Brilliant radio producer and very nice chap @mikehally.bsky.social is raising money for @parkinsons.org.uk by cycling up the Trossachs - at his age!! Please support him events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/...

Mike Hally

I’m challenging myself to take part in Pedal Trossachs for Parkinson’s UK in August 2026 and would really appreciate your support! Please help by sponsoring me with whatever you can. All the money ra...

events.parkinsons.org.uk

@mikehally.bsky.social · 5d ago

Starting road back to full fitness. In the last 3 days I've done simulated rides over Crow Road and the Dukes Pass on my Wakoo Kickr Snap trainer So far, so good! More about the event here www.timeoutdoors.com/events/pedal... and my fundraising page is at events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/...

🐦‍⬛🎶 The 19 birds whose calls I heard early this morning (August 5th) by the river Tees. 🐦 The Kingfisher and the Goldcrest were back again and a surprise visit from the Egyptian Goose!

🌤️ It’s a bright and breezy morning by the river Tees. 🐦‍⬛🎶 Lots of birds are out singing as usual …

Glad this scandal finally getting some press 👏👏 www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Calls to ban ‘toxic’ pet flea treatments that harm UK wildlife and environment

Over-the-counter treatments for cats and dogs contain chemicals that are banned in pesticides and pollute waterways

theguardian.com

Can’t share the @therestpolitics.bsky.social episode yet as it’s subscribers only at the moment. Do look out for it - it’s brilliant!

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Who is to blame for the chaos on Spain’s border?

Podcast Episode · The Global Story · 4 August · 27min

podcasts.apple.com

Three of the podcasts today looked at the latest immigration story - 4 days after the story broke and in news terms when opinions were already set by the right wing response. I’ve given links to the two best @thenewsagents.co.uk a disappointing waste of time.

Tony: Oh really, this is most exasperating Hugh: We're doing all we can, sir Tony: You should know what's wrong with the TV by now, you've been here five minutes Hugh: Have you been kicking it? Tony: Of course I've been kicking it. How else do you think I change the channels!

On Saturday the latest ‘migrant invasion’ story broke, @matthew-wright.bsky.social had a well-sourced call citing a CBS report suggesting social media had been at work telling Moroccans Spain was relaxing the immigration laws. I assumed this would become part of the reporting of the story.

🐦‍⬛🎶 The 19 birds whose calls I heard early this morning (August 4th) by the river Tees. 🐦 Mostly the regulars today, but some less frequent visitors like the Kingfisher, the Rook and the Treecreeper.

☁️ It’s a warm, but cloudy start by the river Tees after some overnight rain. 🐦‍⬛🎶 Lots of birds are out chirping and twittering as usual …

It struck me this morning that listening to the pods was like listening to a more sensible version of the news a day later.Sometimes not even a day later.

Remember this?

Iran school strike: Will the truth come out?

Podcast Episode · The Global Story · 3 August · 27min

podcasts.apple.com

Feeling mentally and physically a bit better this morning- and I’ve got 5 new pods to listen to, which is an ideal number.

I've written a poem. Cop this: Steel rods of reason through my head Salmon jumping, where jump I? Camels on fire and spotted clouds Striped horses prance the meadow wild and rush on to drink at life's fountains deep Life is cream, I am puce Ching Chang Chollah!

I work at a public library. People who want to use AI seem to have no trouble doing so. People who don't want to use AI have a harder time. I crowdsourced and then finalized this document "How to disable or avoid intrusive AI" and then gave it a short URL: notoai.org Please pass along if it's useful

www.theguardian.com/media/2026/a...

Sunday Times and Sun columnist Rod Liddle dies aged 66

Tributes paid to ‘brilliant, provocative and immensely talented’ journalist, who died after short illness

theguardian.com

Can't argue with that logic, Count Binface🍦

BREAKING: Parliamentary standards commissioner is now investigating Reform UK’s Deputy Leader Richard Tice (as well as its paused investigation into Nigel Farage). Tice is being investigated for allegedly failing to declare a financial interest.

I’m sitting in for @iaindale.bsky.social this week and next week on @lbc.co.uk. It starts tonight at 7pm. Call 0345 6060 973, text 84850, or you can @ me on here. I hope you’ll join me!

🐦‍⬛🎶 The 25 birds whose calls I heard early this morning (August 3rd) by the river Tees. 🐦 Mostly the regulars today, but some less frequent visitors like the Kingfisher, the Crossbill and the Cuckoo.

🌧️ It’s a grey morning by the river Tees, with some light drizzle in the air. 🐦‍⬛🎶 Lots of birds were out calling and chirruping today …

Only one pod to listen to this morning and that was Count Binface interviewed by Rory and Alastairfor @therestpolitics.bsky.social Well I’d definitely vote for him! Debating whether to ring for a home visit … things always seem better when I’m up, but …

Tony: What time do the pubs open? Sid: 7 oclock Tony: Theres no one up there Sunday nights anyway. Except the barmaid and she's a bit off. I said to Harry, why did you get rid of Gladys she's a fair piece? Her arms were a bit thick but what can you expect pulling pints all day!

🐦‍⬛🎶 The 20 birds whose calls I heard early this morning (August 2nd) by the river Tees. 🐦 Mostly the regulars today, but some less frequent visitors like the Goldcrest, the Siskin and the Great Spotted Woodpecker.

🌤️ It’s a beautiful morning by the river Tees and the moon was still visible as I headed upstream. 🐦‍⬛🐕‍🦺🏃🏽🏊🏼🚣🏽‍♀️ Lots of birds were out calling, and I also met lots of dog walkers, some joggers, some wild swimmers and a rower today …

From 7 @lbc.co.uk: is it time to call Last Orders on parliament’s drinking culture? Should men stand aside to insure Labour’s next leader is a woman? Harriet Harman says they should! And chancellor John Healey is looking for cuts - but where should his axe fall? 📞0345 6060973 x

Good morning Bluesky. Bit of a rough night - hoping things improve now I’m on the move!