Nostr notes by Mike 🇬🇧 🇪🇺

#TOTP For those in the fedi-world who may be completely mystified ...

2026-10-02T20:04:54Z

#TOTP
For those in the fedi-world who may be completely mystified by the #TOTP hashtag it relates to a rerun on the #BBC4 TV channel of episodes of the Top of the Pops chart music show that ran from 1964 & 2006
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_of_the_Pops
It's a complete mish-mash of genres, acts, presenters and styles.
It's a fedi-cult

#TOTP Can't be doing with more Y2K mediocrity - I'll see ...

2026-10-02T18:02:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…cdf4
_________________________

#TOTP Can't be doing with more Y2K mediocrity - I'll see you at eight

After sitting on the very pleasant beach for a while - I've ...

2026-09-12T14:50:27Z

After sitting on the very pleasant beach for a while - I've been going down an internet rabbit hole about why it's acceptable for men to have bare chests and women can't.

As I'm now forced into a kind of hinterland - at the moment I wouldn't feel comfortable with bare boobs however much I'm comfortable in my own (newish) skin.

I am very conflicted as to whether men should cover up more than they do, or society should get a grip and accept bare breasted women (if of course, the women want to).

Choice for one & all is probably the best route, but I don't see society changing.
Even if society is slowly accepting all sorts of new conventions, I wonder if this might be a final frontier?

#gynaecomastia #gynecomastia #Society #trans

Nostr event nevent1qqsv383j7ypltr35zkfhk7ahv5v6tdlzkh5etpwu6dph64e9jv5wtfszyrf5rwvyap9yv22eldmanmgpquc8ttza5far4lekeexv3ejc0y7x5z06244

2026-09-04T19:40:52Z

#TOTP Right pop pickers, what have I missed?

That's excellent. I lost most of my sweetcorn plants when we ...

2026-08-28T09:21:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…zw55
_________________________

That's excellent.
I lost most of my sweetcorn plants when we went on holiday. I'm still hopeful for a couple of cobs of the remaining survivors

I've got a few random inks, but I don't think there's ...

2026-08-21T09:54:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…nh2m
_________________________

I've got a few random inks, but I don't think there's any Noodler's in them.
What's the back story to the creator? (I didn't even realise there was a Noodler!)

It almost certainly both training & process related within ...

2026-08-18T13:15:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…c8ua
_________________________

It almost certainly both training & process related within Serco.
When I was in the health service in laboratories, we could access results (& basic clinical information) for the samples we were processing.
This also meant we /could/ access results for our family, neighbours and celebrity patients - but anyone doing so could expect to be given their final payslip very, very quickly (and if relevant, reported to the professional body).
There were regular audit checks on random staff to see what they were accessing. We didn't catch many individuals, but word got around very quickly when we started!

On a roll this morning! I've picked the remaining garden ...

2026-08-06T11:01:42Z

On a roll this morning!

I've picked the remaining garden blackberries.
Sorted out the cold frame that was full of old plant pots and junk.
Got all three bins in before they blew away!
Phoned the air con people who will be doing a video call next week (recommend by a family member)
Sent an email to the decorator asking for a quote (did a good job last year)
Loaded & unloaded the dishwasher and cleaned the kitchen surfaces.

I am a machine!

I'm being made to go shopping this afternoon 🤮

#Today #housework #Gardening

I became aware of it because of the work of the Fluffers. The ...

2026-07-18T14:18:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…6aeh
_________________________

I became aware of it because of the work of the Fluffers. The Wikipedia article only mentions the occupational hazards of their work in passing (but they were •only• women)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluffer_(London_Underground)

The Pathé film of their work is here
https://youtu.be/J4yT_PyZH14?si=WsW3e8ogRCvxErPC

I don't think this is new knowledge. Toxic dust in the London ...

2026-07-18T10:32:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…w2jr
_________________________

I don't think this is new knowledge.
Toxic dust in the London underground has been a thing for decades - I've certainly been aware of the asbestos issue since I was a teenager living in London

Ayureki has heart shaped stop lights on the traffic lights. ...

2026-07-01T17:01:57Z

Ayureki has heart shaped stop lights on the traffic lights.
Supposed to cheer up the drivers!

#iceland #BoatTripNorth

#allotment log for #Today Harvested today The first potatoes ...

2026-06-21T15:20:36Z

#allotment log for #Today
Harvested today
The first potatoes (Charlotte),
The first few Broad Beans,
Peas,
Cherries (photo in separate post),
Strawberries ,
Loganberries,
Raspberries
Blackcurrants,
Lettuces,
Garlic,

Jobs done,
Weeding (never ending job),
Watering,
Strimming the paths,
Fed the tomato plants,
Pulled out most of the remaining radishes as they're going to seed.

Planted
Pea plants,
Courgette plants

Not as horribly hot as I expected. It was a good, pleasant few hours.

Is that Elephant Garlic or some different variety of normal ...

2026-06-20T16:36:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…s8c4
_________________________

Is that Elephant Garlic or some different variety of normal garlic?

I've spent a lot of this morning throwing clothes at the ...

2026-06-19T12:59:37Z

I've spent a lot of this morning throwing clothes at the suitcases.
It's going remarkably well.
Sacha hasn't sorted out her 'day clothes' or underpinnings but all the posh evening clobber went in easily with space to spare (although if you could have a look for my 'dress shoes' I'd be grateful).
I've got most of my clothes in - just a pair of ordinary shoes and a jumper to add.
These two cases are each well under the 20kg limit.
We'll probably need third small case which isn't a disaster.

#BoatTripNorth #Holiday

Sorry, but this has FA to do with policing in Britain.

2026-06-12T11:05:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…a7j5
_________________________

Sorry, but this has FA to do with policing in Britain.

