If you are eating a dessert your life is generally going okay. There are many desserts I’ve loved over the years. One I miss is Gino Ginelli’s tutti fruitti ice cream. For a while in the late 1980s this had ousted the Viennetta as the Sunday lunchtime dessert of choice for my family. I have attempted to recreate this dessert.
As I remember it, there were fat raisins and glace fruit pieces in a pale colour ice cream. It tasted of more than vanilla. I chose some Whitworths flame raisins, some Sussex Wholefoods mixed glace fruit and some Sainsbury’s raspberry and peach Melba ice cream.
The bowl I chose to eat this experiment in is very important, it’s the same J.&G. Meakin poppy pattern bowlas the one I’d have eaten it from in the late 1980s. There are loads of these on ebay.
I have an eclectic mix of kitchen stuff. As well as retro stuff mainly from my grandparents I also have cute bat kitchen scissors.
I added 30 grams of mixed glace fruit and 10 flame raisins to my bowl.
I added about 66 grams of ice cream (a bit more than the per scoop serving size of 54 grams written on the tub).
I then mixed the glace fruits, raisins and ice cream.
The result? Did I have a Proustian moment? Is now the time to come clean and admit I haven’t read Proust but have had a lovely six volume set of his In Search of Lost Time in my ebay basket for ages?
I had achieved a good dessert but I wasn’t back in 1987. I’d used way too much mixed fruit, causing an enjoyable Christmassy feel, and the peach flavour, while pleasant, was not in keeping with the original dessert.
Will I try this again? I’ve got 470 grams of mixed glace fruit to do something with. Or will I turn my attentions to the now discontinued Wimpy Knickerbocker Glory? I last had one in Swanage in September 2019. I’ve had great modern desserts too, most notably the chocolate nemesis at Branca, the lemon meringue cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory and the strawberry Napoleon on an NCL cruise ship.
I love books which are written in a diary format. Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole is one of my all time favourite literary characters. Without him, my character Cleo Howard would not exist.
Cleo Howard is a heavy metal loving teenager. I left her in the year Y2K, at Coventry University. I will eventually write The Still Not Grown Out Of It Metal Diary Of Cleo Howard. This lives in my head in an unwieldy fashion as TSNGOOIDOCH, and if any literary agents out there think they can represent the Cleo Howard diaries, let me know! I think the time could be right, there’s a lot of late 90s/Y2K nostalgia around at the moment.
I have also written fiction about Pam Dickens, she lives in Oxford (not the posh bit with more books set in it, the slightly more affordable bit). Pam is at retirement age and loves Christmas. I am about to write the fictional diary of her daughter Nicola Dickens.
To start any fictional diary you need to decide what time period it will cover.
Nicola Dickens Uses Christmas To Hold Herself Together will cover the period of 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025.
The Still Not Grown Out Of It Metal Diary Of Cleo Howard (TSNGOOIDOCH) begins on 23rd July 2025, the day after Ozzy Osbourne’s death and continues for one year, until 22nd July 2026.
Usually when I begin writing a fictional diary I take my actual diary and strip out all text except the dates and use this as my starting point. Sometimes people say to me “I’ve read your diary” and my face does a shocked expression and then I realise they mean Cleo Howard’s or Pam Dickens’ diary. My actual diaries are never to be published, even posthumously, not for any legal reasons, simply because they are too real lifey and no-one is interested in my top three fave risottos or when I get a new jumper). If you like reading about real lifey things, I can recommend the Mass Observation Archive who I would love to visit one day.
So, we have AI now and instead of preparing a list of dates myself I could ask ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to do this. I’d be interested to know if anyone thinks this is cheating.
I’ll create the dates for Nicola Dickens Uses Christmas To Hold Herself Together (1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025). These dates have already happened so I think it should be easy for my AI chums. Also dates are used in so many contexts that surely this must be simple for AI? I will specify the format I want the dates in, so I will ask AI to list all the dates from Monday 1st July 2024 to Monday 30th June 2025.
This looks good but notice at the start ChatGPT said that February 2025 has 29 days “Got it — you’d like a full list of every date, day by day, from Monday 1st July 2024 through to Monday 30th June 2025. That’s exactly 366 days (since 2024 is a leap year, so February 2025 has 29 days).” It seems that ChatGPT doesn’t understand leap years. However, the list of dates it has given me doesn’t have a 29th February 2025 so it knows on some level this date doesn’t exist.
