It’s that wonderful time of year in the garden - the first peony bud to open.

An early hot air balloon flying overhead this morning- a beautiful day for a view of @yorkminster.bsky.social from the air.

So happy to have seen my first swifts of the season above the garden this evening. Glad they are back in York. Pic is from Spain a couple of years ago.

Tristram Shandy - never out of print, and still up there today in the Guardian's 100 best novels of all time. If you're still not sure why, come to one of Patrick's Shandy Hall tours! #literature #novels #ShandyHall #LaurenceSterne www.laurencesternetrust.org.uk/what-is-shan...

Jet lag meaning a very early dog walk #york but a wonderful chance to be out with the dog as dawn breaks @yorkminster.bsky.social

Farewell to Aotearoa New Zealand - & thank you for a wonderful trip.

Another Shore

Our final night in Paihia, NZ - and this is apparently the last cruise ship of the season. Beautiful sunset reflected in the bay.

Sunrise through sea mist across the Bay of Islands NZ.

Translation

Roiling seas off the coast of Napier, New Zealand, in the path of Cyclone Vaianu.

The east window @yorkminster.bsky.social reflecting the dawn sky on Holy Saturday.

He ‘hid not his face from shame and spitting’. ‘Corpus’, Catalan, 1250-1300, in the Spanish gallery in Bishop Auckland.

I do enjoy reading the Time Literary Supplement, especially when a letter published in the current issue begins: ‘Regarding the small matter of the universe’s existence’.

David Garrick's #epitaph for Laurence Sterne, who died #OnThisDay 18 March 1768 aged 54. Garrick decries the lack of a memorial for Sterne. Depicted by Peter Coates peter-coates.com #stonecarver #OTD #LaurenceSterne #memorials

Human violence shows little sign of abating. The peace and beauty of nature might inspire us or provide balm for the soul. Yet humanity's moral progress appears to be questionable. As we enter the second half of Lent the need to spend time with the final days of Jesus' life on earth remains urgent.

Happy St David’s Day - Dydd Gŵyl Dewi hapus

A beautiful rainbow behind Ogleforth in York. A dramatic mix of sunshine and dark clouds.

Some pics around York taken early doors today.

The Vikings are back - why can’t they just leave York alone!

A mass of snowdrops in Kirby Underdale churchyard; the slightly snowy church; the landscape from Garrowby Hill; and the view down the hill - visibility limited. Quite misty.

On my way to take a service at Kirby Underdale - in rather wintry pre-Lenten weather.

@yorkminster.bsky.social first thing this morning - glad to see the sun.

A bit wild on the beach at Sandsend this morning - although low tide a strong wind blowing in the waves.

Tempus Fugit The village churches of Yorkshire possess some exceptional art that has survived across the centuries. They are also surrounded by wildlife protected from modern developments and offer a habitat for nature to thrive.

Delighted to be working this year with the wonderful Kabe Wilson, artist-in-residence at Jesus College Cambridge, who will be creating new Sterne related works to exhibit at #ShandyHall. #LaurenceSterne #art #exhibitions #literature www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/articles/mee...

Snittering Language has a powerful way of expressing our visceral experiences in general, and the weather in particular. A memory from Iona in winter is a reminder of the rich vocabulary we have the basic elements in which we live.

Glen Baxter (who exhibited at Shandy Hall earlier this year) has interview on Earlier with Jools Holland on BBC Radio 3 at 12.00 - 13.00 this Saturday 22nd Nov #glenbaxter #cartoons #surrealism #joolsholland @ianduhig.bsky.social @constantgardener.bsky.social @internationaltimes.bsky.social

York getting some of its first snow this season - but always looking good. Congratulations to all graduating today in York, Sheffield & everywhere else.

Lovely autumn colours in York.

The Sun Rising Luke Jerram's 'Helios' installation at Fountain's Abbey brings an extraordinary light into a place once dedicated to prayer.

Lovely to be at St Andrew Bugthorpe this morning - my first visit. Grade 1 listed since the 1960s with a central altar created by Lord Halifax in 1937.

The continuing drought impeded my walk today #york.

The Aftermath of Absence As we near the announcement of the next Archbishop of Canterbury it's time to reflect on the state of the Church of England, and what might arise from the Church's long decline.

Met an amazing woman during a visit to SOWETO today. Mama Sithole - gentle, humorous and forgiving. Standing before the iconic photo of her and her brother on that horrific day 16.6.76

Tonight's lunar eclipse draws attention to earth's constant companion, and the interplay of human understanding and the vast universe in which we are set.

Why are the tabloids so enraged about every aspect of Angela Rayner’s life? | Zoe Williams

Drastic steps to remove poverty out-of-sight betray a particular kind of aesthetics. One with no interest in the complex realities of poverty and homelessness.

What’s Theology Ever Done for Us? A debate has been initiated by Sarah Coakley about the place and value of theology in the life of the church. This sees a much more significant place for theology, and a broader range of people involved in creating it, and debating it.

Church keys have a character all of their own - and are still in use.

Thought Forgery I have begun experimenting with artificial intelligence. Using the available free programmes I am exploring how AI might be used, and what risks or concerns need to shape my approach. It is fascinating - if a little disconcerting. For example, last week I resurrected the towering…

Language-bearers Our capacity to create story & express it in ritual is perhaps the continuous defining characteristic of being human.

Good to hear one of the @yorkminster.bsky.social ringers speaking on the Sunday programme on Radio 4 this morning.

Faith and the City This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of Faith in the City, begging the question as to what the Church is doing in our cities in 2025.

Glen Baxter has arrived! Meet him tomorrow, 1pm at Shandy Hall for the opening of 'Glen Baxter - Prints and Drawings' Signed books to buy too @yorkshiredays.bsky.social @yorkgin.bsky.social @theartnewspaper.bsky.social‬ @stephenclift.bsky.social @tonyfoth.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk‬

War with Trolls Not discussing theology is not the same as an absence of theology. The Church in particular always makes decisions - for better or worse - that are theological in nature. Discussing this adds value and understanding, even though it may not make life easier for the institution. It…

Do we need theology and, if so, what kind?

The cathedral of Trondheim.

Power & Glory? Power isn't all it's claimed to be - and theology offers alternative ways of understanding its purpose.

#sunrise on the east coast on the final day of May.