If you’re wondering how flying can be so cheap, and how to travel cheaply without flying, we’re holding this event next week: www.tickettailor.com/events/fligh...

It’s online so hopefully easy to dial into. Thursday 5th Feb, 6.30pm.

Jane Austen’s sister and mother were called Cassandra.

The Great Exhibition was held in Hyde Park in 1851.

Heathrow airport is the UK’s single biggest polluter. London is the most exposed city in the world to air pollution from aviation. So as well as putting health warnings on wood burners, how about we also put health warnings on airline tickets?

Maybe there is no right answer. We each do what we can within the areas we can control. I think the payoff of having a tiny footprint on a boat probably evens it all out.

But I do think, if wood burners demand so much attention, shouldn’t aviation?

But there are pretty good reasons for me to have it:
> It’s the only method I have of heating my home
> I use properly seasoned wood
> I am often moored in the countryside away from other people
> This model has the highest rating of efficiency
> I always put on another jumper before another log

solar panel for electricity, composting toilet, clothes from charity shops, vegan, no car, no flights.

So I could say “I do so much else, let me have my wood burner.” I’m not sure that’s helpful though, especially as lots of people use that to justify their flights, which I struggle with!

It’s writing day on Slow Gin and the fire’s going strong. And a story’s just popped up on my feed about how bad wood burners are and how they will soon have health warnings attached.

This makes me feel guilty. In every other aspect of my life I try to keep my impact low:

They’ve actively gone mad.

I absolutely love Buffalo Stance and take great pleasure in rapping along (badly) every time I hear it.

Now it's running on behalf of my charity, @flightfreeuk.bsky.social. Alastair Humphreys is still the host. There will still be 12 intrepid explorers. The format is still PechaKucha. The difference is it's all flight-free!

In London or watch online. Pls come! www.tickettailor.com/events/fligh...

Now it's running on behalf of my charity, @flightfreeuk.bsky.social. Alastair Humphreys is still the host. There will still be 12 intrepid explorers. The format is still PechaKucha. The difference is it's all flight-free!

In London or watch online. Pls come! www.tickettailor.com/events/fligh...

I'm so excited about this event! You might remember the Night of Adventure, the legendary charity fundraiser where 12 intrepid explorers had just 6mins 40secs to share their story. Well it's back, as a flight-free version 👉
www.tickettailor.com/events/fligh...

(This is me speaking at a prev event)

What do we think about supersonic travel? Yesterday I had the pleasure of talking to Simon Calder, who has been exploring the potential return of supersonic air travel on his podcast this week… | Anna... What do we think about supersonic travel? Yesterday I had the pleasure of talking to Simon Calder, who has been exploring the potential return of supersonic air travel on his podcast this week. It's...

Horror: I just learned that a company is developing new supersonic aircraft that could be flying passengers before the end of the decade.

Here's my comment on why that's not a good idea 👇

"The emissions from Concorde are still in the atmosphere today, still impacting our climate."

Correct! (Not Mary though, sorry. Her sister’s name was Cassandra).

Ha! Guess it is niche knowledge…

My Mensa member boyfriend did the Mensa mag quiz on me and was ASTOUNDED I knew the answers to these two questions (his strength is more numbers and logic, but still…):

Anyone?

What was the name of Jane Austen’s sister and mother?

What happened in Hyde Park in 1851?

(Is this niche knowledge?!)

Wow, go for it Kirsten! So glad to have inspired your trip 🚲

Yes, I pass through Waltham Abbey fairly often and always enjoy seeing that one!

Great picture!

Meridian A ride during my '52 Bike Rides' project in 2021The marker is easy to find: a plaque set into the pavement. 0º Meridian. Ahead, the road winds lane-like into the fields. Behind, a similar feel. Below,...

I once cycled along a stretch of the Meridian Line: www.annacycles.co.uk/post/meridian

One of my favourite types of rides is following a set route or line, especially if it has historical importance. It doesn't have to be far or exotic – the close-to-home adventures can often be the most profound.

Lol I guess so! My sister wrote in with the suggestion a few years ago and they haven’t found me out yet…

Ah happy birthday Craig!

Haha probably!

Another book I've finished and enjoyed in the past few days is "Eat Sleep Cycle" by Anna Hughes @annacycles.bsky.social. My review is here:
www.tonyturton.com/eat-sleep-cy...

What a lovely review Tony. Thanks so much.

Haha thanks! Just bought my copy 😄 I love that they think I’m famous enough to stay on the list!!

Nice to be in such illustrious company! A few years ago this would have said David Bowie and Stephen Hawking as well.

Happy Birthday to me! 🥳

My 2025 ‘resolution’ was to read a book a month. I’ve made it (almost) to the end having finished 8 books. 2 days left to speed-read 4 books! 🤪

It was partly to stop me idly scrolling whenever I’m at a loose end, as scrolling is wretched, whereas books take you somewhere else.

Book #8: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Stunningly beautiful and a compelling story from the very first page to the haunting conclusion. I intentionally read it slowly because I didn’t want it to end.

Recipe for mince pie martinis:

20ml sloe gin
15ml Cointreau
10ml port
15ml vermouth
10ml mulled syrup (sugar syrup infused with cloves, cinammon, star anise and raisins)

Stir over ice and serve straight up.