Born this day, 1945. Happy birthday, Mr Bryan Ferry.

Can you smell marmalade sandwiches?

Danny Thompson was a musical giant. Just listen to his bass on this. I am assured by someone who knows that the recording was just achieved with a good mic and Danny moving the bass around to get the best sound. No fucking about with EQ, etc. Amazing tone. open.spotify.com/track/3OCiNl...

In Cefn Pennar on family funerary business. A cockerell just walked across the road in front of us. Standard. If you're not familiar with Cefn Pennar, if I can compare Mountain Ash to LA (and I think I can), it's very much the Laurel Canyon.

I did this figure last year and shared some pics, but I've recently seriously upped my photography game. So, here are some shots that really do it justice. 75mm figure of a curiassier in Swedish service, c. 1630. #histscalemodels #30yearswar

As the great Little Walter has come up today, here's the time a few years ago, I learned his classic 'Juke' note-for-note. It's got so many great musical ideas in it and it really swings.... youtu.be/mBp0quYYFjU?...

In light of the Stewart Lee 'Great Lives' episode on Derek Bailey, here's a free piece by me and the grandsons entitled 'Innovations II'. Come at me, Paris, see what you get!

The vignette is complete, but..... I may add a dog! Pretty happy with it as a scratch build and sculpt. #histscalemodels #ironage @drtobydriver.bsky.social

Morning!

More plaid action! Chariot's warrior almost done. Just needs the shield and javelins, then assembley of the entire scene can begin..... #histscalemodels #ironage @drtobydriver.bsky.social

Look, this is an excellent joke when you discover what the secret final project is. I assure you.

One British charioteer - just got to do his tattoos now... #histscalemodels #ironage

We are encamped. And what's more, we have a fantastic view of the former British Army shooting range.

Morning! youtu.be/HwGmIUPY3Is?...

This song, which means 'Dreams from Dying Star', is about such a star, asking us not to forget its light..... open.spotify.com/track/6uGGO2...

Chariot ponies done. Instead of painting them with oils, as I usually would with horses, I decided to use the airbrush with acrylics and then to glaze the shadows. Happy with the result. #histscalemodels #ironage

'Brexit Hard Man' Steve Baker is giving an in-depth interview on R4. I didn't think I could have a lower opinion of him than I already did, but fair play, he's surpassed himself as an utter twat. The combination of self-regard, snivelling self-pity, and confused political ideas was really something.

No new pictures, where are you mentally?

Just been trying to explain to my wife what Clevedon is like: "You know the nice bits of Weston-s-Mare, like the old Victorian bits down the end of the prom?" "Yeah?" "Well, it's like that, but without all the bits with people with neck tattoos in tracksuits."

Is anyone being absolutely tortured by hay-fever at the moment? Never had it like this at this time of year before.

My wife's just been shot by a lupin!

One completed Iron Age British chariot, note the decorative bronze (sorry, copper alloy 😒) terret rings. Next, the ponies! #histscalemodels #ironage @drtobydriver.bsky.social

If you're struggling with the heat this weekend, just take a little tip from 8 year-old me back in the hot summer of 1976, flippin' burgers in my Mamgu's garden. Topless, with a pair of flared Ruperts and buckle sandals - it's a strong look allowing you to deal with the heat in style.

Just watched the last, tedious episode of the last series of the Handmaid's Tale, and I'm so glad I don't have to watch close-ups of Elizabeth Moss' big, gurning face any more.

We might have reached peak 'You and Yours', lads. They're doing a feature on the rising popularity of tinned fish.

If this appalling assault on free speech and attempt to stifle protest about actual genocide has taught us anything, it's taught us that educational standards amongst the police require urgent review.... This guy knows how to smoke them out.

What's your sign?

Test fitting of the charioteer. It required a bit of repositioning of the sword. Quite happy with the result. #histscalemodels #ironage

Glad to see at least something is being done about the disgraceful state of Birnbeck Pier in Weston. It was a fantastic piece of Victoriana, the only UK pier built out to a natural island. It was also the site of my very first gig when I was but 16 years old! www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...

One Iron Age British charioteer complete. Now painting can finally begin! #histscalemodels #ironage

Oh no! I was going to see him in Cardiff next month, too. RIP the criminally underrated Terry Reid. youtu.be/Jwa7KgVuypk?...

If Bluesky has taught me nothing else, it's taught me I fucking hate lists about music. Can't you all just enjoy music without ranking it into lists, for Christ's sake!?

Watching Patrice Rushen doing 'Forget Me Not' on TOTP2, and there's a bloke dancing behind her in a ridiculous voluminous yellow suit who looks for all the world like Ian Rush.

Saw a painting of Native American attack on a 17th c. settlement titled 'The Raid on Swansea'. Clicked on the Meta AI question asking to explain it. It couldn't find any info. but mused that it might picture an attack on Swansea, Wales. Now I know Wind St. gets a bit tasty but muskets and tomahawks?

Had a sudden urge again this morning to listen to Ogden's Nut Gone Flake, which I have just done. 'Rene' is possibly the best song about a dockside prostitute ever recorded. What's your favourite dockside prostitute related number? open.spotify.com/track/2Qc4Vv...

As it's de-rigeur on here ATM, here's my age ID story. During lockdown, because you couldn't see family over Xmas, I got a lot of M&S vouchers for presents (birthday included as it's on the same day). The clothes were uniformly hideous, so I used to get some nice wine and a bottle of single malt🧵1

Listening to an old miner on the radio talking about the Orgreave enquiry, and he's pointed out, quite rightly, that an apology is meaningless as Thatcher is dead and can't apologise. Therefore, I propose all surviving miners who were there should be allowed to file past her grave and piss on it.

I sometimes get obessional about a piece of music, and more often than not, it's an instrumental. It's like being bitten by a bug, and I just have to keep scratching it until I'm cured. A few years ago, it was this. Have a listen and you'll hear why: open.spotify.com/track/6GWJgC...

Sculpting of the British warrior almost complete, next to do the charioteer... #ironage #histscalemodels #celts

Good morning, Groovers. 'Rebel, Rebel' is on the radio. Do you remember when it was used in that perfume advert? "Hot tramp, I love you so!" I've always wanted to release my own line of fragrance called 'Hot Tramp'. What would be the key notes in that, I wonder.....

Gazebo time! We're gonna need this - it's 9.39 and already like a furnace out there....

Bore da, you groovy mofos! Just had breakfast out the back, and it's lush. Here's what is officially my Favourite Plant in the garden - Purple Loosestrife, with its feet in the pond. Alive with bees it is, alive!

Bluesky proof of age - t-bar sandals, I was put in t-bar sandals!

I see Tebbit has finally died. Has anyone volunteered to administer the stake through the heart yet? Only, I've got a mallet if that helps.

I mean, you can say what you like about the Hitler Diaries, but at least they were about something that actually happened.

The figures are progressing well - though sculpting mail is quite demanding! I've also redone the chariot wheels as I wasn't happy with the spokes, both their scale and number. Brass rod has done the trick. #histscalemodels #ironage

Akram - the most dangerous admin. assistant in Scotland.