Mark Annand
@markannand.bsky.social
Born at 313ppm. If it's nearby, enjoy www.twotunnels.org.uk.
"Ghostbusters" 'cos, that clarinet on the sidewalk.
Profile photo credit @confluentious
"Ghostbusters" 'cos, that clarinet on the sidewalk.
Profile photo credit @confluentious
Reposted by Mark Annand
I think I’ve been scammed….My Rottweilers haven’t grown in months 😱😱
February 14, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I think I’ve been scammed….My Rottweilers haven’t grown in months 😱😱
Reposted by Mark Annand
Spent part of today at Kidderminster's carpet museum - first time I've visited despite it opening in 2012. Surprised at just how good it was. Brilliantly done. Hopefully it can avoid closure
February 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Spent part of today at Kidderminster's carpet museum - first time I've visited despite it opening in 2012. Surprised at just how good it was. Brilliantly done. Hopefully it can avoid closure
Reposted by Mark Annand
We've been hiking in the Lakes for over 25 years and today was one of our very best days. Feel very lucky.
February 14, 2026 at 4:59 PM
We've been hiking in the Lakes for over 25 years and today was one of our very best days. Feel very lucky.
Reposted by Mark Annand
This is impacting my mother's and brother's planned visit to the UK this summer, and they're scrambling to get their passports now (and of course since thousands of Australians are doing the same, it's anyone's guess what waiting times look like now). It's a shitshow.
One can make the case for requiring either a UK passport or some further documentation for dual British nationals to enter the country (this is true for eg the US). But making this change rapidly and getting a certificate so expensive is yet another Home Office cockup. Why always so draconian?
Gabrielle was all set for a routine trip from Australia to the UK. Then the rules for dual citizens suddenly changed
From 25 February all dual citizens visiting the UK must use their British passport, leaving many scrambling to get their documents in order
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:48 PM
This is impacting my mother's and brother's planned visit to the UK this summer, and they're scrambling to get their passports now (and of course since thousands of Australians are doing the same, it's anyone's guess what waiting times look like now). It's a shitshow.
Reposted by Mark Annand
I read three student newspapers in the course of writing this & on the off chance any student journalists at York, Exeter or Cambridge are reading this; God you’re all so much better than student journalism was in my day www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If you want to know what Reform would be like in power, look at how it threatened Bangor University | Gaby Hinsliff
A debating society didn’t want to invite two figures connected to the party to speak. Cue an authoritarian response, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:27 PM
I read three student newspapers in the course of writing this & on the off chance any student journalists at York, Exeter or Cambridge are reading this; God you’re all so much better than student journalism was in my day www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Mark Annand
Oligarchs seeking to destroy the free Press, says Fergal Keane, veteran Irish foreign correspondent, as he leaves BBC after 37 years
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
Fergal Keane: veteran Irish foreign correspondent leaves BBC after 37 years
Threats to a free press from oligarchs are now greater than ever, warns journalist as he departs reporting role
www.irishtimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Oligarchs seeking to destroy the free Press, says Fergal Keane, veteran Irish foreign correspondent, as he leaves BBC after 37 years
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
Reposted by Mark Annand
It is not widely realised that judgments have no real legal effect until and unless there is a court Order giving effect to the judgment.
Orders are the sausages that come out of the judicial sausage factory, just as statutes come out of the parliamentary sausage factory.
Orders are the sausages that come out of the judicial sausage factory, just as statutes come out of the parliamentary sausage factory.
February 13, 2026 at 11:53 AM
It is not widely realised that judgments have no real legal effect until and unless there is a court Order giving effect to the judgment.
Orders are the sausages that come out of the judicial sausage factory, just as statutes come out of the parliamentary sausage factory.
Orders are the sausages that come out of the judicial sausage factory, just as statutes come out of the parliamentary sausage factory.
Reposted by Mark Annand
I’m loving the references: Aesop, Star Trek, The Matrix, marvel and DC universes, Xena…
Also Captain Janeway as Zeus enforcing the Prime Directive? It all makes sense!
Also Captain Janeway as Zeus enforcing the Prime Directive? It all makes sense!
