From my Substack diary for Sunday, 21st. June 2026

The longest day of the year, with sunset here in south Devon occurring about 10 minutes after sunset in London, so even longer here than in the capital! At times like this I am glad I live in the balmy south-west peninsula, where ameliorating Atlantic breezes help to keep the temperature below those of London in a heatwave, but above those in London during the winter.

I am looking forward to a restful Sunday with nothing planned and nothing that urgently requires my attention. A day where nothing happens unless I want it to. Relaxation interspersed with periods of boredom, with boredom the vital element to trigger thought and ideas.

On this day in 1765 the Curate of Brixton – a village that is nowadays just outside the city of Plymouth – defended himself on charges of drunkenness and immorality. It would appear that, unlike me, he was not contemplating a day of restfulness and relaxation. Sadly I have been unable to discover the precise nature of the immorality, but the story itself raised a smile; the clergy has a long history of such shenanigans!

On that mildly amusing note I think I shall prepare a leisurely coffee and begin to enjoy the rest of my Sunday.