Monday, 7th. September 2026

It would appear that the Energy Vampire of yesterday’s diary has vanished, or perhaps is lying dormant in the wires, as my energy display this morning returned to its 8 o’clock norm of £1. The main ‘vampires’ in my house, sucking up electricity whilst I sleep, are the fridge freezer, the wi-fi and too many gadgets taunting me with little glowing lights, daring me to unplug them and ‘see what happens if you do’! Vicious bastards.

Yesterday was a glorious late-summer day. This morning is a not so glorious late summer day; everything is the same except for the sky. Yesterday it was blue with almost no cloud; today it is all battleship grey. The least it could do would be to have the decency to liberate a little rain, but it doesn’t even do that. Rain would be great. We badly need it. My fish badly need it – they have become accustomed to swimming in thin mud. But it doesn’t even rain. What is the point of all those clouds if it doesn’t even rain!

I learned a new trick over the weekend: how to give AI the finger. Just like with climate change I can do my eight-billionth’s worth to make the planet a better place. I can’t stop AI, just like I can’t stop climate change, but I can do my bit. I picked up my iPhone, opened ‘settings’ and ‘Apple Intelligence and Siri’ and switched ‘Apple Intelligence’ off. Yes, I know it’s a microscopic deed but it is easily done and there was an unexpected bonus: my iPhone works better! 

So, having done my bit I shall reward myself with a second cappuccino. Oh, and there is now a faint hint that the sun may show itself. No chance of rain then.