Robert McGowan
@robmcgo55.bsky.social
Landscapes, nature, writing, art, maps (https://riffleandpoolpress.co.uk/). Walking & cycling - often slowly, with music
The Shepherd's Tree. John Clare, 1830
December 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The Shepherd's Tree. John Clare, 1830
Old castaways, now swallowed in neglect, -
While thou art towering in thy strength of heart,
Stirring the soul to vain imaginings
In which life's sordid being hath no part.
The wind of that eternal ditty sings,
Humming of future things, that burn the mind
To leave some fragment of itself behind
While thou art towering in thy strength of heart,
Stirring the soul to vain imaginings
In which life's sordid being hath no part.
The wind of that eternal ditty sings,
Humming of future things, that burn the mind
To leave some fragment of itself behind
December 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Old castaways, now swallowed in neglect, -
While thou art towering in thy strength of heart,
Stirring the soul to vain imaginings
In which life's sordid being hath no part.
The wind of that eternal ditty sings,
Humming of future things, that burn the mind
To leave some fragment of itself behind
While thou art towering in thy strength of heart,
Stirring the soul to vain imaginings
In which life's sordid being hath no part.
The wind of that eternal ditty sings,
Humming of future things, that burn the mind
To leave some fragment of itself behind
Huge elm, with rifted trunk all notched & scarred,
Like to a warrior's destiny! I love
To stretch me often on thy shadowed sward,
And hear the laugh of summer leaves above;
Or on thy buttressed roots to sit, & lean
In careless attitude, & there reflect
On times & deeds and darings that have been -
Like to a warrior's destiny! I love
To stretch me often on thy shadowed sward,
And hear the laugh of summer leaves above;
Or on thy buttressed roots to sit, & lean
In careless attitude, & there reflect
On times & deeds and darings that have been -
December 1, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Huge elm, with rifted trunk all notched & scarred,
Like to a warrior's destiny! I love
To stretch me often on thy shadowed sward,
And hear the laugh of summer leaves above;
Or on thy buttressed roots to sit, & lean
In careless attitude, & there reflect
On times & deeds and darings that have been -
Like to a warrior's destiny! I love
To stretch me often on thy shadowed sward,
And hear the laugh of summer leaves above;
Or on thy buttressed roots to sit, & lean
In careless attitude, & there reflect
On times & deeds and darings that have been -
My article on the elms of Sussex has been published by Eastbourne Reporter - thanks to Rebecca Maer!
She is ploughing a lonely furrow as a proper local journalist, getting out & about, meeting people & actually asking questions. It'll never catch on..
www.eastbournereporter.co.uk/elm-trees-ea...
She is ploughing a lonely furrow as a proper local journalist, getting out & about, meeting people & actually asking questions. It'll never catch on..
www.eastbournereporter.co.uk/elm-trees-ea...
November 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
My article on the elms of Sussex has been published by Eastbourne Reporter - thanks to Rebecca Maer!
She is ploughing a lonely furrow as a proper local journalist, getting out & about, meeting people & actually asking questions. It'll never catch on..
www.eastbournereporter.co.uk/elm-trees-ea...
She is ploughing a lonely furrow as a proper local journalist, getting out & about, meeting people & actually asking questions. It'll never catch on..
www.eastbournereporter.co.uk/elm-trees-ea...
Reposted by Robert McGowan
Last week, I had the chance to listen in on a conversation between @who.int and the Mayor of Paris, @annehidalgo.bsky.social.
Here are five things other cities could learn (with a bonus bit on the increasing powers of UK Mayors):
micromobilitybiz.com/five-things-...
Here are five things other cities could learn (with a bonus bit on the increasing powers of UK Mayors):
micromobilitybiz.com/five-things-...
Five things UK Cities could learn from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo - micromobilitybiz
By Adam Tranter, CEO, Fusion Media Last week, I had the chance to listen in on a conversation betwee
micromobilitybiz.com
August 1, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Last week, I had the chance to listen in on a conversation between @who.int and the Mayor of Paris, @annehidalgo.bsky.social.
Here are five things other cities could learn (with a bonus bit on the increasing powers of UK Mayors):
micromobilitybiz.com/five-things-...
Here are five things other cities could learn (with a bonus bit on the increasing powers of UK Mayors):
micromobilitybiz.com/five-things-...
Reposted by Robert McGowan
⬇️ "Our universities aren’t “flourishing”, and their revenues aren’t “rising”. Fuel bills for UK consumers haven’t “tumbled” either."
Not so sweet and not so little lies.
Not so sweet and not so little lies.
Has Lord Hannan forgotten his 2016 vision of post-Brexit Britain?