My son has been trainspotting (as opposed to what he does to pay ...

2026-05-30T18:12:28Z

My son has been trainspotting (as opposed to what he does to pay his mortgage) and got this photo of Flying Scotsman and Tornado on the Great Central Railway (North).

#trains #SteamTrains #nottinghamshire

I've only just realised that the pencil they give you as your ...

2026-05-30T09:55:42Z

I've only just realised that the pencil they give you as your 'admission ticket' at the Pencil Museum in Keswick is a special pencil!

I'm wondering if a museum purely devoted to pencils might be one of the most Mastodon places in England?
Maybe it's one of Mastodon's Spiritual Homes!

#Museum #Pencil #PencilMuseum #Keswick #Cumbria #Mastodon

But reform + conservative = nightmare scenario

2026-05-25T20:45:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…r34h
_________________________

But reform + conservative = nightmare scenario

Apart from that (previous post) it was a good allotment session. ...

2026-05-24T16:05:56Z

Apart from that (previous post) it was a good allotment session.

Strimming and more strimming of the grass paths, and the scrubby orchard area. (I'd rather leave it, but the committee get grumpy if it's not vaguely tamed)

Brought home the first of the season's radishes and strawberries (possibly the first radishes I've managed to grow at our allotment, they usually go to seed really quickly).

I got a few brassica plants that I've grown from seed in the ground - they weren't looking too healthy, but rather they die in the ground than at home.
Some carrot, lettuce l, pea and radish seeds planted.

The peas and beans are looking healthy.
The apple, pear and cherry trees are showing signs of a decent crop. Nothing visible on the peach tree though.
I think that we might have a huge strawberry crop - so I've netted one of the beds to keep the birds off.

And everything has been watered.

#allotment

Maybe I live a sheltered life but I met my first full blown nazi ...

2026-05-24T15:26:40Z

Maybe I live a sheltered life but I met my first full blown nazi today (and I don't use that term lightly).

The Community Payback naughty boys were at our allotment site today clearing the paths - which they do every so often.
As many of you will know, it's been seriously hot and sunny today in central England.
I took a few cans of Coke & Sprite to the men on the team - and they were extremely grateful (there were probably drinks back at their van).

I got a complete mouthful from another allotment plot holder who was of the (very strong) opinion that they were there to work, not to be drinking my cans, and being 'criminals' didn't deserve to be given anything by 'us'

I tried to reason with him but he wouldn't even concede that they were human like the rest of us ......
Which I found truly frightening.

They walk among us.

#allotment #CommunityPayback #Fascism #CrimeAndPunishment

I'd be interested - in an academic sort of way - what the ...

2026-05-18T07:05:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…g6en
_________________________

I'd be interested - in an academic sort of way - what the legal position is if there's no administration for any period of time.

Today's allotment cat. I've seen it several times on the ...

2026-05-12T13:54:54Z

Today's allotment cat.

I've seen it several times on the trail camera but this is the first time I've seen it in the flesh or fur.
It's very nervous so I couldn't get any closer.

#cat #allotment

I don't think you'd need to go to the absurd detail that ...

2026-05-10T15:42:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…z8xl
_________________________

I don't think you'd need to go to the absurd detail that American healthcare does.

Some variation on the "NHS Injury Cost Recovery scheme" would seem to be appropriate.
This little known provision allows the NHS to reclaim the costs of treatment from a third party causing the injury.

If the definition of 'injury caused' could be widened to include something like 'inability to complete treatment' then it's covered.

The easiest to read explanation I've found is at https://www.majortraumagroup.co.uk/news/making-claim-help-nhs-injury-costs-recovery-scheme/

As much as the NHS 'internal market' is an abomination ...

2026-05-10T09:01:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…2fpl
_________________________

As much as the NHS 'internal market' is an abomination the existing mechanism could be used for both transferred patients from private care and for medical tourism.

If the initial treatment wasn't provided for by the Trust giving the later care (and there was no agreement in place to provide that care) then the cost of the later - emergency - care falls onto the initial provider. If the first treatment was overseas it would end up being the patient, or travel insurer. Within the UK the private hospital or ultimately the private healthcare insurance company would have to pick up the bill.

This would increase the cost of private healthcare insurance (small violin) and travel insurance but it potentially puts a big chunk of money into the NHS.

When I first came to Leicester it was to work in the laboratory ...

2026-05-10T08:24:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…erw5
_________________________

When I first came to Leicester it was to work in the laboratory inthe Regional Cardiothoracic Unit back in the early 80s.
We did a lot of clever cardiac surgery including some 'breakthrough' research.

But I was shocked at how many patients were transferred to the NHS Intensive Care Unit from the local private hospital which did much more routine cardiac surgery - which of course was performed by exactly the same surgeons, usually on a Friday evening or Saturday. There was no overnight medical cover at the private hospital, so anyone with a hint of a problem was dumped on the NHS.

It still happens today.
Medical Tourism is another modern equivalent.

Ive seen an analysis (possibly in The Guardian) looking at votes ...

2026-05-09T07:36:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…v9n3
_________________________

Ive seen an analysis (possibly in The Guardian) looking at votes rather than seats which suggests that the GPEW did much better than the results (by seat) would suggest at first sight.

Equally, there was a chart here earlier - which I didnt boost due to lack of AltText - pointing out that the nature of these staged local elections show that overall & nationally the number of Reform ltd seats on English councils isn't that much greater than Green seats, and in overall numbers both are well down the table.

It's not great, but it's not all gloom & doom

I'm not a member of any party, but my inclination is towards ...

2026-05-08T13:48:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…gfg0
_________________________

I'm not a member of any party, but my inclination is towards the Greens.

