simon blackbourn
@simonblackbourn.net
plymouth // photographer // serial wanderer // ancient stone botherer // co-founder + zine designer at dartmoor collective // job: freelance wordpress developer
Lots of "violent storm 11" and even the very rare "hurricane force 12" in the shipping forecast on the radio this morning. Very glad that I don't have to go to sea for a living, can't be fun at all out there on days like this.
January 8, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Lots of "violent storm 11" and even the very rare "hurricane force 12" in the shipping forecast on the radio this morning. Very glad that I don't have to go to sea for a living, can't be fun at all out there on days like this.
Winter evenings sorted for the next few weeks
January 6, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Winter evenings sorted for the next few weeks
Excellent new Sleaford Mods track with equally excellent video by Andrea Arnold
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ae...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ae...
Sleaford Mods Ft. Sue Tompkins - No Touch (Official Video)
YouTube video by Sleaford Mods
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Excellent new Sleaford Mods track with equally excellent video by Andrea Arnold
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ae...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ae...
Reposted by simon blackbourn
The 1st of January 2026 marked the centenary of landmark legislation which, for the first time, created a right to walk and ride on significant areas of common land in town and country. This law was largely thanks to our friends the Open Spaces Society.
dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/centenary-of...
dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/centenary-of...
Centenary of Open Spaces Law - Dartmoor Preservation Association
The 1st of January 2026 marks the centenary of landmark legislation which, for the first time, created a right to walk and ride on significant areas of common land in town and country. This law was la...
dartmoorpreservation.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 8:49 AM
The 1st of January 2026 marked the centenary of landmark legislation which, for the first time, created a right to walk and ride on significant areas of common land in town and country. This law was largely thanks to our friends the Open Spaces Society.
dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/centenary-of...
dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/centenary-of...
The Long Stone on Dartmoor with Kestor in the background. It was used as a parish boundary marker and has "GP" and "DC" carved into it (Gidleigh Parish and Duchy of Cornwall). An amazing part of the moor with stone rows, standing stones, hut circles and field systems all around.
#standingStoneSunday
#standingStoneSunday
January 4, 2026 at 10:38 AM
The Long Stone on Dartmoor with Kestor in the background. It was used as a parish boundary marker and has "GP" and "DC" carved into it (Gidleigh Parish and Duchy of Cornwall). An amazing part of the moor with stone rows, standing stones, hut circles and field systems all around.
#standingStoneSunday
#standingStoneSunday
Doesn't look like I'll be ditching the pyjamas any time soon
Seriously considering staying in bed unless I receive a cast iron guarantee that 2026 is going to be an improvement on 2025.
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Doesn't look like I'll be ditching the pyjamas any time soon
Seriously considering staying in bed unless I receive a cast iron guarantee that 2026 is going to be an improvement on 2025.
January 2, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Seriously considering staying in bed unless I receive a cast iron guarantee that 2026 is going to be an improvement on 2025.
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you:
Hi, I'm bacterial meningitis.
Hi, I'm bacterial meningitis.
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you:
Hi, I'm my right kidney.
Hi, I'm my right kidney.
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you:
Hello! I am Buachaille Etive Mòr.
Hello! I am Buachaille Etive Mòr.
January 2, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you:
Hi, I'm bacterial meningitis.
Hi, I'm bacterial meningitis.
On January 1st last year I was soaking up the winter sun on top of a Spanish mountain with stunning views over the Mediterranean. It wasn't quite t-shirt weather but it was pretty close. Feels like a distant half-remembered dream now...
January 1, 2026 at 9:47 PM
On January 1st last year I was soaking up the winter sun on top of a Spanish mountain with stunning views over the Mediterranean. It wasn't quite t-shirt weather but it was pretty close. Feels like a distant half-remembered dream now...
Looking forward to your glowing review of this next May @staggerlee68.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wL...
December 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Looking forward to your glowing review of this next May @staggerlee68.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wL...
Reposted by simon blackbourn
If you're looking for the perfect Christmas present for someone who loves Dartmoor, art and photography then we still have some copies of Flow available for sale on the website.
All proceeds from sales go directly to supporting the visual arts on Dartmoor.
dartmoorcollective.org/product/flow...
All proceeds from sales go directly to supporting the visual arts on Dartmoor.
dartmoorcollective.org/product/flow...
December 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
If you're looking for the perfect Christmas present for someone who loves Dartmoor, art and photography then we still have some copies of Flow available for sale on the website.
All proceeds from sales go directly to supporting the visual arts on Dartmoor.
dartmoorcollective.org/product/flow...
All proceeds from sales go directly to supporting the visual arts on Dartmoor.
dartmoorcollective.org/product/flow...
6.30pm and I'm in my pyjamas and dressing gown, drinking Horlicks, eating a hot mince pie, and feeling pretty damn pleased about it.
November 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
6.30pm and I'm in my pyjamas and dressing gown, drinking Horlicks, eating a hot mince pie, and feeling pretty damn pleased about it.
Avebury, undoubtedly one of the most remarkable places in England. It's been a couple of years since I last visited, time for another visit soon.
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#standingStoneSunday
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#standingStoneSunday
November 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Avebury, undoubtedly one of the most remarkable places in England. It's been a couple of years since I last visited, time for another visit soon.
--
#standingStoneSunday
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#standingStoneSunday
Why are bananas so rubbish these days? They used to taste and smell delicious and very... banana-y. Now they taste and smell of absolutely nothing and nearly always have a weird floury texture. Have they been enshittified like everything else?
