Can’t unsee the kerning here, so I guess Asda wants us all to have a M ER RY CHRIST MAS, whatever that is.

Bluesky has figured that my Britishness might mean I consider The Archers more of a trending topic than DOGE being disbanded (btw, I don’t listen to The Archers, and I think US politics hugely affects the rest of the world, but the fact it applied this bias did tickle me).

If there’s one thing you read over the weekend, it should be this devastating and profound essay - just don’t expect to finish it with dry eyes, or without shaking your fist at RFK Jr. #Longreads #RecommendedReading

Catch up with @davidolusoga.bsky.social’s Empire series on BBC iPlayer if you can. He sums up the British Empire’s far-reaching exploitative consequences and complexity; thorough, harrowing, and honest. Loved the interviews with everyday people whose identities have been shaped by Empire, too.

Commiserations with Maris on having to deal with the anti-vaxxers, but this is a great read:

Flashback to when I crashed the Pope’s first papal balcony address in Rome (2013), and took terrible photos. I’m agnostic, but it was amazing to be in the crowd. I was also impressed with the speed of the local traders in getting Papa Francisco-branded merchandise out. #PopeFrancis

Lush book talk last night from Danielle Giles, discussing her debut novel, at @smallcitybookshop.bsky.social. Mere has a beautiful cover and endpapers. The book is set in 990AD and it looks to be a great historical read. Straight to the top of my TBR pile! @panmacmillan.bsky.social #Books

What They Found is a must-see documentary from Sam Mendes, using footage and testimonies from two soldiers who filmed the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. Sobering and terrifying, but important to watch if you can - catch up on BBC iPlayer. #WhatTheyFound

Daisy is an integral part of Flicks, and has captured the magic of this gem in the city.

From Dylan’s Cafe Wha? to Sabbath’s Crown pub and Keith Richards’ Cafe Baba, here’s my pick of the cafes, bars, pubs and clubs tied to rock and metal music: www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/inside... Written for @rollingstoneuk.bsky.social #Music #TravelWriting

I wrote about Leicester’s Estonian diaspora and its vibrant British-Estonian community, for @leicester.news.web.brid.gy, featuring insight from @saagifletch.bsky.social and @emmaturner75.bsky.social: www.leicester.news/flying-the-f... #Eesti #Estonia #Leicester

Last weekend I popped up to Ullapool, in Scotland, to see one of my oldest friends get married. Here’s a glimpse of the landscapes (and the local spirits) up there. #Scotland

#IMM2025 in numbers: 18 appointments with travel PRs. 4 cups of coffee (and counting). 2 amazing pairs of leopard print loafers spotted. Countless potential story ideas sourced. @travmedia.bsky.social

Looking forward to #IMM2025 next week, with the chance to meet plenty of tourist boards and travel companies to talk about potential feature angles. Living outside the London bubble means I don’t always make it to events, but this one is always worth it! @travmedia.bsky.social

The new issue of Breathe magazine has my seven-page feature on art and craft travel in Estonia - printmaking and street art in Tartu, sustainable fashion and design in Tallinn, etc. @visittallinn.bsky.social @mfaestonia.bsky.social #Estonia #TravelWriters

Just accidentally caught a party political broadcast from Nigel Farage (urgh) for Reform UK (double urgh) where Nige said Britain has the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The Alþingi, or Althing, in Iceland - founded in 930AD - would like a word. #Politics

This is well worth a read - despite the rise in unisex clothing and toiletries, there’s still gender politics at play when it comes to packing for travel. I’d argue that thin privilege and health privilege are also factors (travelling as a plus-size woman with a shedload of medication here).

Also these 'home working isn't real working' bulkshit articles never touch on how much flexible working helps disabled people to get and keep a job. Funny, that.

Yet again proving my argument that rock and metal acts do the most for fan mental health.

You’ve got until tomorrow to catch my feature on European culture hotspots for 2025 in @theneweuropean.bsky.social, including Alpes-Maritimes, Leuven, Tallinn, and Zaragoza. #Travel

Probably good and fine that independent artists and makers of all flavours have to largely depend on a social media ecosystem that is increasingly comically evil

I’ve got a stinking cold and I’ve been left to fend for myself today, but I’m excited to start this travel book later. Anyone else got some literary escapism to enjoy? #JoinIn

Christmas Films That Never Were… (card courtesy of the inestimable @pollyallen.bsky.social)

Accidentally found the greatest Christmas gift that I want to keep for myself: a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian home model in children’s building blocks. It’s designed by James Paulius; I’m thrilled to be in the correct age category to use it (6+). www.areaware.com/products/blo... #Architecture

Travel writers, this webinar is coming up tomorrow, and it’s free (though you can make a donation when you sign up): travelwritingwebinars.com/product/free... feat. @amandacastleman.bsky.social, @charukesi.bsky.social, @jenrosesmith.bsky.social and Meera Dattani. #TravelWriting

The Twitter vs. Bluesky argument often centres around politics but for me this is way more important. De-prioritizing links, "link in bio" BS, and all the other ways Twitter, FB, IG, TikTok, etc., try to wall off their platforms is so antithetical to the idea of an open and connected internet.

I've made a (start of a) starter pack for those of us who work in travel marketing, PR and journalism! It's largely UK-based and I'd love to feature more, so give me a shout if you feel like you belong in the travel squad #TravelPR #travel go.bsky.app/BshH3GX

I was lucky enough to take a street art tour in Tartu, led by one of Estonia’s street art pioneers, Sirla, founder of Stencibility street art festival. I spotted brilliant protest art supporting Palestine and Ukraine, quirky portraits, and a strong sticker culture. #Tartu #StreetArt

Tartu is coming to the end of its year as a European Capital of Culture, but the typography of this city, and its support for books, printmaking, heritage and street art, means you’ll always find quirky lettering wherever you go. #Tartu #Estonia

Here’s a handy collection of travel writers you need to follow. #Travel

Rock and metal music is closely linked to mental health awareness - I wrote all about the icons, initiatives and therapeutic effects for @rollingstoneuk.bsky.social: www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/world-... #HeavyMetal #MentalHealth #RockMusic

Introverts of the world, unite! (Quietly, calmly, no worries if not). I wrote for inews about what it’s like to attend an introverts’ meet-up: inews.co.uk/opinion/hang...

The giant IKEA bag installation at Oxford Circus is genius.

Hello, Bluesky! Entering the chat with this fetching conversation starter: a ‘Slumber Helmet’ from 1927. You’re welcome. I can’t decide which would be worse: the plain one, or the one with decoration?