Feòrag

Describer of mono-railways, and other curious contraptions. They/them. Header photo copyright James Armandery for Beltane Fire Society. All rights reserved. http://beltane.org/

Curious Contraptions: https://feorag.wordpress.com
Feòrag’s Fonts: https://feoragsfonts.com
Pixelfed: Feòrag (npub1af0…v8se)
Location: Edinburgh, usually.

Public Key

npub1rgq0u4vedankawuvv7trudwndh6dawnghjzyy9qh72sa3kcd3mcq39vt5x

NIP-05 Address

feorag_at_wandering.shop@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsp5q872kvk7emwhwxx0937xhfkmax7hf5tepzzzstl9gwcmvxcauqpqqxhvrmx

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Author Public Key

npub1rgq0u4vedankawuvv7trudwndh6dawnghjzyy9qh72sa3kcd3mcq39vt5x

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Last Notes

2026-09-25 11:13:12 UTC

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My other dream synth is 1970s, but fundamental to the sound of my favourite band - the ARP Odyssey. I have KORG’s emulated version as a plug-in for Logic Pro and on my iPad, but their physical version has been out so long now, I should see what secondhand prices are like.

2026-09-25 11:08:43 UTC

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The manual is bare bones, but this DX-7 clone has caused such a stir that there will be online communities where I can find out inessential things like “how do I attach an external keyboard”. Because reasons, the presets are not exactly like the original, but I can download accurate ones.

2026-09-25 11:05:04 UTC

43 years later, I finally have one of my dream 1980s synths. Sort of.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/331/348/162/199/877/original/1df6955c4bf17adc.jpeg

2026-09-21 15:48:22 UTC

I’m having a Bus Pass Adventure, but can’t get on the next bus because it needs to be rebooted.

2026-09-18 10:19:34 UTC

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Anyway, the weather is lovely today. Where shall I go for the afternoon? Ideas welcome - bus ride from Edinburgh, want to be home by 19:00 to watch footie. Tomorrow I plan to get up early and go to the Biggar Gasworks Museum.

2026-09-18 10:05:05 UTC

It seems counterintuitive, but having a bus pass has increased my activity. I’m hitting my exercise goals more often this week, even though I’m spending more time on buses.

2026-09-17 11:22:12 UTC

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In an ideal world, I would avoid having to take the Eurostar from Paris, because the staff there are all inconsiderate apart from the Welsh UK border guy. It’s a terrible experience with a walking stick.
Himself does not want to spend a few days getting home in a relaxed manner.
Virtually all routes start by going back to Barcelona. The capital is, it seems, terribly connected.
So, where in France can we get to for an overnight that’s nice? Connections to Lille a bonus. 2/2

2026-09-17 11:14:21 UTC

So, I am planning a business trip in November, by rail, Barcelona one weekend, Madrid the next. I have it all worked out except getting home to Edinburgh from Madrid.
We’re using Interrail passes, so the Eurostar to London and LNER to Edinburgh must be on the same day, and we can’t use the Sleeper for that last leg. Sadly, this makes the interesting ideas here https://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm#london-to-madrid-by-train pretty useless as they involve arriving in London too late to get to Edinburgh. 1/?

2026-09-16 13:34:11 UTC

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This route takes us to a large hospital, our local military industrial complex site, and some pretty deprived areas.

2026-09-16 13:22:20 UTC

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I have wandered around the shopping centre. There’s only one bus stop, so I decided to get the first one that came. Now on a Lothian 38 to West Granton.

2026-09-16 12:00:10 UTC

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And here is the bus I just rode. The current Midland Bluebird logo is a slightly more stylised version of the old one.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/280/603/947/975/571/original/5eced5ab64fab6a5.jpeg
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/280/604/473/804/908/original/dcf6f3165d58c765.jpeg

2026-09-16 11:31:29 UTC

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Anyway, here’s an old Midland Bluebird bus in Bridgeton Bus Garage in Glasgow.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/280/491/213/681/323/original/ff609571e5eb9bb2.jpeg
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/280/491/777/256/796/original/1396bfb6ed1b5b82.jpeg

2026-09-16 11:19:42 UTC

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It goes to useful places like the Gallery of Modern Art and a hard to reach (without a car) shopping centre.

