And … that’s a wrap! Thank you to all who encouraged / supported / sponsored / put up with the moans! With a final mile run, a final mile cycled, and a final mile walked, #Belay2025in2025 is complete (with tinsel finish line, bubbles and a medal organised by my lovely colleague / Belay founder!)

The final day of #Belay2025in2025 is GO! One mile run - TICKED. One mile cycle - in an hour or so. And then the last mile on foot, hopefully with the amazing and wonderful @sarahfry.bsky.social for company. (Pictures: me before my run and a couple en route.) justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

2 family day out miles walked, 2.5 miles on the bike in a quick pre-dinner circuit, then 1.5 miles with the teen this evening … Three miles to go. #Belay2025in2025 justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

It really is #TheFinalCountdown now. 10 miles to go. 😱 #Belay2025in2025 Justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

Anyone able to support Helen with a few quid to help her over that line? We are always grateful for every penny and promise to spend it wisely!

The pull between getting your teen the precise very expensive thing he says he wants but you suspect will never use (especially as it's an accessory to something even more expensive he neither has not has means to get ...) vs spending all that cash on something actually useful. I find this hard.

Wishing moments of calm and joy and love to all our families, Specialist Support Workers, supporters and community as the Christmas rollercoaster takes over all our lives!

Quite excited by my latest #Belay2025in2025 milestone. That’ll be *2000 miles done*, leaving just *25 miles to go*! Eeeeeeekkkk! Deep breath for the last stretch >>> www.justgiving.com/page/belay20...

So pleased to have been enticed out this morning for a few chilly but gorgeous December miles ... The #Belay2025in2025 challenge really is now into #TheFinalCountdown! justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

75 miles to go! #Belay2025in2025 ... I WILL DO THIS! (And just in case it was anyone from here - thank you SO MUCH to this evening's anonymous donor! Yes my fundraising is lagging but at least now slightly less severely!) www.justgiving.com/page/belay20...

Quick #Belay2025in2025 update ... 84 miles to go!!!! #TheFinalCountdown is on :) www.justgiving.com/page/belay20...

Gorgeousness wandering in Oxford last night - feeling very privileged to have had an evening with the most amazing, accepting and dearest of friends.

I might not understand much about my son's beloved #Fortnite but I do know that when you are doing well you "level up". I hit the 100 miles to go target today! That surely counts as levelling up! #Belay2025in2025 #TheFinalCountdown #FundraisingStress

Lovely @adoptionuk.bsky.social solos session this evening - thanks to all who came along, lovely folk to meet!

103.5 miles to go ... #TheFinalCountdown is progressing courtesy of a few cold, dark miles this evening. Getting the miles there slowly (even if the fundraising is still somewhat behind)! #Belay2025in2025

#FinalCountdown update for #Belay2025in2025 ... 110 miles to go to target! Unfortunately still £425 pounds to go to target on the money front. Anyone got any bright ideas how I nudge it along? justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

Hey, @byjovemedia.bsky.social, look at my latest exciting reading adventure? #BookSky #AmReading

David Zinn at 3:32 am. Good start

Sometimes, parenting our amazing, wonderful, fabulous children who nonetheless struggle more than the average? It is utterly exhausting. I am so tired.

Thank you lovely x Anyone able to help me keep moving despite the dark, the rain, the cold ... Always super grateful! Thank you!

Today we splashed out on Meal Deals after a bit of a stressful morning. We tried the drink shown but, while we like this kind of thing often, both decided this wasn’t our favourite. So no win for this particular beverage: but a win for a lovely moment of connection nevertheless. We’ll take that!

The teen wanted to go into Bath today. So we went. We parked then walked into the middle in the drizzle. We avoided the #ChristmasMarket, as pretty as it may be; we visited not only one shop but two; then we came home again. This is what we call a #BigAdventure round here.

To celebrate my book of simple 'Bluesky Recipes' and survival tips for 'Difficult Days' winning the Gourmand Award for 'Food & Mental Health', I'm basically giving it away. UK www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DWLYCR96 (99p) USA www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWLYCR96 ($1.99) #Cookbook #FoodSky #BookSky #Recipes #Foodie

Could you donate a few seconds to help us with a nomination into the Movement for Good 12 Days Christmas Draw? And then maybe even share as well? Thank you! movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...

