I’m an impatient cook, particularly when I’m hungry. But you can never beat the mise en place.
Marks & Spencer, if you must put made in Britain Union Jack stickers on your aubergines, use ones that don’t leave unremovable glue residue behind
Crucial Track for 26 July 2025
"Omri" by Cheba Maria
When is it never time for Raï? Check the backstory. Among modern Raï singers, Cheba Maria has a beautiful voice. Maybe you know "Omri". If not, give it a listen.
I spotted something curious in the world of planning. It’s as if there is one unregistered company, Banks Solutions, trading via a Gmail address, that provides the independent programme officer for, like, every single local plan examination in the south of England.
Good grief! Nationalise these companies already.
Wet afternoon in Poplar
Mammals aren’t built for flight, unless you’re a bat. And do I look like a bat? It’s not easy wearing the wings. They are longer than you probably imagined, and major unwieldy. One time I crashed I broke my collar bone, and trashed the wing-pack too. Now when I try to fly, I try over water.
It’s disappointing to see a Labour chancellor regurgitate “regulations bad”.
Reeves says rules and red tape are ‘boot on the neck’ of business
I’m sure ministers will be queuing up to get their generously subsidised meals from cafeterias relieved of those pesky food standards regulations. And I have no doubt multinational corporations are lobbying hard for the removal of the thicket of intellectual property regulation they use to avoid tax.
Hot evening on the Dock:
- Kidding myself. I’m not running 1 metre over the water let alone 50.
- Fuck me!
- I crashed into the Dock, maybe 3 metres out: did I paddle there? No, I ran!
The wing-pack is heavy and hurts my shouders but I am running. I’m running on the water. Fuck me! I’m screen gliding.
Here’s a tip: if you have a packaged salad meal, throw the dressing away.