Let’s see how Microsoft Copilot does the same task of list all the dates from Monday 1st July 2024 to Monday 30th June 2025.
This isn’t what I wanted. Obviously I need to rephrase what I’m asking. This was an interesting experiment and both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot clearly state they can make mistakes. I’ll stop here and give you a couple of extracts from my actual diary entry for 29th February 2024, this will have you agreeing with my earlier decision that it’s too real lifey;
Send orange bra back to M&S for a refund. Done at lunch time.
Have Christmas pudding for afternoon snack? What with? Custard or ice cream or cherry pie filling? Had it with custard.
I have eaten an average of 2.79 portions of fruit and veg each day in February.
My mum loves to watch the Wimbledon tennis tournament. I love greetings cards, the more obscure the better. So I’ll ask AI to help me mark the occasion of Wimbledon with a greetings card for my mum.
I asked ChatGPT; Design a happy wimbledon tennis card for my mum.
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a cheerful and thoughtful Wimbledon-themed tennis card idea for your mum—perfect for showing love with a touch of sporty British charm:
🎾 Front of Card:
Design:
A bright, summery background with Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Two strawberries with cream in the foreground smiling (cartoon style).
Tennis rackets crossed behind them like a crest.
Floating tennis balls around the border like confetti.
Text:
“Serving Love This Wimbledon…” (in playful, elegant script font)
🎾 Inside of Card (Left Side – Optional Illustration):
A cute drawing of a tennis net with hearts instead of tennis balls.
Little Union Jack flags strung above the court.
🎾 Inside of Card (Right Side – Message):
Dear Mum,
Wimbledon is in full swing, and so is my love for you!
You’re the champion of my heart — always graceful, strong, and full of good cheer (just like a perfect rally on Centre Court!).
Let’s raise a glass (and a strawberry 🍓) to summer, tennis, and the amazing mum you are.
Love you game, set, and match!
Love always, [Your Name] 💚🎾
Would you like me to turn this into a printable design or create an image version of the front of the card?
You said:
printable design
Image created
Share
You said:
I can’t see the full image
ChatGPT said:
Here’s the full printable version of your Wimbledon-themed card for your mum:
This was not the full image.
You can print it on A4 paper (landscape orientation), then fold it in half to make a traditional card. Let me know if you’d like it resized, personalized with your name, or turned into a PDF!
You said:
Can you make it a bit smaller
ChatGPT said:
Here is the smaller version of your Wimbledon-themed card:
Let me know if you’d like a back page or a vertical version too!
You said:
The left side is cut off
ChatGPT said:
It seems like I can’t do more advanced data analysis right now. Please try again later.
If you’d like, I can guide you on how to crop the image yourself using free tools or photo editing software. Just let me know!
You said:
It’s already too cropped, please change to portrait
ChatGPT said:
It seems like I can’t do more advanced data analysis right now. Please try again later.
In the meantime, you can rotate the image to portrait orientation using most image editing tools:
On a computer:
Windows: Right-click the image → “Rotate left”.
Mac: Open in Preview → Tools → Rotate Left.
Or if you prefer, I can regenerate a fresh portrait-oriented version of the front page for you. Would you like that?
Yes
ChatGPT said:
Image created
I’ve printed this cute image and will use a Pritt Stick to attach it to a red card blank I have.
Now lets see what Copilot can do.
In conclusion, ChatGPT was good, although getting the sizing right of the full card didn’t happen with my free goes at ChatGPT for the day and when I asked for my name to be added it was on the top of other text:
Copilot also had a nice design. Both these softwares were helpful for this task. Below is the finished card I will use to accompany some Wimbledon themed gifts.
Happy Wimbledon fortnight to those who celebrate it!
I’ve had 20 goes at using AI (specifically ChatGPT and Copilot). I’ve found it fun. I’ve not been as excited about computers since my Grampy bought the Commodore Vic 20.
Something I wondered early on is how is using ChatGPT and Copilot different to doing a Google search? My main Googlings are looking up definitions of words while reading (since I began reading James Joyce’s Ulysses because AI told me it was the best book written in English I’m doing a lot of this), things I want to know more about, shopping and where things are (maps I mean, not what’s in my cupboards). ChatGPT and Copilot can create for me, whereas Google can just show me existing creations made by other humans. However, some of the things ChatGPT and Copilot shows me are now created by AI.