February 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
I’m loving the references: Aesop, Star Trek, The Matrix, marvel and DC universes, Xena…
Also Captain Janeway as Zeus enforcing the Prime Directive? It all makes sense!
Also Captain Janeway as Zeus enforcing the Prime Directive? It all makes sense!
Reposted by Mark Annand
Vandalism.
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Vandalism.
Reposted by Mark Annand
The splendid website London Pavement Geology (www.londonpavementgeology.co.uk) has been extended across the UK and tells you where to find treasures hidden in plain sight. Here are some London fossils from the LSE and Somerset House.
February 1, 2026 at 9:39 AM
The splendid website London Pavement Geology (www.londonpavementgeology.co.uk) has been extended across the UK and tells you where to find treasures hidden in plain sight. Here are some London fossils from the LSE and Somerset House.
Reposted by Mark Annand
No. It didn't.
Storm-battered Dawlish rail line ‘held up well’ say ministers
GOVERNMENT ministers have pledged to keep South Devon’s vital rail link running reliably as winter storms increase.
www.teignmouth-today.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 8:31 AM
No. It didn't.
Reposted by Mark Annand
Given how bad digital black and white can be, this doesn't look too bad. I guess it helps to light for black and white on the set and not just colour-correct afterwards.
youtu.be/_BdMu1RI7gU?...
youtu.be/_BdMu1RI7gU?...
“Spider-Noir” – Authentic Black & White Teaser Trailer | Prime Video
YouTube video by Amazon Prime Video UK & IE
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Given how bad digital black and white can be, this doesn't look too bad. I guess it helps to light for black and white on the set and not just colour-correct afterwards.
youtu.be/_BdMu1RI7gU?...
youtu.be/_BdMu1RI7gU?...
Reposted by Mark Annand
Actually it's worth the EU spending a lot of time on this because Reform winning would be a disaster for European security. There is enlightened self-interest in presenting the UK electorate with benefits they would lose by voting in Farage.
February 12, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Actually it's worth the EU spending a lot of time on this because Reform winning would be a disaster for European security. There is enlightened self-interest in presenting the UK electorate with benefits they would lose by voting in Farage.
Reposted by Mark Annand
Greetings from Kyiv,
that survived another russian night attack.
2,600 high-rise buildings are now without heating
(in addition to the 1,100 that will remain without it this season).
We still have some.
In a few days, frosts will return.
I don’t know how to make the world listen.
that survived another russian night attack.
2,600 high-rise buildings are now without heating
(in addition to the 1,100 that will remain without it this season).
We still have some.
In a few days, frosts will return.
I don’t know how to make the world listen.
February 12, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Greetings from Kyiv,
that survived another russian night attack.
2,600 high-rise buildings are now without heating
(in addition to the 1,100 that will remain without it this season).
We still have some.
In a few days, frosts will return.
I don’t know how to make the world listen.
that survived another russian night attack.
2,600 high-rise buildings are now without heating
(in addition to the 1,100 that will remain without it this season).
We still have some.
In a few days, frosts will return.
I don’t know how to make the world listen.
Reposted by Mark Annand
Rarely mentioned but about much of Ratcliffe’s business ‘success’ is based on draining public money (very common among these ‘self made tycoons’)
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
February 11, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Rarely mentioned but about much of Ratcliffe’s business ‘success’ is based on draining public money (very common among these ‘self made tycoons’)
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
Reposted by Mark Annand
Kon'nichiwa from Japan! Travelling on the country’s last remaining sleeper train tonight, the Sunrise Express, from Takamatsu to Tokyo.
My home for the night is, er, a hard bit of carpet - or to use the local term, a nobinobi ‘seat’. And yes, Shinkansens will follow…
@seatsixtyone.bsky.social
My home for the night is, er, a hard bit of carpet - or to use the local term, a nobinobi ‘seat’. And yes, Shinkansens will follow…
@seatsixtyone.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Kon'nichiwa from Japan! Travelling on the country’s last remaining sleeper train tonight, the Sunrise Express, from Takamatsu to Tokyo.
