1705.20 PULLING THE BIRDS

Firstly I have to say I'm not an ornithologist and my interest in our feathered friends hasn't stretched much beyond saying "Ooooh that's pretty" when viewing a particularly attractive budgie.

1705.23 PRAY FOR MANCHESTER

As a father to daughters who I've picked up after a concert in the past I'm struggling to come to terms with the events last night at Manchester.

1705.12 LDN ON A SHOESTRING

...Or a cycling themed trip to the capital when I'm skint. 

My best mate of 30 years got free tickets to the Spin Cycling Festival at Europa in London. What a great excuse for a trip.

1705.06 EVIL TAKES A DAY OFF #04

What happens when Evil's other half gets big ideas? Welcome to issue 4 of "Evil Takes a Day Off". This story was given to me by my wife who thought it was hilarious, this month's cartoon is dedicated to her...

1705.01 MY TOUR DE YORKSHIRE

For months now I've had the prospect of my upcoming ride in the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Sportive in my future. It all felt like it wasn't real...

...until it was.

1704.24 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SPECCY

What was your first computer? If you're under 35 you probably wouldn't give much thought to when you were first introduced to a computer. If like me you're not a Millennial or a Baby Boomer then your first computer or even your first experience of a computer would have probably been a big event in your life. It certainly was for me.

1704.21 SNAP VOTE

So our great oppressor, the wizened old crone in charge, has decided to take advantage of the current opinion polls and increase her meagre majority by throwing away the fixed term parliament act and calling a snap general election.

1704.16 HOPPY EASTER

So take away the religion and Easter is an almost perfect festival. Perhaps it's everything Christmas should be?

1704.14 EGG-CITING TIMES

As usual at Easter I find myself in the liar of my Mother-in-law as my family travel south to stay for the weekend. I've been lucky in getting Easter off pretty regularly, I'm guessing not that many at work are that bothered about it to compete. We drove down last night which was pretty uneventful, the roads were fairly clear and we made it down in good time.

1704.06 FUELLING THE ISSUE

There has been a lot said about diesel vehicles in the news lately and how owners are going to be hit by new charges and pollution taxes despite previous governments encouraging people to switch to the fuel citing environmental benefits.