24 June 2025 was to be Britain’s Independence Day, celebrating the “reinvigoration of our economy, our democracy and our liberty”
buff.ly
June 24, 2025 at 10:40 AM
⬇️ "Our universities aren’t “flourishing”, and their revenues aren’t “rising”. Fuel bills for UK consumers haven’t “tumbled” either."
Not so sweet and not so little lies.
Not so sweet and not so little lies.
A mighty mix - thanks to @boniverwi.bsky.social for the recommendation!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS4Y...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS4Y...
Womack & Womack - MPB 'missin' persons bureau' '' Paradise Ballroom Mix'' (1989)
YouTube video by platine 45
www.youtube.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A mighty mix - thanks to @boniverwi.bsky.social for the recommendation!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS4Y...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS4Y...
A bit more #treechat @cerysmatthews.bsky.social - in Eastbourne we're lucky to live among some magnificent street elms, rare survivors of Dutch Elm Disease that ravaged the UK in the '70s. A couple of pics - & an article I wrote:
flickr.com/photos/16050...
www.pressreader.com/uk/bbccountr...
flickr.com/photos/16050...
www.pressreader.com/uk/bbccountr...
Street elm
flickr.com
June 2, 2025 at 10:50 AM
A bit more #treechat @cerysmatthews.bsky.social - in Eastbourne we're lucky to live among some magnificent street elms, rare survivors of Dutch Elm Disease that ravaged the UK in the '70s. A couple of pics - & an article I wrote:
flickr.com/photos/16050...
www.pressreader.com/uk/bbccountr...
flickr.com/photos/16050...
www.pressreader.com/uk/bbccountr...
Reposted by Robert McGowan
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
May 19, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
A few places are left for a 7km Snake River Safari in the lovely Cuckmere valley, East Sussex this Sunday 27th April. The walk is led by Matt Fenton & Rebecca Harris (National Trust). Meet at Seven Sisters visitor centre, Exceat 2.30pm. It's free - to book & more info. email: [email protected]
April 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A few places are left for a 7km Snake River Safari in the lovely Cuckmere valley, East Sussex this Sunday 27th April. The walk is led by Matt Fenton & Rebecca Harris (National Trust). Meet at Seven Sisters visitor centre, Exceat 2.30pm. It's free - to book & more info. email: [email protected]
flickr.com/photos/16050...
River Cuckmere in the gloaming.
It's the first day of spring - and Liz Overs has reminded me it's launch day for her brilliant new album, Nightjar
open.spotify.com/track/2z9lxu...
River Cuckmere in the gloaming.
It's the first day of spring - and Liz Overs has reminded me it's launch day for her brilliant new album, Nightjar
open.spotify.com/track/2z9lxu...
River Cuckmere
flickr.com
March 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
flickr.com/photos/16050...
River Cuckmere in the gloaming.
It's the first day of spring - and Liz Overs has reminded me it's launch day for her brilliant new album, Nightjar
open.spotify.com/track/2z9lxu...
River Cuckmere in the gloaming.
It's the first day of spring - and Liz Overs has reminded me it's launch day for her brilliant new album, Nightjar
open.spotify.com/track/2z9lxu...
Reposted by Robert McGowan
According to the City of Paris, in the last 10 years 150,000 trees have been planted and 45 hectares of parks created in the city, all intended to not only improve quality-of-life today, but also help the city adapt to and manage summer heatwaves of 50℃ (122F) by 2050.
Plant a lot more urban trees.
Plant a lot more urban trees.
March 18, 2025 at 3:42 AM
According to the City of Paris, in the last 10 years 150,000 trees have been planted and 45 hectares of parks created in the city, all intended to not only improve quality-of-life today, but also help the city adapt to and manage summer heatwaves of 50℃ (122F) by 2050.
Plant a lot more urban trees.
Plant a lot more urban trees.
Reposted by Robert McGowan
I’ve published my submission to the government’s Land Use consultation.
DEFRA has proposed lots of bold and interesting ideas, many of which I support.
But they also underestimate the scale of land use change needed to restore nature & fix water pollution. 1/🧵
whoownsengland.org/2025/03/12/m...
DEFRA has proposed lots of bold and interesting ideas, many of which I support.
But they also underestimate the scale of land use change needed to restore nature & fix water pollution. 1/🧵
whoownsengland.org/2025/03/12/m...
My submission to the Government’s Land Use consultation
This post is by Guy Shrubsole. This is my submission to the Government’s Land Use consultation, which was launched by the Environment Secretary Steve Reed on 31st January 2025 and closes on 2…
whoownsengland.org
March 12, 2025 at 11:21 AM
I’ve published my submission to the government’s Land Use consultation.
DEFRA has proposed lots of bold and interesting ideas, many of which I support.
But they also underestimate the scale of land use change needed to restore nature & fix water pollution. 1/🧵
whoownsengland.org/2025/03/12/m...