2026-09-16 11:17:17 UTC

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The route has an interesting history. It was a Lothian Buses one, but they gave it up. A bunch of locals were convinced it was viable, so got together and arranged for Edinburgh Coach Lines to run it. They were clearly right as it is now run commercially by McGill’s using a revived old Scottish brand.

2026-09-16 11:12:55 UTC

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It looks like they got this bus secondhand from First Bus.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/280/418/784/382/251/original/5248ec13c07bcbf2.jpeg

2026-09-16 11:09:57 UTC

Today’s Bus Pass Adventure is the 13, operated by Midland Bluebird (I.e. McGill’s) not Lothian. Not ridden this before, because Lothian’s Tap Tap Cap works well at keeping you on their buses

2026-09-15 17:37:57 UTC

I have finished the quick project I was soldering.

2026-09-15 15:17:56 UTC

I have just learned that the battery life on my wee, cheap soldering iron is very brief. Fortunately it also charges quickly.

2026-09-14 13:59:39 UTC

My bus pass finally arrived. Be back soon. Going somewhere for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

2026-09-13 17:58:57 UTC

I have thanked @npub1p63…4y8n personally for today’s important Glorious Victory, even though I have reservations about the way He makes it exciting. We are both now watching the woman at Villa.

2026-09-12 20:03:16 UTC

I have crossed the border and am back in Scotland.

2026-09-12 18:50:38 UTC

Somewhere out there is a video showing fans of a German football club using large arrows to point out the location of the goal to their own team. I feel Spurs fans need to copy this idea.

2026-09-12 11:46:18 UTC

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There’s a miniature railway.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/257/900/762/792/704/original/537a9091168d3730.jpeg
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/257/899/362/602/378/original/7b8fdfd6586dcde6.jpeg

2026-09-12 09:56:08 UTC

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It was predictable, but this is my first English funicular!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/257/467/564/043/018/original/71735363d48e675a.jpeg

2026-09-12 08:57:29 UTC

Today’s adventure will involve more veteran transport, and I don’t mean the smelly DMU on which I have just departed Middlesbrough.

2026-09-11 19:18:56 UTC

England is screwed, isn’t it? I didn’t get a meal in Middlesbrough tonight because so many places are closed. Wetherspoon was not an option because it was the only pub that is rammed. Everywhere else is very quiet.

2026-09-11 12:46:17 UTC

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I’m now at Hopetown, which is more about the social history of the railways. The Carriage Works building has a “stores” area with all sorts of fun stuff.

2026-09-11 11:23:58 UTC

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Okay. There is only one train an hour on this line, so I have to twiddle my thumbs got a wee while.

2026-09-11 11:08:26 UTC

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I am now in the New Hall, which is more about freight, industry and other stuff including this snowplough.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/252/089/564/567/132/original/9e1895de0a0dbda7.jpeg

2026-09-11 10:57:02 UTC

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I do not need a plush Azuma or Eurostar.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/252/044/779/762/486/original/eb3fba0bf2e3ddcb.jpeg

2026-09-11 10:44:25 UTC

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And next to that, the APT. A pioneering tilting train that made too many people nauseous. I would have been one of them, given how I felt on the original Pendolinos.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/995/137/811/952/original/5b207c970b5c6951.jpeg

2026-09-11 10:41:20 UTC

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Next to the pacer is the Class 41, forerunner to the Intercity125.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/982/804/386/258/original/9c41050606402ab3.jpeg

2026-09-11 10:34:28 UTC

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Those of you using the alt text can probably tell which exhibits have seating next to them, because if I can sit, I can type for longer.

