Lemon Tree

Just turned 53. Not a single regret. Flickering moments of 'what if' with one partner, but absolutely no regret. My life is full and challenging. In fact, moved from 'no regret' to 'so glad I didnt'. Now, the who will care for or about me in 20yrs is a different thing, practically & financially. 💕

Yeah, we doing this? Anyhoo 8/10 here in LS25. That's halfway between Leeds and York. 👍🏼❄️ #uksnow

Films I watched in 2025, what will hopefully be a very long thread: last year’s here as I know it’s useful to be able to benchmark for my (lack of) taste accordingly.

🏆🚘👌

Yup. Problem is, after 26 years in UK, New Zealand wants me back - my skills and experience will be of value so they'll be all "yeah, send those IRL peops back, babes, and we'll pop your English on a flight 'cos they're frying here anyway, bro". 😉

In London, hate will never win.

I just find everything feels a bit better when I watch this.

A minute of peace from my paddle on Lake Winnipeg this morning. It was nice to get up before my neighbours and enjoy the lake before it got wavy. I hope you find it as soothing as I do.

Mural by JDL Street Art in Roubaix, Lille, France, depicting the Statue of Liberty covering her face with both hands in a gesture of shame. The figure is painted in shades of grey with teal accents on the torch and crown, set against a muted background with a golden halo-like circle. The artwork spans the side of a tall brick building, contrasting modern street art with historic European architecture in the surrounding cityscape.

"A mural of the Statue of Liberty in shame" by JDL Street Ar in Lille , Roubaix France 🇫🇷

Um, why don't they have actual physical barriers that offer better visual cues for danger? Having worked for the rail industry in UK, this has given me the palps. 😱

Waiting for flight (MAN to BFS). Queuing to get through secondary security to then queue to go through tertiary security to then board. Love it. 😉

Ooow. Off to Armoy Road Races this weekend; flag marshalling, catching up with friends. Plans have changed (was supposed to be on ferry last night), have found myself happy to be mooching around an airport. I like airports (hospitals too); is it the anonymous, utilitarian, homogenised, space?

The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe.

Will we listen to his words today?

Strategic Spatial Energy Planning (SSEP) | National Energy System Operatorlogo--facebook The SSEP will assess the best location for electricity generation and the storage and transportation of electricity and hydrogen, speeding up and supporting the country’s move to clean, affordable and...

DEFRA is currently consulting on the Land Use Framework (the consultation's a beast) then next year NESO is to produce a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan www.neso.energy/what-we-do/s...

The NESO have published their (now approved) methodology for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP).

As a reminder, the SSEP is a strategic blueprint for GB's energy system - an important document planning much of what will be delivered.

Details 👇

Time to get out the all time great;

Steak n Cheese Pie Toastie

(note the spinach, I'm not a heathen).

Picture of Sport drinks bottles, delivered weekly to door by ute. The drink, highly coloured fizzy 'pop' made popular in 80s in New Zealand. My sister and I only allowed it on special occasions - so mandatory order for our birthday dinners - friends were our local hook-up on sunny childhood days. ☀️💕

"Mānawatia a Matariki"

Celebrating Maori New Year, back home in New Zealand. Marking the rising of the Matariki star cluster in the winter sky. While here, in UK, we welcome summer solstice.

End.

Of tie-dyed muslin, and neon pineapple Sport. Cricket commentary echoes from distant TVs. I can smell all this in the still morning; air growing heavy with a day building and the past filling easy spaces.
3/

The thwack of street tennis, sunscreen smudges, book reading under shadey tree. Dad's paint-splattered towelling bucket hat, Mum's maroon Mirage in the drive.
2/

This morning, waking up to a day already well-begun, warm and lazy. Smelling the yellowed grass, still crisp, dew-less. Reminds me of home... and days, gifting such promise: of garden sprinklers whisking the air, sun-bleached beach towels, murmured giggles, ladybird landings... 1/

The bird dance for the ages

Thank you for posting, it's... mesmerising.

The waves crash with timeless rhythm along the rugged coast of Inis Meáin, #Ireland.
Part of the Aran #Islands, Inis Meáin is known for its wild Atlantic beauty, traditional stone walls, and deep connection to #Irish heritage.
[Damien Marshall]

'Typo' is short for "topographical error."

Because it was dark I did not see the clouds on the horizon and at the time when the moon was supposed to appear, nothing happened. Soon, though, there was a glimmer of light growing stronger and stronger, until it turned into what I call the Aardvark Moon. Shot over Lake Ontario.

Just because it is Tuesday I will post a shot of the extremely rare "Aardvark Moon"! What I went out for was an image of a full moon rising with reflections on Lake Ontario. I wasn't expecting this. More details on Alt text #photography #EastCoastKin

With all the chaos that’s going on around us, we needs some baby goats in our lives. Enjoy!

Tweet from @A_B_morgan: My seven-year-old asked for a dictionary this week. We went to the bookshop today to buy one. She walked home hugging it, pausing every so often to look up a word, grinning as though she had been given a book of spells, the key to wonders. Merriam-Webster QT: The kids are alright.

You had us at "a book of spells, the key to wonders."

Then many summers later, one of those brothers and I watching True Romance, settled in under his duvet on the sofa after a midnight walk to the beach.

Thank you Val Kilmer. I am thankful for the memories you helped create. 💕

End

Years earlier another treasured memory, late-night watching Top Secret! (rental VHS) with two bonded brothers who were the very best of our world. A downstairs den. Spontaneous laughter, trying to shhhush each other, only to set ourselves off again collapsing into stifled giggles.

4/