Nigel McFarlane
@nigelmcfarlane.bsky.social
Partner. Father. Civil servant. OU Classics student. Interested in modern Greece, ancient history, churches, faith, nature. My own views.
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Thank you, Nigel. I am really moved by how this has become a hardy Advent perennial for a fair few people. #Advent
On Advent Sunday it's time to greet my regular seasonal companion In The Bleak Midwinter by @revrachelmann.bsky.social. A daily poem and reflection which still, after repeated readings, offers precious moments in a frantic period, and which feels more valuable each year.
November 30, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Thank you, Nigel. I am really moved by how this has become a hardy Advent perennial for a fair few people. #Advent
On Advent Sunday it's time to greet my regular seasonal companion In The Bleak Midwinter by @revrachelmann.bsky.social. A daily poem and reflection which still, after repeated readings, offers precious moments in a frantic period, and which feels more valuable each year.
November 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
On Advent Sunday it's time to greet my regular seasonal companion In The Bleak Midwinter by @revrachelmann.bsky.social. A daily poem and reflection which still, after repeated readings, offers precious moments in a frantic period, and which feels more valuable each year.
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
The 14th century west tower of St Botolph’s Church at Barford in Norfolk. 📸 My own. #SteepleSaturday #Barford #Norfolk
November 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The 14th century west tower of St Botolph’s Church at Barford in Norfolk. 📸 My own. #SteepleSaturday #Barford #Norfolk
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Translation update: just received word that “Love, War, and Diplomacy: The Discovery of the Amarna Letters…” will be translated into Czech; hopefully this will be the first of many such translations! 😎👍
November 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Translation update: just received word that “Love, War, and Diplomacy: The Discovery of the Amarna Letters…” will be translated into Czech; hopefully this will be the first of many such translations! 😎👍
It's been nearly six years since he left us, and the loss of his eloquence and wit are still keenly felt, at least by me. Remembering cultural polymath (and one of my heroes) Clive James. Born #OTD in 1939.
October 7, 2025 at 6:53 AM
It's been nearly six years since he left us, and the loss of his eloquence and wit are still keenly felt, at least by me. Remembering cultural polymath (and one of my heroes) Clive James. Born #OTD in 1939.
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
This 3,300 year-old Mycenaean terracotta chariot was found in a rock-hewn tomb at Megalo Monastiri, in the region of Larissa, Greece. Dated ca. 13th century BCE. Archaeological Museum of Volos, Greece. 📷 Athenologio.
August 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
This 3,300 year-old Mycenaean terracotta chariot was found in a rock-hewn tomb at Megalo Monastiri, in the region of Larissa, Greece. Dated ca. 13th century BCE. Archaeological Museum of Volos, Greece. 📷 Athenologio.
A brilliant selection of birthday reading. Looking forward to getting stuck in.
October 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A brilliant selection of birthday reading. Looking forward to getting stuck in.
Oh for heaven's sake, another 'bold reimagining' which actually leaves nothing to the imagination...just read the bloody book. Everything you need and more is in there.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Wuthering Heights: 'Erotic' first trailer of Emerald Fennell's film released
The trailer shows the characters engaged in longing stares, with sexualised imagery throughout.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Oh for heaven's sake, another 'bold reimagining' which actually leaves nothing to the imagination...just read the bloody book. Everything you need and more is in there.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Aw.
If it's not just me complaining, it must be really bad!
Anyway Nikolaj, Nik, Nikky darling, if you didn't use real history and real people for your little Temu-Game of Thrones, you wouldn't have to do so much defending ;)
If it's not just me complaining, it must be really bad!
Anyway Nikolaj, Nik, Nikky darling, if you didn't use real history and real people for your little Temu-Game of Thrones, you wouldn't have to do so much defending ;)
August 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Aw.
If it's not just me complaining, it must be really bad!
Anyway Nikolaj, Nik, Nikky darling, if you didn't use real history and real people for your little Temu-Game of Thrones, you wouldn't have to do so much defending ;)
If it's not just me complaining, it must be really bad!
Anyway Nikolaj, Nik, Nikky darling, if you didn't use real history and real people for your little Temu-Game of Thrones, you wouldn't have to do so much defending ;)
Finished this on the beach. One of my very favourite books. A beautiful opening, intricate plotting with an epic scope, ingenious storytelling and fabulous characters. My copy is 40 years old and I love picking it up to enjoy it all over again. #TheWomanInWhite #WilkieCollins
August 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Finished this on the beach. One of my very favourite books. A beautiful opening, intricate plotting with an epic scope, ingenious storytelling and fabulous characters. My copy is 40 years old and I love picking it up to enjoy it all over again. #TheWomanInWhite #WilkieCollins
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Poet Ted Hughes was born #OTD 1930 in Mytholmroyd, Yorkshire. Poet Laureate from 1984 until his death in 1998. His poetry is dominated by nature, especially by animals, though his approach is more mythical than naturalistic. (Pic by Jane Bown 1966.)
August 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Poet Ted Hughes was born #OTD 1930 in Mytholmroyd, Yorkshire. Poet Laureate from 1984 until his death in 1998. His poetry is dominated by nature, especially by animals, though his approach is more mythical than naturalistic. (Pic by Jane Bown 1966.)
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
It's a bit faded now, and a few repairs have been needed, but I'm enjoying a canter through this postmodern classic for the umpteenth time. Always fun to be had in this book about books and reading. #ItaloCalvino
August 14, 2025 at 7:40 AM
It's a bit faded now, and a few repairs have been needed, but I'm enjoying a canter through this postmodern classic for the umpteenth time. Always fun to be had in this book about books and reading. #ItaloCalvino
Been looking forward to reading this all week, and it was as rewarding as I hoped. Great stuff by David Barnett for ManchesterMill.