2026-09-11 10:31:10 UTC

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The next few pictures are of important prototypes. First up is the LEV 1, the prototype Pacer. At this stage, it’s literally a rail bus - a Leyland National bus body on a rail chassis.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/943/033/602/114/original/e3ed5cbc1306ec92.jpeg

2026-09-11 10:10:34 UTC

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Ted is living their best life in the cab of a Deltic.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/862/039/358/609/original/62b7356d93daaa00.jpeg

2026-09-11 09:54:31 UTC

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Stopping for hydration. I believe these seats came from the original Eurostar.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/798/505/664/674/original/50d361ad0fe299cc.jpeg

2026-09-11 09:42:41 UTC

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Now here’s something I didn’t realise still existed - a vehicle from the Birmingham Airport maglev.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/752/374/596/123/original/63b7d98d82414ce6.jpeg

2026-09-11 09:18:59 UTC

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Next to the 125 is Locomotion. Sort of. Not a replica, it’s just that so many bits were replaced that none of it is likely to be original
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/659/183/123/419/original/59193c2d586e97a2.jpeg

2026-09-11 09:14:12 UTC

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My first thought is that trains that are still in mainline service shouldn’t be in museums, but this particular one is a record breaker.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/640/368/689/277/original/6d7a0afd055a31b7.jpeg

2026-09-11 09:12:14 UTC

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So’ my first museum of today’s adventure is Locomotion, at Shildon. This is pretty much where it all began.

2026-09-11 09:07:47 UTC

Well, hello there, gorgeous!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/615/157/548/286/original/8ecaceb16733ca07.jpeg

2026-09-11 07:43:56 UTC

Middlesbrough station is quite nice. The 1950s bits, replacing extensive bomb damage, work surprisingly well with the Victorian Gothic building. It’s light and airy.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/251/285/459/991/772/original/12d52fb0b2ef89db.jpeg

2026-09-11 07:30:46 UTC

When did they change the rules so that you can no longer break your return journey on a day return?

2026-09-11 07:03:36 UTC

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The hotel styles its breakfast offer “Express Start”. The sausages have taken so long that I will not get them now because I need to go.

2026-09-11 06:57:21 UTC

The North East of England does breakfast rolls! No tattie scones to put on them in this hotel though. So hash browns it is.
I had ordered vegan sossidge to put on it, but that was 30 minutes ago, so I guess they forgot.

2026-09-11 06:30:16 UTC

Good morning, universe. How are you today?
Up early because my plans for the day involve two railway museums.

2026-09-11 06:21:11 UTC

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I do not have an ESTA, nor any plans to get one.

2026-09-10 17:13:52 UTC

This is the first thing I came to see.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/247/863/938/276/856/original/483cb0fd56ff4acc.jpeg

2026-09-10 09:57:03 UTC

As an indication of how much of a life changer this Railcard is going to be, I paid for a three-year one and I have already saved half the cost of it on a single journey.

2026-09-10 00:24:48 UTC

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It was a long exposure. I held my breath.

2026-09-10 00:22:25 UTC

Leith tonight, after pub closing time.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/243/886/894/643/837/original/7a4b3ff35fb05a51.jpeg

2026-09-08 15:01:38 UTC

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The statistic I saw, in German, today that interested me was that their vote share was low among the over 60s. Opposite of what you’d expect.

2026-09-08 14:09:04 UTC

Belated birthday lunch
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/235/812/952/924/982/original/7c66a3d27d4ac9fc.jpeg

2026-09-07 10:55:12 UTC

Yesterday, I learned the best way that Albert Heijn now do vegan stroopwafels. Thank you @npub1fcn…zn9t !

2026-09-07 09:51:51 UTC

I have survived last night, and added to my proven track record of organising piss-ups in breweries. Today might be a multiple coffee day, though.
And cocktails. I have a hankering to go to the Alchemist and have their giant platter of fried vegan stuff with a couple of cocktails.

2026-09-06 23:32:00 UTC

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I spent the afternoon and evening at a piss up in a brewery I organised, then a favourite pub. Now I am at a late night goth/rock pub. I expect I will be tired in the morning.

2026-09-06 23:25:43 UTC

Officially old.

2026-09-05 10:26:35 UTC

The longest distance between two Premier League teams is Newcastle and Bournemouth. Which is why Sky has decided that will be the lunchtime kick-off today. Apparently one of the Bournemouth fans’ coaches set off just after midnight to get there on time.

