Rick Gaehl
@rickgaehl.bsky.social
Retired bloke in Devon who identifies as European and is interested in politics, the environment, photography, the arts, history, cycling, and stuff.
All photos are mine unless credited elsewhere.
Also to be found here: https://mstdn.social/@RickGaehl
All photos are mine unless credited elsewhere.
Also to be found here: https://mstdn.social/@RickGaehl
Pinned
Rick Gaehl
@rickgaehl.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Lots of new people joining BlueSky just now, which is a good thing.
I try to post a new photo every day, but also post stuff about politics, climate change, and other issues.
I welcome new followers, but I tend not to follow back if you have a scant bio or posting history, or unless I know you.
I try to post a new photo every day, but also post stuff about politics, climate change, and other issues.
I welcome new followers, but I tend not to follow back if you have a scant bio or posting history, or unless I know you.
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
The entrance to the Arsenale in Venice, compared to the same scene by Canaletto in 1732. Arsenal became the generic term for all stores of weapons and ordnance, but it was originally created as Europe's first shipyard. What we see today is the 'New' Arsenal, built in 1320.
#Photography #History
#Photography #History
November 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The entrance to the Arsenale in Venice, compared to the same scene by Canaletto in 1732. Arsenal became the generic term for all stores of weapons and ordnance, but it was originally created as Europe's first shipyard. What we see today is the 'New' Arsenal, built in 1320.
#Photography #History
#Photography #History
The entrance to the Arsenale in Venice, compared to the same scene by Canaletto in 1732. Arsenal became the generic term for all stores of weapons and ordnance, but it was originally created as Europe's first shipyard. What we see today is the 'New' Arsenal, built in 1320.
#Photography #History
#Photography #History
November 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The entrance to the Arsenale in Venice, compared to the same scene by Canaletto in 1732. Arsenal became the generic term for all stores of weapons and ordnance, but it was originally created as Europe's first shipyard. What we see today is the 'New' Arsenal, built in 1320.
#Photography #History
#Photography #History
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
I haven't seen any yet but you could probably find a few contemporaries who didn't personally witness Farage being Farage at school. But there doesn't seem to be a single former pupil or teacher who find the descriptions of racism, anti-semitism & cruelty unfeasible. Shocked, I tell you...
November 26, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I haven't seen any yet but you could probably find a few contemporaries who didn't personally witness Farage being Farage at school. But there doesn't seem to be a single former pupil or teacher who find the descriptions of racism, anti-semitism & cruelty unfeasible. Shocked, I tell you...
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
It's National Tree Week in the UK, so here's a photo of Wistman's Wood - a remnant of Britain's, once-abundant, temperate rainforest.
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
It's National Tree Week in the UK, so here's a photo of Wistman's Wood - a remnant of Britain's, once-abundant, temperate rainforest.
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
It's National Tree Week in the UK, so here's a photo of Wistman's Wood - a remnant of Britain's, once-abundant, temperate rainforest.
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
It's National Tree Week in the UK, so here's a photo of Wistman's Wood - a remnant of Britain's, once-abundant, temperate rainforest.
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
The photo is from this time of year, but back when we were still allowed to walk amongst them.
Location shot in my reply to this post.
#Photography #Nature #Trees
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Here's an interesting wall, which maybe can double-up as something of a Rorschach test. It's an image I find it rewarding to look at for a while - it seems to draw me in...
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
November 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Here's an interesting wall, which maybe can double-up as something of a Rorschach test. It's an image I find it rewarding to look at for a while - it seems to draw me in...
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Open letter from over 1,000 UK scientists urging all MPs to attend the National Emergency Briefing. A huge list full of highly respected names.
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
National Emergency Briefing
An unfiltered assessment of the latest threats to UK food supply, health and national security from eight leading experts to an invitation-only audience - also covering positive solutions. Westminster...
www.nebriefing.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Open letter from over 1,000 UK scientists urging all MPs to attend the National Emergency Briefing. A huge list full of highly respected names.
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
"Without much more urgent and decisive action, we risk seeing these impacts overwhelm our capacity to respond."
Please share with your MP #NEB2025
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Covid inquiry live: ‘Inexcusable’ delays under Johnson led to 23,000 deaths
Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Here's an interesting wall, which maybe can double-up as something of a Rorschach test. It's an image I find it rewarding to look at for a while - it seems to draw me in...
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
November 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Here's an interesting wall, which maybe can double-up as something of a Rorschach test. It's an image I find it rewarding to look at for a while - it seems to draw me in...
