Richard Smith

New DLR train!
New DLR train!
New DLR train!
New DLR train!

"I'm half a mile away. I'm half a mile away!"

Seats on the new NextGen Acela look like alien robots giving a lower back rub and/or needy hug, I saw it and now you will too.

(Hitchhiker's vibes.)

Me in front of a Class 50 locomotive with a temporary livery reading, in large white letters on a red background: "So. Many. Trains." Full stops are used for emphasis, which may confuse some screen readers.

My review of The Greatest Gathering.

Mockup drawing of a UK parliament petition where the petitioner has asked for "good thing please" with description "we think the UK needs this". Government responded: "No."

Every UK petition is like this

An LGBTQ+ pride flag formatted in the layout of the SMPTE "color bars" test pattern used for broadcast television. The first set of columns use the colors of the gay pride flag, with the addition of the original SMPTE color on the final column. The second set of columns contains two pride flags - the pansexual flag horizontally, and the asexual flag flipped and horizontal. The final set of columns contains the three colors of the transgender flag and the two POC-inclusive colors, followed by the original bar gradient from the SMPTE ECR-1-1978 pattern.

since it's the last day of pride month I figured I'd at least make one thing for it...

i now unveil to you my greatest invention:
color bars pride flag

Hotel in Vietnam.

Stood up from the toilet and the edge of the lid of the metal loo roll holder sliced through my elbow. It hadn't seen sandpaper or a file in its life.

Hotel cleaner got worried I'd damaged a towel cleaning up the blood, but fortunately realised this probably wasn't worth pushing.

Read the entire thread, but especially take note of this part.

The Netherlands closed this loophole and so you now essentially *never* see the kinds of dangerous and illegal "e-bikes" that are very common in the UK.

YouTube video by Georgia Harper Is Autism Overdiagnosed? I Read "The Age Of Diagnosis"

I read the best-selling book on "overdiagnosis". I was not a fan. There are some really important ideas that don't quite stick the landing, but it gets very culture-war very quickly.

A first attempt at YouTube by @ftw.bsky.social and I:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDxV...

Good news @jon.gruene.social.ap.brid.gy

Google Search: "Is Andorra or Spain closer to the UK?" AI result: Spain is closer to the UK than Andorra. While both countries share a border with France, Spain is geographically closer to the UK than Andorra, which is nestled between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountains. Here's why: Spain's location: Spain is on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, with a direct connection to France. Andorra's location: Andorra is a landlocked country situated high in the Pyrenees mountains, between Spain and France. Distance: The shortest distance between London and Spain is shorter than the distance between London and Andorra, according to distance calculators.

Curiously

It's beautiful in a way.

Not the map I would have chosen but you do you

Asked Google "is Spain or Andorra closer to the UK?" Google AI Overview: "Andorra is closer to the UK than Spain. The shortest distance (air line) between Andorra and London is 623.57 miles, while the shortest distance between Spain and England (which is what most people would think of when they say "Spain") is 4,645.93 miles according to a distance calculator. To elaborate: Andorra is a small, landlocked country located in the Pyrenees mountains, bordered by Spain to the south and France to the north. The UK is an island nation located off the coast of mainland Europe. Because Andorra is nestled between Spain and France, it's geographically closer to the UK than Spain itself. The Channel Tunnel, which connects the UK to France, also makes travel to Andorra more direct than it would be to Spain. "

Folks, I think we're doomed.

Customer. Journey. Times. Matter.

If you don't get that, get out of transport planning.

Touristing in Geneva.

On a French train platform, a man is appearing to draw or paint our train with an easel.

High effort trainspotting.

I love how this is the least convincing Doctor Who alien ever and we do not care one bit.

YouTube video by Doctor Who DUGGA DOO | FULL SONG from The Interstellar Song Contest | Doctor Who

My brain this week, continually.
youtu.be/rdzThMp5lso?...

Wes Streeting is suppressing the publication of a report that would show that what he's doing to trans kids has increased the suicide rate

Scandal upon scandal

Honestly, what, actually, is the government’s problem?

Lovely to hear from the Prime Minister that the historical policies which allowed my Mum to remain in the UK after studying here, thus enabling my existence, was a “squalid experiment in open borders”.

Never conclude this Labour Government has hit bottom. It can, and on the evidence it will, get worse.

STANDING TOGETHER: A UNITED FRONT FOR TRANS RIGHTS As the organisers of the UK's largest Pride events in Birmingham, Brighton, London and Manchester, we come together today in unequivocal solidarity with our trans community. We are united not only in message, but in purpose. At a time when trans rights in the UK are under growing attack, our resolve has never been stronger: we will not allow progress to be undone. We will not stand by as the dignity, safety, and humanity of our trans siblings are debated, delayed, or denied. What is happening here in the UK is not isolated. It is part of a disturbing global trend-from the banning of Pride events in Hungary to anti-trans legislation in the United States-where LGBTQ+ rights are being systematically rolled back. The UK must not follow this path of regression. Instead, it must rise as a global leader in human rights and equality. The recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court to exclude trans women from the definition of the term 'woman' underscores the urgent need for immediate action. In this moment, we choose to stand firmer, louder, and prouder in demanding change that protects and uplifts trans lives. That is why this year, we are collectively suspending political party participation in our Pride events. Know that this is not a symbolic gesture. It is a direct call for accountability and a refusal to platform those who have not protected our rights. We demand real commitments and measurable progress. The Pride movement was born from protest, and we must continue to embody that spirit with intention and urgency.

To move forward, we need more than promises. We need every political party to stand unequivocally with every member of the LGBTQ+ community, and to centre the voices of trans people in policy, practice, and public life. Collectively, we call for: • Full and enforceable protections under the Equality Act • Timely and dignified access to NHS gender-affirming healthcare • A reformed, accessible Gender Recognition Certificate process • Sustainable funding for trans-led services and support organisations across the UK This is the minimum. Anything less is not allyship, it is abandonment. To those in power: when you demonstrate true solidarity and tangible commitment to trans rights, we will stand with you. Until then, we will continue to speak truth to power and fight for a future where every trans person can live safely, freely, and proudly. As Pride events across the UK face mounting challenges, our resolve only grows stronger. We will not be silenced. We will not be divided. Together, we will build a national movement rooted in justice, unity, and unapologetic pride. Now, more than ever, we need everyone to show up for trans lives and show up for Pride. In solidarity, Birmingham Pride Brighton Pride Pride in London Manchester Pride

Political parties banned from Manchester, London, Birmingham and Brighton Prides this year.

Statements in the images.

Eurostar Class 373 departure board listing Calais-Frethun.

well that would be a turn up for the books

WOKE MARXIST POPE

Young man, there's no need to feel down, I said
Young man, pick yourself off the ground, I said
Young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy

It's fun to shout at the

This account is now on Bluesky also, before the Doctor Who Series 10 soundtrack release.

Does anyone know of a recent period when inflation was low and we could have built stuff.

This park in Shetland will be authentically Disney and distinctly Shet etc etc. (Points for not saying "magic", at least.)