Had a lovely return visit to Swadlincote junior parkrun volunteering as funnel manager with John as timekeeper. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome again. #LoveJuniorParkrun

Fab visit to our NENDY Brocks Hill Country Park parkrun with John to recomplete the East Midlands once again. Great to be at event #1 after running at the test event. A twisty, hilly 3 lap route through the trees. Many thanks to all today's volunteers and good luck going forward. #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Cheese and bread balls www.theguardian.com/food/2026/oc... Amazing! Made mine with cheddar & a little parmesan & oven baked them (I don't deep fry). They are gorgeous & very moreish. We ate the lot with some sour cream. Will make them again.

Had a lovely linear walk on the Derby Canal with John from the city centre to Sandiacre & the junction with the Erewash Canal. Just the line of the former route at the start then infrastructure appeared & even glimpses water in places. Stopped for cake at the beautifully restored Canal Cottage café.

Delighted to celebrate parkrun's 22nd birthday with a return visit to Long Eaton junior parkrun volunteering as a marshal with John as barcode scanner. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves in the sunshine today. Many thanks for making us so welcome again. #LoveJuniorParkrun #22gether 🥳🎉🎈🎂

Delighted to celebrate parkrun's 22nd birthday with a return visit to Conkers parkrun with John to volunteer as marshals. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome once again. #LoveParkrun #22gether 🥳🎉🎈🎂

Happy 22nd anniversary parkrun. Ready at my marshal position for all today's runners, joggers and walkers at Conkers parkrun. #LoveParkrun #22gether

Just received this week's @theguardian.com Feast newsletter featuring @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social. "writing and editing of my next book (a collection of regional recipes that is only two years late) has been accompanied by the smell of whatever is cooking... downstairs" Fab news - a new book!

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Lasagne with three cheeses, tomato and tiny meatballs I did 4 layers in a dish that fitted the fresh lasagne sheets perfectly. The mini sausage balls certainly added height. Delicious! Had it with salad for dinner. I'll be making this again.

Had an interesting linear walk with John on the route of the Derby Canal from Swarkestone lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal through Derby city centre and then to the end of the Little Eaton branch. Plenty of visible heritage at the start followed by road walking on the line of the former route.

Had a lovely return visit to Markeaton junior parkrun volunteering as funnel manager with John on finish tokens. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome again. #LoveJuniorParkrun

I've read along with Agatha Christie’s #ReadChristie2026 for September & managed 3 versions of Endless Night: the book in Agatha Christie 1960s Omnibus, the DVD in ITV’s Marple Series 6 & BBC Radio 4's full cast adaptation.

Back volunteering at Market Bosworth Country Park parkrun on finish tokens with John as this week's RD. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves in the sunshine today. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun

Ooh, look.... 👀 The Christmas Day 2026 & New Year's Day 2027 parkrun UK and parkrun Ireland special events lists are starting to be filled in! ✅ ❌ www.parkrun.org.uk/special-even... www.parkrun.ie/special-even... #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Tomatoes stuffed with breadcrumbs, chickpeas and herbs or spices. www.theguardian.com/food/2026/se... Substituted chickpeas (allergic) with cannellini beans. Had them with mashed courgettes, oven baked potatoes & salted yoghurt. Delicious!

💛💛💛Absolutely delighted that between us John and I have volunteered over 1000 times at parkrun! 🦺John 465 parkrun UK, parkrun Ireland & junior parkrun volunteers 🦺Helen 536 parkrun UK, parkrun Ireland & junior parkrun volunteers #LoveParkrun #LoveJuniorParkrun

Had a lovely visit to The Mystery junior parkrun volunteering as funnel manager with John as barcode scanner. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. #LoveJuniorParkrun

Had a lovely visit to Falcarragh parkrun with John. Two loops around the estate through woodland & the walled gardens and in front of Ballyconnell House. Even spotted some early morning golfers and GAA athletes out on the adjacent course & pitch. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun

This week's @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Rice, aubergine and mozzarella bake www.theguardian.com/food/2026/se... Improvised this on holiday with tinned tomatoes & Irish cheddar instead of parmesan. Turned out perfectly and was filling and delicious. Had with salad & wheat bread.

Checked out parkrun for this coming Saturday with John. Within walking distance of our holiday accommodation.

Birthday weekend day 4 Volunteering at Omagh Leisure Complex junior parkrun with John. Explored the Ulster American Folk Park - lots of interesting history & heritage from both sides of the Atlantic. Drove back through Glenveagh National Park. Now finishing the weekend with dinner and drinks.

Had a lovely visit to Omagh Leisure Complex junior parkrun volunteering as finish tokens/funnel manager with John as timekeeper. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves today. Many thanks for making us so welcome. #LoveJuniorParkrun

It's my parkrun anniversary! Exactly 11 years ago today I did my first ever run at Lincoln parkrun. Now on 380 runs at 291 different locations and 534 volunteers. I've loved every single one. I'm definitely slower, chattier & far more interested in the scenery now! #LoveParkrun #LoveJuniorParkrun

Birthday weekend day 3. Early morning parkrun at Ards Forest Park followed by the day exploring the country park, a walk on the beach & a visit to Ards Friary with John. Back via the Horn Head Wild Atlantic Way coast road for dinner & drinks and relaxing.

Had a splendid visit to Ards Forest Park parkrun with John. Two laps through the woodland with glorious views out over the beach and misty mountains in the background. It's my parkrun 11th anniversary so we brought treats for all. Many thanks to all today's volunteers. #LoveParkrun

One of my birthday gifts. My very own Playmobil @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social!

Just checked into our holiday accommodation in Ireland. Item 2 in the 'things to do list'... #LoveParkrun

Birthday weekend day 2. Started the day with breakfast at Bob and Berts. Followed by a lovely linear walk on the Coalisland Canal with John from the junction of the River Blackwater to the former basin. Now driving through The Sperrins to cross the border into County Donegal and on to Falcarragh.

Birthday weekend day 1. A lovely afternoon visiting the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port with John. Lots of really interesting waterways history & heritage including my father-in-law's desk. Then a delicious dinner at Pesto at the Dibbinsdale. Now waiting to board the ferry to Ireland.

This week's glorious @rachelaliceroddy.bsky.social @theguardian.com Chocolate cake with peach jam & chocolate glaze–a not sachertorte recipe www.theguardian.com/food/2026/se... Absolutely delicious! Eaten with the recommended dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. I'll definitely be making this again.