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
#Photography #Wall #Bricks #Urban #Psychogeography
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Hard to overstate the significance of this. First fare freeze in 30 yrs; massive boost for commuters who would have seen annual costs rise by up to £300. V positive sign that affordability is being put at the heart of the govt's plans for Great British Railways.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Relief for rail passengers as fare freeze in England announced for 2026
Chancellor will confirm the measure, intended to help commuters on expensive routes, in her budget speech
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Hard to overstate the significance of this. First fare freeze in 30 yrs; massive boost for commuters who would have seen annual costs rise by up to £300. V positive sign that affordability is being put at the heart of the govt's plans for Great British Railways.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Finally, we hear actual legal terms. Thank you @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
As someone who studied EU Policy, I appreciate this.
My question is though - how stable is any ceasefire if Russia is entitled to keep what they occupied even if the change to actual, legal UA borders isn’t recognized?
As someone who studied EU Policy, I appreciate this.
My question is though - how stable is any ceasefire if Russia is entitled to keep what they occupied even if the change to actual, legal UA borders isn’t recognized?
November 24, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Finally, we hear actual legal terms. Thank you @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
As someone who studied EU Policy, I appreciate this.
My question is though - how stable is any ceasefire if Russia is entitled to keep what they occupied even if the change to actual, legal UA borders isn’t recognized?
As someone who studied EU Policy, I appreciate this.
My question is though - how stable is any ceasefire if Russia is entitled to keep what they occupied even if the change to actual, legal UA borders isn’t recognized?
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
To be clear, this is a tariff on our own exports.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
To be clear, this is a tariff on our own exports.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
November 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
November 23, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
November 23, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
The black hole in Durham County Council’s budget has grown by £11.1mn in the past two months under the control of Reform UK.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Reform cabinet backs £10mn cuts to start filling Durham’s growing black hole
Reform is now learning that running a big council is not as easy as it probably thought
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The black hole in Durham County Council’s budget has grown by £11.1mn in the past two months under the control of Reform UK.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Its cabinet has been forced to approve a £10mn list of cuts.
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
Did Farage say racist things at school❓
He says no, it’s his word against 20 others.. so how good is his word 🤔
He said authorities told him not to hold surgeries in Clacton bc of risk to his life. Oops it was a lie 🤥
He announced he’d bought a house in Clacton Whoops another lie 🤥
Serial liar 🤷🏼♂️
He says no, it’s his word against 20 others.. so how good is his word 🤔
He said authorities told him not to hold surgeries in Clacton bc of risk to his life. Oops it was a lie 🤥
He announced he’d bought a house in Clacton Whoops another lie 🤥
Serial liar 🤷🏼♂️
Twenty people allege he has a racist past. He denies it. Who’s telling the truth about Farage’s schooldays?
Reform UK’s leader refuses to answer questions about his abusive behaviour, claiming there’s ‘no evidence’. We talk to victims and witnesses
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Did Farage say racist things at school❓
He says no, it’s his word against 20 others.. so how good is his word 🤔
He said authorities told him not to hold surgeries in Clacton bc of risk to his life. Oops it was a lie 🤥
He announced he’d bought a house in Clacton Whoops another lie 🤥
Serial liar 🤷🏼♂️
He says no, it’s his word against 20 others.. so how good is his word 🤔
He said authorities told him not to hold surgeries in Clacton bc of risk to his life. Oops it was a lie 🤥
He announced he’d bought a house in Clacton Whoops another lie 🤥
Serial liar 🤷🏼♂️
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
The leaves fall, the frost comes, and slowly, but surely, autumn begins to morph into winter...
#Photography #Autumn #Leaves #Frost #Nature #Psychogeography
#Photography #Autumn #Leaves #Frost #Nature #Psychogeography
November 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The leaves fall, the frost comes, and slowly, but surely, autumn begins to morph into winter...
#Photography #Autumn #Leaves #Frost #Nature #Psychogeography
#Photography #Autumn #Leaves #Frost #Nature #Psychogeography
Reader, they don't.
Farage can now be easily boxed in to a corner where his only ‘defence’ becomes: “Yes I spouted Kremlin propaganda & Putin worship but, unlike Nathan Gill, I didn’t need bribes to do it.”
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
November 22, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reader, they don't.
Reposted by Rick Gaehl
“The family try everything. They promise to replace the sodden carpets and find new, innovative ways to warm the house. Someone with a laptop wonders if AI might be the answer. But no one ever looks upwards and says: maybe we should just repair the giant hole in the roof.….Brexit”
“Rachel Reeves is studiously ignoring the cause of Britain’s woes: the Brexit-shaped hole in its roof”, says Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves is studiously ignoring the cause of Britain’s woes: the Brexit-shaped hole in its roof | Jonathan Freedland
The autumn budget will mop up some damage, but the true source of the economic crisis is clear. The government should now fix it – tragically, it won’t, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
“The family try everything. They promise to replace the sodden carpets and find new, innovative ways to warm the house. Someone with a laptop wonders if AI might be the answer. But no one ever looks upwards and says: maybe we should just repair the giant hole in the roof.….Brexit”