Nothing says 'man of the people' quite like a politician calling a by-election at public expense on the issue of whether or not he should have the right to secretly take donations from Thai-based crypto billionaires and a convicted fraudster

Ah, good old Farage, wasting more taxpayers money on an unnecessary byelection just to soothe his thin-skinned ego. Fortunately, parliamentary investigations don't stop when an MP resigns, so there's still that..

(Another!) excellent essay from Daegan Miller... Sobering realism and the deep question, "how does one commit to a future that cannot be imagined?"

Daegan Miller@daeganmiller.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Been itching to write this essay for years, and @literaryhub.bsky.social made it happen: on "the ultimate doomist" @royscranton.bsky.social his new book on ethical pessimism, and why it's important to read past title of his (in)famous *Learning to Die in the Anthropocene*. lithub.com/lessons-in-l...

How to change this debate. " Being outside the EU costs every UK household an average of £8,300 every year. But being inside again would only cost each UK household £38 every year. Do you still think we should stay out? "

One from last week… above Ardnoe Point near Crinan. #fingerpostfriday

It's only worth going back to the Moon if it makes us look properly again at Earth, and appreciate how beautiful, precious and fragile what we have here is. The most famous images from Apollo aren't about the Moon - they're pictures of Earth. We need to stop taking our home for granted.

Sounds like sensible, evidence based commentary to me. Cats and pheasants, a huge scourge on native wildlife. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

‘We didn’t want to be preachy’: David Attenborough’s unexpected new show – which might enrage cat lovers

The great naturalist, who is about to turn 100, is still surprised by wildlife in his new series about British gardens. But not every pet owner will be happy with his top tips

theguardian.com

What a joyful bit of radio. @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social comparing the Oak Carved Angels in St Wendreda's in March with Harriers. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... I remember us chatting about these Angels in the old place last year, Rob, so good to hear this programme :)

Illuminated - Harrier Angels - BBC Sounds

Robert Macfarlane on C16th carvings of angels based on the wings of hen and marsh harriers

bbc.co.uk

“A month’s worth of gas from 14 years of licensing by the last government shows the complete folly of pursuing this policy. It’s barely enough gas to last from now until May Day.” www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Hundreds of North Sea licences granted by Conservatives have ‘so far produced only 36 days worth of gas’

Exclusive: Findings cast doubt on claims new drilling would help cut bills and boost energy security, researchers say

theguardian.com

Oil prices wouldn't be all over the news today if more of our economy was powered by local, secure renewable energy. This isn't an "energy crisis". It's a fossil fuel crisis. 44% of UK electricity came from renewables in 2025. More of that plus an electrified economy => no more oil shocks.

Please do get vaccinated as, it’s not an infection to take lightly. If you have questions about the vaccine or the infection we wrote this guide to address common questions

47% of Europeans want X banned across the EU, so the flipping Scandiwegians are doing something about it, with proper Viking energy. W is now accepting registration ahead of it's launch. wsocial.eu

W — Trust your feed

We believe in the need for a global, trusted social media platform owned, run, and hosted in Europe. W is built on verified human users, transparency, privacy, and free speech.

wsocial.eu

Nothing like enjoying your slightly cheaper pint while imagining the toddler crying from hunger that paid for it.

Andrew Sparrow@andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Reform UK says it would re-impose two-child benefit cap for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

In case you missed @amyjanebeer.bsky.social very moving Country Diary last week, on the gift of birds following her beloved sister's untimely death; do have a read, its beautiful. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Country diary: In my moment of loss, birds came like gifts | Amy-Jane Beer

Ripon City Wetlands and Welburn, North Yorkshire: First a starling ​and then a robin​ arrived like visitations​. I am truly grateful for ​them both

theguardian.com

I know you've heard that a federal judge ordered the release of 5 year old Liam Conejo Arias and his father, and that they're now home. But did you look at the judge's order? It's less than 2.5 pages and well worth a minute. "Jesus wept." Link to pdf: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

A remarkable story on the radio this morning- one I’d never heard but which reveals other ways of peace making. theconversation.com/when-us-and-...

When US and Japanese troops stopped fighting to talk, eat and pray together

Eighty years ago, this remarkable event showed a rare glimpse of humanity on both sides of a bitter conflict.

theconversation.com

Married 33 years today - still loving the adventure.

Another day, another utterly shameful cruelty against refugees announced. Recognised refugees - so people granted the long term right to stay in the UK because they have escaped real danger - will face new barriers to reuniting with spouses & children safely in the UK #r4todat

Today’s walk, nice loop from Ilkley to Denton, then up to Middleton and back through the woods. Got pretty wet at one point, but there was some lovely light too. Definite areas they don’t want you to go - 3x “Private” signs in one frame. ;)

Look who’s back from her year abroad 😀

Mini-adventure day 3 - Six Dales Trail, Leeds Pals Memorial to Middleham. Had about 3 miles this morning to rejoin the route, but some fabulous views again as we went over the moors.

Mini adventure day 2 - Pateley Bridge up to the Leeds Pals memorial. More moorland today. We found Nidderdale’s answer to Sycamore Gap too.

Mini adventure day 2 - Pateley Bridge up to the Leeds Pals memorial. More moorland today. We found Nidderdale’s answer to Sycamore Gap too.

This weekend’s mini-adventure… Six Dales Trail. Today was Otley to Pateley Bridge. Quite varied walking. The reservoirs are looking desperate. Fabulous inosculation of beech :)

*R2-D2 projects Leia hologram* LEIA: Hi guys, welcome back to my channel! Today I'm so excited to share some big new plans *4 mins later* So today's sponsor is AlderaanVPN. I always use *5 mins later* So let's get right into the video! Don't forget to like, subscribe and com- *R2's battery runs out*

Thought for the day, from the wonderful Wendell Berry’s Sabbath Poems.

Our Tawny Chicks are much bigger now, but as vocal as ever.

Just stumbled across treasure :)

The skies above Gourdon are heaving with Swifts tonight. More than I could possibly count. An absolute joy.

Off down a new (to me) rabbit hole, with thanks to @daeganmiller.bsky.social for the suggestion :)