Starting Monday morning and my first 2025 @pactcoffee.bsky.social #adventcoffee beverage is in the making 🤞

With exactly one month to go I have 120 miles still to traverse: slow progress but getting there nonetheless! #Belay2025in2025

This. So much this. Also, I don’t wish to turn on the sound on my phone so I can listen to 2 minutes of waffle to then find out that actually this particular video won’t in fact be answering the question I had in the first place. Simple, written instructions please.

12 miles this evening to contribute to #Belay2025in2025 along with some gorgeous sunset views :)

Top #MiddleAgedWomanWin (of the tmi sort for some, be warned): I have been on #HRT. After some minor breakthrough bleeding the meds were adjusted. And … now yep, we have a period type bleed with actual period pains for added veracity. What a privilege it is being a woman at each and every stage.

Out on Saturday as a podcast! A great conversation and what @thebelayfoundation.org.uk do is quite simple but very well thought thru and managed. Have a listen when it drops on Saturday. 🎧

We can join this gang I reckon @redwellyfeats.bsky.social

Hooray! We made it to the end of term! We got to the holidays! Well done us, we are brilliant! Oh. It’s the holidays. Oh blimey. We have to survive the holidays now?

Our big #BelaySurvey is out! Are you a #specialguardianship #SGO #kinship or #adoptive family? Can you share how you feel about in-home practical support ("respite") and your experiences? We'd be VERY grateful! Intro video: vimeo.com/1094294617 Straight to the survey: forms.office.com/e/EDfKWKgntV

So we did a "thing" ... we were "live" on the Adoption and Fostering Podcast earlier this evening! If you missed it and want to watch along ... here's the link ... or the podcast should be out on Saturday for your listening pleasure any time at all ;) fb.watch/B10BZCiUu2/

Quick #Belay2025in2025 update ... ***1250 miles market done! YES!!!!*** Interesting in helping out Belay (as well as motivating my somewhat tired legs to keep moving)? Donate here: justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

Very belated but ... this was indeed a fab day out. Just what we all needed. Next excursion plan please!

The Benefact Group Children & Young People Special Draw is open for 7 days from today. Please nominate us! youth.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...

PhD studentship at Cambridge! Closing date for applications: 26/07/25 You need to be a woman and eligible for UK home fees. And interested in doing a PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience and education, based in Cambridge, UK (not hybrid/remote)

Helen is halfway to her 2025 miles in 2025 target! *1012.5 miles done* We are very excited ... and if you are able to sponsor her a few pounds to keep her motivated she'd be even happier. She even cycled *despite the weather forecast* today! justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025 #Belay2025in2025

So not only am I excited to be exactly half way to 2025 miles … but someone has mysteriously anonymously donated £100! I have no idea who you are but if you’re on here please tell me! And/or just a *massive* thank you!!! So kind x #Belay2025in2025 justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

I'm conscious I've been pretty quiet here recently. Tbh there's been a lot (too much?) life going on; I just haven't been feeling the joy in a way that might drive me to post. Also, I've been feeling despondent because "too much life" has also correlated with "very few miles". #Belay2025in2025

Important news: the Weston Library in Oxford (part of the Bodleian) has added a small baby play space. And they've called it the Toddleian.

If you know, you know... 🖨️ 👉 For practical advice, clear information, and resources to make the load a little lighter, visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/nywddsuniy

Enlightenment. This morning on Glastonbury Tor.

Glastonbury Tor revealing it's own very special magic this morning.

Medieval story time! Let’s talk about Isabel, who stabbed a priest when he told her to shut up in church (relatable) So Isabel lived in London in 1330.

Today is National Biscuit Day, and it’s about time that I populated this account with biscuit (cookie) sets from the past few years. Here are some of my favourites. 🧵 First up, a set inspired by the delicious designs of William Morris and John Henry Dearle.

An important question that I feel @redwellyfeats.bsky.social and mutual friends need to have a position on. (I have to ‘fess up I did already have a position even before the below, but I am reviewing in case revision is required.)