Your view that the GPEW has not been strong enough may be flawed, but only in some respects.
Local elections are atypical - younger voters are disengaged from local politics, and local issues can sway some local elections enormously.

However, there are probably a lot of lessons to come out of this week.
Some of them may include
•Less reliance on the perceived charisma of a single leader
•Getting younger people out to vote
•Being more savvy about the media and how it attacks
•Funding - it's always about the money sadly.

My further hope for the General Election is for strategic alliances to prevent 'vote splitting' in certain areas. This would mean swallowing a lot of pride, and quashing many egos.
In this I would include Labour, Lib Dems and perhaps the National parties (who I know very little about).

Other than that - I dunno!

I trust the GPEW more than any other English political party at ...

2026-05-07T07:02:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…dksw
_________________________

I trust the GPEW more than any other English political party at the moment, but I worry that they are inadvertently building an edifice built purely on the sand of one personality,
I have no knowledge or understanding of the underpinning structure of the Greens (or any other party) but this laser focus on the leader seems unhealthy.

I'm tempted to complain to the Advertising Standards ...

2026-05-01T20:15:57Z

I'm tempted to complain to the Advertising Standards Watchdog.
There's an Amazon TV advert showing off their electric vans - but it's seriously unrealistic because when the van stops it's not parked blocking the pavement.

#Advertising #AmazonUK #Amazon #Parking

Very minor point: I'm not sure that it's "mostly" ...

2026-04-25T10:13:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…9hd4
_________________________

Very minor point: I'm not sure that it's "mostly" nurses who are Advanced Practitioners.
There's a awful lot of the so-called Allied Healthcare Professionals who are in these roles - Scientists, Therapists and Radiologists to name but three groups.
Your point applies to these professionals too.

Back home after my 52km bike ride. It's seriously breezy out ...

2026-04-23T14:18:55Z

Back home after my 52km bike ride.
It's seriously breezy out there - more so than I expected.
Plus, I must have planned the route to include every hill in south Leicestershire!
Still, it's completed and it's within time, so I can submit it for validation as a #AudaxUK BP ride. My first in a couple of decades (I need to check that).

Now, I'm absolutely knackered.

#Cycling #BikeTooter #Audax #Leicestershire

I suppose that includes me. I'm 71 and although I have worked ...

2026-04-05T17:12:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…ykyt
_________________________

I suppose that includes me.
I'm 71 and although I have worked extensively with computers during my career, IT was never part of my core job.

I do have a very early paper published where I'm a joint author on the development of an HTML 'database' which I'm proud to say has now morphed into a fully maintained international web resource.
Does that make me techie? 🤔😁

10 year old girls did in 1999 #TOTP

2026-03-27T19:48:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…mpvj
_________________________

10 year old girls did in 1999

#TOTP

Keeping on keeping on is all we can do in the end! Unfortunately ...

2026-03-15T11:56:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…5upm
_________________________

Keeping on keeping on is all we can do in the end!

Unfortunately the motorway near us is noisy all the time, days & times make very little difference.
The biggest factor is the wind direction - from the SW and it's almost as though all 8 lanes are in our back garden, with a rare NE or E wind it can get a lot quieter.

There's a controversial housing development near us which has the potential to shield us from some of the noise, but it'll be difficult to assess the change.

I've always tried to minimise soil disturbance where I can ...

2026-03-13T11:26:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…y7fx
_________________________

I've always tried to minimise soil disturbance where I can but large areas of my plot - despite having lots of compost over the years - still pans down to a hard clay surface.
I give these areas a half-spit dig some time over winter if I get the chance, although I'm increasingly unconvinced about how much good it does compared to hoeing the surface to get rid of weeds

Another sketch for #MonochromeMarch - this was in Martigues, ...

2026-03-11T23:53:35Z

Another sketch for #MonochromeMarch - this was in Martigues, south of France in May 2025. A group having lunch around an outdoor restaurant table.
Maybe not one of my best - I don't 'do' people, but I like this one.

Zine permission granted

#sketching

Ship's propeller and seascape in Menorca for #MonochromeMarch ...

2026-03-09T03:43:19Z

Ship's propeller and seascape in Menorca for #MonochromeMarch

Zine permission granted

I wouldn't completely write off Your Party although I feel ...

2026-03-07T21:25:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…g3fa
_________________________

I wouldn't completely write off Your Party although I feel they are destined forever to be minor players.

I predict that some of the left independents will align with Your Party and they, along with a small number of inner city constituency MPs will be YP members.
This could be facilitated by the Greens doing a deal with YP in areas where there are strong independent MPs +/- areas where there's a danger of the progressive vote being split.

it's morning again. I've woken feeling rather flat and ...

2026-03-07T08:35:29Z

it's morning again.

I've woken feeling rather flat and unenthusiastic.
I slept pretty well, and we had an excellent evening out.

I'm probably not looking forward to having a brace of grandchildren for this afternoon and most of tomorrow. I'm just not in the mood and I haven't got the headspace.

They've been told that we're taking them to a museum today (without consulting us) so rather than dissappointing them we'll take the Park & Ride bus and go to the Guildhall Museum in Leicester. To avoid Sacha having to cook I think I've found a cafe which has food they'll eat.

My tentative plans for Sunday are in disarray because Kasa has announced she'll come here to see them, so I can't take them to our allotment to get them covered in mud for the return trip to their parents.

it'll be absolutely fine once everything gets underway, it's just where my head is after a torrid week.

Enjoy your weekend.

#Today

Spurred on by my recent success with the Amateur Radio Linux ...

2026-02-07T18:56:51Z

Spurred on by my recent success with the Amateur Radio Linux laptop, I installed QSSTV and now have Slow Scan TV working!

At least, I can reliably receive images and Hamlib sends the transceiver the right incantations.

