Needham Market Walk

 

Today we had an afternoon walk at Needham Market.

Christmas 2025

We had William, Laura and Laurence staying with us over Christmas and Sarah and Ethan joined us on Boxing Day.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 145 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's my turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 145 - Boxing Day

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is my turn, Number 145 in the series, it is entitled "Boxing Day", which is when it is publshed

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Bacton Walk

Today we had our last group walk before Christmas - circular walk from Bacton.

U3A Talk - The Science of Magic

Today was the final U3A Bury St Edmunds talk of the year at the APEX.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 144 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Sawbill's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 144 - by Sawbill

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Sawbill's turn, Number 144 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

U3A Bridge Street Walk

Today was the first Thursday of the month and time for  U3A Bury St Edmunds  Longer Walks group monthly walk.

Z is for Zoology Walk

 Today was the last of Joyce's Alphabet of Walks, in Cambridge. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 143 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 143 - by Phil Jordan

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Phil's turn, Number 143 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Y is for York Road Walk

Today I did my longest walk since August - a circular walk from the Old Hall Cafe near Reydon to Southwold and back.

The Singing Ringing Tree Revisited

This weekend we are in Burnley for our great-niece Cora's christening today. This morning we revisited the Singing Ring Tree at Crown Point just south of Burnley.

Lavenham Walk

Today I joined a walk from Lavenham to Long Melford.

Tassel Gin#23

It being forecast to be rather wet yesterday, I planned on doing another batch of gin.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 142 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's my turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 142 - For the Benefit of All

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is my turn, Number 142 in the series, entitled "For the Benefit of All", which is a clue to the theme.

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Elmswell Walk

Today a joined a bit of a walk from Elmswell with Joyce and others.

Great War Huts

Today we had a return visit to The Great War Huts just outside Hawstead, which we last visited in July 2023 (see here).

Today's Quizle

 

The Times has been running this intersting variant on Wordle for a while now. The idea is that you get a question and every time you enter an answer that's wrong (or just click "Give me a hint") you get another hint to the answer, with the hints getting easier and easier, up until a fourth hint. I believe it is outside the Times paywall, so this link hould work for all. I've been doing it every day and particularly enjoy it when there is quirky question like today's. A previous favourite is "What word, when typed into google, makes your screen go wonky?"View the whole post find the answer to that and to today's question, but have a go at that yourself first.

Hot Hot Hot Chilli Sauce

 

Look what I've been making.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 141 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Sawbill's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 141 - by Sawbill

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Sawbill's turn, Number 141 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Trick or Treat? Solution

This is the solution to my Trick or Treat crossword for this year's Sloggers and Betters event in York. You can find the crossword here.

Trick or Treat?

 This is the crossword I compiled for the Sloggers and Betters event in York.

York Sloggers and Betters 2025

This weekend was the annual get together of crossword bloggers and setters in York, (the official title of the event as seen in the title of this post is, of course, a Spoonerism), organised by John Henderson. You can read about last year's event here. I first came in 2018 and this was my 6th visit.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 140 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 140 - by Phil Jordan

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Phil's turn, Number 140 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

October Produce #2

Well that's all the cherry tomatoes dealt with now, but we will still have some beef tomatoes, a chilli peppers and sweet peppers to come.

The Times Crossword Championship Day

Some photos and the results.

Nethergate Brewery

Today Joyce led a walk from Melford Country Park to Sudbury and back, finishing with a visit to Nethergate Brewery in Long Melford.

The Times Crossword Championship is Tomorrow

It is at The Times offices in London tomorrow from 11:40am although the Live stream may cover only the final and prizegiving  You can watch the stream here (or replay it afterwards on the same link). I'll be there. Can you spot me? 

October Produce

We've got some more goodies from the garden. Here is Dawn contemplating my Joy of Pickling book.

Dead Ringers 25th Anniversary Tour

Look where we were this afternoon! The audience was still filtering in as I took this photo - it was a sellout.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 139 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's my turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 139 - The Bells

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is my turn, Number 139 in the series, entitled "The Bells", which is a clue to the theme.

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Razorback 2025

 

An old favourite. This year's is hotter as the chillis are hotter than the last couple of years.

September Harvest #2

 This is what Dawn picked today.

Some red jalapenos to go  with the red and yellow catenne peppers and red and orange sweet peppers..I look forward to cooking with soneme these. As for the tomatoes... I love the taste of the beef ones.

