The whole thread here sums up the direction of travel, and how one thing leads to another...

Make no mistake, linking tylenol (paracetamol) to autism is simply an attempt to suggest that neurodivergence is not a 'natural' part of life (which it is), but instead to 'other' the condition and attempt to shift the 'blame' for it onto mothers.

First it's removing 'illegal' small boats migrants. Then it's removing legal migrants with indefinite leave to remain. Then it'll be removing freedoms of minorities - religious, LGBT+, disabled. Then it'll be persecuting anyone who thinks differently (labelled 'leftists') for opposing 'patriotism'.

Currently the 12yo's cookery lessons clash with the day he goes to the farm for outdoor learning, so I've stepped into the breach to teach him! He's picking things to cook from the book of his favourite TikTok chef, 'Knife Drop' by Nick di Giovanni. Today, Cozy Chilli! www.tiktok.com/@nick.digiov...

This review was a labour of love, originally commissioned by a 'high-impact' journal. The reviewers utterly hated it, saying it added nothing of value to the literature. It ended up in a journal with an impact factor of 3.5. Today it reached 100 citations in <<2 years!! pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Sunday night snuggles #Cat #TuxedoCat #CatLover

Caturday sofa time #Caturday #Cats #CatsofBluesky #CatLife #CatLover

Do people honestly still use X? I went on for a look this morning, and it's not like its moved to one edge of the Overton window, it's jumped so far through it that even 1930s Germany would think a lot of the posts are 'a bit off'.

Saffron Chicken / Salad / Rice All placed in a large warm flatbread and wrapped up like a Persian burrito.

My sofa buddy.

Dr Ploy!!

Today its the viva of my PhD student, Chayanan (Ploy) Tangsombun. She has done an amazing job of her PhD, and already published three papers, with three more due to follow.

There was lots of hype about the 'orchestral' version of Bohemian Rhapsody performed at the last night of the Proms, but to my ears, this orchestral version is 100 times better... www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbgY... #BohemianRhapsody #LastNightoftheProms

Saw this tree on the Yorkshire Wolds yesterday. It's the perfect metaphor for life - the prevailing winds may be strong, and bend you completely out of shape, but somehow, you keep going.

British values are not extreme, and don't need flags. They are caring what biscuit goes best with a cup of tea, buying a round for your friends because it's the right thing to do, and saying sorry when someone bumps into you on the pavement. That's the Britain I want to live in.

The 12yo doesn't have many friends over to hangout. Today, one of his schoolfriends is here - they are both very excited! Having my own pancake recipe in my locker has made lunch super-easy, and scored 10/10! www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HSNBRJR/

I hardly ever go out, but tonight I got in a childminder and I've headed out to hear my favourite comedians. Their podcast has done more to keep me going over the past few years than any other broadcast media. #ElisandJohn #ElisJames #JohnRobins

Huggate Circular Its not the spectacle of the Austrian Alps,but the dry valleys of the Yorkshire Wolds are a special kind of calming landscape.

Spanish Mussels for tea! At the bottom of the bowl is a rich cream sauce with chorizo pieces, infused with saffron. The recipe is at the heart of my latest book - it's so easy, loved by the 12yo, and instantly transports me to one of my favourite feel-good places. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0DW...

In a big breakthrough this week, the 12yo has started cycling hinself home from school. 😃 Today, he managed to cycle hone in the pouring rain having left his coat in school. 🙄

I understand that ranking hospitals is a crude measure of what the NHS delivers, but all I will say that the ranking of York as 118/134 in the UK is completely in-line with my experiences in the hospital.

Life with autism. Every Sunday, I cook a roast dinner. Each week, I serve up all the veg in a white platter for self service. This week, I put it in fancy bowls for a change. This led to total dysregulation and cutlery being thrown.

Seabass Traybake Recipe is in my award-winning book: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B09H... #Cookbooks #FoodSky #CookSky #BookSky #HomeCooking #SimpleRecipes

I spent the afternoon crawling through mud in an abandoned housing estate to try and raise a blue flag at the base while people shot bits of plastic at me. Still, the 12yo enjoyed himself, which was mainly the point! #Airsoft

Potato harvest - always one of the most exciting parts of allotment life! #allotmentlife #potatoes #kingedwards

The seasons are changing and I'm feeling the urge for more Autumnal cooking - tonight it was Lancashire Hotpot, a true British classic, which is worthy of world fame. Recipe: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0DW...