By the time I'd figured out the image editor to make templates the 20 metre propagation had just about gone, so I'll try to respond to a CQ call tomorrow.
Always something new to try in this game.

I'm a touch nervous about the extended TX times of some modes - advice welcome!

#AmateurRadio #SSTV

I really can't get on with the Vivaldi mail client, but I ...

2026-01-30T19:14:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…5lc7
_________________________

I really can't get on with the Vivaldi mail client, but I can't put my finger on the issue.

My nap time soundscape is SF10-33 from @npub1x08…469m . ...

2026-01-21T14:53:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…ywr4
_________________________

My nap time soundscape is SF10-33 from SomaFM (npub1x08…469m) .
I've no idea what's going on, but maybe that's the point. Hypnotic and relaxing.

#sf1033

I've just woken up from a nap. Not really sure how long ...

2026-01-21T14:42:44Z

I've just woken up from a nap.
Not really sure how long I've been out though.

I'm not a great one for funny videos, which I rarely find ...

2026-01-13T14:27:47Z

I'm not a great one for funny videos, which I rarely find funny, but this from my son who works in the railway industry tickled me.

#trains #railway #avanti

I'm surprised they don't include China & Taiwan and ...

2026-01-04T19:54:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…swyx
_________________________

I'm surprised they don't include China & Taiwan and The South China Sea (as a festering cauldron)

One of my usual jobs between Christmas and New year is ordering ...

2025-12-27T15:47:49Z

One of my usual jobs between Christmas and New year is ordering the allotment seeds for next year - usually from the DT Brown catalogue.

I've not had any seed catalogues yet - is it just me?
(England)

#allotment #gardening

I'd generally agree. As far as I could see it looks as though ...

2025-12-22T20:14:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…lmsp
_________________________

I'd generally agree.
As far as I could see it looks as though this part of the canal is on an embankment.
•Major Edit to the below speculation •
The canal forum - link below - presents good, if not conclusive, evidence that a culvert running below the canal had collapsed causing the canal to collapse into the culvert
The culvert appears to have carried a stream below the canal.

https://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/126111-major-breach-at-whitchurch-on-llangollen/

•Original Speculation •
Years of mechanical abrasion of the canal bottom (from boat movements) perhaps alongside a different approach to maintaining the canal - including dredging and towpath maintenance - as a minor factor, may well have a role to play

•Further Comment remains relevant •
Whatever the cause it's going to be a huge & costly job to reinstate the canal for a charity that does not have the funds for such disasters.
Let alone the loss of the boats, which may be homes as well as investments, and the disruption to multiple lives.

Kit (far right) has dozed off to 1998 (far left) #TOTP ...

2025-12-19T20:06:41Z

Kit (far right) has dozed off to 1998 (far left)

#TOTP

I have never, ever understood the pharmacy thing. (When I was in ...

2025-12-15T09:36:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…m7kc
_________________________

I have never, ever understood the pharmacy thing.
(When I was in an NHS management role, Pharmacists were very defensive of their 'special' position in the organisation and no one senior could break through it to improve things.)

Splitting emergency transport and routine patient movements should have improved matters but has failed miserably in many places - I suspect that contacts aren't rigourously written or enforced?

Resident doctors? There simply aren't enough to deal with the workload. Fund it!

Social care backlogs? So much has been written on this - and it generally comes down to lack of funding (again)

There was before ideology brought the so called Internal Market ...

2025-12-15T08:33:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…jsxm
_________________________

There was before ideology brought the so called Internal Market and competing Foundation Trusts

Regional Health Authorities weren't perfect by any means, but at least they communicated

Oh good, someone else is banging my drum for me!

2025-12-14T18:02:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…qgar
_________________________

Oh good, someone else is banging my drum for me!

We had that to some extent in the pandemic. The rich and those ...

2025-11-29T10:45:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…df83
_________________________

We had that to some extent in the pandemic.
The rich and those who saw themselves as the elite opted out of that social experience. It was seen as a money making exercise.
Any future iteration of national service will be seen as something for 'them' not 'us' .

Mid 20th century National Service certainly taught a section of society how firearms and explosives could be used, and how to form & maintain gangs through hierarchy.

The formation of the NHS wasn't as egalitarian as we think, with opt-outs for private medical practice, the continuation of private hospitals & private wards, and the scandalous GP contract that we are still suffering with.

I agree with your premise that we are a divided society but I'm not sure I see your solution.

Hi Tooters - I'm looking for your experiences of different ...

2025-11-18T20:53:52Z

Hi Tooters - I'm looking for your experiences of different ways of spending during European travel.

I'm hoping to write a blog post on the advantages & disadvantages of - for example - cash, credit cards, currency cards, phone payments, travellers cheques, and anything else.
Is cash still king?

What do you take on your travels? Have you ever had a big problem with your choices? What would you recommend to others?

Post suggested through Debby@hear-me.social

Boosts welcome

#travel #interrail #travelling #journey #cash #cardPayments

I'm not signing up to read the article, and I'm not sure ...

2025-11-12T18:40:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…suk3
_________________________

I'm not signing up to read the article, and I'm not sure what 'authentic' means in this context.

I'd want politicians who have lived and worked in 'the real world' - not in a political bubble.
I'd love a commitment not to accept hospitality above (say) £2k per year and a promise not to take a job sponsored by a lobbying body after leaving Parliament.
And.....No lies

I was thinking the other day about when life (for us) was last ...

2025-10-23T09:12:38Z

I was thinking the other day about when life (for us) was last 'normal' - you know without drama, worries, illness and such forth.

The more I thought about it the more I realised that life is just a series of 'events' that mean that it is only normal - you know, just humming along - for very short intervals, sometimes minutes, occasionally days, and rarely, weeks at a time.

