This week on The Deckchair Diaries, we’re talking about the four-legged companions who rule our homes, our hearts… and occasionally, our furniture.

From the chaos of first pets and the names we regret shouting in public, to the quiet comfort they bring just by being near — it’s a celebration of fur, feathers, and funny little creatures who somehow become family.

Plus: three feel-good news stories, a brand new poem about pet names, and this week’s Seagull of the Week is getting far too close in the queue…

This week on The Deckchair Diaries, we take a musical wander through the mixtape of life — from the oddity of nursery rhymes to your teenage emo phase, the slow slide from Radio 1 to Radio 4, and the moment you realised you actually like classical music.

Expect guilty pleasures, burnt CDs, gig flashbacks, and the songs that bring it all flooding back — whether you asked for it or not.

Flip-flops packed? Passport found? In this sun-soaked episode of The Deckchair Diaries, we dive into the Great British holiday — from the chaos of packing to the politics of sunbeds and the high drama of the hotel buffet. Expect postcard memories, flip-flop regrets, and a lovingly crafted poem about holidays

Plus, Seagull of the Week takes aim at those mysterious people who sit right next to you on an empty bus.

Pull up a chair, loosen your belt, and join me at the table for a celebration of the Great British roast dinner. From crunchy roasties to the controversial sprout, this episode of The Deckchair Diaries serves up nostalgia, gravy-based debates, and a big dollop of feel-good chat. Plus, a brand-new Seagull of the Week and a poem to warm your cockles.

This week, we’re hopping aboard buses, trams, and trains for a celebration of the humble world of public transport. From the joy of an unexpected chat with a stranger to the drama of nearly missing your stop — it’s time to give the daily commute the appreciation it rarely gets.

There’s also your weekly dose of feel-good news, a brand new Seagull of the Week (hint: bring headphones), and a heartfelt little poem to round things off.

Breathe in, mind the gap, and enjoy the ride.

Welcome to the first ever episode of The Deckchair Diaries—your laid-back Sunday morning podcast, recorded by the sea and brewed with warmth, wit, and a splash of observational nonsense.

This week, we’re lifting the lid on the most British of institutions: the cup of tea. From dodgy brews and biscuit dunking techniques to the strange emotional power of offering someone a cuppa—we’re celebrating the humble mug that somehow holds the nation together.

Also in the deckchair:

• A round-up of feel-good and funny news from around the world

• A poem about tea (written by my virtual assistant, ChatGPT)

• And our very first Seagull of the Week: a gentle rant about online recipe intros that won’t get to the point.

Pop the kettle on, pull up a deckchair—and let’s begin.