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Working on little man’s blanket for his birthday, hand sewing the patchwork and it’s reasonably even so far !

Thank you, Monty.

Farewell to Monty Roberts, the man who listened to horses, aged 91Monty Roberts has died aged 91, after eight decades of changing the way we see horseswww.horseandhound.co.uk

Happy Birthday to my Grandad, Captain Edwin Alan Robert Syms (Ted to his friends) on what would have been his 101st birthday. A proud Royal Marine and 3 Commando Brigade veteran he was the inspiration behind my book Jungle Commandos 1/2

Some people smoke, others drink a lot, but my unhealthy habit is moving heavy bits of furniture around on my own.

This throwing food everywhere, teething, resisting sleep, crying whenever I leave the room phase of baby life is exhausting

Badger Highway in the field opposite our house (the farmer kindly lets us walk Olive on his land)

Today marks the anniversary of the unveiling of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme. A place and monument that I adore. Yet I am forever captivated by Vincent Scully’s description of Lutyens masterpiece in the NYT, in 1991: ‘As always the infantry was heading for the high ground. 1/4

A bull terrier is the best friend you can have 🩷

‘It's good to be wise when you're young 'cause you can only be young but the once, Enjoy yourself and have lots of fund So glad and live life longer than you've ever done. Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think’

Time to engage my writing brain again, now addled by pre-toddler life, and get cracking on this chindit mule chapter.

Lots of people criticising Wes Streeting’s appt as Defence Minister before he even began. I’d argue one doesn’t have to have worked in the sector to be a good minister, and I actually think it’s a great appointment.

As an aside, XTC are actually one of my favourite bands

Statue Of Liberty (2001 Remaster)YouTube video by XTC - Topicyoutu.be

Right, bills weigh me, and the coffers are close to empty. Who needs some research done/archive records copied? I’m excellent and there‘s no project too big or small!

Delighted to have my paper on mules in Burma accepted for the European Social Science History Conference next year. Our panel ‘Working Together: The Emotional Dimensions of Animal Labour‘ brings together some fantastic scholars from across the world !

I got back on my bike for first time post-partum (didn’t cycle when pregnant either) 12 weeks ago. I’m so proud of this latest ride and the fact I’ve managed to keep showing up given my back, heatwave, phd, work, animals and baby. It may be modest for some but big deal for me!

I’m having a morning off baby duties. Coffee in the sun then some cycling.

It’s been great fun working on this project for author & historian Frederick Leiner. If you’ve got a research project you need assistance with, don’t hesitate to drop me a line!

Well, turns out my mum fractured her patella and I’ve got an inflamed L4/L5 disc and a baby that’s apparently made of dark matter he is so heavy. It’s all going well!

Finally got round to putting my leaving present from Aeto Vinrage/Retrotec up

Thanks to the two chaps in Tunbridge Wells who helped my mum after a nasty fall today, lifting her up and taking her to nearby shop where the lovely owner made her a cup of tea and sat with her for 45 mins until she felt well enough to leave. A reminder that most people are fundamentally kind. 🩷