LukeBMTB

I propose to make universal the old policy of the Blackfriars conference at the American Shakespeare Center:

If you do not end your paper on time, you will be forced to exit, pursued by a bear. Literally, a bear will come take your paper from you.

Calm sea, clearing sky

16th February 2026 08.24

I'm not sure, tbh, that's a few valleys around here that attract a fair number, possibly as the local estate farms pheasants for shooting. Generally seem to travel at least in pairs with buzzards more likely to be alone.

Morning :) nice to have a sunny start!

The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #WinterSurvivors - birds that remain throughout your winter season.

Red Kites in a South Downs tree on a very rainy day in January.

(Not the best technically but; low light, heavy rain and they were probably 200m away)

#birds #photography #EastCoastKin

Heated curlers

The surprisingly modern look of cyclist Gabrielle Etéogella, 1896. "Organizers were sent to Paris to recruit riders, who were provided with free travel to England, discounts on first class rail travel and free hotel accommodation.[5] Adverts may have also been placed for the racers –

You only had to read Mark Tully's obituary to understand the influence and respect that the BBC has achieved. To lose that for a relatively small amount of money feels like those making the decisions don't understand what's involved.

A photo of the cover of the book, "Drystone: A Life Rebuilt" by Kristie De Garis. The cover includes some rock-like shapes that are dark with some jewel tones. These shapes are loosely organized and some of them have words from the book's subtitle on them. The dust cover shows some obvious wear at the edges.

NEW BOOK REVIEW - "Drystone: A Life Rebuilt" by Kristie De Garis

1/13

My book about Britain ends with a memory.
Of the first time I ever worked at Broadcasting House as a guest commentator, what that meant to me, and what the BBC means for 🇬🇧’s place in the world.
The idea that the World Service could end is awful, and frankly embarrassing for the British Government.

i can’t stop laughing

Thick soup = stew

I love how calm that kid is.

"You'll get in trouble."

"Okay." And then just clocks him.

Kid went into it fully aware of what he was getting into, made the conscious, and moral decision, that it was worth it, and took the right action.

Remember kids, it's always moral to punch a Nazi.

Huh. Does anyone know if IL allows contractual waiver of tort liability? Because that sure sounded like offer and acceptance to me 😂

Small Prophets in the style of the old Sea Monkeys advert

Just looking through some old comics and found a mail order advert for Small Prophets

Watching something on their now. Maybe a subs issue?

Bath has now won more Winter Olympic golds than Canada

Some years ago I bought some dungarees. This attracted a lot of family comment about my previous life as a hillbilly (reintarnation?).

Wore them today for some DIY and I'm not sure they're middle aged man bladder friendly for daily wear, tbh. What a faff.

I hope he's got a PSV* licence.

*Pooblic Service Vehicle.

Dusk, scrubby field with houses behind, in the foreground a deer partially hidden by brambles.

Evening walk. Daylight all the way round and a deer on the edge of the village. Good stuff :)

(phone pic at dusk)

'Casablanca' was filmed in 1942.

Remember that, when you watch it.

A truly superb piece of storytelling.

Ingrid Bergmann didn't know who she was going to choose, as the final script was still not decided.

French refugees were used as extras.

It cannot be watched too often.

19 people now own 2% of all U.S. wealth. Unbelievable.

Full rainbow in a one over the Thames

Gulls squawking around and a couple flying through the rainbow

The vivid ROYGBIV rainbow hues so very clear in this one between two flats Greenwich side

DOUBLE RAINBOW!

Glad I looked up through the sleet for this gift! Amazing rainbow above the Thames with gulls going mental!

Hope she's well again soon.

NYT: OPINION INTERESTING TIMES Anthropics Chief on A.l: We Don't Know if the Models Are Conscious' Dario Amodei shares his utopian — and dystopian — predictions in the near term for artificial intelligence. Feb. 12, 2026

God, this annoys me. If you “don’t know” then the precautionary principle applies. You either accept that it’s possible and behave as if you’ve created a novel consciousness with rights, and your company is now essentially a nature reserve/maternity ward… OR…

"I've left the van in a safe place, boss."

Shatnav.

Black and white image. Egret in grass, water, reflection.

Egret in a flooded field near our house.

#birds #photography

Robin on a fence.

Robin on a fence.

Lunchtime walk. Robin was there to greet our return. Almost feels like cheating stood in the garden to take a photo.

#birds #photography