Kathryn Baird

Sonnet, the Vicar’s dog, after the service at Fotheringhay today.

Dear Auntie
You will be surprised to hear that I am going to prison tomorrow.

Before the start of the Mary Queen of Scots Memorial Service at Fotheringhay this morning.

Remember the couple from Yorkshire? They are here again.

The Palace Ballroom, Douglas, Isle of Man. Postcard with message in Pitman Shorthand, posted 1913. ‘To avoid a second disappointment (?) may I say that my only free evenings this week are Tuesday and Wednesday. You would enjoy dancing in this ballroom.’

Very Olde-Worlde, seaside hotel interior designed to look like a historic country house

Very disappointed I can't find a fish & chip shop anywhere.

Thought of you yesterday and suddenly realised I'd never made time to get to know you.

A few of the pieces that will be avail in my etsy shop at 8.30pm:3 Edwardian stamp holders (used to be attached to chatelaines) & a beautifully etched vesta case/match holder. All will contain Victorian stamps,tiny drawings of wrens (by me) & miniscule treasures-like wearable cabinets of curiosity 🗝️

Last tuesday we went to Brighton for the day and I spent all of my money on clothes. Dad bought me a portable typewriter. On the pavements there, there were millions of LADYBIRDS.

Travelling towards Christmas in my corner of Northamptonshire. Hope you will find moments of joy this Christmas.

#postcardadventcalendar

13. Wax "Record Makers." Madame Tussauds, London.

The font at the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Fotheringhay, decorated for Advent and Christmas yesterday. #FontsOnFriday

Lovely! Thanks to your grandson.

I’m slightly scared.

Christmas yarn bombing in Oundle this morning, near the missing apostrophe of The Barbers Comb.

The Good Old Days   Pity the poor children of today, with their calendars stuffed with chocolates,   never to know the thrill of opening a small cardboard door and discovering behind it   a picture of a bell. Brian Bilston

This poem is dedicated to anyone making a start on their advent calendar today.

An old colour picture postcard showing modern concrete buildings by a lake with trees and reeds

Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of @wolfsonoxford.bsky.social

Wolfson was founded in 1965. Named for Sir Isaac Wolfson, mail order baron, it is one of two pairs of colleges in Oxbridge named for the same person

If you like this image, please retweet it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm

Am I the last to know?

I’ve been told that ‘Christmas dinosaurs’ are appropriate decorations for a Christmas tree. I’m passing on this information to you but please don’t feel any pressure to purchase.

I'm trying very hard not to behave myself.

Christingle?

Happy #PostboxSaturday from Sandringham.

I really enjoy this book. It's great to dip into - and spot something new each time.

Thanks so much, Jean. I’m very pleased to know how you enjoy it.

As thoughts turn to gifts, may I suggest my book Fifty Mysterious Postcards? Available at discounted price online from many booksellers. Fascinating glimpses of a forgotten world of shorthand together with the days of the 'postcard craze'

Interesting, but not exactly a transcription of the Pitman Shorthand.

Thanks for asking me, Stephen. A fairly straightforward transcription and I might even make the cake myself!

2/2 the flan ring, cover the leave overnight in a cold place or fridge. The next day remove the ring and grate chocolate over it. A loose bottom 7" cake tin can be used instead of flan ring. Note: This is Pitman Shorthand. * indicates word I can't transcribe.

1/2 Grease a 7" flan ring and put on a * serving plate. Roughly crush the biscuits with a rolling pin and chop the walnuts coarsely and mix together. Cream together the butter, sugar and golden syrup. Beat in the sifted cocoa, then work in the biscuits and walnuts. When well mixed press * into