The rain was drumming gently on the tent as I slowly surfaced this morning and carefully stretched my stiff and tired body. None of us was in a rush to get up and by the time we were all awake it was dry again outside and slowly but surely the clouds had started to clear.…

The tent was incredibly hot when I woke up and although it was early I could feel the heat of the sun through the synthetic fabric. I opened the flaps to let in a much-needed breeze and the daylight flooded in too.…

Today started earlier than I’d have liked. It was 4:00am when I woke up having a ‘ticcing fit’. I was face down, in a sleeping bag, unable to move or make much noise. All I could manage was a weird little bark and I was fairly sure this wouldn’t be enough to wake Lottie, but fortunately after a few minutes she came to my rescue.…

For the last few days I’ve been ready, both mentally and physically, with all my packing done, to leave London and plunge into the busy, beautiful and often muddy world of Glastonbury.

This morning Fran, Will, Lottie and I packed the car with two tents, two wheelchairs and more glitter than four people could ever need, and headed for Somerset.…

On May 8th, in Brighton, I woke up to the crushing news that the Conservative Party would again be forming the next Government, this time with an overall majority. Straightaway I determined to turn my great sadness at this outcome into positive action.…

Ana, my regular morning carer, has been on holiday for the last few weeks, and Veronica, who’s supported me on and off for the last few years, has been taking her place to help me get washed and ready for work.…

Just over a week ago a new toothbrush arrived at the castle. This one didn’t belong to a new support worker – it was for me. And for a variety of reasons (excuses) it’s taken me a while to get round to using it.…

I’ve lived at the castle for almost four years now, and in all that time my bed’s been in exactly the same place. My view from it has remained the same, too, except for the subtle changes brought by the seasons.…

I felt strange this morning and I couldn’t work out quite what I felt, or why.

I didn’t feel ill, or tired, or gloomy. But after some reflection I pinpointed a little sadness with a bit of anxiety mixed in.

At lunchtime my thoughts returned to a familiar topic and I found the root of my strange mood.…

My support worker Sophie lives in Cuba for half the year, to escape the winter here, and comes home for the summer. This year her boyfriend Lazaro’s come with her. They’ve been staying at the castle for the last few days and it’s been lovely getting to know him.…