Soap operas are the epitome of this - just one dramatic event after another with no breathing space. Real life has those short episodes of normality which would be very boring on the TV.

Life seems to be like standing at the side of the road and seeing a yellow car pass by - a flash of normality receding into the distance.

So, maybe we ought to relish the normal episodes while they last, and accept the drama, the worries and the fear knowing that they will pass - sometimes slowly, sometimes quicker.

Blimey! I'm a bit philosophical this morning!

#mindfullness #life #philosophy

My sister-in-law has phoned up in a bit of a flap (rightly) The ...

2025-10-08T13:20:56Z

My sister-in-law has phoned up in a bit of a flap (rightly)
The houses on her street - Essex /Herts borders - had a visit from a group of men 'suggesting' they put flags on their houses, which they'd supply flagpoles for at £150.
There were veiled threats to the neighbours who were reluctant ("nice car, shame if it got scratched" "nice dog, does he get ill?")
The street is pretty much all elderly people and they're frightened to report to the police in case of reprisals. Not the sort to have doorbell cameras.
I've suggested Crimestoppers as an anonymous route.

I wonder how common this is across the country?

#fascists #racists #flagShaggers

Upto a point. Charitable bodies have been co-opted to do the work ...

2025-10-05T08:58:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…hrdv
_________________________

Upto a point.

Charitable bodies have been co-opted to do the work of government (local & national) - volunteers are often doing the same work as used to be done by paid workers including professionals.

This is seen in the charity I used to volunteer for - Canal & River Trust which manages the canals in England and Wales. There are now more volunteers than paid employees and much (?most) of the routine maintenance of the navigation is done by volunteers.

Another example that I'm much less familiar with is National Coastwatch which seems to have supplanted much of the work of the Coastguard professionals.

I'm uneasy about local litter picking 'wombles' who are covering the cracks in local authority spending shortfall by putting themselves at danger at the sides of fast main roads, and picking up needles and body waste from laybys.

Isn't this all what taxes should be paying for?

Test image without alt text (bot search) ...

2025-09-30T20:51:30Z

Test image without alt text (bot search)

The NHS used to have a General Management Training Scheme (which ...

2025-09-29T08:55:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…vc4q
_________________________

The NHS used to have a General Management Training Scheme (which rejected me twice!) that was ostensibly about training 'administrators' to become 'managers' but was in fact more about grooming the next generation of upper & senior NHS Leaders through training, education and mentoring.
Ant some point - possibly mid/late 90s this fizzled out with the notion that senior managers were best recruited from industry (and the armed forces in some cases).
Then as you say, management consultancy firms got the ear of the Trust Boards and that's where we are today - in a revolving door where all exits lead to a different sort of mess.

Back from an exhausting allotment session. Nice chat with our ...

2025-09-26T13:59:24Z

Back from an exhausting allotment session.

Nice chat with our Romanian neighbour - she's given us some tomatoes, peppers and pickling cucumbers in exchange for some of our apples.

Apart from them we've come home with the last of the potatoes, apples, pears and a few raspberries and strawberries.

I've roughly dug the potato bed ready for some green manure sowing.

There's still a lot to do there.

#allotment #leicestershire

Posting about your day - either your plans for the day, or at the ...

2025-09-19T09:44:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…mvfy
_________________________

Posting about your day - either your plans for the day, or at the end of the day, using the #today hashtag is a good way of getting into a regular habit.
The bot will boost your post so it should get a bit more exposure than a simple toot.
Equally you could follow the hashtag and see what other people are doing.

Another regular one, although it's not for me, is the #threeGoodThings hashtag where you can report on three good things that have happened during your day - it's a great way of developing positive affirmations about daily life

I agree with you about the difficulties of finding language ...

2025-09-19T06:43:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…l44q
_________________________

I agree with you about the difficulties of finding language learning buddies, particularly online. My experience (of a few years ago) was the same as yours - we ended up communicating in English!

You may be similar to me - I have a wide range of interests and that makes it harder to find a community to settle down into.

Today's hurriedly written #TatrasTrainTrip #blog post - where ...

2025-09-18T18:03:13Z

Today's hurriedly written #TatrasTrainTrip #blog post - where we move from Germany into the Netherlands and home is not too far away.

https://mikefromlfe.mataroa.blog/blog/across-the-border/

#interrail #blogging #CrossBorderRail

When I saw this in real life it made me feel both sad and ...

2025-09-16T19:35:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…0xe6
_________________________

When I saw this in real life it made me feel both sad and furious.
A pastich without any recognition or understanding.

Good morning pals! Today the airship crew* will be heading to ...

2025-07-29T08:20:10Z

Good morning pals!

Today the airship crew* will be heading to London.

It's a couple of buses to get to Yarmouth for the ferry to get a train, then we'll get another train so we can have a short train ride to get to our accommodation for the night.
I'm going to say it again because I love saying it : we're staying at our London club as usual.
It's a bit cool and misty at the moment but it was very bright earlier.

*No airships have been harmed, procured, or dismantled, but the crew are ever hopeful of gainful employment despite our total lack of experience.

#IsleofWight #holiday #today #GoodMorning

I'm absolutely certain that an agreement of some sort will be ...

2025-07-28T08:51:52Z

I'm absolutely certain that an agreement of some sort will be essential for the new Corbyn / Sultana party with the Greens.

A formal pact might be a step too far, but on a constituency by constituency basis, given local knowledge and conditions might be a lot better.
(It may be necessary to include the LibDems in a few areas as well - shock! horror!)

Whatever happens any agreement will upset someone in either tent, but the progressive vote mustn't split.

#ukpolitics

I spent a long time thinking about the Corby / Sultana party last ...

2025-07-25T07:30:50Z

I spent a long time thinking about the Corby / Sultana party last night.