2026-09-03 23:13:28 UTC

Moving an old Schwebebahn Carriage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wwHsl6Ft1A https://feorag.wordpress.com/2026/09/04/moving-an-old-schwebebahn-carriage/

2026-08-28 10:51:38 UTC

I have had an ill-advised idea for an adventure, but it will require planning. I recall someone here posting a tool for planning trips with a Deutschlandticket but, of course, I didn’t bookmark it.
Any recommendations for such a tool?

2026-08-19 16:25:39 UTC

It’s a tad damp in Edinburgh at the moment.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/123/103/605/377/393/original/1d3f2953a31530e4.jpeg

2026-08-02 09:42:42 UTC

I am at one of the most significant places ever.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/117/025/259/938/267/961/original/caf8ffe66e4f0b2c.jpeg

2026-07-10 14:16:52 UTC

A few years ago, I was flying to Brussels from Bristol Airport.
I was walking with a stick, and it was a way to the gate. When I got there, I paused at the top of a flight of stairs wondering whether there was a lift. A woman, about my mum’s age, approached me, and sharply asked where the lift was. I said I was wondering the same thing myself, noticed who I was talking to, and struggled down the stairs rather than risk being stuck in a lift with Ann Widdicombe.

2026-06-17 17:09:22 UTC

Vintage Mamod stationary engine, further update: Penetrating oil did bugger all. Because of limescale, that’s what’s clogging up everything. Have ordered a bottle of the descaler lots of model steam folk rate and some syringes.

2026-06-01 13:00:26 UTC

I have arrived in Bremen despite Deutsche Bahn’s best efforts, and have a room upgrade with a stupendous view.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/674/974/307/305/913/original/f0a23392531e111e.jpeg

2026-05-04 11:02:55 UTC

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This cute little horizontal engine is unlabelled other than a number 6.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/967/529/858/309/original/e0d7798ed2c72bc3.jpeg

2026-05-04 10:50:52 UTC

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Meet Elsie, a fairly standard 180hp tandem compound mill engine. My first Macintosh is called Elsie. Still have her somewhere.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/919/742/146/048/original/a75181066041b86d.jpeg
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/920/123/501/540/original/b80630b8ca862b8b.jpeg

2026-05-04 10:07:15 UTC

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The coffee is terrible, but cheap and available. The cafe is run by a nice older woman who sounds just like my mum!

2026-05-04 10:05:19 UTC

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Entry is free (I will be buying Stuff and making a donation). I haven’t had any caffeine today, so first stop is the café. Here’s the view from there.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/740/818/448/574/original/32d03e8651315268.jpeg

2026-05-04 09:49:36 UTC

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And I’ve arrived.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/679/187/114/633/original/e8522d8e33b5af34.jpeg

2026-05-04 09:43:19 UTC

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Nearly there. I can smell my destination!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/654/531/884/445/original/1d3be4cc7e440fe9.jpeg

2026-05-04 09:27:42 UTC

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Incidentally, Bolton station is the only place I ever saw the late Queen. I arrived, the Royal Train was in and I saw her get into a car and be driven off to wherever she was going.

2026-05-04 09:24:29 UTC

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We got off at Bolton, a station with some historic interest, and are waiting at the bus station for a bus towards Preston.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/580/426/317/611/original/0790ebbb9f098547.jpeg

2026-05-04 08:54:47 UTC

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Today’s adventure brought to you by an excellent day ranger ticket that gives you all off peak trains, trams, and most buses in the whole of Greater Manchester for £11.40

2026-05-04 08:49:09 UTC

Off on a steamy day out today. Our journey starts at the beautiful Manchester Oxford Road station.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/515/441/571/315/579/original/aeef7001ec5c1594.jpeg

2026-03-21 20:31:27 UTC

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If tech history is of interest, the Musée d’Arts et Metiers is great.

2026-02-22 20:27:04 UTC

I am on a train in Switzerland, operated by a Swiss company, that has not been in Germany, that is running 5 minutes late.

