Chuffed

The day started well, with overnight news of Mamdani securing the Democrat nomination for NY mayor. A bloody nose for both the execrable Cuomo and the Democrat establishment and funders whose political ham-fistedness gave us both Trump I and II. Good news for progressive politics is rare as hens' teeth at the moment; take while it's there

More parochially, we have learned that ex-MP Lloyd Russel-Moyle has been appointed CEO and General Secretary of the youth organisation called Woodcraft Folk. Lloyd is one of many progressive candidates who were denied the opportunity of standing for election to the current parliament - on spurious grounds - by the clique around the Starmer leadership. Our family have a long relationship with Woodcraft, and with Lloyd, and I hope he can do more long-term good by applying his energy to the Folk and its future than he could by being a thorn in the side of a government that has no ears to hear his message

We immersed ourselves in Pembrokeshire magic - the reason we are really here. A few miles of coastal path, a few miles back following river valleys. The drizzle cleared, the clouds parted, the sea took on the dappled, ever-shifting colours, patterns and shades that had us just sitting on an old wall and watching, entranced. We didn't see much: a kestrel, a seal, some guillemots, a moss carder bee, a green tiger beetle and these choughs. Yes it's a terrible picture, but I'm always so delighted to see them, especially four together. A point-and-hope shot with a phone - I'll take it as another of today's wins

We seldom come here in summer, and I'm still a little breathless at the profusion of plants. Standouts were the minute yellow flowers of sea plantain, the intense colour of bitter vetch, the extrovert pink of betony and - another victory - the imperious heath spotted-orchid

The 13th century Welsh 'Physicians of Myddfai' prescribed betony for controlling dreams. There was a little magic in our dreams today, no medication necessary