Isn’t this just the sweetest, funniest thing? 😊

Jen Stephen@ambridgeponyclub.bsky.social · yesterday

The doofus we are keeping nurses upside down

Visited beloved Pennines last Monday. The heather was in flower. I meant to share a few photos but have only just got round to it as it’s been a crazy week at work. 😊 xx

Is it really #RoseWednesday again already? This week is flying. It’s raining here but my roses don’t seem to mind. 😊 xx

Anyway, at least this hoverfly is having a better day than I am. 😊

Feeling indignant about the way someone on our dog walking route spoke to Mr M just now. Walker: (speaking about a celeb) Well, he’s autistic, so a bit of a weirdo.” Me: “Mr M is on the autistic spectrum too.” Pause. Walker: “Oh well, some people are more affected than others, aren’t they.” 🫤

Isn’t this a gorgeous photo! 😊

Jen Stephen@ambridgeponyclub.bsky.social · 5d ago

Good bit of rain this afternoon at last. 😊 We got soaked to the skin on dog walk. Lovely. 🌧️

Is there someone I can complain to about this? Have been going through photos from our trip to the sea yesterday and just look at this horrid effluent slick on the sea!! There’s been little rain here, so can be no reason for Northumbria Water to release untreated waste near wild porpoises! V upset.

This painted lady butterfly was enjoying the the scabious flowers today on the cliffs at Seaham. 😊 So was this lovely bumblebee with unusual silver markings. Made me so happy to see them peacefully foraging in such a beautiful place. 😊

Rather poor and wonky footage, but if you look carefully you will see a couple of porpoises (maybe mum and calf?) surfacing several times on their way north. Seen at Seaham, lunchtime today. Such graceful creatures. We were spellbound watching them and felt so privileged to glimpse them. 😊🐬 xx

Dragged a tired and rather grumpy Mr M out for a walk by the river this evening. 😀 So important to make the most of the daylight after work while we still can, now the evenings are drawing in. Very peaceful and not many other folk about. Saw a deer and some bats.🦌🦇 Have a good weekend everyone. 😊xx

www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emer...

Nepal Floods Appeal | Christian Aid

Donate now and help families in Nepal with the urgent support they need.

christianaid.org.uk

Hope we don’t run out of summer before my cardoon grows its flower spike. It was a tiny seedling with only two baby leaves when I brought it home from the garden centre. It’s already quite big. I’m hoping the flower spike will eventually be a surprise for Mr M (who has no idea what it is!) 😀😜

I’m very late for #RoseWednesday but I hope everyone’s had a good day. 😊 xx

What a great opportunity for someone. xx 😊 #Yorkshire

Yorkshire Dales National Park@yorkshiredales.org.uk · 2w ago

Love storytelling? Know how to spot a great story, build media relations and create engaging content? We're looking for a PR & Comms Officer to help us tell the stories of the Yorkshire Dales, support our campaigns and connect people with the Dales. 👉 https://ow.ly/vVt250ZEqch

Some Monday roses from my garden for you all! 😊 The cooler weather means some are starting a new flush, although we could do with more rain. xx

@dracnoiseperson.bsky.social are you ok, Dracy? I haven’t seen your posts for a few days? Take care. xx

Lovely evening in Durham. 😊 Very quiet with most of the students still absent.

Saw this lovely butterfly yesterday on the grassland at Beacon Hill. My butterfly book suggests it’s a male Common Blue. Isn’t he handsome? 😊🦋

Hope everyone has had as good a day as possible! We had a much-needed trip to the coast and a 4-mile circular walk from Easington Colliery to Hawthorn Hive and back. In the 1980s this was one of the most polluted coasts in Europe. Now it’s restored for nature. Glimpses of history everywhere. 😊

So glad it’s Friday at last! Not the easiest working week when distracted a lot by Difficult Parent worries. At least we’ve had a nice bit of rain in recent days for the garden. Bumblebees absolutely loving the liatris flowers, now that our borage and nepeta are going over. 😊

Processing an unsettling call from Difficult Parent earlier, the first in several weeks. She didn’t sound at all like someone who had spent a night in A&E after a fall. She sounded like someone who believed they had done something very clever and was seeking the praise of others. She’s so very odd.

It probably sounds a bit silly, but my beautiful garden roses are my solace and my comfort. Being outside for even a few minutes between rain showers helps. xx

I’m so tired today. Parent taken to A&E late last night after neighbour with key finally let paramedics in. Discharged today with minor injuries relating to yet another fall. As usual, because they say she can make her own decisions, she’s returned to an unsafe home environment. On and on it goes. 😢

Mrs M@mrsmhere.bsky.social · 2w ago

Late night phone call from sister. Difficult Parent didn’t answer the door for care visit this evening and not answering phone either. If she doesn’t answer door at morning care visit, police will be asked to check on her. She refuses to have a key safe. 🙄 V anxious & fearing all sorts of things.

Late night phone call from sister. Difficult Parent didn’t answer the door for care visit this evening and not answering phone either. If she doesn’t answer door at morning care visit, police will be asked to check on her. She refuses to have a key safe. 🙄 V anxious & fearing all sorts of things.

I tried to share this yesterday but it didn’t work. Second time lucky I hope! Footage from a ride along the oldest railway in the world still in use - the Tanfield Railway, NE England. 😊 Parts of the line date from 1725 and were originally made of wood, to carry coal wagons drawn by horses.

Climate change could leave reservoirs at lower levels during the summer and increase drought risks across County Durham, a council report has warned | Bill Edgar

Reservoir water warning

Climate change could leave reservoirs at lower levels during the summer and increase drought risks across County Durham, a council report has warned

northeastbylines.co.uk

Well now, I’m definitely a convert to #Strulch! 😀 33C here but, beneath its strulch layer, the earth in my nascent moth-border (which I watered first thing this morning) is still damp and cool. 😯

Stop considering it. Just ban them. Do it now. Disposable barbecues are (a) useless as BBQs, take ages, food often still raw in middle, (b) environmentally horrible, (c) incredibly good at starting massive fires. There is no good argument for them. Bin them off www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Burnham to consider ban on disposable barbecues as wildfires rage in UK

PM to look at imposing restriction in public spaces, though campaigners fear it does not go far enough

theguardian.com

Hope everyone had fun watching the solar eclipse? 😊 I took some photos on an old camera with a solar filter attached. Was approached by group of neighbours and at least 15 or 20 children, all wanting a look at the live view screen on the back of the camera. Nice to share, if anxiety-unsettling!