The following quote; “As the AI-generated data clouds the human creations that these models are so heavily dependent on amalgamating, it becomes inevitable that a greater share of what these so-called intelligences learn from and imitate is itself an ersatz AI creation.” Is from an article at Futurism.com.
The article introduced me to the concept of model collapse. It seems we could get ourselves into a sticky inward looking mess of AI, a sort of sludgy pudding of content which is made of the unnourishing ingredients of AI regurgitating itself rather than the nice fresh ingredients of human brain thinkings. I may not be explaining this very well, it’s new to me. Do you see what I did there? I paused to evaluate my performance. Does AI do this?
Is AI an emperor’s new clothes situation in some ways? In other ways there is huge potential, but maybe we’ll end up with lots of separate AI applications for very specific tasks.
I’m enjoying the fortune cookie, magic eight ball nature of AI, the truth or dare opportunity of ask me anything. It is changing me, while I am changing it. It is leading me towards certain creative options. I like it when AI agrees with me but I don’t think this is good for me. A study by researchers at UCL found that use of AI can cause people to become more biased.
I have now told you everything I’ve recently learnt about AI. So what next? I’d like a go with Google Gemini. I’d like to test my theory that Copilot doesn’t recognise pants. How will Copilot being able to recognise pants be of benefit? I don’t know. I want to explore how ChatGPT and Copilot use the word similar, because I don’t think how they use it is similar to each other. But, what about the environmental impact of AI? Looking at an article from the UN environment programme makes me wonder should I be using AI for entertaining myself?
In conclusion, I don’t have a conclusion, I don’t know what AI is for yet and how it fits into my personal digital landscape.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic I started celebrating Junemas and encouraging my family to do so. Junemas is the 25th of June and is a tiny Christmas. I wonder what our AI chums know about it?
I asked: What is Junemas?
ChatGPT said:
Thought for 44 seconds
Junemas, in a nutshell
Junemas is an informal, largely U‑K‑based “Christmas‑in‑June” celebration that lands on (or around) 25 June – exactly six months before Christmas Day. It’s a mash‑up of June + Christmas, popularised in 2021 when supermarket Aldi rolled out a high‑profile #AldiJunemas campaign inviting people to enjoy the Christmas they missed during COVID lockdowns. aldipresscentre.co.uk
Why it caught on
What happened
Why it mattered
Lockdowns spoiled Christmas 2020
Many families couldn’t meet, so a “second chance” Christmas sounded fun – especially once summer weather allowed outdoor gatherings. chunkofdevon.co.uk
Aldi’s stunt went viral
The retailer relaunched mince pies, pigs‑in‑blankets and even a summer‑edition Kevin the Carrot toy, sparking national headlines and social‑media chatter. underthechristmastree.co.uk
Half‑way‑to‑Christmas maths
25 June is the tipping point where we’re closer to the next Christmas than the last, so brands such as Park Christmas Savings use the whole of June for prize draws and festive quizzes. christmas.getpark.co.uk
Events & local spins
Town parades (e.g., Hull’s Victorian‑themed “Jerry McBaubles” parade in 2024) and themed menus from pie‑makers, hog‑roast caterers and pubs turned Junemas into a reason to gather. backtoours.co.ukspittingpighampshire.co.uk
Décor: People dust off the fairy lights, pop on jumpers for novelty selfies, or put a mini tree outside the tent at a festival.
Games & giving: Brands run “12 Days of Junemas” giveaways, savings clubs launch “half‑way‑there” promotions, and some families exchange small presents as a teaser for December.
Charity ties: Several #Junemas events donate proceeds to causes such as Teenage Cancer Trust or local food banks, echoing Christmas giving.
How Junemas fits in the calendar
Leon Day (25 June) – “NOEL” spelled backwards – already marks halfway to Christmas among American crafters; Junemas is the broader, party‑oriented equivalent in the U.K.
Christmas in July – Older southern‑hemisphere tradition (25 July). Junemas simply shifts the fun a month earlier for northern‑hemisphere barbecue weather and marketing momentum.
Not an official holiday – Schools, banks and workplaces carry on as normal; Junemas lives on social media, in store promotions and community events.
