Graeme Beale

Me and the policy cycle

I was snapped last week playing levitating policy ball. It’s surprisingly popular game.

I think this was the point where I was letting folks in on the secret that none of us actually believe in #policy #cycles.

ENRA conference at Dynamic Earth In Edinburgh.

Inside Dunfermline meeting in the scout hut

Meeting hall sign

Badges

It’s world #Quaker day. As central Fife meeting is shared between Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline we have a slightly different feel when we’re borrowing the Scout hut here in Dunfermline. Slightly different feel to the Old Kirk up the road.

Morag cat in the sunlight

Morag #cat trying to persuade me of desperate need for second breakfast.

Washing machine died this morning. So it looks like a weekend of appliance shopping. 😔

Genuine question though- I’m seeing a lot of Wi-Fi enabled washing machines. Who wants that, and who buys them?

Does google now need my spin cycle data?

I can't believe there's anyone who doesn't already follow @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social but QTing in case.

Early start today to catch the bus for a day of meetings before the JHI #Macaulay lecture by Prof Kate Raworth on #doughnut economics.

Not sure what we’ll learn, but I’m hoping the canteen has doughnuts to get me going for the day.

Just submitted my third #pothole report to the council. Not entirely sure I got the what three words location perfectly right, but pretty sure there will be a pothole wherever at this point.

#middleage life goals.

Is there anything better than being in the bus 🚌 lane when it’s nose-to-tail for the folks stuck in 🚗. Like there’s a sneaky trick you’ve pulled off.

Almost as good as hearing the traffic report for a jam that’s hundreds of miles away.

I
Saw a
Professor
Was saddened
by Bluesky #poetry.
If only they had learned
The art of the
“mute word”
Button.

GB 30th September 2025

Almond baked tarts stacked

Almond baked tarts in case

Baking cases

Monday night #baking. Financiers recipe, but not in ingot shape as I don’t have that mini pan.

Yes exactly, greaseproof on the bottom and then the standard tea towel trick on the lid

that Persian burned rice with grese prpof paper so it doesnt stick?

I firmly believe nostalgia is really a dream of like now but with remaining knee cartilage.

Egg curry and rice

Eggs and rice with tadigh. Very pleased.

Oh yes, it's in more or less constant use by community groups, theatre group, orchestra etc. The only issue we have is occasionally we have to tidy up quickly to let the symphony folks in. Couldn't face the stress of looking after the building infrastructure, medieval tower etc.!

The Old Kirk Trust are great. There's no way we could afford to keep the building if it was just us as a friends meeting house. www.kirkcaldyoldkirktrust.org.uk/Index.asp?Ma...

Plus I like the the paintings of the old disapproving ministers on the walls. Pretty sure their disapproval extends to us.

Yes, we rent from the Old Kirk Trust. The Kirk moved out and the building was deconsecrated and taken over by a charity.

We must be #Quaker meeting with one of the oldest sites, as it has parts going back to the 1200s. On a site from era of early celtic saints (C6th) www.kirkcaldyoldkirk.org.uk

We've got a new sign, and a new candle at #quakers today. Big news. Anyway I was in unusually early so got a nice autumnal low-sun picture of a couple of the less exciting stain glass windows.

Just watched the women’s rugby World Cup final. I’ve enjoyed this tournament so much. Sad for Canada, but this is the future of the sport I think.

Sign saying dune restoration in progress.

I’m hoping for a new version with even more prominence for Sting and Kyle Mclachlan. #dune

(Out at Leven sands beach)

Is your child texting about Quakerism.

Since it’s #Quaker week, sharing this from Facebook.

Morag cat on the windowsill

The outrage of a #cat who can see BIRDS in HER GARDEN.

(But is far too slow and old to do anything about it)

Helen von Bismarck asking if anyone thinks 2025 has been a misunderstanding, next post being someone saying thinking and memory problems are rising.

@helenebismarck.bsky.social you asked and the timeline answered.

It's 7.30am and I've completed the People survey, and recognised and passed a phishing test. Gold ⭐ Civil Servant this morning.

Okay so yesterday since it’s #Quaker week (where we remove our rainbow cowls and step/slither out of the darkness) I said I’d answer questions people might have about #Quakers. So um go ahead if you have any- I guess?

I have read sooo many applications and CVs today.

I’m not sure but I think I can count “zen-like patience with confusingly written personal statements” as a level 4 key strength. Rising to level 5 under testing.

Or something similar. 🙃😞🙃🫠

Frisco, a young cat. 🐈

Today’s windowsill #cat is Frisco the cheeky. Is that her treat bowl? No. Is that her windowsill? Also no.

Dirleton castle used to have the slogan "Spend an interesting afternoon at Dirleton Castle - Home of the World's longest herbaceous border." Tried to google, but now google no longer works for actual things.

I did once spend an interesting afternoon there, but the border didn't seem that big, tbf.

When my kids were little and at the parentally excruciating making-loud-personal-observations-about-strangers stage, one of our family sayings was “other people have ears”.

Feels like a lot of grown ups could do with that lesson right about now.

Just recalling that it costs £10 to travel 9 miles from Kinross park and ride to Halbeath park and ride on the megabus.
Ridiculous as it only costs £5 to go on the ember bus all the way into Edinburgh. Are there any public transport prices that make sense?