Well it seems that WordPress understands ‘Late 2021’ to be the last week in March. With no warning, the ‘Classic’ option was removed from my blog today.
I am now stuck with ‘their way or the highway’. In other words, the hated and detested Block Editor. Not-so-fondly referred to by me as ‘Mister Blocky’.
Fortunately, I had already completed the final episode of my serial, and I am using the cheekily-named ‘Classic Block’ to produce this post.
I know many of you have come to love Mister Blocky, so there’s no need to rush to its defence in the comments. But I HATE it, and will continue to do so, whatever you say.
I am hoping to receive a ‘work-around’ that will enable me to use the Old Editor again soon. But in the meantime, if I am not around on my blog, you will know why.
Had heard about yesterday, Pete! It seems they need to earn money, very fast. Actually i have no idea for restoring the classic editor. ;-( Lets hope someone will help, to keep normality alive. Best wishes, Michael
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Michael. Have a look at this post. I used the tip and have access to Classic Editor again.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Really? This is working for future too? Great! Thank you very much, Pete! Best wishes, Michael
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It will work until they withdraw the Classic completely, Michael.
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Good to know. Actually i am testing out a own installation of WP, on own webspace. Want to reopen the blog for all, but on WP i cant get the full information about all cookies, they are using. Actually i am also in some discussion with lawyers, so i cant risk getting claimed by them on such minimalistic problems. 😉
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A THOUSAND BLESSINGS UPON YOU, SIR! It works for me too!
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Glad to hear it worked for you, Gregory.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Another Block-averse blogger here.
As a free user I too am stuck with the Block. I’m not prepared to pay $400 a year for a plan that provides the option of a Classic editor plugin.
Funny thing is, I just had a look at the plugin page. And there’s quite a few plugins been created to enable Classic and disable Block. If Block was really that popular, why would so many people be going to the trouble of creating plugins to defeat it?
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Thanks, Gregory. I have the cheapest paid plan, and I am reluctant to pay so much more to use Classic. You are right of course, WP knows that around half of the experienced bloggers want to retain Classic, so it seems they are intent on making us pay a substantial amount for the top plans if we wish to do so.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, did my tip help you?
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Yes, after I discovered why it wasn’t working at first. I had 2-stage security set up, and needed to request a one-time code to access my settings. I did a post about that today, using another lady’s graphic that achieves the same result. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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A nightmare for all of us, with a rainbow (for the time being.)
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Well not have complete knowledge about that change so only neutral comment till that 😉
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No problem. All new bloggers now have to start with the Block Editor. But for those of us used to the previous system, it can be a real headache to change.
Best wishes, Pete.
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With more critics till now I have read
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Ok , I see a lot of bloggers are posting their views for this change
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Yes, around 50% of bloggers would like the old system to be retained. The rest have got used to the new one.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete – if you are on plan that allows you to install plugins, please look for – https://wordpress.org/plugins/classic-editor/ to use as you transition – – Last I checked, it is set for end-of-life in 2023 – if nothing else, it buys you a little more time, while, blocks/Gutenberg continues to improve/easier to use/type as you wish –
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I am only on the ‘cheap’ plan, TanrahJo. No plugins. But thanks for the thought.
I am still using ‘cheats’ at the moment, so may have to rethink my blogging future in 2023.
Mind you, I will be 71, and may well be rethinking my whole future by then. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Best wishes Pete.
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I hate Mister Blocky too. Been going on for months. I hit the plus sign and click on classic. I still have to be careful but that seems to work. But putting in hyperlinks is annoying too. They had it perfect and now…. anyway with that option I’ve been managing.
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I can just about manage with that Classic Block as long as it is only text. I can’t get my head around adding anything else yet. I will carry on with my cheats for now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I keyboard the title into whatever the WordPress folks call whatever is on my screen after I click on “+write.” I then go to the text editor where my text is already entered, edit>select all then edit>copy then I put my cursor in the area below the title and right click then paste. Copy & paste and I have no idea how the block editor works. Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks for adding your personal system, Theo.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Darren Cook needs to seek revenge. Mr. Blocky should not be allowed to get away with murder!
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I’m considering enlisting Darren’s expertise, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
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From mine, too, Pete. I practiced a little and will make the best of it.
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I’m too grumpy to practice, Cindy. So today I am using a ‘cheat’ that allows me to stick with Classic.
For how long, I have no idea.
Best wishes, Pete, x
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I don’t know what you would do with yourself if you decided to “quit”. Don’t cut your nose to spite your face. 😉
Too many people love you in the blogosphere.
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I will see how long I can survive using the cheats, and decide later. Even if I didn’t post anything, I would still continue to follow all the blogs and leave comments.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Dear man, you are intelligent enough to handle this! 🙂
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Perhaps, perhaps not. The issue is whether or not I can really be bothered. Sorry. x
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They are going to remove that Classic feature? (I just checked and I can still access it.) Oh no…
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I had it until yesterday, then boom! Many others lost it last week, Willow.