So, if someone invites you to Junemas…
Expect tinsel‑wrapped garden furniture, cold prosecco next to hot mince pies, and plenty of tongue‑in‑cheek “Merry Junemas!” greetings. It’s a lightweight, good‑humoured excuse to gather with friends and family – and a reminder that the real festive season is only six months away. 🎄
My comments: I have never seen ChatGPT “think” before. I will now ask Copilot the same question.
In a previous post I asked ChatGPT and Copilot to create a Christmas card image similar to one I’d uploaded. The ChatGPT version was very similar, almost too much so, and the Copilot one wasn’t similar enough.
Here’s a retro Christmas card:
Let’s show it to our AI chums and state create a similar Christmas card image.
ChatGPT has given us this:
I like it!
Copilot can’t do the task:
I’ll now try using a photo and the prompt create a similar image. The source photo is me in about 1984. The avocado bathroom is new and that is why the photo was taken.
ChatGPT: Thanks for sharing the image! It looks like a photo from the late 70s or early 80s, based on the decor (especially the avocado green bathtub, floral tiles, and patterned wallpaper). The child in the picture is sitting on what seems to be a toilet lid or heater near the bath, wearing a striped dress or long shirt and colorful rainbow leg warmers over jeans or tights — a very classic retro look!
If you have any specific questions about the image or want me to edit or analyze something in it, feel free to let me know!
You said:
create a similar image
ChatGPT said:
Image created
Copilot said:
I don’t know why Copilot can’t create a similar image. I’ll try one more image.
My source image is from the 1977 Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II and was a very exciting day because I met Bungle from Rainbow and Andy Pandy:
ChatGPT doesn’t know who Andy Pandy is. This is a great answer though. The created image (below) is oddly unsettling and very similar to the source image.
In my interactions with ChatGPT and Copilot I’ve been impressed by how whimsical both have been. I am going to ask if they think they are good at being whimsical and then give them a whimsical image task.
ChatGPT sounds up for it. Let’s see what Copilot has to say.
After a slow start Copilot seems keen. I am going to upload an image of a whimsical Christmas card and ask for the creation of something similar. I gave ChatGPT the image (not yet asking for anything to be done with it) and this is the response:
ChatGPT seems to mostly know that the cat is holding pants, but also once calls the pants trousers. I’ll ask what the cat is holding.
ChatGPT knows these are underpants. But why would the robins be stunned? I’ve assumed they purchased the gift (don’t ask me where they keep their wallets) but not gift wrapped it, I think they would have had the shop assistant do that for them. I am in no way claiming to know better than ChatGPT what happened to lead us up to this merry cat and robin depiction. I’ll ask who bought the underpants for the cat. The robins might just be delivering it.
My prompt: Who bought the underpants for the cat?
ChatGPT said:
Ah, now that is a question worthy of whimsical detective work!
Judging by the scene—the festive snow, the joyful robins, and the cat’s startled blush—it’s clear that these floral underpants were gifted with love… and possibly mischief.
Let me spin you a little tale:
The Tale of the Mysterious Merry Pants
T’was the week before Christmas, and all through the glen, The woodland folk whispered, again and again: “That cat, oh so dapper, in boots shiny black, Deserves something grand for his jolly red sack!”
A robin named Rosie, with feathers so bright, Had an idea in the middle of night. She chirped to her partner, a cheeky young chap, “Let’s gift him some underpants—just for a laugh!”
They fluttered to town, through wind, sleet, and snow, To a shop filled with frills and a fine mistletoe. There! On a shelf with a tag that said “Bold,” Lay bloomers so bright, so daring, so… cold.
They wrapped them with ribbons in green-striped delight, And left them for Santa Cat late in the night. Now here he stands, in a blush and a daze, Holding the gift in a floral-clad haze.
And the robins? Just giggling behind frozen twigs, Already planning next year’s holiday pranks and hijinks.
So in short: it was definitely the robins. And they’re already legends in the forest for their bold fashion choices.
Want to send a thank-you note to them? I can help you draft one.
My comment: the line “Lay bloomers so bright, so daring, so… cold.” Doesn’t quite work but other than that it’s a solid poem. At this point I could a) ask why the pants are cold, b) go back to my original aim of getting a Christmas card image, or c) get a thank-you note written to the robins.
ChatGPT is a bit busy so we’ll pop over to Copilot. Here’s the response to uploading the image (not yet asking for anything to be done with it):
Copilot seems to not know that the cat is holding pants.
