@bloodaxe137.bsky.social
"The World's a wood in which all lose their way Though by a different path each goes astray." Earl of Rochester "And health & hope have gone the way of love Into the drear oblivion of lost things." Ernest Dowson "Nullius in Verba" π« DMs
Come live with me and be my love
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves hills and fields
Woods or steepy mountain yields
Marlow
With your hand in mine idly we'll recline
Amid bowers of neuroses
While the sun seeks rest in the great red west
We will sit & match psychoses
D. Parker
Ernest Dowson ~ 1867 - 1900
Oscar Wilde wrote of the death of Dowson: "Poor wounded wonderful fellow that he was, a tragic reproduction of all tragic poetry, like a symbol, or a scene. I hope bay leaves will be laid on his tomb, and rue and myrtle too, for he knew what love is."
The MANIAC ~ 2023 novel by Chilean author BenjamΓn Labatut. A fictionalised biography of physicist, John von Neumann whom Labatut calls "the smartest human being of the 20th century". Maniac was an early computer developed by Neumann.
I really enjoyed this book but it will not appeal to everyone!
Excuse me while I stick my head in the sand to recalibrate my mental health.
π«
Founded in 1902, Bristol and District Table Tennis Association is believed to be the oldest table tennis league in the world.
It is currently one of the largest local leagues in the country with over 400 players in seven divisions.
One of Bristolβs most majestic buildings, Kings Weston House was completed in 1719.
The architect was John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) who is best known for designing Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard.
Some highlights from my trip to Lewes, England for @theitps.bsky.socialβs Common Sense at 250 conference over the weekend. I spent time in Paineβs Lewes residence, the Bull House, the Headstrong Debate Club room, the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, and saw the Anne of Cleves house (it was closed).
12.01.2026 14:42 β π 17 π 1 π¬ 0 π 0
The distinct building on Cheese Lane, Bristol was built in 1969 as a shot tower. Liquid lead was dropped into water where it formed spherical ammunition. A previous (now demolished) tower was built over the Redcliffe Caves in 1782 and was the first lead shot tower in the world.
11.01.2026 20:07 β π 25 π 4 π¬ 3 π 1
K is for Kensington Gardens
------
'Kensington Gardens' (1923) by Arthur Temple Felix Clay
(Kensington Central Library)
'Shakespeare's Globe Theatre' by Fiona Horan
fionahoran.com
π¨ New Banksy spotted in London! Children gazing at stars mural appeared in Bayswater. What message is the mysterious artist sending?
kantenna.com/topic/b...
#Banksy #StreetArt #London #Art
The 1878 built Fairbairn crane is the only surviving steam-powered crane of its type in the world. Its innovative design allows it to have a lifting capability of 35 tons - more than the capacity of all surviving Bristol docks cranes combined.
22.12.2025 20:24 β π 28 π 4 π¬ 0 π 0
I thought of Chatterton the marvellous Boy
The sleepless soul that perished in his pride
Of him who walked in glory & in joy
Following his plough along the mountain-side
By our own spirits are we deified
We Poets in our youth begin in gladness
But thereof come in the end despondency & madness
WW
The Twisted Chimney
The Twisted Chimney (Welsh: Simnai Ddirdro) is a public art sculpture located in Bute Town, near Rhymney, in the north of the Rhymney Valley in South Wales
Artist: It was designed by New York artist Brian Tolle and unveiled in 2011
#MedievalSky Financial Times has a free behind-the-scenes piece on the diplomatic negotiations btw France & England that brought about the "exchange" of the Bayeux Tapestry, scheduled for 2026: www.ft.com/content/3f1e...
14.08.2025 14:45 β π 41 π 15 π¬ 3 π 1
These houses on Picton Street are a few steps from each other.
The one on the left was home to Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) - the most famous actor of the 19th century.
The house on the right was (for a short while) home to Cary Grant (1904-1986) - one of the most famous actors of the 20th century.
Pontefract castle
On 10 December 1541 Thomas Culpeper was executed for allegedly committing adultery with Catherine Howard, Queen of England and wife of Henry VIII. Earlier in the year Henry visited Pontefract castle with his new 16 or 17 year old wife BUT
09.12.2025 17:38 β π 23 π 3 π¬ 1 π 0
Tulip Stairs Queen's House, Greenwich, London.
Tulip Stairs Queen's House, Greenwich, London.
01.12.2025 14:11 β π 789 π 80 π¬ 6 π 10
youtu.be/CcriG8UIRVI
Gold & Garnet ~ Anglo-Saxon Treasure