Things in the past only take shape and assume their current form once they are over. Things in the present can therefore never live up to them. They can never provide the same degree of certainty, because they are still happening. So we live with this constant defect where we over-emphasise the innocence of what has gone and we underestimate the quality of what is happening.

Stood literally 50 feet away from actual Kylie Minogue! Thank you Nick Cave.

♫ These Alarms by Snow Patrol & Kylie Minogue

Don’t give into loneliness when everything is such a mess.

Viva Espana! The best team won (thankfully). Vamos!

The final season of The Bear was simply beautiful, and a welcome return to form.

♫ More Than This by Roxy Music

Thinking back on yesterday and what was, football aside, a beautiful yet unexpected day. A reminder to embrace uncertainty in life and accept the wonderful things it can sometimes bestow. Maybe there’s nothing more than this.

I couldn’t have predicted any aspect of today, and for that I’m weirdly grateful. Would have been nice to have seen England in a World Cup final, though.

Is it asking too much to want two World Cup semi-final upsets?

How the hell are England into a World Cup semi final!? That was a tough watch.

During tonight’s pub quiz we won a free drink, bottle of wine, Caesar salad and entry into a super league for penultimate pub quiz losers. Not bad for 2 hours of brainteasing.

Well, that match was absolutely worth staying up until 4am for. Gripping game and an amazing performance from England. Phew!

In London, a bit tipsy and accidentally on the wrong Underground line. It’s a vibe, and one that makes me wish I actually lived here.

Ran 5km along the Thames, won the pub quiz then watched England “kick the ball in the square” two more times than Croatia. Pretty much the perfect evening.

Today I learned… Octopuses have beaks!

Pulled several short straws in the office World Cup sweep stake: Turkey, Panama and Austria.

Continuing with this year’s theme, today I completed my first sprint triathlon, finishing with a time of 1:55:55 (and coming 155 of 157). My only goal was to complete the event, but got a PB in the pool and now have a baseline to improve upon.

Rest in peace, my fluffy friend.

Another trip north, this time to Durham, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Edinburgh and the Berwickshire coast.

Even though this article is from 2021, Roff Smith’s photographs of Sussex are so incredibly beautiful it still merits sharing.

Caught up with a friend I’ve known for over 30 years, for the first time in 5 years. The 4 hours we spent together flew by in a matter of minutes.

The mission patch for the release supporting national reporting features a polar bear cub as this functionality is known internally as ‘mini Mavis’.

In yet another surprising turn of events, today I joined a library. And borrowed a book of fiction. To read.

Today has been utterly barmy, and not only the weather.

So ends a peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable Easter bank holiday doing mostly nothing, beyond watching some films and TV shows, spending time with my family, and going on short walks with this little old lady. Perfect.

Attempted to give blood for the first time today but failed the vein assessment. Gutted. Signing up was easy, and the team at the new donation centre in Brighton are really friendly, so go and give blood.

Tonight I got to meet one of design heroes, Margaret Calvert. Her work speaks for itself, which makes her modesty even more impressive. When I told her I use her typeface every day, she simply responded “oh dear, poor you”. Legend.

Sun-kissed evenings in Porto never fail to impress.

This is a low.

Starting March much as I did February by trying something new. This morning I completed my first Aquathon (Tuff Fitty’s Frost Bite event in Littlehampton, a 400m swim followed by a 5km run), finishing with a time of 50:35. I’ll take that!

Just got bitten by a dog, which kinda sums up this Thursday.