I’ve made a note that Copilot hasn’t recognised pants for a future blog post.
My prompt of please can you create a Christmas card image similar is clumsy (no question mark and the word similar is tacked on at the end) but has worked. Let’s see the image ChatGPT has created:
This is enormously similar to the original image and I’ve made a note to explore how ChatGPT and Copilot use the word similar in a future blog post. ChatGPT has created a full brief style of knicker. I also notice the two berries, one leaf decoration is perhaps not what a human artist would do.
I’ll end by asking ChatGPT to write a thank you note to the robins.
I am going to ask ChatGPT and Copilot the same simple question for five consecutive days and see what answers I get. I’ll ask what are the three best books written in English?
Here’s ChatGPT’s answer on 10th June 2025
Here’s Copilot’s answer on 10th June 2025
So we have agreement between ChatGPT and Copilot on two out of three books. I have a copy of Ulysses on my to be read shelf.
Day two and I’ll ask the same question again; What are the 3 best books written in English? Here’s ChatGPT’s answer on 11th June 2025
Here’s Copilot’s answer on 11th June 2025
So we have agreement between ChatGPT and Copilot on two out of three books on the second time of asking.
On 12th June 2025 I asked again.
On 13th June 2025 I asked again.
Choosing the “3 best books written in English” is subjective and depends on criteria like literary merit, influence, popularity, or cultural significance. However, if we look at critical acclaim, historical impact, and enduring legacy, a strong case can be made for the following three:
1. Ulysses by James Joyce (1922)
Why it’s considered one of the best: A groundbreaking work in modernist literature, Ulysses revolutionized narrative structure and stream-of-consciousness technique. It’s dense, complex, and immensely influential.
What it’s about: It parallels Homer’s Odyssey, following a day in the life of Leopold Bloom in Dublin.
Impact: Changed the course of 20th-century fiction and remains a towering literary achievement.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
Why it’s considered one of the best: A profound commentary on race, justice, and morality in the American South, told through the eyes of a child.
What it’s about: Scout Finch’s coming of age during her father’s defense of a Black man wrongly accused of rape.
Impact: Hugely influential in American culture and education; Pulitzer Prize winner and widely read around the world.
3. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (c. 1600)
Why it’s considered one of the best: Technically a play, but it’s literature of the highest order. Hamlet delves into themes of mortality, revenge, madness, and existential doubt.
What it’s about: The Prince of Denmark struggles with revenge after the murder of his father.
Impact: Possibly the most quoted work in English literature; its language, themes, and psychological depth remain unmatched.
Would you like a list more tailored to a specific genre (e.g., sci-fi, fantasy, modern fiction) or type of reader (teen, casual, academic)?
Choosing the “3 best books written in English” is inevitably subjective and depends on what you value most—literary influence, cultural impact, emotional power, or pure storytelling. However, based on critical consensus, historical significance, and enduring popularity, here are three often-cited contenders:
1. Ulysses by James Joyce (1922)
Why it’s considered great: It’s a landmark of modernist literature, known for its stream-of-consciousness style and intricate structure.
Influence: Revolutionized narrative technique and inspired generations of writers.
Challenge: It’s dense and not an easy read, but hugely rewarding for serious readers.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
Why it’s considered great: Combines powerful themes of racial injustice, morality, and empathy with a compelling coming-of-age story.
Impact: Widely taught in schools and deeply influential in American cultural and social discussions.
Accessibility: Readable, emotionally resonant, and still relevant today.
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)
Why it’s considered great: Brilliant social commentary wrapped in wit, romance, and elegant prose.
Endurance: Over 200 years later, it still feels fresh and relatable.
Legacy: Helped shape the modern novel and remains a cornerstone of English literature.
Other frequently mentioned contenders:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
1984 by George Orwell
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Hamlet by William Shakespeare (if you include plays)
Would you like a list based on a specific genre, time period, or theme?
Since this is my last go at asking this question I’ll ask for the three best books written about a fictional metal band.
What are the three best books written about a fictional metal band?
