As you almost certainly already know, last year was marked, among other things, by an unprecedented number of celebrity deaths – something I touched on in my Christmas message last month.

I was hoping that this year would get off to a better start but I’ve just had some news from Leftwing Idiot that suggests we’re not in the clear yet.…

With the New Year stretching out before us it might seem an unusual time for a round-up, but when I was thinking earlier about all the families who’ll be beginning their journey with Tourettes this year, I thought it might be useful to share in one place some of the posts I’ve written over the last seven years.…

When King Russell and I went to join Fat Sister to see in the New Year our journey got off to a bad start. We were waiting at the stop near the castle for the right bus, and I was pleased when one came along quickly because it was cold out and I wanted to get inside and warm up.…

Happy New Year!

I can’t believe it’s 2017 already. It was on this day in 2010 that I first started writing this blog and I’d never have guessed I’d still be writing it seven years on.

I saw in the New Year in a lovely low-key way.…

In just a handful of hours 2016 will give way to 2017. It’s tricky to know how to write about a year that’s been full of upheaval the world over, and like many others I’m extremely apprehensive about what the year ahead holds for us all.…

I’ve always liked the bit of time between Christmas and New Year. When I was young it was full of adventures with friends, TV, and leftover Christmas chocolate. Come to think of it, these are precisely the reasons why I still love it.…

On Christmas day, after all the food had been eaten, the presents unwrapped, and with the festive telly murmuring away in the background, something magical happened: I found a pig sticker.

It was in the hall, tucked into a nook.

Then I found another, and another.…

I’ve written many times about how Tourettes makes me rubbish at keeping secrets. I often give away what I’ve got people as gifts, and poker, I-spy, and hide-and-seek are not my strongest games.

This neurological pre-disposition can make the festive period unusually stressful.…

I woke up this morning and a chorus of Christmases started almost immediately:

“Merry Christmas, geranium.”
“Merry Christmas, festive zebra.”
“Merry Christmas, laser jet printer.”
“Merry Christmas, protective padding.”

Here at the castle I can hear Will and Lottie stirring next door.…

I’m feeling very festive – the presents are wrapped, the castle’s looking Christmassy and the fridge is full of food.

Will and Lottie are staying here over the next couple of days and they’re all settled in the support workers’ room.…