July 18-24, 2026
SATURDAY 18 Foreign Affairs has an article claiming that China believes itself not only equal to Russia and the USA as a global power but has overtaken them to become the most powerful and successful nation on earth. So it’s Up Yours to all those who talk about China “catching up”.
Underlying this triumphant vision is the Chinese claim that where the Soviets mismanaged socialism and the Americans corrupted capitalism, only China has discovered the formula capable of reconciling state authority with market dynamism and restoring international harmony.
📌 Andy Burnham is already getting lots of advice about what to do in his new job, which he doesn’t start until Monday. Most of it boils down to heavy criticism from commentators about changing things, which was the reason he got the job in the first place.
📌 The Teenager hangs out his washing…
📌 England turned in a performance that fans could be genuinely proud of beating France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place playoff.
SUNDAY 19 Before the football last night we watched the first episode of the TV series Ann Droid, in which a robot carer who after a clunky start manages to befriend an elderly widow coming to terms with the death of her husband. It is funny, warm and full of tantalising ideas about where big tech has come from and where it’s headed. And what it can and cannot do for us. The central character Sue has a disappointing son and it made me wonder how many other ageing parents are disappointed with their children. I’m sure it is more common than we like to think or choose to acknowledge.
📌 Spain won the World Cup, deservedly so.
MONDAY 20 Last night I was woken by a nightmare. I was trapped inside all the old furniture, tools, knick-knacks, unwanted hoovers and carpet cleaners, wondering how we can possibly get rid of ALL THIS STUFF. This morning I made a start and sorted some of it (tools mostly) to go to the local recycling project. Getting it there is another nightmare.
📌 So farewell then, King Kev, 75. You had your picture taken with my Mum, and her lollipop stick. Years later I tried to find it in the local newspaper archives, but it was gone. She said you were charming.
📌 Andy Burnham has spent the afternoon sacking a bunch of Keir Starmer loyalists, including Liz Kendall, David Lammy and Rachel Reeves. They all say they wish him well.
TUESDAY 21 Several Argentina payers are under investigation for starting fights at the end of the World Cup final. Anything other than lengthy bans should be seen as a slapped wrist.
📌 Angela Rayner is Housing minister in Andy Burnham’s new government. I hope she does something about the City of London Corporation’s failures as a local authority.
📌 IKEA sells more meatballs (1.4bn globally) than items of furniture.
📌 A German fella was saved from being sucked out of an aeroplane window by his wife, who grabbed his legs and pulled him back in.
📌 I wonder if for fun Ian McCulloch secretly sings Lightning Seeds songs to himself.
📌 Haven’t had a total failure at Waffle in a while…
WEDNESDAY 22 The world could have descended into war, a new plague could have taken hold, or Donald Trump could have confessed to being wrong about almost everything, but we would not have noticed. Because today was the day we got to become Freeman of the City of London in a curiously ritualistic ceremony involving costumed officials that climaxed with me having a picture taken of my thumb alongside the thumb print of Stephen Hawking (ie his signature). Later in the Members Room of the Guildhall we drank countless bottles of fizz and generally had a great time.
📌 Meanwhile…
THURSDAY 23 The weird thing about Sam’s drawing of Sorrento is that its pictorial brilliance is nothing compared with the memories it evokes.
📌 The Charterhouse Open Gardens evening was a rip-off. No guides to tell you about the history, stupidly overpriced food and drink, plus restricted seating and none reserved for people with disabilities. It was also rammed with smug, entitled geriatrics. We won’t be going back next year.
FRIDAY 24 Got a call to say my next hip replacement will be on September 14. This is great news. I will hopefully be fit and fully active by Christmas.
📌 The language most commonly studied on Duolingo by people in Sweden is Swedish.
📌 Very often the last word I get correctly in Squaredle is one I have never even heard of, let alone know its meaning…
📌 It is being reported that on his way to the opening of his new pet project, “Number 10 North”, Everton fanboy Andy Burnham PM drove down a one-way street the wrong way.
Read all of my scrapbook diaries…
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Billy's Scrapbook 