Wednesday, 28th. January 2026

It is not raining and there is a negligible breeze and even occasional sun, but the ground is very wet. We could have temporary relief from the rain of recent weeks, but runoff from Dartmoor will no doubt ensure rivers remain full. I suspect today’s respite, welcome though it is, will do little to relieve plants and crops from marsh conditions. The Rain Month resumes tomorrow.

I shall be on the bus to Totnes this morning to meet up with Citizens Advice at a church café. I may be able to provide a handful of people with energy advice, something I have not done for some years. I am very good at energy policy and strategy – handy for advising local and national government as well as people like developers, although in my experience developers do not like advice.

During my professional career I also ensured I had my feet planted firmly on the ground, and enjoyed talking to people about energy tariffs, how to use a thermostatic radiator valves, the benefits of insulation and so on. The world of government benefits, grants, discounts and other assistance is unnecessarily  difficult and, as if to make things worse, changing all the time. Today I might learn if I can still be of help to anyone; to help them towards a more comfortable home – warmer and drier – and to save a little on their energy bills. I shall be pleased if I can do that.