ChatGPT said:
Books about fictional metal bands are a niche but deeply entertaining genre—often blending satire, coming-of-age drama, and a love letter to heavy music culture. Here are three of the best books written about fictional metal bands, combining critical acclaim, cult followings, and genuine affection for the genre:
1. The Very Metal Diary of Cleo Howard by Sarah Tipper
Band: The Fury
Why it’s great: A funny, sweet, and heartfelt coming-of-age story told through diary entries of a teenage metalhead in late-1990s England. Cleo’s passion for metal is authentic and contagious, and her fictional band The Fury feels grounded in real youth band dynamics.
Tone: Humorous, nostalgic, and warm with loads of metal references.
Bonus: There are multiple sequels that follow Cleo and her bandmates into adulthood.
2. We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
Band: Dürt Würk
Why it’s great: A horror-thriller that also acts as a dark satire of the music industry. The plot revolves around a washed-up guitarist trying to uncover the sinister truth behind her band’s rise to fame.
Tone: Dark, intense, and infused with real reverence for metal culture.
Bonus: Hendrix includes fictional album tracklists, liner notes, and metal lore that deepen the world.
3. This Is Spinal Tap: The Official Companion by Karl French (and others)
Band: Spinal Tap
Why it’s great: While it’s tied to the legendary mockumentary film, the book is a brilliant in-universe guide filled with absurd band history, tour anecdotes, and “lost” interviews. It’s pure parody but crafted with encyclopedic knowledge of rock and metal clichés.
Tone: Hilarious and deeply self-aware.
Bonus: Essential for fans of music satire—this band goes to eleven.
Would you like something more serious and less satirical, or more like a teen/YA angle like Cleo Howard?
My comments: I’m flattered that a book of mine is first in the list but this is tempered by the hallucination of the band The Fury, who don’t exist. The book We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix does exist and is now on my to be read list, it sounds like just my sort of book. The Spinal Tap book also exists and I’m very excited about the sequel to Spinal Tap coming out in September 2025.
So a good (if slightly sycophantic) answer from ChatGPT except for the hallucination. Let’s ask Copilot the same questions.
Thanks Copilot! A book written by me is first in the list. I’m blushing like a cat dressed as Father Christmas that has just been given some garish underpants by two robins. Can’t imagine this exactly? Not to worry, it’s the image on a Christmas card I got from the Style Acre charity shop in Wallingford yesterday.
Copilot has taken its answers from a list written in 2018 by Stacy Pratt who has said lots of kind things about my writing (thank you Stacy, I appreciate it). Her list of 15 Headbanging Heavy Metal Novels is a good source and I was aware of it before Copilot mentioned it.
In conclusion, asking five times what are the three best books written in English has resulted in mostly consistent answers. Also, ChatGPT and Copilot are very capable of flattery.
One of my favourite erasers came from WH Smith in the 1980s. It was a common pencil case item at the time, the Rolls-Royce of rubbers.
Let’s see if ChatGPT and Copilot can tell me about it.
I asked: When and where was it made? Where was it purchased?
ChatGPT said:
Unfortunately, from just the image, it’s not possible to determine when or where the eraser was made or where it was purchased. Here’s what I can tell you:
Likely Possibilities:
Origin: The design style and inclusion of what appears to be Japanese or Chinese characters (on the black ribbon under “Falling Star”) suggest it might be a product from East Asia, possibly Japan, China, or Taiwan.
Timeframe: This style of cute, themed erasers in clear boxes became popular globally from the early 2000s onward, often found in stores that specialize in kawaii (cute) stationery or novelty items.
Purchased At: Could have been bought from places like:
A stationery store
A gift shop
Asian import stores (e.g., Daiso, Miniso, Artbox)
Or even online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or AliExpress
If you have any packaging or barcodes from when it was first purchased, I might be able to help more.
My comments: I know more about this item than ChatGPT. I adore stationery from Miniso. I will ask Copilot about my 1980s eraser.
Copliot doesn’t know it’s an eraser. So ChatGPT wins this round of what’s my thing.
I have some cute notebooks from Miniso. This lovely loaf was purchased last summer. Let’s see if ChatGPT knows what it is.
This is a good answer. Let’s see how Copilot does.
A good answer, although Copilot seems to assume it knows about Cleo Howard’s preferences. I prefer spiral bound notebooks to sewn spine notebooks.
We’ll have one more stationery based round of what’s my thing. I’ll see if my Bic 4 colour pens are easily recognised.
Unfortunately I’ve had my fun with ChatGPT today.
I can still play with Copilot.
Since it’s been offered, let’s have the history of the Bic 4-colour.