I think the test of its aims will come when we see how Entryism is managed.
If a local group is 'hijacked' by (say) Flat Earthers* - how will the national party respond?
They promise not to be centrally led, but if the membership approves unpalatable (to the founders) policies, maybe on Europe - or Flat Earthism* - what then?

*Choose your favourite boogeyman from Capital Punishment, LGBT rights, Immigration, and so on.

#yourParty #Corbyn #ukPolitics

It's been a wonderful year for all sorts of berries. ...

2025-07-03T13:59:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…49ee
_________________________

It's been a wonderful year for all sorts of berries.
We've picked about 9kg of Redcurrants and possibly half that of blackcurrants.
It's difficult to know what to do with so much! (which is a great problem to have)

Bumper session at our allotment today. I've planted the ...

2025-06-08T16:17:26Z

Bumper session at our allotment today.

I've planted the remaining celery, sweetcorn, courgette, melon and leek plants.

We've done no where near enough weeding - it's amazing how the rain has encouraged the weeds.

We came home with <drum roll please >
Strawberries, gooseberries, a few blackcurrants, a small handful of Charlotte potatoes, and rhubarb.

To our astonishment the peach tree, that is looking very sick, has three or more peaches maturing on it.
The cherry tree is doing well - but that'll be a race with the birds to get them.

And I came home with very bad backache.

#allotment #fruit

There's so much going on in this picture I don't know ...

2025-06-02T09:26:48Z

There's so much going on in this picture I don't know where to start.
But why is a gorilla giving out a trophy, and why is the gorilla wearing red crocs?

(Stolen from the Petanque365 feed on Facebook - The gorilla is handing over a £1000 competition prize)

#CaptionThis #Petanque #WierdPhotos

I believe it is available for model railways. ...

2025-05-29T11:26:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…3cv8
_________________________

I believe it is available for model railways.
[@Erased_Citizen](https://cupoftea.social/@Erased_Citizen ) will know

While I'd love cheaper fares, more services and better ...

2025-05-26T07:50:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…ht9t
_________________________

While I'd love cheaper fares, more services and better infrastructure - I'm not convinced - as an occasional user of European trains - that British railways are as bad or as expensive as we make out.

Certainly if you rock up to the station today and expect to go to the seaside NOW you will be paying a LOT of money, but plan ahead (& buy a railcard) and there are a lot of affordable tickets to choose from.

We don't suffer from Germany's creaking infrastructure leading to huge delays and cancellations, or French mad timetables, bonkers luggage rules or surly staff.

Ticketing in Britain is over-complicated and desperately needs reform, but headline prices are misleading.

Even moderate hearing loss is very odd. It's not until I ...

2025-05-15T09:20:14Z

Even moderate hearing loss is very odd.
It's not until I stick my hearing aids in that I realise how much I'm missing out on - mostly birdsong, but also little household noises.
My hearing aids sometimes feel like a lot of bother, almost a cruel imposition, but the benefits are immense.

Get your hearing checked - you may not know what you are missing.
The RNID has a very good online screening tool https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/take-online-hearing-check/

#hearingLoss #hearing #hearingAids

Removing a non-means tested benefit (PIP) that allows disabled ...

2025-05-09T09:19:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…7wk2
_________________________

Removing a non-means tested benefit (PIP) that allows disabled people to live life how they choose and forcing disabled people onto the means tested Universal Credit where they will hover on the borderline of poverty.
Dreadful.

A Tuesday lunchtime trip to get a few allotment jobs done. ...

2025-05-06T17:16:03Z

A Tuesday lunchtime trip to get a few allotment jobs done.
Flower, pea, bean & beetroot sheets sown. More weeding, and a bit of path repaired.
The ground is very dry, and turning into concrete like slabs.
It wasn't very warm out there.

I've got the car numberplates - need to drill & fit them now.

#Today #allotment

The Greens don't seem to 'get' communication, media, ...

2025-05-02T17:13:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…5hh0
_________________________

The Greens don't seem to 'get' communication, media, and publicity.
They are almost scared of their own shadows when it comes to putting themselves in the spotlight.
This needs to change and change quickly.

Unfortunately there is no Green politician - that I'm aware of - that has the presence / charisma to attract media types in the way that has been successful on the right in both English and American politics.

I rather despair of progressive politics in England today.

Point of Order! Radiographers are not doctors. Radiologists are ...

2025-05-01T07:07:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…p4ne
_________________________

Point of Order!

Radiographers are not doctors.
Radiologists are doctors.

There used to be a national NHS workforce plan for all the Allied Healthcare Proffessions - including Radiographers, Scientists, Therapists etc etc - goodness knows what happened to that plan!

It's a good question, and one I have no answers to. Starmer - ...

2025-04-20T07:15:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…g75f
_________________________

It's a good question, and one I have no answers to.
Starmer - and his inner circle - seems particularly intransigent on certain policies.
Europe is one, and benefits is another.

If the benefits policy is stopped, as seems possible ( I said possible, not likely) it will have happened through massive public pressure on MPs who see the policy as indefensible.
Could that be translated to the policy on Europe? I'm doubtful. Unless the public becomes convinced that being outside the EU is bad for their pockets there will be no pressure on MPs, and MPs aren't going to stand up to the whips unless they see their seats in jepourdy.

The only hope of Britain getting back to a sensible, serious relationship with the EU is either a Green / Lib Dem coalition government, or Trump doing something really, really stupid that forces Starmer's hand (and I fear that option in many ways).

I don't recall mentioning yesterday's very successful ...

2025-04-07T10:10:35Z

I don't recall mentioning yesterday's very successful #allotment trip.

