Happy New Year to all you lovely people! Our New Year celebrations were similar to those we’ve enjoyed over recent years – in bed by the time New Year arrived in Mauritius or the Maldives. Which would be nicer to visit on NYE do you think?
We’ve had a busy and productive week – Jessie for a sleepover, adventure climbing at the Light in Banbury with Jessie and Annabelle (you will be relieved to know that neither Penny nor I went climbing, only the girls). We were amazed at (a) what adept climbers they both are and (b) what a marvellous fun time we all had together.
And, we had snow! Not much but it does make for a pretty sight.
I meant to share one of my better birthday/Christmas presents – I am really sorry that I cannot remember who gave it to me but I’m sure Penny will remember. The Lonely Planet masterpiece, Toilets of the World.
STOP PRESS: It was Nick who gave it to me I am told.
As most of you will know, I am especially fond of toilets – I spend a considerable amount of time in toilets contemplating some of life’s more obscure (and/or mundane) issues. It’s where I do most of my most productive thinking.
If I had more time and money, this could easily become a fabulous bucket list – imagine being able to do one’s business in each of these toilets featured all over the world!
As it turns out, Juju was as fascinated by the book as I was.
As mentioned, Jessie and Annabelle went climbing at the Light in Banbury. Both of them are fearless and willing to try just about anything. Sadly, we didn’t get a video of Annabelle’s best time up the wall – 32 seconds, I think?
There was also a considerable amount of baking! Nick and Jessie made some banana bread (delicious), Nick continues to supply us with award-winning sourdough and yesterday morning he produced some sourdough cinnamon buns. OMG!
YCNMIU
We know that math(s) is not MAGA’s greatest strength, e.g., Trump claiming that prescription drugs have been reduced by thousands of percent. In other words, the pharmaceutical companies should be paying you to access their drugs. In spite of this being utterly nonsensical, he continues to repeat the lie.
It’s clear, though, that other members of his administration are equally adept at applying and understanding math(s), e.g. the Attorney General Pam Bondi tweeting a graph showing a marked decrease in drug overdoses which she attributed to Trump’s actions. In fact, the graph stopped in October 2024 showing the success of the Biden administration’s actions. Of course, she later deleted the tweet.
STOP PRESS (Again):
As most of you know, I tend to write these posts during the few days before publication day on Sundays. Clearly, I wrote this week’s YCNMIU before the US invaded Venezuela. Not many things are as bonkers as that.
And finally, although I continue to make progress on my virtual Lincoln Highway cycle, I have to admire this young man who recently completed a cycle from Derby to Australia, a mere 25,000 km (15,534 miles).
As it happens, since I started recording my mileage on my various virtual bike rides, I too have cycled about the same distance – 25,226 km so far (about 63% of the earth’s circumference at the equator). But, I do most of my riding in the comfort of my study – not quite the same!
In other news – I don’t think there is any other news! We wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope that 2026 brings you happiness and joy. And perhaps a bit of sanity in a crazy, crazy world.
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg