Another lunchtime walk in the sun. Caught two sundogs and a halo, plus a faint double. Snow blowers are at work to create a cross-country ski track I think. Sadly my pot of basil didn’t like the 15 min walk home from the shop in the sub-zero temperatures! #sundog #parhelion
January 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Another lunchtime walk in the sun. Caught two sundogs and a halo, plus a faint double. Snow blowers are at work to create a cross-country ski track I think. Sadly my pot of basil didn’t like the 15 min walk home from the shop in the sub-zero temperatures! #sundog #parhelion
Reposted by Sally Drayton
21 years ago a single submarine of Swedish Navy sneaked past the extensive anti-submarine shields and sank air craft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in an exercise.
Sweden has since refined the stealth properties of the Gotland-class submarines and a newer class is under construction.
Sweden has since refined the stealth properties of the Gotland-class submarines and a newer class is under construction.
Swedish Radio program Gräns did an interview with commander Paula Wallenburg, top brass of Swedish submarines, guardian of Gotland depths.
She was also part of the crew that sank Nimitz-class carrier USS Ronald Reagan in an exercise in 2005.
Worth a listen!
www.sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/somm...
She was also part of the crew that sank Nimitz-class carrier USS Ronald Reagan in an exercise in 2005.
Worth a listen!
www.sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/somm...
Sommargräns: Så bra är Sveriges ubåtar - Gräns
Hör en längre intervju med Paula Wallenburg, kommendör och chef över Sveriges fyra ubåtar.
www.sverigesradio.se
January 6, 2026 at 7:03 PM
21 years ago a single submarine of Swedish Navy sneaked past the extensive anti-submarine shields and sank air craft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in an exercise.
Sweden has since refined the stealth properties of the Gotland-class submarines and a newer class is under construction.
Sweden has since refined the stealth properties of the Gotland-class submarines and a newer class is under construction.
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Today is Three Kings Day! Here's a look at why gold is gold, what gives frankincense its distinctive smell, and what on earth myrrh is: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/23/g...
#ChemSky 🧪
#ChemSky 🧪
January 6, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Today is Three Kings Day! Here's a look at why gold is gold, what gives frankincense its distinctive smell, and what on earth myrrh is: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/23/g...
#ChemSky 🧪
#ChemSky 🧪
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Another example of the fact that there are very few technically difficult questions of economics; "difficult questions" are just difficult because you don't like the obvious answer
January 6, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Another example of the fact that there are very few technically difficult questions of economics; "difficult questions" are just difficult because you don't like the obvious answer
Reposted by Sally Drayton
US chicken is chlorinated because America has no animal welfare laws where poultry is concerned. It has to be chlorinated because Salmonella and e. coli run rife
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
January 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM
US chicken is chlorinated because America has no animal welfare laws where poultry is concerned. It has to be chlorinated because Salmonella and e. coli run rife
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
The EU banned that practice in 1997 and as such the UK has among the highest welfare and standards in the world. 1/2
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Right wing media has had it in for Angela Rayner from the start - they couldn’t bear a working class woman being so powerful & dynamic. She made a mistake and has paid heavily for it. Very much hope she’ll return at some point in the future - our politics desperately needs more voices like hers
September 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Right wing media has had it in for Angela Rayner from the start - they couldn’t bear a working class woman being so powerful & dynamic. She made a mistake and has paid heavily for it. Very much hope she’ll return at some point in the future - our politics desperately needs more voices like hers
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Angela Rayner accidentally pays less tax than she should have, resigns, and the media gives her hell.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
September 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Angela Rayner accidentally pays less tax than she should have, resigns, and the media gives her hell.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
Nigel Farage deliberately pays less tax than he should have, and the media gives him a free pass.
That, right there, is the problem.
Out for a walk yesterday and took the opportunity to check out the tribute to @nedboulting.bsky.social in my neighbourhood. Chapeau to the minds behind this!
August 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Out for a walk yesterday and took the opportunity to check out the tribute to @nedboulting.bsky.social in my neighbourhood. Chapeau to the minds behind this!
Reposted by Sally Drayton
the scenario we all feared
August 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
the scenario we all feared
Reposted by Sally Drayton
46 years ago today, @jonsavage.bsky.social reviewed Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures" for the Melody Maker (21 July 1979).
#JoyDivision @robertrotifer.bsky.social
#JoyDivision @robertrotifer.bsky.social
July 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
46 years ago today, @jonsavage.bsky.social reviewed Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures" for the Melody Maker (21 July 1979).
