this morning i had a 'hissy fit'. i turned off radio 4 in a fit of pique. my grouse for the day? why do presenters (and most people i know) pronounce the word 'been' as 'BIN'. it ranks alongside 'libry' (for library) and 'proply' ( for properly)

i am no english don and do not think myself better than the next person but oh how i hate to hear such 'lazy-speak'

i will, of course, be returning to radio 4 fairly soon because the room seems too quiet without it. i am a fan of radio 7 as well but the digital signal varies around the house and the set will not work in the back room where i sit to do my sewing. not sure if this is because i live on the side of a hill or because i didn't spend enough on the set in the first place. when my analogue set gives up the ghost - which could be soon- i shall invest in a more expensive digital set. i was reluctant to buy the best when they first came out coz you just know that within a year the prices will have tumbled and you will get more for your money. twisted logic - probably ..........

a watery sun is making my desk the warmest place in the house. as a consequence i have 4 cats vying for prime position. they are having a rough time coz i polished the desk this morning and to them it is like a skating rink. henry was the first to jump up and he sailed straight across it and off the other side, taking the telephone with him. undignified? you bet......

i have been trying to finish the crossword but maisie is now positioned on the paper and i have given up. i do the telegraph cryptic every day (have done for 30 odd years) and saturdays is often a challenge. having a cat on the clues makes it even more so...............................