This is becoming a bit of a theme, lose something, order a replacement, and then the lost item reappears. Earlier in the year it was an AirPod, now it is a water bottle. Couldn't for the life of me locate my favourite water bottle, it is the one I tend to grab about 90% of the time, the other 10% is a cycling bottle...

In late 2025 I put together a list of things I would dump in 2026. Three months of the year are done, so how have I been getting on? A mixed bag: ‘social’ media - down to one social media platform, using mastodon via federate.social. I like the feel of it, and enjoy the eclectic mix of people on there. X is now beyond...

Given how long it takes me to update my now page I might just rename it my then page. Must try harder.

In the UK we are used to the rain, we get a lot of it. We put up with it because it makes us such a green country, makes stuff grow and we like to potter about with our trousers rolled up in a cool river on a hot sunny day. But even us hardy brits have had enough now, it seems to have been raining continuously since...

As disappointingly forecast in my previous post, the missing AirPod has reappeared. It reappeared from the back of my bedside table on the 15th Jan, nine days after my £76 replacement had arrived, very efficiently, from Apple. I now have a spare left hand AirPod, I am not sure what to do with it - creative ideas...

I wrote some time ago about the benefits of wired headphones, including the fairly obvious fact that they are harder to lose. Well, I bought some AirPods 4 NC and had been getting along fine until I was on holiday over the Christmas period, opened the case and found the left AirPod missing. Find my stuff says it is at...

This is the inverse of my recent post about stuff I’d like to dump in 2026. It is inspired by Jon’s blog where he added an invest list under his own to dumplist. I suppose they are a bit like new year resolutions, but framing in terms of spending more time rather than something I could 'tick off' feels like a longer...

A list of things I might dump in 2026: ‘social’ media snickers duo changing blog platforms the second cup of coffee the news carbs the Apple Watch I never use some old shirts I never wear work backpack pretending to journal podcasts that just interview people with a new book to sell eating whilst walking desk lunch What...

We have been having some work done to the house, requiring a lot of decisions. Colours of things, types of things, position of things, order of doing things, do we want to do this whilst I’m here things? Couple this with the early decision making on Christmas, what presents would you like, when should we organise stuff,...

Think this is my third visit Royal West of England Academy Annual Open Exhibition and the first I have managed to capture my favourites and cobble them together in a post. I know very little about art, I couldn’t comment on the motivation behind each piece of work. I have no idea how brilliant, stimulating or...

I did start my dry September experiment slightly early and that might justify an early finish, but to be honest that wouldn't be telling all of the story. The real story is that after three weeks I just wanted to sit down with my wife, watch a film and have some wine. Not much thought, or angst about failing to hit...

January has always seemed to be the worst month to stop drinking alcohol. Cold weather, short days and the excitement of Christmas a distant memory. I have tried to do it a few times, the longest I lasted was 4 days, we do dry September instead. why september? Post holiday exuberance and getting back into the routine...

I’m about 2 months into my apple watch experiment, and to be honest, I’m not wearing it now. I haven’t worn it on a daily basis for a few weeks. It is upstairs, on my bedside cabinet happily charging away. To start with I really enjoyed wearing it, the technology seemed great, notifications were handy and even though I...

Went to Watershed in Bristol today to watch the ballad of Wallis island. Excellent film, a bit of British awkwardness, some fabulous comedy, a bit of sadness and some amazing views of west Wales. Would recommend, some would say it is a bit of a romcom, but don’t let that put you off - this reminded me more of the film...

One of the apple products I have never owned is an Apple Watch, I was recently offered a spare watch by my parents so I thought I would give it a go. I have always wondered if it would be useful or a bit of another kit that makes more demands on my time and attention - another thing to charge! There are a few things...