First #FingerpostFriday of 2026…

Derwent Water wander - 2nd January 2026. A chilly winter wander down to Calf Close bay and back. 22 birds spotted to start the year list off well. 5.8 miles.

Wainwright 201 - Knott. Book 5 completed. It was snowing. Lunch in Great Lingy Hut. 6 miles, 1670 feet of up and down.

Wainwright 200 - Mellbreak. Lots more frozen boggy bits and a nice (occasionally steep) ascent from the south. 7 miles, 1600 feet of up and down.

Wainwright 199 - Mungrisdale Common. He commented that it "has no more pretension to elegance than a pudding that has been sat on" and that “precious holiday hours should not be wasted here”. 5.7 miles, 1420 feet of up and down.

Wainwright 198 - Hen Comb (Chicken Comb). A perfect winter day in Cumbria. 7.1 miles, 1620 feet of up and down.

Spotted this misleading bench today. I was sceptical. The use of the word “near” makes it technically correct, but Boudicca is said to have died on a different bit of Watling Street to where this bench is placed, about 60 miles south east of this location… And it was most likely AD60 or 61…

Christmas cake is finished. Just got to wait a few more days to eat it. Went square this year for a change…

Well that’s it for another year. Out of office is on.

This week I had a 2 1/2 hour meeting. I thought those days were over but apparently not. Hooray for Friday…

Very sad news about someone I'd known and worked with since the last century... www.rgs.org/about-us/our...

Today’s free dog is my old friend Noel…

Subscribe now at iseedeadpeople.com/randompodcast and save 10% off your first six months with offer code “theytookblackmirrorliterally”…

In the words of Rob Newman, “somewhere there’s a third division football team missing a manager”… #TOTP

Given that a few of my friends have already got their Christmas decorations up, it must be time to open a Christmas beer.

Bit of culture tonight, nice cask pint followed by a film festival of short independent films.

The last of the garden tomatoes for this year.

When it comes to AI, there is nothing like a dame.

Autumn colours in the garden.

In the “reducing the cost” session today, our group spoke of equipment sharing. A reminder for you all of the existence of Kit Catalogue. In March 2011, Loughborough University received JISC funding to develop an equipment database as an open source system. www.kit-catalogue.com #ALTc25

My session for @eastmidslt.bsky.social is on at 16:00 today, tune in. There will be some songs you know and some that I’m sure you won’t. #ALTc25

The only way to start your #ALTc25 day… No square sausage but there are tattie scones…

Last change of trains for my #ALTc25 journey. I’ve not been to Crewe since early 1992 but walking underneath the platforms brought back a vivid memory of that…

Journey to #ALTc25 continues…

Journey to #ALTc25 continues…

Journey to #ALTc25 begins… See you in Glasgow…

Durlston Country Park - 10th October 2025. A short stroll along the cliffs.

Live edition of #FingerpostFriday at Durlston Castle

Brownsea Island - 9th October 2025. A beautiful day on the island.

RSPB Arne - 8th October 2025. Another 5 miles and now up to 100 birds for the year. Today’s highlights - Goldcrest, meadow pipit and black tailed godwit.

Currently enjoying @puiyin.bsky.social’s favourite festive treat…

Badbury Rings ramble - 7th October 2025. 5.25 miles. Badbury Rings is an Iron Age hill fort and Scheduled Monument in east Dorset, England. It was in the territory of the Durotriges.

RSPB Arne - 6th October 2025. Five miles and 31 different birds including Dartford warbler, marsh harrier, redshank and whimbrel. Total for the year is now 96…

Bloxham and Red Post bimble - 5th October 2025. A mostly sunny stroll in the Dorset countryside, 6.6 miles and 26 caches.

I can’t remember. Is it Easter or Christmas in the first week of October?

It’s been a week. For the 34th year in a row, I have started a new academic year at Loughborough University. There’s been a lot to deal with. Looking forward to a week off.

I can confirm that it is.

Bishop’s Itchington and Gaydon Loop - 13th September 2025. A shorter walk today, 5.5 miles, mostly sunny, a brief shower after lunch, and not so many muddy fields.

Bishop’s Itchington and Ladbroke Loop - 12th September 2025. A long walk today, 9.5 miles, mostly sunny, a couple of showers, and some muddy fields.

House guest for the week is settling in…

Pet Shop Boys at Warwick Castle, August 30th 2025. All time top 10 gig.

Guilden Morden and Steeple Morden - 25th August 2025. Yes, it’s one more sunny stroll through some lovely countryside.

Guilden Morden and Steeple Morden - 25th August 2025. Yes, it’s one more sunny stroll through some lovely countryside.

Kelshall and Therfield trundle - 23rd August 2025. Yes, it’s another sunny stroll through some lovely countryside.

Kelshall and Sandon stroll - 23rd August 2025. Another sunny stroll through some lovely countryside.

Roe Green ramble - 22nd August 2025. A sunny stroll through some lovely countryside.

A live edition of #FingerpostFriday

Weekend friend who is coming to stay in 2 weeks…

Manifold trail - 10th August 2025. Another old railway that has given itself over to cyclists.

High Peak and Tissington trails - 9th August 2025. Joining up the two trails with a bit of green laning. First proper ride since October 2023.