There are times when reality feels perturbingly like an architect’s CGI composite.

A London cityscape features modern skyscrapers mixed with historic architecture under a partly cloudy sky.

Having a blast from the past this morning. I’m having a quick coffee at the Bridge Café. I used to be a regular here in the pre-pandemic days, when Journalism.co.uk held its training courses here.

I’m off round to corner to run an in-house training course, but it’s nice to revisit the past.

A cozy café features eclectic artwork on the walls, mismatched chairs around wooden tables, and a counter displaying a menu.

Feeling pretty good about the dinner I put on the table for my family this evening.

A plate of grilled chicken salad topped with fresh greens and herbs is served on a wooden table.

Fun guys to hang out with in the woods.

(Yes, I’m reusing this joke. Yes, I love it.)

Two mushrooms are growing on a moss-covered forest floor.

Beach life

Sailboats with people on board are on a calm body of water near a shoreline with buildings in the background.

‘ello.

A brown alpaca stands in a grassy field, with some hay in its mouth.

I feel like I’ve wandered into a British folk horror movie…

A quaint thatched-roof cottage is surrounded by lush greenery and features a maypole in the yard.

Best WiFi password ever.

A sign provides WiFi information for "Weald & Downland Living Museum" with the network name "Museum Guest" and password "morecakeplease."

My daughters have watched this three times. The album is on repeat. It’s the cultural phenomenon of Summer 2025.

It’s Golden.

Promotional poster for the animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters” showing three stylish female characters in bold, futuristic K-pop-inspired outfits. Each holds a glowing weapon, with dynamic poses and confident expressions. Text reads: “Netflix’s most-watched original animated film of all time – K-Pop Demon Hunters.” The background is a cool blue with floating light orbs.

Shooting interviews at a local swimming club, which isn’t at all acoustically challenging… 😳

A smartphone mounted on a tripod stands near an indoor swimming pool with people swimming.

Rebellious gull.

A seagull stands on a wooden structure near a warning sign that reads Danger: Unsafe Slipway Structure, Keep Off, with water in the background.

I always said my wife was the brains of the operation — but now I have proof.

A person is holding a book titled "Medical Genetics and Genomics," part of the Fundamentals of Biomedical Science series from Oxford.A textbook cover features the title "Medical Genetics and Genomics" with images of DNA strands.

Cultural whiplash - from a graduation ceremony at the Barbican to watching K-PoP Demon Hunters with my youngest.

Still, it’s a varied life.

Three animated characters are performing energetically on a screen with colorful lights in the background.

Preparing to process…

A person wearing a graduation cap and gown is taking a selfie in a brightly colored indoor setting.

Coffee date with my eldest.

A mocha with intricate latte art in the shape of a leaf is placed on a wooden table in a red cup and saucer.

Doing my bit for the City St George’s undergraduate open day - persuading potential students that we’re the best place in the country to do journalism…

A classroom full of potential students is attending a lecture about subjects in the School of Communication and Creativity, as displayed on a large screen.

Something it’s important to get sorted…

A simplified illustration depicts a bottle pouring liquid onto a map with the text "Clarification of Beer."

Yesterday, I went to the Worthing Dome with my daughters as a (late) Father’s Day treat.

What a beautiful cinema. I can’t believe I haven’t been before.

A grand theater with an ornate ceiling and rows of empty seats faces a stage with a red curtain.

A beer in a church - an under-appreciated combo.

A person is holding a pint of stout inside a church where other people are seated.

Gorgeous afternoon down on the beach. 🏖️

A "Swimming Only" sign stands on a pebbled beach with the sea in the background.