Today I have finished my 40th lap around the sun. / Hodie quadragesimum annum complevi.

Stuck in London because all trains home today were cancelled... but we try to make the best of it.

Zalig Kerstmis aan iedereen! Ut spes et lux fiat omnibus homininibus bonae voluntatis.

And now, the #Pope, in an apostolic letter on … the importance of #archaeology: "It teaches us to respect matter, memory & history. Archaeologists do not throw things away, they preserve them. They do not consume, but contemplate. They do not destroy, but decipher." www.vatican.va/content/leo-...

Reading list. From now till the 31st of December: what have I read in 2025? 🧵

Some much-needed good news, including • renewables overtake coal as source of electricity globally • new oceans protections pledged in the High Seas Treaty • landmark litigation to facilitate accountability for climate breakdown • indigenous wins at COP 🌱❣️🌊 www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...

What a delight to see these animals in the wild. #wisent #euopeanbison

Utinam dies vobis sit felix, amici amicaeque!

Hodiē est diēs Sānctī Nīcolāī. Is libenter dat, nōn autem exspectat ut sibi dētur. Et nōs libenter dēmus iīs quī nihil reddere possint.

A book from the 19th century that depicts the Rhine Valley by creating an impression of three-dimensionality and spatial distance. @MasayukiTsuda2 #globalmuseum #books #travel #19thcentury

🎉 EXCELLENT NEWS! The University of Ottawa has lifted the suspension of admissions to Greek & Roman Studies. Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, wrote letters, and raised their voice. Apply now for next year's cohort: buff.ly/1i2Iw0B #SaveTheHumanities #SOSClassicsUO #AncientHistory

Omnes autoraedae rotas mutavi. Ea iam ad tempus hiemale parata est.

Salvete omnes! Spero hanc diem vobis bonam eventuram esse.

Save Geography at Leicester: sign the petition! c.org/8rgnvB5RRy

Recent verscheen het nieuws dat 97% van alle doctoraten aan Vlaamse universiteiten vorig jaar in 't Engels verscheen. Ondertussen zijn Nederlandstalige doctorandi een minderheid aan het worden. Dus kroop ik in mijn toetsenbord om de problemen omtrent onze moedertaal op academisch niveau te kaderen.

Another attack at our education and the languages we love... www.change.org/p/save-greek...

Another book on my wish list... taalaandewandel.com/2025/10/22/w...

Nova pellicula Latīna ad LatinEverywhere! youtu.be/92TKes7U3ic

Nascholing Latijnse epigrafische teksten in de klas: nascholing.be/2025-2026/in...

Rake Loesje!

Averbode abbey in the evening

De Belgische oudhistoricus Christian Laes maakte een prachtig boek over antieke slavernij (en allerlei andere aspecten van het dagelijks leven in het Romeinse Rijk). Aanrader. mainzerbeobachter.com/2025/09/22/e...

🍁🦊Competition time! To celebrate the coming of autumn, win a cornucopia of delights! A signed copy of my book, Reynard the Fox & accompanying journal, A Fox for All Seasons, Apple & Blackberry chocolate, cinnamon knots, Caramelised biscuit tea & a fine fox companion. Follow, like & repost to win! 🦊🍂

Wauw, Wout! 🚴🏻‍♂️🇧🇪

'Ye' in names such as 'Ye Olde Inn' was originally pronounced 'the'. The pronunciation with y is due to a misinterpretation. 'Ye' originated as a second-best way of writing 'þe', þ being thorn, the original English letter for the th sound. Click my new infographic to read the story of thorn:

One of my older videos youtu.be/dlq2Y48lXrs

A new video on Latin Everywhere: the Latin of the Bayeux Tapestry. youtu.be/cF4-_ymcmTE

#PORBEL 🇵🇹🇧🇪⚽️ I was all for the VAR, but not anymore, I think. This was ridiculous, twice.

Trots op mijn eerstejaars Latijn. ochgij.be/2025/06/10/r...

Stop de afbraak van het volwassenenonderwijs. secure.avaaz.org/community_pe...

Aircraft carriers of the world USA UK France Ukraine

🦊 Competition time! To celebrate the beginning of summer, I'm giving away a signed edition of my Reynard the Fox, a Fox for All Seasons journal, packets of Dorset biscuits & tea to honour my other main character Old Fox & a charming & fluffy fox companion! Simply like, repost & follow to enter! 🌷🦊

I was interviewed on Anthony Kaldellis' podcast Byzantium and Friends on Latin literature, esp. in late antiquity, and the periods we cut it up into. There's a bit about Greek literature too: byzantiumandfriends.podbean.com/e/135-latin-...

Het oude #China komt op mijn blog regelmatig aan de orde, maar een systematisch overzicht van de geschiedenis ontbreekt. Vandaag het eerste van drie blogjes over dat onderwerp. mainzerbeobachter.com/2025/05/01/p...

Is Nederlands studeren iets voor jou?