Chris Dale
@chrisdaleoxford.bsky.social
Solicitor who promoted eDiscovery/eDisclosure in England and Wales and elsewhere. Now retired to my photographs of places, birds, and the dog. In Oxford.
Not much changes: OTD in 1662, Pepys watches the English mocking the entourage of the Russian ambassador because they "look strange".
But Lord! to see the absurd nature of Englishmen, that cannot forbear laughing and jeering at every thing that looks strange.
November 27, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Not much changes: OTD in 1662, Pepys watches the English mocking the entourage of the Russian ambassador because they "look strange".
1988: Mass poisoning from North Cornwall reservoir (where we go on holiday).
1989: Cryptosporidium in Farmoor Reservoir (we live there).
1990: Health Visitor: "You're taking your children to France!? Don't forget to boil the water!"
1989: Cryptosporidium in Farmoor Reservoir (we live there).
1990: Health Visitor: "You're taking your children to France!? Don't forget to boil the water!"
November 27, 2025 at 12:36 PM
1988: Mass poisoning from North Cornwall reservoir (where we go on holiday).
1989: Cryptosporidium in Farmoor Reservoir (we live there).
1990: Health Visitor: "You're taking your children to France!? Don't forget to boil the water!"
1989: Cryptosporidium in Farmoor Reservoir (we live there).
1990: Health Visitor: "You're taking your children to France!? Don't forget to boil the water!"
Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, built in 1936, heads into Oxford in December 2023
November 27, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, built in 1936, heads into Oxford in December 2023
Yesterday in 2023 - off the night train to Glasgow, and straight up to the Necropolis as the sun lightened the morning sky.
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Yesterday in 2023 - off the night train to Glasgow, and straight up to the Necropolis as the sun lightened the morning sky.
I agree with this. I was once hunting dog poo in autumn leaves when a kind lady came along with her little girl. "Have you lost something?" she asked. "Can we help?"
"What is it that you are looking for?"
"What is it that you are looking for?"
Dead leaves on the ground make picking up dog poop a more challenging pattern-recognition task, helping keep my mind sharp as I age. It’s like doing nature sudoku. Thank you to everyone involved
November 26, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I agree with this. I was once hunting dog poo in autumn leaves when a kind lady came along with her little girl. "Have you lost something?" she asked. "Can we help?"
"What is it that you are looking for?"
"What is it that you are looking for?"
Reposted by Chris Dale
🚨 Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Koch History Centre Fellowships at Oxford!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
🚨 Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Koch History Centre Fellowships at Oxford!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!
Reposted by Chris Dale
Liberation and Battle of France: Battle of Tilly. DLI going into action from the village of Lingevre, 14th June 1944 with destroyed Tiger and Sherman tanks in the foreground, by Anthony Gross.
IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 4465)
IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 4465)
November 26, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Liberation and Battle of France: Battle of Tilly. DLI going into action from the village of Lingevre, 14th June 1944 with destroyed Tiger and Sherman tanks in the foreground, by Anthony Gross.
IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 4465)
IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 4465)
Reposted by Chris Dale
Lord Falconer on Today saying that the backlog justifies the virtual abolition of jury trial is like saying if there is a fire in your house you should blow it up rather than extinguish the fire. The backlog is temporary, jury trial should be forever.
November 26, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Lord Falconer on Today saying that the backlog justifies the virtual abolition of jury trial is like saying if there is a fire in your house you should blow it up rather than extinguish the fire. The backlog is temporary, jury trial should be forever.
Woman and dog beside water at last light (a pale version of a picture posted earlier)
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Woman and dog beside water at last light (a pale version of a picture posted earlier)
A woman looks at the sun setting across the meadow, her dog beside her.
November 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
A woman looks at the sun setting across the meadow, her dog beside her.
Reposted by Chris Dale
A 39-year old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with the Kidlington fly tip, following investigations by the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. EA director Anna Burns called it “the first step in delivering justice for residents”.
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
A 39-year old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with the Kidlington fly tip, following investigations by the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. EA director Anna Burns called it “the first step in delivering justice for residents”.
Reposted by Chris Dale
Somebody posted an old photo in a Facebook local group and asked if anyone could clean it up. Well-meaning people turned to #AI. Lots of responders seemed happy with the results, but this is how you destroy historical records.
November 25, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Somebody posted an old photo in a Facebook local group and asked if anyone could clean it up. Well-meaning people turned to #AI. Lots of responders seemed happy with the results, but this is how you destroy historical records.
Reposted by Chris Dale
For the knitters and crocheters among you. Generative AI patterns, why they're a problem, and how to spot them.
www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/11/24/t...
www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/11/24/t...
The AI Invasion of Knitting and Crochet
AI has been infiltrating knitting and crochet spaces, filling them with useless patterns. Here’s why that’s happening and what can be done about it.
www.plagiarismtoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
For the knitters and crocheters among you. Generative AI patterns, why they're a problem, and how to spot them.
www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/11/24/t...
www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/11/24/t...
Reposted by Chris Dale
Heads up that there’s a generous Interrail sale for the next 21 days - 25% off all passes, making it an even bigger bargain than usual. Passes can be activated at any point up to 11 months after purchase. From all your usual retailers. www.interrail.eu/en
Interrail.eu | 1 rail pass, 33 countries
Travel across Europe and discover 33 countries by train with Interrail. Enjoy the best rail travel experience in Europe with our Interrail Pass!
www.interrail.eu
November 25, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Heads up that there’s a generous Interrail sale for the next 21 days - 25% off all passes, making it an even bigger bargain than usual. Passes can be activated at any point up to 11 months after purchase. From all your usual retailers. www.interrail.eu/en
The other end of Port Meadow. And rather earlier than my daily walk. Lovely.
November 25, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The other end of Port Meadow. And rather earlier than my daily walk. Lovely.
Red letter box in an otherwise empty road in Oxford OTD in 2024
November 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Red letter box in an otherwise empty road in Oxford OTD in 2024
Reposted by Chris Dale
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
OTD in 2013 - walkers on the sea wall at Orford in Suffolk.
November 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
OTD in 2013 - walkers on the sea wall at Orford in Suffolk.
Last night's walk at dusk
November 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Last night's walk at dusk
Reposted by Chris Dale
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
Reposted by Chris Dale
Kestrel v crow this morning.
November 23, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Kestrel v crow this morning.
Reposted by Chris Dale
Every year I stop myself from posting “now look here you lot, my books would make an excellent Christmas present” in October because it’s way too early, and then I forget until it’s way too late.
Hope I’ve hit the sweet spot this time.
levparikian.com/index.php/sh...
Hope I’ve hit the sweet spot this time.
levparikian.com/index.php/sh...
November 23, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Every year I stop myself from posting “now look here you lot, my books would make an excellent Christmas present” in October because it’s way too early, and then I forget until it’s way too late.
Hope I’ve hit the sweet spot this time.
levparikian.com/index.php/sh...
Hope I’ve hit the sweet spot this time.
levparikian.com/index.php/sh...
Heron coming in for the night.
November 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Heron coming in for the night.
Moon, cloud, and trees this evening
November 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Moon, cloud, and trees this evening
Reposted by Chris Dale
November 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM