InteriorDesignMagazine It’s been a while since our garden had had a proper haircut. Last year we were still in the throes of COVID and finding someone to come and tidy up the garden was nigh on impossible. People would say yes to doing the work but would never turn up and in … Continue reading As nature never intended
Small pleasures
Image thanks to applytofaceblog Another day, another book. This time it’s ‘Small Pleasures’ from The School of Life. I’m not sure who the author is, or if it is written by more than one person, yet it contains over fifty short essays on things that have given the writer(s) a sense of small pleasure. It’s … Continue reading Small pleasures
The normalisation of hunger
I blogged some time ago about a service that my local Morrissons was offering, ready made convenient bags of food for the local food bank. While I am in support of anything that helps people survive in these difficult times and am behind the idea in principle I have a concern that somehow it belittled … Continue reading The normalisation of hunger
Deus ex machina
Image thanks to Graham Jordan September is #CyberFest. That’s it done for another year. The whole of the month has been occupied by the fifth year of the region’s biggest cyber security festival. In the end there were 17 advertised events, though 2 were postponed, one due to the Queen’s funeral and the other due … Continue reading Deus ex machina
Time for advice
Image thanks to India times There are times in your life which are harder than others. Looking back, my early thirties were particularly challenging. I was trying to build my career while we stretched ourselves for a new house and with young children to look after. Everything seemed a little hand to mouth and I … Continue reading Time for advice
Who owns space?
That might seem an odd question but I have been thinking about it ever since last week’s excellent #CyberFest event on ‘Managing Cyber Security Risk in the Space Market’. On the face of it it would seem that the answer is nobody, it is just too big and too unknown to divvy it up the … Continue reading Who owns space?