I've put our first early potatoes in - Charlotte again, they're reliable and have a good taste.
The first peas & carrots are in the ground.
I've sown more broad beans and parsnips.
The last of the onion sets are in at long last.
A couple of dahlia bulbs have gone in - I'm not hopeful as they were very cheap.

Sacha has finished weeding the new strawberries,and is now looking at one of her flower beds.

The committee have turned the water on to the water troughs, so I can now water the seeds that have been in for a while (my water butt is very empty).

It was a glorious day to be outside here in the English East Midlands - and lots of other plot holders seemed to agree - I don't think I've seen so many people on the site in a very long time.

There is (or used to be) a corrugated iron appreciation society ...

2025-04-04T11:46:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…jv38
_________________________

There is (or used to be) a corrugated iron appreciation society on Facebook - no idea if they're still around

Mis-use of a Motability vehicle does not equal benefit fraud. A ...

2025-03-25T07:41:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…ljlu
_________________________

Mis-use of a Motability vehicle does not equal benefit fraud.
A claimant can rightfully get #PIP and apply for a Motability car but abuse occurs if the carer or family member does not use the car for the benefit of the claimant. For example, a family member is using the Motability car for commuting every day leaving the claimant without transport.

I had given up giving them the benefit of the doubt - this has ...

2025-03-18T18:23:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…ple0
_________________________

I had given up giving them the benefit of the doubt - this has nailed that door shut.
It looks like the Greens for me.

The problem with selling produce is more than society rules - ...

2025-03-17T11:04:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…l92r
_________________________

The problem with selling produce is more than society rules - it's the Allotments Act 1922 which prohibits commenrcial use of allotments. There are some grey areas which are covered in this excellent summary https://www.organiclea.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/sellingallotmentproduce.pdf

Good morning. I've woken up far too early. Today looks like ...

2025-03-15T07:36:54Z

Good morning.
I've woken up far too early.

Today looks like it'll be dry and cool here in the English East Midlands, so I'm intending to go to the Petanque club in Leicester's Western Park - it seems ages since I've thrown my balls around!

Sacha has been making greetings cards with her pressed flowers - and I expect that's going to occupy her some more.

Tomorrow will be a bit odd because although we are going to make an allotment trip, Kasa is coming to visit and has promised to cook our Sunday meal. The allotment trip needs to be coordinated with her arrival.

In other news, I've got a really irritating skin tag developing on my neck. One of the joys of ageing!

Well, have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.

#allotment #petanque #crafting #Today #leicester #weekend

I've just noticed my next door neighbour has a huge pile of ...

2025-02-27T16:18:48Z

I've just noticed my next door neighbour has a huge pile of old storage heater bricks in her front garden from the builders who were in last week.
I'm collecting as many as I can to go to the #allotment to use as paths or bed edging. But , goodness me, those things are heavy!
And I'm still coughing from this retched virus we've both had - I hope the waste man doesn't come too soon because it's going to take a couple more days to shift them.
Then they've got to be moved at the allotment end as well!

I don't consider him dense - but he's finding himself ...

2025-02-19T20:59:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…eeuc
_________________________

I don't consider him dense - but he's finding himself completely out of his political depth. He's clearly very intelligent, but only in a very narrow field of legal expertise.
Evil? It's a strong word, and no, I don't consider him evil. There are evil politicians strutting around the world stage, but, no, Starmer isn't one of them.
He is - as someone else has said - deluded about the nature of British influence and the nature of how Britain is viewed post-Brexit across Europe (they consider us irrelevant). Equally, he's trying to play up to the section of the British public who still believe we have a military force to be reckoned with.

This will play out very, very badly for everyone.

Allotment visit done. Brought home the last leeks & beetroot. ...

2025-02-16T12:18:58Z

Allotment visit done.

Brought home the last leeks & beetroot. There's nothing in the ground now apart from the fruit.

I managed to move one gooseberry bush which has been a job that I've been putting off.

The plot next to mine is coming vacant shortly as my neighbour has got a job in the North-East (partly due to the cost of housing). He's offered me anything I want off his plot - he's got some splendid strawberry plants but not much else apart from a few bricks.

#allotment

It sounds very similar to Leicester. Many streets that were ...

2025-02-12T14:38:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…jj5r
_________________________

It sounds very similar to Leicester.
Many streets that were student housing (victorian terraces in poor repair) are now becoming HMOs and 'care homes' as huge commercial student blocks are opened - some of which seem to be targeted at wealthy overseas students.

I had hoped that the victorian terraces might revert to family homes - fat chance!!

I think this week - with the bathroom fitters having the outside ...

2025-02-06T09:33:04Z

I think this week - with the bathroom fitters having the outside doors open a lot - has been a financial experiment in having the central heating on as usual against trying to keepour living room warmish with the fan heater in the fireplace and the central heating off most of the day.
If I'd been prepared I'd have been a bit more scientific about it.

Based on the three full days of this week our gas usage has barely changed, but we are using about £1 a day more in electricity - which is surprising to me (gas in particular).

While Labour continue to vascilate the Reform Company are ...

2025-02-05T08:37:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…mf84
_________________________

While Labour continue to vascilate the Reform Company are laughing and picking up voters.

Even if you hate the British far right you can agree that their leaders are charismatic and speak the language of the people in the streets. The politicians of the traditional parties are dull and suck the life out of the electorate, they talk the only language that they know - the language of politics. It's no wonder they are losing ground, and no wonder that they can;t see themselves in the mirror.

The alternatives are there for the taking - and, yes, it does involve growth. But growth that ordinary people can see - make jobs for people not for the billionairres. Every extra postman, street cleaner, nursing assistant, or bus driver is paying taxes and buying stuff - and they can be paying tax and spending next week, not in a decade. Every person off benefits will feel the weight of oppression lifted from them.
Make it our growth, not "theirs"!

