Heatwave.

this time, no ladybirds

Jul 30, 2026

Hi! I’m Keris. I’m an author writing about writing and books, music and films and TV, cats and life and food.

It is inexplicably almost August! What did I do in July?

We went to London for a week to look after a friend’s cats (as we have done most summers for the past few years) and a friend came here to look after our cats! Even so, we had a cat-cam in my eldest’s room, where Noodles likes to hang out much of the time and this screenshot made us all laugh like drains.

I was half-hoping she was poised there ready to leap onto the cat-sitter when they arrived, but no.

It was, of course, sweltering while we were there.

We paced ourselves, stayed hydrated, avoided the Tube as much as possible. And, in the mornings, when I was the only one up, I’d have an iced coffee in the (beautiful) garden and do some writing. It was lovely.

We’d somehow never been to St Paul’s Cathedral…

So we finally went and climbed to the very top. Which was (obviously) hard work. Harry found a paper plane up there and then we staggered all the way back down.

I expected to be aching the next day, but no! I was fine! But ONE WHOLE WEEK later, my left hip decided it had not enjoyed all those steps and made sure I knew about it. We came back from London on the 17th and it was only this very morning that I realised I was walking without stiffness. ugh.

Where we used to live…

I would watch the ISS from our front door regularly. Since we moved I think we’ve only seen it once. I missed it in Dungeness earlier this year, but finally caught it in London. I love it so much.

On the subject of loving what you do…

What have I been writing?

Still loving the new thing and have big plans. Currently writing a scene list and that is no fun at all, but I can see how it will help.

I’m so close to finishing that, inevitably, I’m avoiding writing. But I will push on!

What have I been reading?

I’m really enjoying Heatwave: the Summer of ‘76 by John Williams. I remember some of it, so you can imagine how startled I was when he mentioned it took place fifty years ago. (Yes, I know how old I am. No, I can’t accept that I have clear memories from HALF A CENTURY AGO.)

Do you remember the ladybirds? I just googled for a photo, but I don’t want to freak anyone out, so instead I found this painting by Ruth Mulvie, entitled The Ladybird Invasion of 1976. I love it.

I’m also reading Under Story by Chloe Benjamin and enjoying it, but it’s very long and I don’t feel like I’m making much progress!

I’m also reading Watership Down for research reasons. I remember my grandad getting this from the library in the seventies. It must have been for him because I would have been too young, but I don’t remember him being a reader. I would have said I’d never read it - and I definitely haven’t seen it; I was carried out of the school hall sobbing when they showed it - but the story is so familiar to me.

Going to make myself watch the film and be traumatised by Bright Eyes all over again.

What have I been watching?

Rewatching Ted Lasso with Joe. And Please Like Me because it all went up (legally) on YouTube. I just started The Five-Star Weekend because I’ve heard all good things and I feel a bit ropey today (too much wine with friends last night) so I’m taking things easy.