My search for the author of ‘Once in a House on Fire’ led to the other side of the world - and to a tantalising revelation manchestermill.co.uk/andrea-ashwo...
My search for the author of ‘Once in a House on Fire’ led to the other side of the world - and to a tantalising revelation manchestermill.co.uk/andrea-ashwo...
Andrea Ashworth wrote a classic of Mancunian literature. Why did she vanish from view?
My search for the author of ‘Once in a House on Fire’ led to the other side of the world - and to a tantalising revelation
manchestermill.co.uk
August 9, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Been looking forward to reading this all week, and it was as rewarding as I hoped. Great stuff by David Barnett for ManchesterMill.
My search for the author of ‘Once in a House on Fire’ led to the other side of the world - and to a tantalising revelation manchestermill.co.uk/andrea-ashwo...
My search for the author of ‘Once in a House on Fire’ led to the other side of the world - and to a tantalising revelation manchestermill.co.uk/andrea-ashwo...
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Some of the surviving fresco decoration from the House of Livia, the wife of Augustus, on the Palatine Hill in Rome. The frescoes date to around 30 BC. 📷 My own. #FrescoFriday #Rome
August 8, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Some of the surviving fresco decoration from the House of Livia, the wife of Augustus, on the Palatine Hill in Rome. The frescoes date to around 30 BC. 📷 My own. #FrescoFriday #Rome
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
A tombstone for Cornelius Victor - a senior centurion from Pannonia who served in the Roman army for 26 years, and died aged 55. The tombstone was found at Vindolanda Fort, and is now part of the collections at Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. 📷 My own. #EpigraphyTuesday
August 5, 2025 at 6:32 AM
A tombstone for Cornelius Victor - a senior centurion from Pannonia who served in the Roman army for 26 years, and died aged 55. The tombstone was found at Vindolanda Fort, and is now part of the collections at Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. 📷 My own. #EpigraphyTuesday
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
A Bronze Age food vessel from Hare Hill Ring Cairn which contained cremated remains. Located near Thornton-in-Craven in North Yorkshire, the site contained the cremated remains of at least 15 people. Part of the collections at Craven Museum in Skipton. #TombTuesday #CravenMuseum
August 5, 2025 at 6:33 AM
A Bronze Age food vessel from Hare Hill Ring Cairn which contained cremated remains. Located near Thornton-in-Craven in North Yorkshire, the site contained the cremated remains of at least 15 people. Part of the collections at Craven Museum in Skipton. #TombTuesday #CravenMuseum
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Every time someone posts about the structural and inherent limitations of LLMs there are loads of people in the replies confidently asserting AI will overcome all its current limitations, and they remind me of the people in the 1960s who were confident we would have colonised the galaxy by 1999.
August 2, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Every time someone posts about the structural and inherent limitations of LLMs there are loads of people in the replies confidently asserting AI will overcome all its current limitations, and they remind me of the people in the 1960s who were confident we would have colonised the galaxy by 1999.
In honour of today's date, this is my favourite line from one of my absolute favourite novels. #WilkieCollins #TheWomanInWhite
July 31, 2025 at 6:51 AM
In honour of today's date, this is my favourite line from one of my absolute favourite novels. #WilkieCollins #TheWomanInWhite
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Detail from a 4th century AD mosaic from the House of the Dioscuri at Ostia Antica, near Rome. 📷 My own. #MosaicMonday #OstiaAntica #RomanArchaeology
July 28, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Detail from a 4th century AD mosaic from the House of the Dioscuri at Ostia Antica, near Rome. 📷 My own. #MosaicMonday #OstiaAntica #RomanArchaeology
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
The Eleanor Cross at Geddington in Northamptonshire. Dating to the 1290s, the cross is one of several which commemorate Eleanor of Castile, the Queen of Edward I who died in Nottinghamshire. 📸 My own. #MedievalMonday
July 28, 2025 at 6:49 AM
The Eleanor Cross at Geddington in Northamptonshire. Dating to the 1290s, the cross is one of several which commemorate Eleanor of Castile, the Queen of Edward I who died in Nottinghamshire. 📸 My own. #MedievalMonday
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Free ebook! (co-edited by my brother-in-law) 🎉
Happy Friday! May I interest you in a free book? SLAVERY AND HONOUR IN THE ANCIENT GREEK WORLD is out now in Open Access! This edited collection from David Lewis, Mirko Canevaro and Douglas Cairns explores the complexities of honour and dishonour in ancient Greek slavery.
July 25, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Free ebook! (co-edited by my brother-in-law) 🎉
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
If I was going to launch into a potted history of England I'd try not to forgot the civil war. Or the relgious oppression of the Tudor years. Or the anti-catholic laws.
This is a genuinely mental thing for someone who thinks he understands history to say
July 20, 2025 at 1:27 PM
If I was going to launch into a potted history of England I'd try not to forgot the civil war. Or the relgious oppression of the Tudor years. Or the anti-catholic laws.
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Spotify! 😁
July 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Spotify! 😁
Reposted by Nigel McFarlane
Very pleasant walk along the canal to Hebden, finishing off with a drink in the Vocation tap room. Just trying their new Hilltop Lager, and it’s really good.
July 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Very pleasant walk along the canal to Hebden, finishing off with a drink in the Vocation tap room. Just trying their new Hilltop Lager, and it’s really good.