Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

It's taken me longer than normal to read this, but I've got there in the end. Part of the reason for the lengthy read is that I didn't actually want to stop reading it at all. Maconie's writing style is deeply engaging and every chapter contains far more than just 'information' about one particular date, despite that being the premise of the book. I learned more about events I've either heard about or lived through than I expected. Several of the days coincided with relevant anniversaries as I read. Yesterday was 50 years since THAT football match. There was much discussion in the first chapter about votes for women, which I was reading when the nation decided to go for Brexit. At least I had my cross on a bit of paper, even if was - once more - ignored. I was reading the chapter about the opening day of the Somme on the centenary of 1 July 1916 and it was a poignant reminder of the tragic loss of life in that whole war and that day in particular. It...

Thanks to a good friend, I now have a cushion that says it all. I discovered this moveable feast called jazz in 1979 and there's no looking back. Thanks, Robert, for this visual reminder of an auditory life. I've had years when I've barely played a note and some when I've not listened to much. That makes me sad. Never again will I allow my tastes and passions to be subdued.

For the last three or four years, I've covered an annual event for Royal Mail and the photographer has been Holly Wren. She's extraordinary - fits in well with the team and puts the subjects she shoots at ease. Her results are always exactly what we need and she's a pleasure to work with.

The offices were tiny, the carpet stank and the basement was damp and foul. But we loved working there. Onwards. Always onwards and the new AB offices have so much SPACE!

I had the bath moved so the light from the window fell on the floor. Now the floor needs sanding and staining. But a real improvement. To me. It's the little things.

If you have the chance to offer work experience to a student about to go to university to study a subject linked to your business, do you do it? I'm spending some of this week helping a young woman see whether the work of a London communications agency is something she'd be interested in. Hopefully, it'll also help her see what daily working life is like. Update to come later in the week!

My small attempt at gardening - first strawberries on their way. Courgettes and tomatoes are getting there, too.

They say you should never meet your heroes but in the last year I've managed to see both Quincy Jones and Booker T Jones. They've both been instrumental (pun intended) in creating some of the music that's been most influential on me. There are a lot of people I'll never be able to hear speak or play, so I'm glad I got to see these two. Booker T had a great band with him. All younger than him (and me) and the sound was incredible. His son was on guitar and there was a real bond between them that was both visible and audible. It looked as if the bass player was new to the band, but he kept up and there were lots of signals going between him and the drummer. I'm not sure who's next on my 'Not to be missed' list and I'm disappointed I missed the chance to see Stevie Wonder on Sunday night, but that might have been pushing it and I'm not sure I want to see him on a big stage. The advantage of a venue like The Brooklyn Bowl is its club-like nat...

This has been a big week - three months since the big op and I'm out and about, interviewing and taking photos. Finding out what people love about their jobs is fascinating. All I have to do then is make it interesting for the readers. I love my job, and I love the fact that I've got back to it properly this week.

An excellent way to celebrate three months since my stomach op - jazz night at The Highlander in Hitchin with a group of friends. Listening, rather than playing. I couldn't drink more than half a soft drink and didn't last much more than an hour, but it's still an achievement.

Today I saw my consultant, three months after he removed my second stomach tumour. Even he was impressed with how well I'm recovering. My keyhole scars are almost invisible and my symptoms have disappeared. We're not running (literally) before we can walk, as it's going to take a while for my tiny stomach to really function properly. But it's all good progress. Now I'm reading about a Pukka life and loving some of the ideas for improving my digestion and my health. Heading for the six month milestone now.

I originally took this photo because I liked the curve of the balcony. Now I've realised I love the colour of the walls. Now to work out where in my house it'll fit.

Absolutely Fabulous , the movie, has one of the worst narratives I've ever seen in a film. But what it does have is great characters and some of the funniest writing around today. The cameos alone prove the greatness of the Ab Fab franchise. Anyone who is anyone clearly beat a path to Jennifer Saunders' door. TV journalists, some 'celebrities', models, actors and fashion designers all put in an appearance. Some so brief you really had to watch closely. Which was hard, what with being doubled-up with laughter most of the time. I especially loved the Dawn French cameo. Smart woman - she knows that working behind the scenes while her erstwhile screen partner Saunders swaps great lines with Joanna Lumley would produce sheer comedy genius. The British film industry should continue to work with all the international directors, writers and producers, filming all over the UK. And then our actual British films should just carry on our comedy tradition that originated in El...