11/05/26 13:30 

I hadn’t planned on doing it, but it’s actually the second time in a row. I knew I’d be doing it again after the first one, I just didn’t think it would be so soon afterwards. I’m using a biro. In particular, I’ve moved from fountain pens to BIC Cristals. There’s no real reason for it, other than the gap between entries meant that the inks had dried up or evaporated. This way, even though my last entry was only a week ago, I’m not only worried about not being having a decent writing implement to hand, but I don’t have to worry about the cleaning of the nibs nor making sure I have spare cartridges with me. This writing still flows as easy as the ink does, but there’s a little more physical pressure when actually putting the ink down. And that can be a pain in the wrist.  

Paris. This time next week. I’m looking at recording enough material to get me through to Season 8, but worst case, I’m going to be recording some street walking, café moments and other such things to enable me to talk over it, whilst still having some sort of visuals. Kind of like Seasons 3 and 4 but with more b-roll type material. Hopefully, it’ll all work out. And with some luck, good lighting and timing, it could all be done by Tuesday lunchtime. Which it won’t.  

I’m taking Nev to the airport in the morning, tomorrow. She’s flying to Cyprus for 10 days, which is one reason I’m heading to Paris. It’s actually good timing as I’m recording The Best Bits for Episode 5.10 next. I don’t have much time for editing it afterwards but using PCloud, Google Remote Desktop and CapCut, I’ll certainly be close to getting it ready. Nev returns on the Thursday which is usually my editing evening. Still, I’ve managed to produce an interview in 36 hours. Talking of which, I still have one of those to process. I’ll see if I can do that during the seasonal break, also known as June. I also have to have an interview with Nev so I need to try and get that sorted before the season begins. I have two or three episodes already in the can so the pressure, whilst not immediate, is still looming.  

I updated the blog a little bit this morning, I just need to add them to Instagram – I’ll do that during the season break. And with my 2 pages left of this notebook, I suspect I’ll be using the new notebook for blog entry 161. Looking at things on the bigger, wider scale, I do think I’m doing well. I’m still blogging, still podcasting and still surviving. For those that are reading the blog site on An Englishman in Paris dot blog or for those listening to the Blogcast on Spotify, you’ll possibly be pleased to know that I’m still continuing the colourful entries by utilising different colours for each entry.  This one is in pink and the last one is in green. It was meant to be yellow, but the neon shade really wasn’t doing anybody any favours. I’m also using Word rather than Google Docs, for this. I may be using Google Meet for the interview with Nev for the episode on museums. Riverside is great but the money is too heavy with everything else that’s going on at the minute. Like the war with Iran, the Green party taking over Hackney and Reform taking over 1400 local council seats away from Labour and the Tories. 

My memory is truly starting to fade when it comes to short-term recollection. My eyes are slowly losing focus and my balance isn’t quite what it should be. On the plus side, I’m smelling really nice with the Maison du Flâneur fragrances. Spray and solid are varied enough to create a collection of random scents. The solids are great for keeping my hands moisturised and the sprays linger longer on my clothes while creating their own ambience.  

Mixing the podcast with the blog, I’ve researched and written quite a bit about Madame de Pompadour. And it ties up sort of nicely with The Wallace Collection. I think it’s strangely my Parisian haven in London. Whilst waiting for Lidl to open up opposite my 9-5 office for their pain au chocolat, the feel of the Wallace Collection brings things home. Plus it was my nan and grandad’s favourite place to go together. That honestly pleases me so much – and I’m sure somehow they know I go.  

I stayed at Nev’s last week for a few days and really enjoyed getting up early, going to the coffee shop and being creating. That’s truly the way I envisage my life going. It’s the same when I go to my favourite coffee shop in Greenwich; which is my favourite coffee shop in London. And I think, when I had Rory with me for his work experience, he found out what I’m talking about. Granted, he thoroughly enjoyed the Wetherspoon breakfasts just before lunch, seeing him through the day. I wonder if Jasper will allow me such a joy? Maybe for the podcast side of things rather than for Maison du Flâneur. 

That’ll be around the time of Season 9 when he’s ready. Who knows what life would have brought us by then? I’m guessing I’ll still be in this job, but where I’m living is anyone’s guess at the minute. Especially with the fixed rate coming to an end on my mortgage…