This morning started off very damp and quite cold, and Val and I wrapped up accordingly. She had hurt her back, and so I volunteered to carry all her stuff, which wasn’t a problem because there wasn’t very much. We had a ticket that allowed us access to the second level of the castle fromContinue reading “A visit to the royal castle in Krakow”
Author Archives: Peter Ball
Our day at Auschwitz
A difficult day for me so we will keep it separate from the trip. Today started with breakfast in the cafe below our bedroom. Once breakfast over, we had time to kill, so we had a walk to find the castle where we will visit tomorrow. We’re due to be picked up at 10.30 toContinue reading “Our day at Auschwitz”
A trip to Poland
Today we left home to fly to Krakow for a few days. I will be writing a diary here of our trip. Our flight from Stansted to Krakow was uneventful, other than the usual uncomfortable way RyanAir runs their airline. I did notice that the RyanAir hostesses and host announce their announcements in a totallyContinue reading “A trip to Poland”
Our trip to Krakow
This morning we left home to drive to Stansted airport. Our flight leaves at 12.20.
Points from Andy Burnham’s speech at the Labour Party Conference 2026
In his keynote address to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Andy Burnham outlined a series of policy shifts aimed at tackling longstanding domestic issues: Creation of a National Care Service: Pledged a fully funded, NHS-style care service that is free at the point of use. He emphasized that funding would not come from borrowingContinue reading “Points from Andy Burnham’s speech at the Labour Party Conference 2026”
Thoughts on losing a mum
Thinking of you so much during this tender time. Watching the devotion and tenderness you showed your mum in her final days was truly moving. Bringing her home so she could make that journey surrounded by your love speaks volumes about the man you are and the bond you shared. You walked her home inContinue reading “Thoughts on losing a mum”
My friend, Anthony
True courage rarely announces itself with noise. It does not need to roar to be felt. Sometimes, the most profound bravery exists in the quiet spaces—in the steady, resolute spirit of a person who looks life’s hardest trials in the eye and refuses to be broken. That is the kind of courage Anthony carries. WhenContinue reading “My friend, Anthony”
A brief period
I just wrapped up a week of working enrollment at Easton College, and if you’ve ever worked one of these gigs, you know the specific, chaotic rhythm of the whole thing. Enrollment week exists in two distinct modes: absolute, all-hands-on-deck frenzy, or the kind of vast, stretching boredom where you start memorizing the emergency exitContinue reading “A brief period”
A thought for Valerie
I’ve been thinking lately about the quiet, steady magic of how you love me. In the rush of everyday life, it is easy to let the most important truths go unspoken, but I want to make sure you know just how deeply I see and appreciate who you are. Your patience with me is nothingContinue reading “A thought for Valerie”
It’s been a while.
Today I made sourdough for the first time in actually quite a few years. I haven’t been eating much bread, but this morning we didn’t have any, so I thought, “Okay, I’ll see if I can actually remember how to do it.” Below you’ll find a picture of my first white seeded sourdough.