November 27, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Why are bananas so rubbish these days? They used to taste and smell delicious and very... banana-y. Now they taste and smell of absolutely nothing and nearly always have a weird floury texture. Have they been enshittified like everything else?
New t-shirt. Just in case anyone is in any doubt.
November 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
New t-shirt. Just in case anyone is in any doubt.
November 23, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Reposted by simon blackbourn
Dartmoor is dying - it's time to bring it back to life.
Today the Dartmoor Nature Alliance publish a new call to action to restore Dartmoor's habitats: rewet peat bogs, revive heaths by reducing grazing, double temperate rainforest area
Read it & join here:
www.dartmoornature.org.uk/call-to-action
Today the Dartmoor Nature Alliance publish a new call to action to restore Dartmoor's habitats: rewet peat bogs, revive heaths by reducing grazing, double temperate rainforest area
Read it & join here:
www.dartmoornature.org.uk/call-to-action
November 13, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Dartmoor is dying - it's time to bring it back to life.
Today the Dartmoor Nature Alliance publish a new call to action to restore Dartmoor's habitats: rewet peat bogs, revive heaths by reducing grazing, double temperate rainforest area
Read it & join here:
www.dartmoornature.org.uk/call-to-action
Today the Dartmoor Nature Alliance publish a new call to action to restore Dartmoor's habitats: rewet peat bogs, revive heaths by reducing grazing, double temperate rainforest area
Read it & join here:
www.dartmoornature.org.uk/call-to-action
Very pleased with this horizon alignment in my Instagram feed
(www.instagram.com/simonblackbo...)
(www.instagram.com/simonblackbo...)
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Very pleased with this horizon alignment in my Instagram feed
(www.instagram.com/simonblackbo...)
(www.instagram.com/simonblackbo...)
A much-awaited treat, third or fourth viewing of the wonderful Ida, but first time on the big screen
November 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A much-awaited treat, third or fourth viewing of the wonderful Ida, but first time on the big screen
Sunday afternoon
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📸
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📸
November 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Sunday afternoon
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📸
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📸
Dartmoor yesterday afternoon. Soggy, squelchy, shrouded, silent.
November 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Dartmoor yesterday afternoon. Soggy, squelchy, shrouded, silent.
Get to know your mutuals. 10 random things I like in no particular order.
1 Dartmoor in the fog
2 The Cure
3 My orange jumper
4 Giving standing stones a friendly little pat
5 Aki Kaurismäki films
6 Multi-storey car parks
7 Waking up in a tent
8 Finding hagstones
9 My Ricoh GRiii
10 Persian food
1 Dartmoor in the fog
2 The Cure
3 My orange jumper
4 Giving standing stones a friendly little pat
5 Aki Kaurismäki films
6 Multi-storey car parks
7 Waking up in a tent
8 Finding hagstones
9 My Ricoh GRiii
10 Persian food
Get to know your mutuals. 10 random things I like in no particular order.
1. Dogs
2. Dartmoor
3. Versa est in luctum by Lobo
4. The Lord of the Rings
5. Big tweedy winter coats
6. Compassion
7. Walking
8. A good flat white
9. Blue cheese
10. Ironing a pile of bed linen
1. Dogs
2. Dartmoor
3. Versa est in luctum by Lobo
4. The Lord of the Rings
5. Big tweedy winter coats
6. Compassion
7. Walking
8. A good flat white
9. Blue cheese
10. Ironing a pile of bed linen
Get to know your mutuals. 10 random things I like in no particular order.
1. Scenery; trees, sea, hills
2. Hikes, walks
3. Decent coffee
4. A good read
5. Renovating
6. Hygge
7. Crochet, knitting
8. Rugby
9. Classic sports cars
10. Gardening, landscaping
1. Scenery; trees, sea, hills
2. Hikes, walks
3. Decent coffee
4. A good read
5. Renovating
6. Hygge
7. Crochet, knitting
8. Rugby
9. Classic sports cars
10. Gardening, landscaping
November 16, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Get to know your mutuals. 10 random things I like in no particular order.
1 Dartmoor in the fog
2 The Cure
3 My orange jumper
4 Giving standing stones a friendly little pat
5 Aki Kaurismäki films
6 Multi-storey car parks
7 Waking up in a tent
8 Finding hagstones
9 My Ricoh GRiii
10 Persian food
1 Dartmoor in the fog
2 The Cure
3 My orange jumper
4 Giving standing stones a friendly little pat
5 Aki Kaurismäki films
6 Multi-storey car parks
7 Waking up in a tent
8 Finding hagstones
9 My Ricoh GRiii
10 Persian food
I thought this was going to be one of those godawful swing jazz covers, but it's actually very good
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
Orkestra Obsolete play Blue Monday using 1930s instruments - BBC Arts
YouTube video by BBC
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I thought this was going to be one of those godawful swing jazz covers, but it's actually very good
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
I am happy to inform you that marmalade consumption in my house is most definitely not plummeting.
I regret to inform you, but marmalade consumption continues to plummet in the UK.
Back in 1974 each adult, each week, ate on average 27g. It was a mere 4g in 2024 (down from 6g in 2023).
Honey, by contrast, has gone from 5g in 1974 to 9g last year.
Back in 1974 each adult, each week, ate on average 27g. It was a mere 4g in 2024 (down from 6g in 2023).
Honey, by contrast, has gone from 5g in 1974 to 9g last year.
a dog with a peanut butter and cheese sandwich on its head
ALT: a dog with a peanut butter and cheese sandwich on its head
media.tenor.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I am happy to inform you that marmalade consumption in my house is most definitely not plummeting.