DEFRA has proposed lots of bold and interesting ideas, many of which I support.
But they also underestimate the scale of land use change needed to restore nature & fix water pollution. 1/🧵
whoownsengland.org/2025/03/12/m...
Reposted by Robert McGowan
They tried to cancel John Crace from covering the right-wing jamboree at ExCel but no one can stop him filing copy this good
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
They tried to cancel John Crace from covering the right-wing jamboree at ExCel but no one can stop him filing copy this good
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Happy Burns Night!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s7R...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s7R...
Chris Brain - Now Westlin Winds | Night River
YouTube video by Night River
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Happy Burns Night!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s7R...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s7R...
Reposted by Robert McGowan
Brilliant satirical cover from Private Eye, mocking spineless media organisations and journalists who submit and cower in the face of power 👏
January 22, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Brilliant satirical cover from Private Eye, mocking spineless media organisations and journalists who submit and cower in the face of power 👏
Reposted by Robert McGowan
If you’re going to read anything by a British journalist on what’s just happened on the other side of the swamp with Donald Trump, try this by Ed Docx.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Fee, fi, fo…Trump: how an ogre won back the White House
Large, fearsome, gluttonous and cruel: Donald Trump is the archetypal ogre. So how did he manage to stomp back for a second term?
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
If you’re going to read anything by a British journalist on what’s just happened on the other side of the swamp with Donald Trump, try this by Ed Docx.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
I wrote something about my friend Felicity, whose spirit left us last week
bespokecyclegroup.org.uk/2025/01/09/t...
bespokecyclegroup.org.uk/2025/01/09/t...
A tribute to Felicity - Bespoke Cycle Group
Our lovely Co founder Felicity Goodson died on 2nd January 2025. Here Robert McGowan shares his memories of her, and her passion for everyday cycling. Continue Reading →
bespokecyclegroup.org.uk
January 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I wrote something about my friend Felicity, whose spirit left us last week
bespokecyclegroup.org.uk/2025/01/09/t...
bespokecyclegroup.org.uk/2025/01/09/t...
Reposted by Robert McGowan
Paris urban biking DOUBLED in just one year.
“Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”
“Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”
Paris cycling numbers double in one year thanks to massive investment and it's not stopping
The report delves into the nuances of Parisian cycling culture, exploring the vibrant community of riders who navigate the city's streets
momentummag.com
January 7, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Paris urban biking DOUBLED in just one year.
“Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”
“Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”
Reposted by Robert McGowan
Biking to work reduces the odds of dying from cancer by 51%! You’d think transit planners would find the hell out of bike lanes given how much money that saves to public and the government. Even “fiscal conservatives” can’t debunk the obvious societal good and savings from that.
Fund bike lanes!
Fund bike lanes!
“The long-term health benefits didn’t stop there: commuter cycling was also linked to a 24% reduced risk of cardiovascular hospitalizations, a 51% lower risk of dying from cancer, and improved mental health, as measured by fewer prescriptions for anxiety and depression.” Via @momentummag.bsky.social
If you bike to work, you live longer, new study confirms
If you’re looking for an affordable and accessible way to live longer, skip the pricey wellness retreats and quirky biohacks—just bike to work.
momentummag.com
December 21, 2024 at 9:54 PM
Biking to work reduces the odds of dying from cancer by 51%! You’d think transit planners would find the hell out of bike lanes given how much money that saves to public and the government. Even “fiscal conservatives” can’t debunk the obvious societal good and savings from that.
Fund bike lanes!
Fund bike lanes!
Reposted by Robert McGowan
What now for #ActiveTravel as Louise Haigh resigns?
Who will replace her and what will their priorities be?
We need to see cycling/walking/wheeling getting a fair proportion of the billions of ££££ currently spent to accommodate motor vehicles!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Who will replace her and what will their priorities be?
We need to see cycling/walking/wheeling getting a fair proportion of the billions of ££££ currently spent to accommodate motor vehicles!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Louise Haigh resigns as UK transport secretary after admitting phone offence
Haigh tells PM she is ‘totally committed’ but leaves role after incorrectly telling police a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2024 at 8:22 AM
What now for #ActiveTravel as Louise Haigh resigns?
Who will replace her and what will their priorities be?
We need to see cycling/walking/wheeling getting a fair proportion of the billions of ££££ currently spent to accommodate motor vehicles!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Who will replace her and what will their priorities be?
We need to see cycling/walking/wheeling getting a fair proportion of the billions of ££££ currently spent to accommodate motor vehicles!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I keep listening to this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=th4u...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=th4u...
Bon Iver - S P E Y S I D E (Official Video)
YouTube video by BonIverVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2024 at 12:13 PM
I keep listening to this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=th4u...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=th4u...