Tassel Pickles September Produce #2

 This is the next batch, labelled today.

Times for The Times Website Update

The TimesforTheTimes website has been migrated to a new hosting provider. The "domain name" however will still take some time to connect to the new site and the usual URL timesforthetimes.co.uk will show an error until this is complete.

Update: The site is fully working on its usual URL timesforthetimes.co.uk now

Tassel Pickles September Produce #1

We have been busy. Both Dawn and I have been in the kitchen and this is the result.

September Harvest

While I was in Norfolk yesterday this is what Dawn harvested from the garden and greenhouse. These are the cayenne peppers.

Westerton Hall and Blickling Hall

Today we had a trip to Norfolk.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 138 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 138 - by Sawbill

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Sawbill's turn, Number 138 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Ready to Harvest

We retuned home from our holiday in the West Country yesterday to find our crops of tomatoes, chillis and sweet peepers had been well attended to by Laura and Laurence when they house sat for us last week.

Cornwall Holiday - Week 2

This week we have had a second week in Cornwall, this time based in Falmouth.

Cornwall Holiday - Week 1

We have been away from home for over a week and had a lovely time in and around St. Austell, including, as you can see, visiting the Eden Project.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 137 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 137 - by Phil Jordan

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Phil's turn, Number 137 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

East Anglian Beer and Cider Festival 2025

It's that time of year again and I was able to make several visits to the East Anglian Beer and Cider Festival in Bury St. Edmunds cathedral.

Alex Clarke at the Hunter Club

Tonight we wen to our first concert at the Hunter Club for a while to hear a young up and coming saxophone player, Alex Clarke, play with the house band.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 136 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's my turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 136 - Chocomania

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is my turn, Number 135 in the series, entitled "Chocomania", which is a clue to the theme.

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Dunwich Walk

Today we had visit to Dunwich for a walk.

John's Walks Update

I've updated the page John's Walks 2025, which you can access via the menu bar at the top of the page or the "John's Walks" section in the sidebar to include all walks this year so far. John's Walks 2025 provides an index to all the walk blog posts so far this year. As usual, I'll continue to update it periodically during the year - every couple of months on average.

Tomato Time

Time to get out the tomato recipes.... Dawn's cherry tomatoes are ripening fast!

Needham Market Walk

Today we had an early walk from Needham Market Lake.

St. Michael's Singers Residence in Southwell

Last night I returned from a regular visit to Southwell with the St. Michael's Singers. We were in residence at Southwell Minster and provided the music for four Evensongs, a lunchtime concert, and a sung Eucharist.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 135 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Sawbill's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 135 - by Sawbill

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Sawbill's turn, Number 135 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

Bridge of Allan Highland Games 2025

Last year (see here) we all visited the Bridge of Allan Highland Games and enjoyed it so much we said we must go again this year... and here we are!

Clan Gathering

Today we a had a meeting of local relatives at Kirsty and David's in Bridge of Allan. It was great to see everyone.

Blackness Castle and Pittenweem

Today we had a day for touring from Bridge of Allan. I thought it would be nice to visit the Fife coast and David suggested a circular route that would take us towards Edinburgh and then across the new Queensferry crossing to Fife.

Lunch with Terry and Jill

 

We are up in Bridge of Allan staying with Kirsty and David for a few days, including a clan gathering on Saturday and the Bridge of Allan Highland Games on Sunday.

Jilly and Ian Visit Suffolk

For the last few days we have had Dawn's sister Jilly and her husband Ian visiting us.

Artefact Brewery Beer Festival

 

This afternoon, as we had done last year (see here), Tim and I visited the Artefact Brewery Beer Festival for a few beers.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 134 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 134 - by Phil Jordan

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it is Phil's turn, Number 134 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here.  

P is for Permissive Paths...

 ...Plus Plentiful Pesky Persistent Precipitation.

Mildenhall Woods Walk

 

Today we had a short walk in Mildenhall Woods.

Welburn Walk

This morning Ethan took us to the pretty village of Welburn for a short walk of about 3.5 miles.

Malton

We are away for a long weekend visiting Sarah and Ethan at their new house in Malton.

Tassel Gin #22

Today I distilled my first batch of gin for nearly a year. Read about my last one, in August 2024, here.