Saw this and thought of @sukie74.bsky.social for some reason 😁

Dunottar Castle, near Stonehaven. A rather impressive lump!

Just finished reading The Killer Question, by @janicehallett.bsky.social. What can I say? My favourite writer has done it again! Another brilliant story, starting off as one thing, then becoming another, and another...I didn't so much read it as devour it! Now I must wait for The Silent Appeal! 😁

First time seeing Puffins today. Absolutely thrilled!

The person who first designed square toilet bowls should be made to sit on one for eternity. One of the most egregious examples of form over function. Bloody ridiculous.

I believe this is a Scarlet Tiger Moth caterpillar on the Green Alcanet. But if anyone thinks differently, please correct me!

I still choose to believe that a big chunk of the UK are so disillusioned and disenfranchised by the two main parties that they have chosen to roll the dice with Reform. Because the alternative is that a big chunk of the UK are deeply racist bigots. It gets harder to stay optimistic, though.

I would despair of this country, if despair amongst voters were not the very thing that Reform feed off.

The state of "fresh" fruit and veg in supermarkets these days is just disgusting. This photo of Tesco Romaine lettuces was taken on May *4th* (compare with BB date):

Well, as birthdays go, this one has been a bit sucky. But better than *not* having one, I suppose!

You will seldom hear a more eloquent, precise, brutal and damning indictment of Hegseth, Trump and the situation under their farcical and dangerous "leadership". Please watch the whole thing, it's quite brilliant. youtu.be/pE-dV4BtK6Q?...

There are few more pleasurable moments than a Sunday morning realization that you have nothing to do all day, and good books to read. #booksky

Looks like we can start casting clouts willy-nilly now 😁

And this is *after* they've tucked away to the balance sheet as much as they can possibly get away with. BBC News - BP profits more than double as Iran war sends oil prices higher www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Of course it will. They're not going to stage another one straight away. BBC News - King's US visit will go ahead as planned, Buckingham Palace says www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

FFS, do these idiots ever actually*test* their packaging to see if it does what it should do??

Oh Jesus Christ. Stand by for thoughts and prayers. BBC News - Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting, police say www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

ATTENTION PLEASE Flagshaggers are operating in Carlton Square and Gardens, London E1 Do not approach them under any circumstance. Only add EU flags beside theirs after they’ve left.

Has @rogerquimbly.bsky.social started working at Bluesky HQ today?

I know it's going to be somewhat of an annoyance to anyone who reads this, but I have today and tomorrow off work, just because I could. I would be lying if I apologized 😁

Some chap just called, representing Reform in the upcoming local elections. Can you *imagine* my forbearance as I smiled and said "I don't want to talk to you", rather than telling him to fuck off and slamming the door in his face or his face in the door? I was positively Gandhiesque in my calmness.

I'm trying to recall if I've ever heard in the news that the economy grew *exactly* as expected. Always seems faster or slower. Whatever these forecasters are being paid, it's too much. BBC News - UK economy grew faster than expected in February www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

If you see this, quote with a character that starts with 'S'

"You can't hear an image". The image

"Simultaneously", I think was the word you couldn't be bothered to look up. Not great from Taschen.

Oops, butterfingers.

Opened a pack of Cathedral City last night. The pack says BB 25th June. But this looks like it's been left open for a fortnight already. Well done, Cathedral City. You've successfully both saved money on packaging, and at the same time increases the amount of cheese people throw away.

I suspect @sukie74.bsky.social will like this 😁

Just got an email from Yodel saying they have my parcel. It feels like a ransom note.

Happy Chocolate Day, to all those who observe.

Quite remarkable really, given that according to Trump, their military capability has been completely obliterated. What did they use, a fucking pea-shooter? BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg... American fighter jet shot down over Iran, US and Iranian media report - BBC News

Just reached page 413 of Dan Simmons' extraordinary Carrion Comfort, and I have rarely been so angry with a writer for what he's done to a character! #booksky

It really *really* shouldn't have taken a Middle-East War to get him to move in the right direction on this. BBC News - Keir Starmer: UK will seek closer ties with EU in light of Iran war - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Spare a thought today for newspaper copy writers who in past times would always relish the opportunity of publishing hilarious news articles to play a harmless April Fool's Day prank on their readers. Sadly no headline these days would even momentarily strike the reader as too crazy to be true.

Fair play from the Mail. I said what I said.

Just had a fake "Royal Mail" email, a fake "DPD" text message, and a call from a "likely nuisance" number, all within the space of five minutes. These bastards really are determined to catch me out. I wish them nothing but chronic, painful illness.

Gas Street Basin showing off a bit today.

There is an "outage" (hateful word) on Sky internet at the moment in my area. I've just checked their site and apparently "these usually take a couple of days to fix", mentioned in such a blasé way, as thought that's absolutely fine.

First foraging of the year. Pesto made from wild garlic leaves. It's got a bit of a kick!

If anyone is in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham, be sure to pop into the Oxfam bookshop in the High Street. It has by far the best selection of books of any charity bookshop I've been in. I'm a frequent visitor and have bought so many great books there! #booksky

One for @therealyplac.bsky.social and @yplac.bsky.social.

Morning All. Happy reading day, to all those who observe. 🙂📚📚

I see Trumplethinskin is so pissed of at losing his case in SCOTUS that he's had a massive paddy and decided to start WW3.

I see all the news media are enjoying the alliteration of Plumber and Parliament today, using it gleefully in every headline as though they were the only ones to notice it.

Just ordered first ed copies of Bleeding Edge and Mason & Dixon, by Thomas Pynchon. Having ploughed my way through Gravity's Rainbow last year, I must be a masochist! Although I've heard that these two are a little more approachable. We will see!

Feeling inspired?

Why the fuck is this insufferable arsehole still getting air time? BBC News - UK should send non-combat troops to Ukraine now, former PM Johnson tells BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Saw this and wondered if @colourwoman.bsky.social was aware (or indeed involved!) www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-...

Orange meltdown incoming... BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0... Trump's sweeping global tariffs struck down by US Supreme Court ruling - follow live - BBC News

Snowdrops and Harborne Church.