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

Today’s birdwatching.

Reported the theft of my kid’s bike to the school (in person and by email) and to the police (online).

The school has some cctv, but seems reluctant to review the video - historical precedent suggests that it’s unlikely to reveal what happened.

The police left a voicemail asking me to call back to arrange to give a statement (not that there’s really anything else I can add). On calling back, a 15 minute conversation (mostly on hold) resulted in confirmation that my lad’s bike has indeed been stolen. The earliest the police can take a statement is a week on Saturday.

Someone took big kid’s new scooter from the bike store at school yesterday. I was hoping it was some kind of mistake or even a prank and it would be returned today. But nope.

Little Simz crackin’ it.

New, improved, “cover” of the original Here Now.

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

Having bowed to public pressure to weed my potato patch, I now observe my wilting spuds and wonder if the weeds offered some protection from the sun, company and perhaps even encouragement to grow?

Starmer’s immigration speech “nonsense language worthy of a Trump style populist.”

New post: Starmer’s Disgraceful and Damaging Remarks
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/
As with austerity in the 2010s, if none of the main parties can be honest about immigration then the public debate will be equally dishonest.

Big kid sat his first SATs test yesterday and has more this week. He started a journal recording the process. One of his entries from yesterday had me in stitches, bearing in mind his struggles with maths.

My new revision partner helped me with decimal addition and subtraction. I also have 25% extra time on every test if I want. And by my calculations I have a 90% chance of passing my first SPaG.