But if you look much lower down, at Chris’s comment, his work-around is still providing ‘Classic’. Though I don’t know for how long.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yeah, I went back and tried the little “/” and it seems to still be working as an option to access “Classic”…for now. I printed out the workaround just in case that “/” option disappears too!
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I still was able to pull up the Classic just now! *crosses fingers* *knocks on wood*
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I suppose I’d best keep quiet! 🙂
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I might be revisiting some of your old tips posts soon, Mrs Blocky. 🙂 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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😁 they’re still up on YouTube.
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Why is there now only the last few posts shown with pretty pictures, and not a list with options to choose from previous posts, or scheduled posts as before.
Also I keep thinking its still a 24-hour clock, forgetting you have to select am/pm.
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I noticed that the ‘word count’ has also been dropped, which annoys me as I use it for my serials. At the moment, I am using the link kindly provided by Chris. (See comment much lower down.) That takes me back to Classic, and works as it always did. But once a post is published, any edits or corrections have to be done in the BE.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Aaargh I am having problems labelling images…and returning to a post to edit it, doesn’t work for me
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They never stop messing, Sue. I am using a work-around link at the moment, but it doesn’t work for editing or corrections, which have to be done on the BE. So I have to check very thoroughly before pressing ‘Publish’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Exactly
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I hate it as well…..and I hate that you may be absent…..since you are one of my most prolific commenters I will hate to loss you…..chuq
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I’m using a work-around link today. Let’s hope they don’t remove that. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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My fingers are crossed chuq
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Even if I wasn’t posting, I would still be around to follow my friends. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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That is great news chuq
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Reblogged this on My Corner and commented:
Beetleypete isn’t the only blogger who loathes what he calls “Mister Blocky.” I, too, hate the block editor, with a passion. Earlier this afternoon, I spent an hour on the phone with my tech guru. So far, there’s no work-around to bring back the classic editor unless, of course, you want to pay an astronomical fee to upgrade to a business plan that will allow you to download a classic editor plug-in.
The good news is that I’ve figured out how to do most of the things on my blog that I’ve been able to do with the classic editor. But no matter what anyone says, I won’t change my mind about the block editor.
WordPress doesn’t care about its customers. They have us where they want us because if we move our blogs elsewhere, we risk losing followers, and they know it. I’m extremely angry and disappointed with the folks at WordPress.
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I know. I have been frustrated with them for years now. I tried to switch to another blog site but that didn’t work out well, either. For as long as I can remember (since around 2013?) WordPress has had the same glitches. At least they are consistent, but it’s strange they have never fixed them as part of all their “improvements”.
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I, too, hate the block editor, with a passion. Earlier this afternoon, I spent an hour on the phone with my tech guru. So far, there’s no work-around to bring back the classic editor unless, of course, you want to pay an astronomical fee to upgrade to a business plan that will allow you to download a classic editor plug-in.
The good news is that I’ve figured out how to do most of the things on my blog that I’ve been able to do with the classic editor. But no matter what anyone says, I won’t change my mind about the block editor.
WordPress doesn’t care about its customers. They have us where they want us because if we move our blogs elsewhere, we risk losing followers, and they know it. I’m extremely angry and disappointed with the folks at WordPress.
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All very true, Abbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I had the same shock when I logged on yesterday to write today’s post. I just fought through it, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy some things were, like embedding videos or creating links. But it seems to keep directing me into the app, rather than the website version, and checking whether changes I’ve made have actually happened is nigh on impossible. Hopefully it will settle down before I lose what is left of my sanity.
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I tried using it before, and it drove me crazy. Many bloggers offered help and advice, and there are lots of tips on my blog if you type’ Block Editor’ into the search bar. I am simply too old and grumpy to have to learn blogging all over again now. I just hate the way they forced this on those of us who supported them in the early days.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Do you follow their own blog? I do, and they posted yesterday about all the improvements they’re making. I vented my spleen in the comments. If enough people do, they might just listen…but I doubt it!
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I have never followed the WP blog, Clive. I found it to be rather boastful, and whatever people wrote in the comments, nothing changed. At one time, ‘glicthes’ were more common. Every comment going to Spam, and so on. People complained bitterly, but nothing changed for years.
Best wishes, Pete.
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‘Boastful’ is certainly the right word for it. I know my comment will be ignored, but it made me feel better for doing it 😉
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Damn it. C
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Cheryl. Look at all the replies. There are easy ways around this. (At least for now)
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sorry to cuss in your comments Pete but if you stop blogging hell hath not seen such fury! C
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I know others have sent you links already. But here’s the one that worked for me to bring back the admin page the way I like it, from where you can still select the Classic Editor. Good luck Pete!
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Thanks for adding your link, Susanne.
Let’s hope we can beat tha bastards!
Best wishes, Pete.
