These were the almost last instructions from my dear late father when, back in 1966, he and my mother were flying off to Norway for what for them was a once in a lifetime holiday. They were leaving me and my elder brother to cope as best we could by ourselves, when he uttered these words I asked, not unreasonable, ” Why? “ “So you don’t cut yourself” was his simple reply, thinking that I was obviously far too young to be wielding a bread knife and that I’d be found lying on the floor soaking up blood from a … Continue reading ” Use sliced bread”

My neighbour said to me from a sociable distance. “ I wouldn’t know what that was like” I replied. “Neither do I” he countered, somewhat hurt. I’m sure he’s right. On both counts. Continue reading “It’s like being in prison”

How do you do it? Some people can turn their hands to all sorts of practical tasks to help in a crisis, and for the first time the word crisis is the correct word to use in the present situation. Perhaps a first time in recent years, makes Brexit seem almost inconsequential, even though it’s not. I do it by banging on about stuff and trying to extract a smile. I wake up with ideas, go back to sleep and then forget what I thought of. I’ve been writing “Keep your distance posters” as if I’m employed by the Ministry … Continue reading Making yourself feel useful

I originally posted this some time ago, and honestly thought that we might be getting out of this business by now, but we seem to be having to continue the effort to be sportingly stand offish. Stay safe. I recently posted a short video of me drawing. The clip was done on time lapse so it looked quite speedy, I draw fast but not that fast! So here’s another with the drawing in real time. Here’s the drawing as it was finally used, though come to think of it, although this is the final I might well have done it … Continue reading Sporting Distance

I’m tempted to make all sorts of references to trumpeting the message and the like, but I’ll resist. I’m planning to put these as available on my Red Bubble site in due course and will put a zero mark up on them, so in keeping with my recent history I’ll be making no profit! Hopefully it might keep the T shirt people and the like busy and in business. Take a look over here. More designs to hopefully lift the spirits on here and there in the coming weeks. Thanks for visiting. This is one place where you don’t need … Continue reading Don’t come too close

This is the final piece from my drawing video. I’m doing more of these because it makes me feel useful and keeps me off the streets. For the techies out there the black and white line work is put into photoshop and faffed with a little, the text put in with this one using In design, much better as far as I’m concerned than putting photoshop text in there. ( Though I have to admit I’ve used it once or twice recently ) I’ve got more ideas on the drawing board using this sort of theme in an attempt to … Continue reading Further than an old knight’s sword. Social separation explained.

The paths will still be there when we can walk properly again. And congratulations to the “Don’t Lose Your Way” Team at The Ramblers who have now … Why Britain’s Footpaths are important Continue reading Why Britain’s Footpaths are important