I have a memory of a 80’s or 90’s British TV comedy sketch character visiting a Poundshop with his friend Alan. Alan would always ask, “How much is it?” To which the reply was always an exasperated “It’s a pound, Alan!”

Poundland sold for £1 with shops set to close: bbc.com

Exploited child labour this evening to harvest two bags of potatoes.

Auto-generated description: Two children wearing blue shirts and gloves are digging in the soil, collecting potatoes from a plant on a grassy lawn. Auto-generated description: Two children are sitting on grass washing potatoes in a bowl.

Big kid insisted that the “butt potato” take pride of place in the group photo.

Auto-generated description: A white bowl contains various sizes of small, round potatoes.

Disappointingly small crop, but they are really tasty.

Statement from CAF Bank.

…the transition to the new service has not been an easy process for all of our customers.

At least it’s not just me.

Strawberry moon 20 years ago.

Fuzzy, low quality photo of a dimly lit street at night features a roundabout illuminated by a streetlight, with a car headlights approaching and a large, low re moon on the horizon.

Full Strawberry Moon will be lowest in UK skies since 2006: bbc.com

Incredible piece from Auntie’s most experienced war correspondent and Middle East journalist. Good explainer here, too.

Bowen: Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes - how governments respond could haunt them for years: bbc.com

These trees outside our home provide beautiful cover for the ugly industrial warehouse they built shortly after we bought our flat. They make up for the loss of horizon view (in reality a derelict wasteland) making our close cozy and private. They provide shelter from the afternoon sun in summer allowing the kids to play outside freely.

Big kid decided each tree symbolises one of us, according to size. That’s me on the right. My neighbour wants to have me chopped down because I leave a mess on her car when she parks underneath.

Occasionally I like to lie on a blanket in our communal garden and just watch the trees swaying in the wind. During lockdown it was incredibly peaceful and calming watching the trees and the birds - crows, parakeets, pigeons, starlings, magpies, and red kites, geese and egrets flying by overhead.

📷

I listened to your feedback.

“TOO LOUD!!!” you shouted above the din. Or was it “TURN IT DOWN!!!”?

Whatever it was, we listened, and thirty years later we created the easy listening Hovercraft, for those of you, like us, who are getting on a bit and just want to chill out.

13 of the Craft’s finest homebrew, a bit hazy now, but super strength, just how we (used to) like it.

🎵 Chilled Out Lamppost Wanted by Hovercraft (UK) on Bandcamp

My own tiny contribution to the “island of strangers” keeping us safe.

A little tune I created, related.

The sports presenter said: “I know where I stand on this… What’s going on there [Gaza], the mass murder of thousands of children is probably something we should have a little opinion on.”

Gary Lineker deletes 'Zionism' post amid criticism: bbc.com

It’s come to something when we’re praising the Pope for cheering for peace not war, and welcoming refugees and the homeless.

Today, we pay tribute to Pope Francis.

He welcomed refugees & the homeless where others turned their backs.

He called for peace — in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the DRC & beyond — where others cheered for war.

His humanity is an inspiration to us all, and he will be greatly missed.