My home for the night is, er, a hard bit of carpet - or to use the local term, a nobinobi ‘seat’. And yes, Shinkansens will follow…
@seatsixtyone.bsky.social
My home for the night is, er, a hard bit of carpet - or to use the local term, a nobinobi ‘seat’. And yes, Shinkansens will follow…
@seatsixtyone.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Annand
Here's the full quote, from a newspaper column:
February 11, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Here's the full quote, from a newspaper column:
Reposted by Mark Annand
"We value speed more than human life. While our roads remain as they are, and present speeds are kept up, the slaughter will continue..."
—George Orwell, shown with his newly-adopted son, writing about hypocrisy of pedestrian-shaming "road safety" campaigns...in 1946.
—George Orwell, shown with his newly-adopted son, writing about hypocrisy of pedestrian-shaming "road safety" campaigns...in 1946.
February 11, 2026 at 7:33 PM
"We value speed more than human life. While our roads remain as they are, and present speeds are kept up, the slaughter will continue..."
—George Orwell, shown with his newly-adopted son, writing about hypocrisy of pedestrian-shaming "road safety" campaigns...in 1946.
—George Orwell, shown with his newly-adopted son, writing about hypocrisy of pedestrian-shaming "road safety" campaigns...in 1946.
Reposted by Mark Annand
Skipton & Ripon, Sir Julian's patch, is just up the road from me. I go cycling in that neck of the woods quite often. Here he is querying the wisdom of discouraging drink driving. A pox on him and his yellow corduroy trousers.
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
A question on #DrivingUnderInfluence #RuralAreas tabled by Sir Julian Smith on 03-02-2026 has been answered by Lilian Greenwood. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-03/110371
February 11, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Skipton & Ripon, Sir Julian's patch, is just up the road from me. I go cycling in that neck of the woods quite often. Here he is querying the wisdom of discouraging drink driving. A pox on him and his yellow corduroy trousers.
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Annand
Last week I discovered it gets pretty cold between the passenger cars on VIA Rail’s Canadian. (Good place to chill a case of Labatt’s 50, eh?)
February 11, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Last week I discovered it gets pretty cold between the passenger cars on VIA Rail’s Canadian. (Good place to chill a case of Labatt’s 50, eh?)
Reposted by Mark Annand
It is June 1983, you have just been elected to Parliament and appointed a Minister in the MOD. Your staff provide you with an induction briefing pack, including a section on Counter Terrorism. This is the actual brief Ministers had on the role of the SAS & SBS in CT operations.
February 11, 2026 at 7:20 PM
It is June 1983, you have just been elected to Parliament and appointed a Minister in the MOD. Your staff provide you with an induction briefing pack, including a section on Counter Terrorism. This is the actual brief Ministers had on the role of the SAS & SBS in CT operations.
Reposted by Mark Annand
"Siri, give me an example of flagrant exploitative pricing in the retail sector."
"I have found: The non-Clubcard and Clubcard prices for toothpaste at Tesco Express."
"I have found: The non-Clubcard and Clubcard prices for toothpaste at Tesco Express."
February 11, 2026 at 3:53 PM
"Siri, give me an example of flagrant exploitative pricing in the retail sector."
"I have found: The non-Clubcard and Clubcard prices for toothpaste at Tesco Express."
"I have found: The non-Clubcard and Clubcard prices for toothpaste at Tesco Express."
Reposted by Mark Annand
I watched this series for the first time ever last month and was floored by it. Just found this background stuff/commentary on Youtube.
February 11, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I watched this series for the first time ever last month and was floored by it. Just found this background stuff/commentary on Youtube.
Reposted by Mark Annand
Great new review of my book, War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why, in @thebulwark.com . The reviewer read the book closely and really understands the argument.
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-war-st...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-war-st...
Why War Still Surprises
It’s as old as humankind and has been closely studied by great minds—yet it continues to defy predictions.
www.thebulwark.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Great new review of my book, War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why, in @thebulwark.com . The reviewer read the book closely and really understands the argument.
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-war-st...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-war-st...
WECA publishes its February '26 vision.
A transport network you can trust: the West’s new transport vision - West of England Combined Authority
www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:17 PM
WECA publishes its February '26 vision.