From The Pocket Pickler

At the Suffolk Food Hall on Monday I spotted this book and Dawn bought it for me.

Bluebell Walk

Today we did our annual Bluebell Walk from Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead.

U3A Trip April 2026

Today we had a coach trip with U3A Bury St. Edmunds to The Manor in Hemingford Grey and Island Hall in Godmanchester.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 153 - 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 153 - 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 153 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.S. Sawbill has provided us with a Nina. Can you spot it?.   

Jersey Day 7

We've been on holiday in Jersey with some of Joyce's Weekly Walks group for a week walking (most of) the Jersey Tidal Trail around the perimeter of the island and visiting a few of the sights.

Jersey Day 6

We've been on holiday in Jersey with some of Joyce's Weekly Walks group for a week walking (most of) the Jersey Tidal Trail around the perimeter of the island and visiting a few of the sights.

Jersey Day 5

We've been on holiday in Jersey with some of Joyce's Weekly Walks group for a week walking (most of) the Jersey Tidal Trail around the perimeter of the island and visiting a few of the sights.

Jersey Day 4

We've been on holiday in Jersey with some of Joyce's Weekly Walks group for a week walking (most of) the Jersey Tidal Trail around the perimeter of the island and visiting a few of the sights.

Jersey Day 3

We've been on holiday in Jersey with some of Joyce's Weekly Walks group for a week walking (most of) the Jersey Tidal Trail around the perimeter of the island and visiting a few of the sights.

Jersey Day 2

We've been on holiday in Jersey with some of Joyce's Weekly Walks group for a week walking (most of) the Jersey Tidal Trail around the perimeter of the island and visiting a few of the sights.

Jersey Day 1

We've been on holiday in Jersey with some of Joyce's Weekly Walks group for a week walking (most of) the Jersey Tidal Trail around the perimeter of the island and visiting a few of the sights.

Family at Easter

We have had all the children here over Easter.

Newbourne Shorter Walk

We have had Kirsty and David staying for a couple of days.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 152 - 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 152 - 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 152 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.  

A Norwich Day Out

Today we had a splendid day out in Norwich.

Dedham Walk

A trip to Essex today for a walk from Dedham.

Thorpe Woodlands Walk

Today we crossed the border into Norfolk for a walk there from Thorpe Woodlands.

U3A Bury St Edmunds Cryptic Crosswords Group

It is coming up to two years since I started the U3A Bury St Edmunds Cryptic Crosswords Group.

Newbourne Walk

Today we did another of my favourite walks, from Newbourne.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 151 - 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 151 - A Musical Game

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 151 in the series. The title, "A Musical Game" is itself a cryptic clue to the theme (hint - the answer is 5 letters long).

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.  

John's Walks 2026 Published

I've published a new index page to walks on my blog to capture walk blogs for this year. You can find it here, or via the menu link at the top or the widget in the sidebar. I will continue, as previously, to update it on a 2-3 monthly basis. If you find any broken links please let me know.

Wimpole Estate Walk

Today we had a trip into Cambridgeshire to walk in the estate of Wimpole Hall.

Bardwell 3 Mills Walk

Today we had a favourite walk of mine from Bardwell - The 3 Mills Walk.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 150 - 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 150 - 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 150 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.  

Snape Walk Reprise

Today it was my turn to lead a walk for the U3A Bury St Edmunds Longer Walks group and I chose to repeat the walk from Snape Church that I led on Monday as it was so popular and the weather forecast was similarly fine.

Snape Walk

Today it was my turn again to lead a walk for Joyce's Weekly Walks. This time it was a circular walk from Snape Church.

Mellis Walk

Today it was Karen's turn to lead a walk for Joyce's Weekly Walks.

Homemade Pastis #4

The last stage of my first attempt at making pastis today - bottling.

Fornham All Saints Snowdrop Walk

Joyce is away at the moment and this week it was my turn to lead a walk for the group.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 149 - 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 149 - 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 149 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.  

Homemade Pastis #3

Today I distilled my pastis brew.

Seedlings

Dawn has been planting some seeds of tomato, chilli pepper and sweet pepper.

Homemade Pastis Stage #2

Today I reached stage #2 of making my homenade pastis.

Homemade Pastis - Stage #1

I started on a new distilling experiment yesterday - to make some Pastis.

The 16th Elysian Winter Beer Festival

It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment thing as I decided to go only last night, but today I had a trip to Ely for my second (and last) Winter Beer Festival of this winter.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 148 - 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 148 - The Kitchen Garden by Johninterred

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 148 in the series. The title "The Kitchen Garden" is hint to the theme. Can you find all the thematic references and identify the song and children's TV series that 9 of them relate to?

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 Linton Walk

It was the first Thursday of the month today and time for the second Bury St. Edmunds U3A Longer Walks Group walk of 2026.

Felixstowe Sunrise Walk

A regular for this time of year, today was the day for our Felixstowe Sunrise Walk. It was led by Roland and he picked the date well, as we got excellent weather.

Ickworth Estate Walk and House Tour

Today's day out was close to home and very familiar territory - The  Ickworth Estate.

Colchester Winter Beer Festival

Today I took a train ride to Colchester for the Colchester Winter Beer Festival.

Starling Murmuration at Lackford Lakes

It was a lovely afternoon for it so today we took a short trip to Lackford Lakes to see if we could see the murmuration of starlings that has been said to be so good this year.

Oxburgh Hall - Snowdrop Time

This morning we took a trip to the Oxburgh Estate near Swaffham in Norfolk as it is renowned for its display of snowdrops. We last visited it in the summer (see here).

Weekend Quick Cryptic 147 - 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 147 - 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 147 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.  

Wells-Next-the-Sea Day Out

Today we had a day trip to the North Norfolk coast.

Spanish Style Goat's Cheese

Yesterday I had a go at making some more cheese - some Spanish style goat's cheese this time.

When Numbers Turn Nasty

Yesterday I joined a U3A Online talk entitled "When numbers turn nasty" - an intriguing title and I wasn't disappointed.

John's Walks 2025 Updated

 

I've  done a final update to 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 last year. 

Tattingstone Walk

Today we had a sunny walk around Alton Water from Tattingstone.

Creamy Cheshire Cheese

Yesterday I dug out my Cheese Monkey Artisan Cheesemaking Kit to make some Cheshire Cheese.

Tassel Provender Seville Marmalade - 2026 Edition

It's that time of year again.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 146 - 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. As an added bonus for the first of our puzzles of the year, Phil has provided a 15x15 grid, but don't worry - it is no more difficult than the usual 13x13s.

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 146 - 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 146 in the series. As an added bonus for the first of our puzzles of the year, Phil has provided a 15x15 grid, but don't worry - it is no more difficult than the usual 13x13s.

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 Mundford Walk

Although not the furst Thursday of the month (that was New Year's Day), today we had our first U3A Longer Walks Group walk of 2026.

Snow Day

Today we woke to snow lying!

West Stow Walk

Today we had our first group walk of 2026 - from West Stow Country Park.