Something else I've re-realised ... is my own belief in keeping the story simple, and I watched ... a wonderful example of this last night in the 2026 film, 'The Bone Temple'.

"Every knight needs a squire. And you look like you need one more than most.”

A Surprising Literary Journey This book took me by surprise. I loaned it from our local library in Sandy because it was short and nestled among the classics. I'd never heard of it, nor the author, Irmgard Keun. I checked out reviews on Goodreads, and it struggles with diverse ratings. It seems to be a text for study in Germany, not much loved by many students, while at the same time scoring highly among numerous readers. Now, having read it, I think I understand why. Original

Took me longer than a week, closer to two weeks, but I managed to finish a novel.

Two Years Later: A Return to Writing and Reflection ===================================================== A Moment of Reflection Two years have passed since I last wrote a piece for my blog. It's been a year since I put pen to paper—or fingers to keys, as it were. But now, I intend to return. Today is January 25th, 2026, and I genuinely believe the world will never be the same. Just yesterday, an ICU nurse was shot—nay, executed—in Minneapolis for trying to help two women. Hi

I played the first Fallout game back in the day and loved it, so I was quietly looking forward to this adaptation of the game to telly...

At the age of 54, coming up 55, this may not sound a lot to brag about, but today I finished reading 'Danny the Champion of the World' and I am so very happy. You see as a lover of books, one who used to read every day, I've not read a book for a very long time - though I did manage the Silmarillion last year (I think). Every time I start a book my brain struggles to remember what it reads - be this because of my mental illnesses or the tablets I rattle with, I'm not really s

The BBC are producing some pretty good investigative paranormal programmes at the moment. The most recent is UNCANNY, a transition of a podcast into a television programme. Hosted by Danny Robins, it's translated pretty well into the televisual arena with what I assume was a pilot series of three episodes to test the waters. It approaches encounters with an open mind, investigates the history and background, and leaves final decisions on validity up to the audience. It's a go

Podcast...? I'd never listened to a podcast until this year. Up to now my listening routine featured football commentary on the weekend, old albums on my iPod (yes - I still use mine - I love it), and my wife. I do listen to my wife. Always. Though it doesn't often go in. But this year, prompted by my interest in the ghosts of Potton Wood, I listened to my first ever podcast by the newly launched Weird in the Wade. And it's brilliant. Produced, scripted, researched and voice

I've not been out this week. Mainly to do with rain - it's been torrential in the UK, and I jest not when I say the garden is like a rainforest - but also because I've felt a bit withdrawn; anxiety playing round the edges, and my brain being a bit off kilter. C'est cool. My writing has kept me busy, I passed the 55K mark the other day on the WIP, and, when I've not been writing, I've been watching. Films mainly. Favourites that are easy to watch and don't tax my brain - I kno