Shirley Day

It's been a bit bonkers here in London with the tube strikes. Journey's taking 2.5 hours rather than 45 minutes and TFL overcharghing me £30. Haven't met any one person who approves of the strikes so how the unions let it go ahead is a mystery. Looking forward to things getting back to normal.

Days later, and it's still ongoing. I think the crown was faulty. They are going to try and fix tonight. Never mind. Sun is shining here, so not all bad.

Feeling a bit low this morning as my crown fell out again last night. So frustrating. Hate it when teeth are troublesome so decided I needed flowers. These ones are from my son's wedding. Spirits lifted. Will wait for 9.00 then ring that dentist, again!!!

The Gathering (Netflix) (4) has everything a mini-series needs—who could fail to fall in love with Kelly (Eva Morgan) or Adam (Sonny Walker)? The story is wonderfully crafted. The pressures on young elite athletes chilling, whilst at the same time awe-inspiring. And Liverpool is looking lovely.

The Guest on BBC One — a mini-series in the domestic noir camp. Eve Myles plays this complex character brilliantly, with Gabrielle Creevy offering an equally adept foil? adversary? victim? Loved the twisty-turny story, the acting, the gorgeous accents, and the sheer wow of the Gower Peninsula.

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Just joined with this free book promo for thrillers. Who doesn't love a free read? Please do check out the link. Really impressed by the quality of this promo. My ARC novel is The Shadow of the May Queen. Happy reading.
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Didn't manage to get a summer holiday this year, didn't work out that way. But not a problem… In my mind, I am here, enjoying a little peace whenever I get the chance. Wishing you the same. Painting by Yash Godebski.

I loved this as a kid. A friend had a birthday party where someone screened it using a projector and a portable screen. Great film.

Really enjoyed this yesterday. An imaginative look at what a collaboration between Shakespeare and Marlow might have been like. Two enigmatic and powerful actors. Great insights into Elizabethan history. Wonderful words. I came out buzzing with excitement and wanting to know more.

I've been away (studying) for so long. Just surfacing out of the books. Hope to be reading for pleasure again soon. Image by Angela McKay. Yes! this is the thing to do on a glorious day.

Hopefully.

Morning, Bluesky. Currently reading through, fine-tuning, & formatting my PhD. It takes so long! Thought this painting by Dunja Jung captured the feeling perfectly. Actually found myself thinking “My brain hurts,” & it’s only 9:40 a.m.
Then again, I’d rather have brain-ache than eye strain. Choices!

Window boxes not at full loveliness, but getting there slowly, slowly.

Weekdays are definitely best.

Just went swimming. I try to avoid it on a Saturday as it can be a bit of a scrum. Not quite as bad as this image from an Italian sports magazine in 2022, but you get the gist.

Good morning, Bluesky. I loved this image but I'm not sure who it's by. Some say Edward Hopper — not sure. Anyway, just loving that light. Wishing you an illuminating Saturday.

Maybe.

That's incredible. All mine went a couple of months ago. Lucky you.

Morning Bluesky. Just found myself in a rabbit hole, chasing images on Pinterest of morning light. Had to pull out and give myself a little calm. Maybe I’ll go back — but I need time to explore properly. Wishing you a flight-of-fancy style day, where your creative projects get wings.

Sounds good. I think I'm flitting between works because I'm writing a lot currently & can't seem to settle. Also I think we're constantly bombarded with recomendations, which I like, but it keeps me searching constantly for that perfect novel that will absorb me into its world & still my mind.

Beautiful day for it.

Morning, Bluesky. Glorious outside the windows today. I've got lots on my plate: reading the first draft of my procedural novel, re-reading the final chapter of my PhD, and a little forward planning for the autumn semester. Wherever your journeys take you today, wishing you a fruitful journey.

They must be there every year on the same day?

The sentence brought thoughts of pigeons to mind. One flew into the flat yesterday, a very strange experience.

Good morning, Bluesky. Would have loved to have seen this yesterday. The Coldstream Guards travelled by rain from London to the regiement's birthplace (Berwick-upon-Tweed) To mark their 375th anniversary. Love traditions & public transport actually!

Love the mix, especially being a carpenter. Make that’s the most magic thing creating something with skill and investing time in it. Would it be more satisfying to magic up a beautiful rocking horse (for example) or design and build with your own hands?

Detective. Horror. Romance and historical. What about you?

Are you sure that’s not a witch rather than an owl with a hobby horse? Easily confused.

Make sure to review. I’m having a bit of a low spot. Four on the go and not one doing the trick. I get the feeling it’s me, rather than the books.

Looks good.