I stayed at Leftwing Idiot’s last night. As I lay down to go to sleep I looked up at the sky out of his backroom window. In the spot where my old friend “Cartoon star” normally sits, there was an almost full moon.…

There are twenty days until Leftwing Idiot’s birthday and I’ve already bought his present. For most people this would be sensible forward planning. But for me, it’s a risky business.

Tourettes means I’m not very good at keeping secrets, and I’ve got an appalling track record for maintaining surprises as a result.…

It’s taken some time but I’ve got myself a new regular tic. It comes out with a mischievous intonation in a slightly silly voice. Although I still say “Biscuit” a lot, my sentences are now punctuated with “Rummage” as well.

Anyone who’s ever been to a jumble sale will know what it means to have a good rummage, but for those unfamiliar with the concept, it describes an ‘unsystematic and untidy search through a mass or receptacle.’…

I drifted awake to find our tent warm from the early morning sun. After I’d got myself together Fat Sister and I went in search of some breakfast. When we’d eaten we headed to where Leftwing Idiot and Poppy are camped.…

Tonight’s been a strange mix of frantic packing and sticky-backed creativity.

The reason for both is Shambala where I’m heading tomorrow. It’s likely to rain, so there’ll be lots of mud, and I’ve tried to pack sensibly with this in mind.…

My best friend Laura’s ten-month-old daughter Ruby is being baptised today and I’ve been really looking forward to it. Initially I’d been concerned about my tics interrupting and spoiling the occasion, but Laura wasn’t worried. She’d prepared the priest and made sure the church was accessible.…

Leftwing Idiot and Poppy have been away at a festival for the weekend. Shortly after they left on Friday I got a text message from Leftwing Idiot that took me by surprise. It read:

‘If you get the chance to water the geranium some time that would be great.’…

I’ve been wondering if I’d have the guts to write this post because it’s literally about my guts. I’m doing it though because despite it being personal and embarrassing, it’s also quite funny.

I had an upset stomach yesterday. As you’d expect it was unpleasant and made me feel ill.…

I had a surprise when I headed to bed this evening. As usual the lamp-post was gleaming ostentatiously outside my window, but tonight the moon was at it as well –directly above the lamp-post, shining even more brightly.

Obviously my tics couldn’t resist this opportunity to goad the lamp-post.…

Every night since I moved into the castle last November, just as I’m going to sleep I’ve shouted at the lamp-post outside my window. I even tic about it when I stay at other people’s houses. In short, it’s become an established part of my night time routine.…