2026-02-16 15:16:20 UTC

@npub1dnd…hzjs bought me the @npub1ulc…x3hg tool kit in December. I have just used it* to mend a 13 year old, and therefore hard to replace, TV remote in which a battery had decided to leak messily.
Mood: accomplished.
* plus isopropyl alcohol, some cotton buds, an old toothbrush, and the wet and dry paper I use for making models.

2026-02-03 19:09:29 UTC

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Someone has been hit by a train between Retford and Doncaster. We are not going anywhere for a while. I have food.

2026-02-03 19:05:30 UTC

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App now just says “delayed” with no time.

2026-02-03 19:04:50 UTC

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LNER app says three minute delay. Train was due to leave 4 minutes ago.

2026-02-03 19:03:42 UTC

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The train is not moving. Another passenger says there’s a notice that all trains have been stopped. No announcement yet.

2026-02-03 18:54:44 UTC

On the train now. With @npub1p63…4y8n
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/116/008/214/850/537/891/original/0713308dc84803b7.jpeg

2026-01-30 09:19:55 UTC

Arrived in London yesterday, and chilled most of the day. Now well-rested and ready to go exploring. Was going to do the London Transport Museum, but they make it really difficult. Ah well. At some point of this trip I will do the entire Croydon Trams.

2026-01-12 15:58:48 UTC

The latest silly Ali Express kit I got to top up my order. Did I ever post the portaloo complete with jobby?
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/115/882/952/217/351/867/original/4d0e3fe273aaa57f.jpeg

2025-12-16 13:46:27 UTC

@npub1dnd…hzjs bought me a nice iFixIt toolkit in Germany. In accordance with tradition, I have used it to fix something (a Playmobil figure I had mis-assembled in a way hard to disassemble and redo), and also inflicted my first injury on myself with it (stuck the pointy end of a spudger into my hand).

2025-12-13 17:34:41 UTC

The Wildeman is getting into the festive spirit.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/115/713/459/899/124/158/original/30722020a54be809.jpeg

2025-12-09 19:37:25 UTC

The rule about not eating anything bigger than your head does not apply to bhatura
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/115/691/291/984/057/988/original/3bfbba6c149f2cb4.jpeg

2025-12-05 11:54:07 UTC

Bad news: this is huuuuuge and I can’t fit it in my baggage.
Worse news (for my bank account): they ship to the UK
https://www.bluebrixx.com/en/prod/108474/wuppertaler-hanging-monorail/

2025-10-25 20:02:23 UTC

I innocently asked @npub1dnd…hzjs if Moomins have arse leeches. Wish I hadn’t now.
Edit: Autocarrot had changed “Moomins” to “Mormons”, which is admittedly funnier, but not what I said.

2025-10-20 10:35:13 UTC

Ah well. My elbow is still horrible 2.5 weeks after my fall in Krakow, and I now have a GP appointment.

2025-10-14 19:58:48 UTC

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most of A level is English Literature, not Language.

2025-10-02 11:20:08 UTC

I have found a Brexit benefit! Poland is full of people who speak better English than the idiots who voted for Brexit.

2025-09-20 11:52:35 UTC

It would be rude not to
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/115/236/480/570/761/008/original/8e6314ec9507ad22.jpeg

2025-09-13 13:22:57 UTC

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And Stockholm are playing ABBA. #TramWM

2025-09-13 13:16:24 UTC

Edinburgh have brought a piper! #TramWM

2025-07-21 20:19:39 UTC

I suspect that I will never find out about every batshit 19th century transport , because there are always more. Like this, for example, which is powered by five tonnes of caustic soda surrounded by water. Link to English-language Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_locomotive
https://ridesbik.es/@herrbett/114892929584207321

2025-06-17 11:35:18 UTC

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Also, IndoMee noodles are readily available, much cheaper, almost certainly better, and will definitely taste like Indonesian noodles.

2025-06-08 10:16:32 UTC

It’s a beautiful day to ride a gadgetbahn.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/114/647/222/641/690/651/original/472cc771ce0d30f4.jpeg

2025-05-27 08:45:54 UTC

How lucky am I to get to cross the Forth Bridge regularly?
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/114/578/918/279/849/044/original/f2d8bb5bcf6c7770.jpeg