#proofofcat I've made a new friend.

Hey, @nlb-uk.bsky.social Just FYI, I think the Daleks have landed on Bass Rock.

For a while now, I've resisted attempts to increase my Plastic Crack collection beyond Battletech. I have now however cracked, and will shortly be taking delivery of a Dropfleet Commander fleet. I guess I better get myself a new can of primer.

In a reference that I think 1 single person reading this will get, 20 years late, I have finally done the Steerer's Pilgrimage.

Speed ran a 3 day training course by finishing at 1030 on day 2. It helped that it's a practical heavy course meant for 8 people, but I was the only one, so no waiting for equipment etc.

History / AV nerds Years ago I had an electronic copy of Bod Godfrey's GREAT, a cartoon short film about IKB. The hard drive it was saved on died and I'm trying to source a replacement copy. Anyone got any bright ideas on where to look?

Something something dog hardware, something something cat software? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I thought my Arrow IV Urbie was the only one I needed, then someone showed me these two beauties cults3d.com/en/3d-model/...

Return to Silent Hill

We're a watchkeeper down for a few days as our 3/O is on a course. We're not steaming til after he gets back, so myself and the other 2/O are doing 12s. Not the norm, but we'll get there. Also means that I'm now off to bed to be ready for a 0000 start.

Dilemmas that keep me awake at night. Muppet LotR. Who do we cast Kermit as? Frodo is arguably the lead character, but Aragorn gives the Arwen/Miss Piggy Romance, but I want Miss Piggy for the 'I am no man!' Eowyn moment ... Kermit doesn't strike me as Faramir though.

Let it be known that @r-p-one.bsky.social is a terrible person, who takes me to all the worst places. The fact that I was the one to invite her should be ignored by all.

My ship has no cat, but this photo from the foredeck of THV Irene seems to indicate she did. There's also crew from THV Stella, the Blackwall depot, and some LVs in the photo, but as the photo is on Irene I suspect it's her cat. Sadly, Irene hit a sea mine in 1915 and was lost along with 21 crew.

Important news! I am delighted to announce the launch of my new podcast: The Untitled History Podcast. It's me, and guests, falling down all the history rabbitholes you can imagine. Please, please spread the word, subscribe and listen. Because... SHIPS CATS!! cms.megaphone.fm/channel/the-...

On a training course at the other end of the country. It's going to be a long enough drive home once we're done tomorrow that I might have to stop on the way, but does mean I got to catch up with an old friend that I hardly ever see in a lovely real ale pub tonight.

It's time for the song. I don't make the rules. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj_a...

I'm so out of touch in terms of TTRPGs. Made a D&D 5th character today, asked the GM what system they wanted to use for stats and was told 'Standard Array or Points Buy'. I've used neither before. My old group's standard was 4d6 and drop the lowest 6 times, assign as you want.

Just a heads up, if you see this in the wild, let me know. You wouldn't like it, but being the generous person I am, I will come and remove it pint by pint.

Right, Six Nations. Starting with France v Ireland means a big start, but would this be better as the last match ? I guess we'll find out soon....

@garius.bsky.social @dreadships.bsky.social anyone else My friend has some leave booked and is planning on Interailing around European Maritime / Transport museums. Emphasis on boats and trains. Where must he go?

It's Crew Change Day, yes it's Crew Change Day, it's C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-Crew Change Day!

Today's office view takes some beating.

We thought our new 3/O was fitting in well, but at handover he told me that dinner was steak pie, and that the mash was entirely superfluous. 1) it was steak pudding 2) gravy soaked mash is /never/ superfluous We had such hopes....

There's a bulker heading through the Dover Strait atm that's refusing to report in to the Coastguard. Just flat refusing to answer the radio.

The most beautiful ship in the world. Perfection. No notes.

I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you! adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...

Naval nerds and flag fans. Get yourselves a copy of these. They are delightful.

Good news - I'm hiring at Durham University! 1-year full time postdoc in Space Security - looking for someone to join me at the Space Research Centre and a Northeast England based space tracking/analytics company to work on geopolitical analysis in Space Domain Awareness. Details 👇👇👇

Listening to one side of a conversation where Channel VTS are telling a tanker they have no record of its civil liability insurance. Alas, can't quite make out the name, but they're reporting into the SE lane by the sounds of it.

As of Sunday we're going back to trialing the 'European' watch system. No more 4-8 for me this trip. I'll now be 0600-0800 and then 1200-1800. Yes, that's right, as a watchkeeper I have a full 12 hour uninterrupted break. What madness is this?

The Cardiff Lions do an annual Drag Rugby charity match for children’s charities and it’s as beautiful as you imagined

A water main has burst down the road, someone twatted my parked car and didn't leave their details, and the world is just... that gif of a bin on fire floating down a flooded road I guess. But I had a very enjoyable game of Battletech this afternoon. I lost, badly, but a fun time was had

#ProofOfCat I dumped my fleecy blanket in the corner while I changed my bed. Guess I'm not getting it back tonight.

After decades of on and off D&D I've just played my first ever game of Pathfinder (2e). I've got to say I had a great time, though a splendid group of fellow players and a decent DM definitely added to it.

Whats that you say? Papers Please meets Dredge.... In a /Lighthouse/ It's like people are designing games just for me.

PSA: the wine bar near my brother's serves bowls of melted cheese. ION: I am wine drunk. As an ale drinker, I don't know how bad this will be in the morning yet.

Questions landlubbers ask that make you scratch your head; Do you have stairs on your ship, or just ladders?

Watching THE GREEN KNIGHT again

Anyone want an admin job with our Navigation Directorate? trinityhouse.csod.com/ux/ats/caree... You might occasionally have to answer e-mails from me though.

My brother is lovely and keeps offering breakfast. I've had to explain that as a 12-4 watch keeper, breakfast is right in the middle of my sleep period, and honestly I'm fine waiting for lunch.

Safely off the ship and at my brother's. It seems Muppet Christmas Carol has changed streaming service, so this year we're watching Galaxy Quest. It's basically the same, right?

Proof that local FB groups don't know what they're talking about, number 11 million; Someone posted a picture of us today in the western Solent, someone else then protested "There after our fish why are they in our British waters it's an foreign trawler" My beautiful, beautiful ship ...

The lighthouse is always watching.

Well. That's my four hours of the watch through the Longest Night done. Now I'm going to bed. If the sun doesn't rise, blame my oppo on the 4 to 8.

I would like more of my science delivered in this manner please.

No offence to the golf fans but how do neither of the England Women's Rugby nor Football teams come away with the Sports Team of the Year?

Pentagon Pizza tracker shows 182% spike at Dominoes, 313% spike at Papa Johns, then 1 other about normal and 3 others super quiet. So who knows. </Satire>

Seafarers of Bluesky One of my cadets from the start of the year is doing their research project on seafarer fatigue. Can you fill out their survey at the link below, and pass it on to others you know? forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Why is this joke like high quality Mesopotamian copper ingots? Not everyone will get it.