06/03/24 14:56 

Now, I thought I’d written already this year but the last entry in this blue, Tu Manges L’Orange notebook says it was actually Christmas.  Which shocks me quite a bit.  I know I’ve been busy with the Coffee Pot Conversations podcast, but it means that I’ve missed my birthday, Nanny Sticks’ birthday and Jasper’s birthday.  Today, Rory’s birthday, sees me having popped to Westfield Stratford to get Nev a Mother’s Day gift from HMV and a birthday present for Rory from the Lego shop.  Except the HMV has now closed and I had to get back on the Tube to Bond Street to buy the turntable and then return to Stratford, once I’d found out which Lego set to purchase. 

And now I’m back in Highams Park Tesco, sitting in the windowed corner of the Costa Coffee with a Mocha, my writing tools and a book called Mummified by Angela Stienne.  It’s a good, thought-provoking book about mummies and their contribution to the world as well as deeper thoughts behind their exhibiting at museums.  Afterwards, I’m getting the boys and we have a classroom rugby session for Jasper’s team before it’s back to mine for a little birthday cake for Rory. 

Tomorrow afternoon, I’m meeting Nev in Greenwich whereby we’re then heading to a French restaurant afterwards. 

I’m launching Rory’s episode next week, 1.5.  I can’t believe I’m halfway through Season 1.  I’m still giving myself two years before measuring the success of it all.  But that level of success is very subjective.  It’ll be 40 episodes plus any specials.  I’m slowly setting up a format for the show but I’m a little worried about the monologue ones.  The ones I’ve already recorded sound not great and the new ones involve a lot of research.  And then I have to talk, instead of read.  But I’m sure it’ll all fall into place, in time.  I’ve got 2 more episodes with ‘real’ interviews to edit plus one more of Rory’s and still Jasper’s to record.  And I need the boys plus Nev again for next season, too. 

I have, however, got a little list of people I wish to interview in France, plus a possible four that I believe are over here.  And maybe one or two remote interviews that I still need to work out logistics for.  In terms of technology, either Zoom or Teams are the most popular platforms, yet Anchor/Spotify for Podcasters has taken the bold move to move onto Riverside.  I’m only doing audio so it’s still fine but possibly awkward to ask people to download an app for me…