I’m spending the day at a Future of Investigative Journalism conference. Much to be positive about – but it’s hard to ignore the reality that governments and politicians are trying to make it harder to hold them to account.

Troubling times.

A man wearing a green blazer and white shirt is speaking with expressive hand gestures in an indoor setting.A bald man with glasses wearing a colorful plaid shirt is smiling while holding a book titled FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: A practical guidebook and sitting at a table with a microphone and a glass pitcher.A woman with long blonde hair wearing a green sweater is standing at a desk with a laptop, a cup, and a glass of water, appearing to be engaged in a discussion or presentation.A woman is speaking into a microphone while a man sits beside her with his arms crossed.

Go home Meta, you’re drunk.

Strategy, innit?

Four sticky notes with handwritten text and drawings are arranged on a white surface, with two boxes labeled Support and Experiences connected by a double-headed arrow.

That is a great personal hotspot name.

The inevitable fate of a work PC you haven’t used for some weeks…

A computer screen displays a message indicating that updates are underway and instructs to keep the computer on.

We may be heading toward the autumn term, but spotted summer persisting on my commute this morning.

A cluster of pale yellow roses blooms in front of a light blue wooden gate marked with the number 27.

Family game afternoon.

A tabletop game featuring detailed character miniatures is set up on a map with various labeled locations, including one marked Blue Mountain.

Farewell, old comrade. You and I spent many conferences together, and also enjoyed many long walks.We even made a few movies together.

Whomever replaces you will undoubtedly be more expensive.

A broken black SD memory card with visible gold connectors is placed on a light-colored surface.

Dragged myself out of the house, to the beach, and actually enjoyed the blustery weather. I’m on the mend, I think.

I took the time to do a #2minutebeachclean

A hand is holding several pieces of crumpled and torn food packaging in an outdoor setting.

Nice memento to take home from the Isle of Wight. One to save for a dreary October evening, when work is piling up, and a Benedictine ale will bring blessed relief.

A hand is holding a bottle of Quarr Abbey Ale with a park and the Abbey visible in the background.