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I HATE it, Pete…the prompts are different, who needs a “block” of material self-contained…it’s SO annoying but I just accepted it and moved on – but every time I type in it my blood pressure rises and that really wasn’t the point of blogging, right?
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You got that right, John.
Try Chris’s link, lower down. That seems to work as 100% Classic.
Just type in your blog address, by deleting mine and adding yours.
https://beetleypete.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?classic-editor
Best wishes, Pete.
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Are you not supposed to have that Classic Plugin on your Business Plan? For what you pay, you should get that and be able to operate normally.
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I tried to do it but it created issues I’m still trying to resolve so I decided not to fight it
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I don’t understand why they can’t just leave the classic editor as a block option. Honestly! What’s it to them?🤷🏻♀️
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Yes. The Classic Block is not the same thing.
Is it possible to genuinely hate a company? I think it is!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes it is!😡
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Oh dear, just when I was going to get started blogging again.
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Peggy, I hate Wordpess so much! 😦
Best wishes, Pete.
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I dislike when an application changes its performance methods. Fortunately for me I am used to Mr. Blockhead. I’m new at this.
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Lucky you, Karen. I confess, I am resistant to change, when it is for no good reason whatsoever. (Save the profits for business customers.) Almost 9 years of familiarity, swept away without concern for millions of bloggers like me.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, I shared this with someone and they said it worked for em. See if it does for you: https://fromcavewalls.wordpress.com/2021/03/24/wp-classic-editor-discovery/
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Maggie sent me that, Ray. But my admin page looks totally different here.
I have a couple of other options, and wil try them out this week.
Best wishes, Pete.
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So frustrating!
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I cannot even begin to tell you how much I despise WP for refusing to leave the Classic option. I am inches away from packing it all in, Beth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, I’ve been reading all about this. I’m with WordPress.org, so it doesn’t affect me yet, although, as you know, I’m having other issues. I see you’ve found a way around it. Just in case, I bookmarked this post about it as well https://marciamearawrites.com/2021/03/26/editorwars-blockeditor-vs-classiceditor/
If you check at the very bottom, it was followed by another post where Marcia included images that make it even clearer.
I sometimes wonder what else… Thanks, Pete, and stay safe.
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Thanks for the link. Olga.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am glad you shared, Marcia’s post here, Olga. I was also going to find it and share. I don’t mind the block editor. In fact [don’t kill me please] I prefer it. Sorry you don’t like it, Pete. I hope the workaround works for you.
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If I was your age, and tech-savvy, I might like it, Robbie. But I am neither, so hate it with a vengeance that will surely make me give up blogging if it is the only option. I spent 60 years of my life ‘learning stuff’. Then I learned blogging. Now WP wants to make me learn blogging again. Enough is enough. It gets to the stage when it’s not worth the brain-ache.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I reblogged a post a few days ago about this that included a workaround.
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Thank you, Jeanne. I will check that now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bookmarked! 🙂
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Pete, Did you try my workaround? You said you bookmarked it. It worked for me!
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I did, and it didn’t work. My Admin page looks totally different to your one. No idea why. I am angry, because I pay WP for a Plan. But they couldn’t care less. See Chris’s comment for a ‘good link’. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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As far as I know there are only two dashboard settings. If you have a workaround, I am glad.
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Thanks, Maggie. So far, it is still working. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Try this link, Pete – it should get you back into the old classic format:
https://beetleypete.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?classic-editor
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That seems to work! Thanks very much, Chris. I will save that.
Cheers, Pete.
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GREAT 👍
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Google will not let me bookmark it, so I will use this post instead! 🙂
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I have mine as a favourite, Pete
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Pete, when that happens to me, I go to a completely different website, bookmark it, and open the bookmark manager and edit it. In there I overwrite the original URL and paste the new one I want to save into it (like https://beetleypete.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?classic-editor). Here’s how you can open the bookmark manager in Chrome — go down to Edit a Bookmark: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/188842?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en#zippy=%2Cedit-a-bookmark
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Thanks very much, Ray. You and Chris may well have ‘saved the day’!
Best wishes, Pete. 🙂
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Darn!
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I said something stronger, Marina.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Chris! I was panicking when I read Pete’s post, but your tip works for me as well.🤗
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Glad to hear it, Kim 👍
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Great news, Kim! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I haven’t been able to see and the use the classic editor for months. It’s been gone a long time now. I did much prefer the classic editor too, mainly for the fact one could type paragraphs right away without having to keep choosing the size, font size etc in those blocks. It takes much longer to type up a post nowadays. The classic editor was way quicker and easier to use.
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I was lucky to have been able to retain the Classic until this afternoon, WN. I think it might have been because I never logged off, and always used a shortcut to access WP. If I find a fix, I will let everyone know to contact me by email. Don’t want the Blog Nazis finding out!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Try this. Overtype your own url in the top line, and it should work!
https://beetleypete.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?classic-editor
Best wishes, Pete.
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