For no good reason I was thinking about our daughter's long ...

2025-01-31T10:14:10Z

For no good reason I was thinking about our daughter's long stay in the psychiatric hospital.

There were a lot of patients on the ward (possibly about 2/3) who never got any visitors.
Where were their families, spouses, parents, children? Not to mention freinds?

The ward staff were delighted that our daughter had visits and support from her parents, brother, neices and work-collegues - she was certainly the exception among the patients.
I like to think that our support helped in her recovery, I definitely think it made her stay there more bearable.

If you know of someone receiving long term hospital care - psychiatric or otherwise - please don't abandon them. Make an effort. It won't always be easy, but doing good isn't always the easy road.

#MentalHealth #hospitals #Carers

My feeling is - don't forget I'm 15 years retired - is ...

2025-01-25T17:55:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…zse3
_________________________

My feeling is - don't forget I'm 15 years retired - is that the removal of nursing bursaries and some of the changes in medical schools may have had serious knock-on effects on the numbers & calibre of entrants to health staffing.

Retention of staff appears to be a huge problem - this is related to, yes, management style, but if the 'system' (education, research, buildings, IT, social care & other support services) is not supporting the clinical staff (at the 'sharp end') then who can blame them for wanting to get out.

A lot of the systematic issues are finance related, but I question whether political interference is helping those with a grasp on the situation deal with those problems.

The NHS is a hugely complex organism - tinker with one bit and you'll never know what the effects will be!

I would dispute that there are staffing issues in the NHS as a ...

2025-01-25T16:56:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…xtm8
_________________________

I would dispute that there are staffing issues in the NHS as a result of poor management (I would say that as a retired NHS manager!).
I feel that there are fundamental issues with the NHS that can't be solved *purely* by throwing money at it.
I support the long term view that prevention of ill health and having a healthy population is uppermost - but that has to be a 20 year plan.
But today - the NHS has become all things to all people with little focus on doing anything excellently. Mental health care, emergency services, and primary care are all beyond creaking at the seams.
I think in the short term the use of the private sector can't be avoided. The financial rules around procurement & disposal of capital equipment are looser in the private sector but the sector is parasitical on NHS training & expertise.
If parts of the NHS were ultimately given more financial freedo, reliance on private providers could be reduced.

There seems to be a lot of posts today with images that have no ...

2025-01-19T14:44:25Z

There seems to be a lot of posts today with images that have no alt text associated.

Alt Text is captioning images to make them inclusive for people with visual disabilities or those on very restricted bandwidth.

There's a number of guides how to alt text your images (& memes) but you don't need to overthink it - just a few words to describe what the image is.

There are a few bots that can help you with this.

Someone will hopefully reply to this grumpy toot with links to guides and the alt text bot addresses.

There are a number of mastadonians - and I'm one - who won't routinely boost image posts without alt text.

#alttext #images #alttextbot

I was heavily into Risk in various forms in the final part of my ...

2024-12-30T11:33:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…rt3s
_________________________

I was heavily into Risk in various forms in the final part of my NHS career - I was responsible for writing many risk assessments and investigation of incidents where 'bad things' happened.
I worked closely with a respected colleague who was H&S trained.

It was our considered opinion that kneejerk reactions (often in the name of "Health & Safety") often had the opposite of the desired effect and only by slow, careful consideration of the real facts could mitigation be put in place.
This mitigation was often - in my world - a review of training needs, or making sure people had the training that was already supposed to be in place.

It's a crying shame that "Health and Safely" is still used as an excuse to not do something rather than to find out how to do something safely.

I've not seen such posts, but some vegetables are easy to ...

2024-12-27T20:33:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…pfrg
_________________________

I've not seen such posts, but some vegetables are easy to grow.
It's easy to overcomplicate this, and it's easy to get over ambitious.
With modest ambition, a couple of grow-bags, a couple of packets of seeds you can be delighted by your own produce for a few meals.
Some herbs are also easy and useful.

The hashtag #allotment will lead you to the more ambitious among us!

Here's the Leicestershire scheme for free trees and hedges ...

2024-12-23T10:54:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…d2lt
_________________________

Here's the Leicestershire scheme for free trees and hedges
https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/news/apply-now-for-free-tree-and-hedge-packs

Disabled assistance cards provided by East Midlands Railway. ...

2024-12-16T16:22:13Z

Disabled assistance cards provided by East Midlands Railway.
Arrived in the post today.
Free at https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/form/talk-passenger-assistance-cards

Edit: it seems they now also offer wristbands including an #autistic awareness one

How much use they'll be remains to be seen!

#disabled #disability #railway #TrainTravel #railways

Thanks. The consensus of the nearby plotholders is that this is ...

2024-12-16T12:37:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…g2q6
_________________________

Thanks.
The consensus of the nearby plotholders is that this is about 60 years old.
It's an odd construction (to me) being made of those laths nailed to uprights.
The floor is rotten underneath those patio decking planks, but the storage crates will be standing on an old door(!) which is in good condition.
I'm supporting the crates by screwing them to sturdy but cheap wood stakes formed into a rough frame.
I'm trying to work out if I can molish a door of sorts for the shelter (which would make it a shed again). I'm considering a 5ft X 6ft sheet that would lift on hinges to make a shelter when open. How to do the hinges is defeating me at the moment.
All good fun (& not expensive fun at that)

I've been attacking the allotment shed. Ive removed the door ...

2024-12-15T14:29:27Z

I've been attacking the allotment shed.
Ive removed the door and one wall so I've now got a shelter rather than a secure shed.
I will be using storage crates to keep essentials in eventually.
In the meantime here's a few photos of my progress. (The alt text is minimal because I find it hard to describe these, and I'm exhausted!)

#allotment