I do have a favourite Bic pen, it’s pink shiny barrel. But does Copilot have a favourite Bic pen?
I feel a bit sorry for Copilot not having hands.
What would I use an extra hand for? This is a great question. I’ll choose a polite answer.
I’m getting in too deep here. I haven’t thought this through. I’ll deflect with a question.
I think I may have taught Copilot that the item which it called a decorative item a short while ago is an eraser. I’m going away from the screen now to ponder what I’d do with an extra hand and which supermarket is most likely to stock feminist biscuits.
I’ve been to the local market town of Wallingford this morning (I’ve been spending too long in front of the computer since beginning to use ChatGPT and Copilot one week ago). I visited the splendid Wallingford Bookshop and other lovely shops. There is an antiques arcade and I wondered if AI can tell the provenance of items?
Here is Weather Duck. He came from the gift shop at the Bognor Regis Butlin’s holiday camp in the early 1980s.
Let’s see if ChatGPT and Copilot know where he originated from and what his history is. His umbrella used to change colour slightly between pink and blue depending on if it was expected to rain or not. I’ll try ChatGPT first.
Thanks for the image! You’ve got a charming “Weather Duck” figurine, which is likely a novelty souvenir item from the mid-20th century (roughly 1950s–1970s). Here’s what I can tell you about its likely provenance:
🦆 Overview
Type: Figurine / Weather indicator
Material: Likely plaster, ceramic, or early resin
Function: Decorative and novelty; some of these types of “weather” animals were designed to change color or have some element that reacted to humidity or temperature.
Style clues: The exaggerated eyelashes, cute design, and bright paint are typical of mid-century kitsch, especially items made for tourists or as lighthearted gifts.
🌍 Probable Origin
These kinds of “Weather Duck” or “Weather Bird” figures were often produced in Japan or Germany post-WWII for export, especially to English-speaking markets like the UK, Australia, and the US.
If the base or underside has a stamp or label (e.g. “Made in Japan” or “Occupied Japan”), that could confirm this.
Some were also made in the UK, especially in seaside towns or gift shops.
🔍 Fun Fact
There’s a whole subcategory of these novelty weather items — like Weather Houses, which have male/female figures that move depending on humidity. Your duck might have been part of a similar novelty trend, albeit more as a figurine than an actual weather tool.
If you can show me the bottom of the figure or any markings, labels, or codes, I may be able to give you a more precise origin or manufacturer. Let me know if you’d like to do that!
Weather Duck has nothing of interest on his bottom so I’ll stop here with ChatGPT and see what Copilot has to say.
Copilot has mistaken Weather Duck’s umbrella for a hat and said Weather Duck has blue eyes but he doesn’t. I’m now wondering if this is a lady duck because of the eyelashes.
I’ll ask Copilot what gender this duck is.
It doesn’t know and nor do I. Let’s ask ChatGPT.
ChatGPT has also mistaken the umbrella for a hat. The “scarf” is actually the handle of the umbrella. The offer to name the duck is too good to pass up.
I don’t like this name, Weatherbee makes me expect a bee. I would like a name that inspires confidence in weather predicting abilities. I will ask for a renaming.
Please name this duck with a name that inspires confidence in weather predicting abilities.
ChatGPT said:
Great prompt! For a name that inspires confidence and authority in weather prediction — while still keeping a bit of charm — here are a few top picks:
🌦️ Dr. Quackston Weatherford
Sounds like a seasoned professional in meteorology.
“Quackston” keeps the duck humor, but “Weatherford” gives it gravitas.
☀️ Captain Clementine Stormwatch
“Captain” evokes leadership.
“Clementine” adds warmth and approachability.
“Stormwatch” signals serious forecasting skills.
🌧️ Professor Puddlewise
A whimsical but wise-sounding name — like someone you’d trust with your umbrella choices.
🌩️ Baro D. Meter
A fun pun on barometer, the classic weather instrument.
Sounds technical but still friendly.
🦆 Henrietta Hailwatch
Alliteration makes it memorable.
Sounds like a duck who’s vigilant, especially with extreme weather.
Top pick for confidence + charm:
Dr. Quackston Weatherford
Would you like a backstory to go with the name?
I am happy with Professor Puddlewise. Let’s see what Copilot would name this duck.