#JoyDivision @robertrotifer.bsky.social
#JoyDivision @robertrotifer.bsky.social
Reposted by Sally Drayton
London South Bank University has opted for a non-academic vice-chancellor as its next leader, hiring Paul Kett from PwC, reports @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
London South Bank hires PwC’s Paul Kett as next vice-chancellor
Former director general in the Department for Education joins university that also runs schools and colleges
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 30, 2025 at 1:35 PM
London South Bank University has opted for a non-academic vice-chancellor as its next leader, hiring Paul Kett from PwC, reports @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
At a festival in the West Country - no, not the Pilton pop festival (as we locals called it when I was growing up) but the Chalke History Festival where husband is giving a talk this evening. Currently enjoying the hospitality of the Green Room. Lovely day for it ☀️☀️☀️🕶️
June 27, 2025 at 4:49 PM
At a festival in the West Country - no, not the Pilton pop festival (as we locals called it when I was growing up) but the Chalke History Festival where husband is giving a talk this evening. Currently enjoying the hospitality of the Green Room. Lovely day for it ☀️☀️☀️🕶️
Reposted by Sally Drayton
“Fifty years ago no one was mugged for their iPhone. That’s Sadiq Khan’s London for you”
A brilliant piece to make you laugh when there’s not much to laugh about.
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
A brilliant piece to make you laugh when there’s not much to laugh about.
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
Professor Goodwin goes to London
Or: The Heart of Darkness 2
open.substack.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
“Fifty years ago no one was mugged for their iPhone. That’s Sadiq Khan’s London for you”
A brilliant piece to make you laugh when there’s not much to laugh about.
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
A brilliant piece to make you laugh when there’s not much to laugh about.
open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Only a few hours to go until the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere - it's at 03.42 BST (02.42 GMT) on Saturday 21 June. So yes, the middle of the night, and the 21st is the longest day of the year. Happy Summer (Winter for southerners) Solstice everyone!
www.rmg.co.uk/storie...
www.rmg.co.uk/storie...
Summer solstice
When - and what - is the summer solstice? Understand the science behind the solstice with Royal Observatory Greenwich
www.rmg.co.uk
June 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Only a few hours to go until the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere - it's at 03.42 BST (02.42 GMT) on Saturday 21 June. So yes, the middle of the night, and the 21st is the longest day of the year. Happy Summer (Winter for southerners) Solstice everyone!
www.rmg.co.uk/storie...
www.rmg.co.uk/storie...
Reposted by Sally Drayton
There are 2 previous historical cases of countries destroying their science and universities, crippling them for decades: Lysenkoism in the USSR and Nazi Germany. The Trump administration will be the 3rd.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
May 31, 2025 at 4:43 AM
There are 2 previous historical cases of countries destroying their science and universities, crippling them for decades: Lysenkoism in the USSR and Nazi Germany. The Trump administration will be the 3rd.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
Close call today but my Wordle streak continues!
Wordle 1,354 6/6
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Wordle 1,354 6/6
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March 4, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Close call today but my Wordle streak continues!
Wordle 1,354 6/6
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Wordle 1,354 6/6
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Reposted by Sally Drayton
There is a striking contrast between the reporting of the Trump-Vance-Zelensky clash on #Channel4News and the BBC. Channel 4's Lindsey Hilsum was more accurate with her judgments of "performative bullying" and "humiliation".
February 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
There is a striking contrast between the reporting of the Trump-Vance-Zelensky clash on #Channel4News and the BBC. Channel 4's Lindsey Hilsum was more accurate with her judgments of "performative bullying" and "humiliation".
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Word of the day is ‘huff-snuff’ (16th century): a hectoring bully or braggart.
February 28, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Word of the day is ‘huff-snuff’ (16th century): a hectoring bully or braggart.
It’s been beautifully bright for the last few days, and literally freezing, but there’s a change on the way so I grabbed an afternoon walk by the water to get some rays. Was a bit surprised to see someone walking on the ice (pic 2) - I would definitely not risk that!
February 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
It’s been beautifully bright for the last few days, and literally freezing, but there’s a change on the way so I grabbed an afternoon walk by the water to get some rays. Was a bit surprised to see someone walking on the ice (pic 2) - I would definitely not risk that!
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Top five grumpy notes written by the father of evolutionary biology, naturalist, and humanist Charles Darwin. #DarwinDay
February 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Top five grumpy notes written by the father of evolutionary biology, naturalist, and humanist Charles Darwin. #DarwinDay
Grey day, grey heron in Ladywell Fields.
February 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Grey day, grey heron in Ladywell Fields.
🧐🤪
I'm pleased to say that the MDPI paper in Logistics about tomatoes roaming the fields has been retracted. I've added a PS to the blogpost deevybee.blogspot.com/2025/01/toma...
No indication whether anything done re the editors or peer reviewers. I have asked for information about that.
No indication whether anything done re the editors or peer reviewers. I have asked for information about that.
Tomatoes roaming the fields and canaries in the coalmine: another embarrassing paper for MDPI
Many publishers are getting nervous about infiltration by paper mills, who can torpedo a journal's reputation when they succeed in publis...
deevybee.blogspot.com
February 7, 2025 at 8:36 AM
🧐🤪
Reposted by Sally Drayton
What is socialism, if not the state owning the memes of production
January 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
What is socialism, if not the state owning the memes of production
Reposted by Sally Drayton
Brilliant, as always from @anneapplebaum.bsky.social on the New Obscurantism.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
The New Rasputins
Anti-science mysticism is enabling autocracy around the globe.
www.theatlantic.com
January 15, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Brilliant, as always from @anneapplebaum.bsky.social on the New Obscurantism.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...