Loaded Fries. An emergency dinner that gets the 12yo to say 'this is amazing'! It's just oven chips with random sh*t thrown on top of them - in this case leftover roast chicken, sliced fried mushrooms, pickled cornichons, red jalapenos, crispy onions, sriracha sauce and mayo.

I've written a lot about the importance of routine and ritual for children, especially those with SEND. One of our most joyful is our annual visit to York Maze on the last day of the summer season. I even wrote about it in my latest book (www.amazon.co.uk/Bluesky-Reci...) #YorkMaze

Small boy, big landscape. A final Austria photo - the walk to Wiesbadener Hutte - Galtun. @visitaustria.bsky.social #Austria #Alps #Walking #Hiking #Ischgl #Galtun

Yesterday, in our last full day in the Alps, we walked through cloud and rainbows to reach the perfect Austrian mountain hut.

One of the things the 12yo loves about holidays in the Alps is getting back to the pool & sauna after a day on the mountains. This year, our hotel has a particularly fine pool - outdoors is chill, indoors is a fun pool, with different jets, fountains, bubbles, and a small lazy river.

Cocktail Hour! Fresh Garden (like a mojito but non-alcoholic and made with mango juice) Old Fashioned (including edible gold powder).

Today, it's raining in the Austrian Alps. A lot! So what better than settling down with KaseSpatzle and Beer in a traditional Stube.

The big 'adventure' that I booked for this holiday was a rafting trip. However, noone else has booked on, and the minimum booking is 4, so it's been cancelled. Sometimes being a single-parent-single-child family really sucks. Of course, I get the money back, but all the anticipation is just wasted.

A day exploring on the Alp, meeting the animals at an Alpine farming museum, and playing in an adenture park.

Today, we took the smugglers' route from Austria to Switzerland (and back). It uses 5 different cable cars & chairlifts, including a double decker! We also had lunch in Switzerland, so I could revisit my days living there with Rosti. Most excitingly, for the 12yo, we saw marmots from the cable car!!

Spent ages photographing these beautiful flowers, which grew in profusion on yesterday's walk. Little did I know they were 'wolfsbane', one of the most poisonous plants. They contain the neurotoxin aconitine, 2mg of which (1g of plant) can cause death. Even skin contact can cause serious poisoning!

Today's mission took us up to the Wiesbadener Hutte (2448 m), with some cool glacier views, where we had Beer/Almdudler and Wiener Schnitzel.

Mountain Walking. #Ischgl #Silvretta #Alps #Austria

Greitspitz - 2871 m. In Switzerland, but right on the border with Austria.

Spectacular view from the balcony to wake up to!

At passport control in Austria, I was pretty shocked to be asked for a letter of permission from the 12yo's mother, allowing us to travel. I explained I was a single parent, and she said it was still needed.

Landed! #Austria 🇦🇹

About to get on the plane to Austria. It's a great destination, and really good for all ages, but i do always feel very young when boarding!! 🤣

We went back to check on this Whiskered Bat. It has moved, so is alive, but still roosting on the same tree. Hard to know if it's sick/happy given the semi-exposed spot, but official advice is leave bats alone unless on the ground. An amazing thing for 12yo to see! @batconservation.bsky.social

If pupils do not get Grade 4 in English/Maths after 10 years of teaching in school, then it's not realistic for most, with 1 more year in FE college, where their main focus is on something vocational, that they will pass. The question is whether the GCSE is actually fit for purpose... #r4today

Duck in Blackberry Sauce with Ginger & Soy - with Pak Choi and Noodles.

Today, the 12yo found a bat in the woods @york.ac.uk. He was very excited, but we didn't know what type of bat it was! Actually, we also werent sure if it was still alive, but didnt want to disturb it to find out. #bats #bat

Today, I took my washer-dryer apart and fixed it. As a complete technical idiot, I feel inordinately proud, and will enjoy spending the £200 I would have otherwise spent calling out a technician.

Interesting article about part-time working in academia. I'd add 1. Flexi-working can mean you don't have to work '3 or 4 days a week' but instead can accrue time off to align with school holidays. 2. Role sharing can help you do big admin jobs needed for promotion elifesciences.org/articles/106...