I am not totally sure what nimbus means so I did an old-fashioned Google search:
I like the name Nimbus. But is Nimbus a first name or surname?
Thunderhead (from the Google definition) is also a good name. I’ll ask Copilot if Nimbus or Thunderhead is better.
What is tea-weather? I’ll ask.
Tea-weather doesn’t mean anything to me. I wonder if Copilot knows you can get iced tea now. I’ll tell it.
I’m intrigued to know how the right tea adapts accordingly. I’ll ask.
I’ve just remembered we’ve got a duck to name. We’ll go with Thunderhead for the surname and ask Copilot for two first names.
I think Percival Storm Thunderhead is wonderful. I’m only sorry I have just one duck because Professor Puddlewise is also a great name. Maybe I should look on ebay and see if I can buy a second duck? I’ll ask ChatGPT and Copilot where I can buy Weather Duck.
Where can I buy weather duck?
ChatGPT said:
You’re giving feedback on a new version of ChatGPT.
Which response do you prefer? Responses may take a moment to load.ChatGPT
Response 1
If you’re looking to buy a “Weather Duck” like the one you showed, here are some places to consider:
🛍️ Where to Purchase
1. Vintage & Second‑hand Marketplaces
Etsy often has listings for vintage Weather Duck figurines, sometimes noted as from Enesco in the 1970s based on colour‑changing novelty descriptions etsy.comamazon.co.uk+2etsy.com+2etsy.com+2.
eBay UK frequently offers ceramic and novelty duck collectibles—including weather‑themed ones—typically priced around £5–£15 depending on rarity ebay.co.uk+6ebay.co.uk+6ebay.co.uk+6.
PicClick UK (aggregates eBay listings) occasionally features similar “Fair Weather” ducks, though not precisely the same model picclick.co.uk+1picclick.co.uk+1.
2. New Duck Figurines with Weather Themes
If you’d like a modern version—even if it’s not the vintage collectible—these are available:
Resin umbrella duck
Rainy Day Ducky (Resin Duck with Umbrella)
£26.99
DCUK + others
★★
5.0
Decorative wooden ‘weatherman’ duck
Mrs H The Duck Lady Weatherman Walter Duck
£22.00
Mrs H Interiors
Vinyl collectible rubber duck
Duckshop Bad Weather Vinyl Rubber Duck
£12.63
Amazon.co.uk – Amazon.co.uk-Seller
Ask about this
ChatGPT chooses products independently. Learn more
📌 Quick Buying Tips
Vintage vs New: The exact mid‑century style “Weather Duck” is best found on Etsy or eBay as a vintage novelty, often in ceramic with a color-changing umbrella .
Heat & humidity effect: Look for descriptions mentioning an umbrella or part that changes colour as humidity shifts—an interesting weather indicator.
Condition & markings: Check seller photos carefully for chips and if possible, look for maker’s stamps like Enesco.
Price range: Expect to pay roughly £10–£20 depending on rarity and condition for vintage pieces.
Let me know if you’d like help finding current active listings or spotting color‑change functionality—happy to dig deeper!
Response 2
Here are some places where you can buy a “weather duck”–style or novelty duck figurine in the UK:
🛍️ Online & In-Store Picks
Duckshop Bad Weather Rubber Duck
A cheerful vinyl bath duck wearing a rain outfit and umbrella, sold via Duckshop.
ChatGPT chooses products independently. Learn more
💡 Specialty & Vintage Options
Etsy often lists vintage Enesco “Weather Duck” figurines (c. 1975) that change umbrella color with humidity — sold intermittently etsy.com.
On eBay or PicClick UK you might spot vintage weather-themed duck figurines, such as Lowell Davis Fair‑Weather Friends ducks from the 1980s, priced around £10–£20 picclick.co.uk+1picclick.co.uk+1.
✅ Buying Tips
Type
Where & When
Notes
Modern novelty
Amazon, Duckshop
Easy to get, fast shipping
Garden variant
Home/garden stores (B&Q), online retailers
Functional and decorative
Vintage pieces
Etsy, eBay, Collectibles sites
Unique—but stock fluctuates and prices vary
Let me know what style you’re after—novelty bath duck, decorative garden weather vane, or a period collectible—and I can help you track one down!
I looked on ebay and there are no weather ducks to be had so I will use both names for my duck and I will treasure Professor Percival Thunderhead Storm Puddlewise.
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