First off – how exciting is the Clipper race? Okay, all you landlubbers can leave us now After 3,800 stormy miles, the yachts, having taken different ways to reach this point, are within just a few miles of each other as they approach Tauranga in New Zealand. And with Welcome to Yorkshire currently holding 2nd [...]

We had an amazing time. And if you are within striking distance of Bradford in West Yorkshire, you must – and I mean YOU MUST try the wonderful restaurant where we celebrated with one of the most delicious meals I have eaten – this family-run business makes you feel as if you have been invited [...]

Thank goodness for our wonderful National Health Service. And to everyone who works so hard to keep us well. The stunning shot at the head of this mail is from my friends on board Welcome to Yorkshire, and was taken when the Southern Ocean was in an ususually benign mood. For everyone working in the [...]

I am usually hugely sceptical of so called ‘miracle’ workers, but to see thousands queuing for the chance to be hugged on the news today, reminded me that there’s a lot to be said for the simple human contact of a hug. Just a moment spent quietly hugging, two people delivering love with good, positive [...]

Forget the Monday mug – this is a photograph! Huge thanks to the fabulous Clipper Ventures for allowing me to share this with you. Am I envious? My emotions are similar to last night when we were shown video footage of potholers triumphant after joining up three counties underground. Great work, guys! Just don’t want [...]

I can’t concentrate for lusting after my new cover. I’ve been told the cover for The Shameless Life of Ruiz Acosta is hot so many times, but so far not a glimpse- Is this some new war of attrition to keep me chained to my desk, checking the cover files every five minutes? I want [...]

Didn’t I warn you what would happen when my children stopped doing exciting things? Though, actually, the shot above is a request, believe it or not – Apparently, Chris Evans started something when he broadcast a montage of the mugs he uses over the course of a week – The next thing I know, I [...]

I did a quick straw poll amongst friends and family and we all agreed on two things: 1) astrology is rubbish 2) astrology is the first page we turn to in a magazine – and is the feature we keep thinking about long after we have read our stars. Okay, so with that established, and [...]

For Uncle Wallace aged 18. Always remembered Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all [...]

Q. Is it true your latest polo ms includes waxing and razor rash? A. Uh, yes, it’s true. Are you still sitting comfortably? Wishing you a day full of soothing potions and hunky men – And narry a razor or a pot of hot wax in sight Sxx