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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 1d

Spending a few days walking on the very beautiful Great Barrier Island

Scrub, trees, and a path in the foreground, with mountains in the background

A 60 year old man, pretending to be a 40 year old. Hs is wearing black walking trousers, a black t shirt, and a tan cap. He is standing on a track, with trees and scrub either side, and hills in the background.

A bearded man, wearing sunglasses and a cap. Hi is standing in a rugged landscape, and looking a little smug.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 3d

Clearly a fake. Not nearly enough gaudy gold to be real

Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · 3d

Morning.

Reposted by Mark Braggins

Glyn Moody @glynmoody.bsky.social · 3d

#starmer's shame deepens... #fossilfuels

Paul Behrens @profpaulbehrens.bsky.social · 5d

Wow, even higher than recent years - explains MP's focus on H2, biofuels, and CCS over solar, wind, etc.

Exactly why we need the national emergency briefing @nebriefing.bsky.social and then on to weekly briefings.

Pls ask your MP to attend: www.nebriefing.org

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Labour ministers met fossil fuel lobbyists 500 times in first year of power, analysis shows

Lobbyists attended 48% more meetings than Tories, as Labour accused of giving them ‘backstage pass’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Mark Braggins

Mike Hudema @mikehudema.bsky.social · 16d

Costa Rica, once home to rampant logging, has now almost doubled the size of its rainforest. They turned it all around within a generation. It can be done.

Protect people and the planet. #ActOnClimate

#biodiversity #deforestation #rewilding #solutions

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Reposted by Mark Braggins

Phil Burton-Cartledge @philbc3.bsky.social · 3d

The first time since the modern Tory party came into being that it is fourth placed in terms of members. Theirs will go lower. The Greens will go higher.

Rupert Read @rupertread.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING: British Green Party membership passes 123000 and approaches 124000; so that is >more than the Conservative Party<!
Completely unprecedented.
Do spread the word…

Join the Green Party

Join the Green Party from just £6 a year. Become a member today - join the only party standing up for people and planet.

join.greenparty.org.uk

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Reposted by Mark Braggins

Mr RobertBob @mrrobertbob.bsky.social · 3d

Even the Bank of England says Brexit is shit.
Perhaps they might have a word in Labour’s ear.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Brexit impact on UK economy ‘negative for foreseeable future,’ Bailey warns

The Bank of England governor, speaking at the G30 International Banking Seminar, highlighted a decline in the UK’s potential growth rate.

www.independent.co.uk

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 3d

On the move again. Brief stopover in Auckland, then on to Great Barrier Island.

A large rucksack at a bus stop. Also visible are part of a leg and walking boot, pavement, road, and local town map.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 3d

Bit of an 'arty day' yesterday. Lots more walking by the river, through mangrove. Impressed the town has a free dog park, drinking fountains have integrated dog bowls. Also managed to grab a photo of a Kingfisher when it paused on a cable by the water. #Whangarei #NewZealand

A drinking fountain, with integrated dog bowl. A sign reads "Water is the best drink".

A shelter, painted Bright blue. Inside is a table with seats. The windows resemble eyes. The whole structure resembles a smiling face. A tree with yellow leaves stands overhead. In the background is a river.

A yellow dome sits above a viewing platform. Beneath is a rooftop garden with various small trees, bushes, and other vegetation.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 5d

A few snippets from Whangarei.

A log that resembles a face surrounded by wild flowers

A viewpoint high above the town of Whangarei. As it's a photo, you can't hear me puffing.

A bearded man wearing a peaked cap. He is smiling slightly. In the distance is a footbridge and a waterfall

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 5d

Really loving Whangarei Falls.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 5d

I have headed north to Whangarei. I much prefer this pace of life, and sort of traffic.

A yellow road sign which shows a drawing of three ducks walking. The sign reads: "Ducks crossing"

A duck walking on a tarmac road, with grass verge and Rick.

M8xed vegetation, including nasturtiums, trees, and bushes, with the sea and hills in the distance. The sky is blue with a few clouds.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 6d

Day 4 on my trip to New Zealand, and I have started asking people if I can talk to their dog.

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Reposted by Mark Braggins

Adharanand Finn @adharanand.bsky.social · 6d

If you're left leaning and haven't really considered the Green party before, there's some serious momentum behind them right now. They could actually make a difference. I became a member about a year ago.

Think about it, at least

The Rest Is Politics @therestpolitics.bsky.social · 6d

We see you Zack Polanski 👀

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 6d

Very confident Pukeko wandered over to say hello at Western Springs Lakeside Park, in Auckland.

A blue and purple bird, with quite long legs and red top of its head, walking on grass.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 7d

There's a hint of 'Carry on Up the Khyber' about Johnson's reaction. Or perhaps, it's his reaction to the Johnsons.

The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 7d

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson calls Sunday's naked bike ride in protest of the Portland ICE facility and and Trump troop deployment "the most threatening thing I’ve seen yet"

www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...

Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 7d

A lovely moment at Maungawhau / Mount Eden in Auckland. Shame about the strimming in the distance.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 8d

I do, thanks Janet!

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 8d

Ho hum.

Screenshot of a weather map for North Island, New Zealand. Text reads:
Heavy Rain Watch
Period: 5hrs from 9am - 2pm Tue, 14 Oct
Area: Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, and Waikato about and north of Raglan to Cambridge
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Rain easing from the south. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Issued: 9:01am Tue 14 Oct
Next update: 9:00pm Tue 14 Oct

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 8d

I do like a bit of Park Art. This was in Victoria Park, Auckland.

HOMAGE TO WILL
Sculptor
Fred Loopstra
U.S.A.
Sponsor - New Zealand Railways
International Sculpture Symposium
Auckland Centennial 1971
New Zealand Society of Sculptors and Painters Inc.

A wooden work of art in a green space. The artwork resembles an old fashioned plough

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 8d

I twice tried to add Alt text, but it disappeared. Should say: A mixture of green vegetation and trees, with the sound of rain falling and birds calling.

Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 8d

Ok, it may be raining, but the sounds are still gorgeous (particularly after 24+ hours of travel). Finding my feet at Western Park in Auckland.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 8d

Ok, it may be raining, but the sounds are still gorgeous (particularly after 24+ hours of travel). Finding my feet at Western Park in Auckland.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 8d

I have every intention of 'roughing it' while in New Zealand. Starting, er, tomorrow, obviously

A table and two chairs on a balcony overlooking Auckland Harbour. It is nighttime.

A bottle of champagne with a tall glass on a table. In the background are illuminated boats and houses. It is nighttime.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 11d

Currently at Heathrow. I deposited my big bag and was treated as 'special assistance' as I had a 'proper' rucksack with straps and not a wheely case. Saved me lots of time and palaver! I also did a pretty good job of looking helpless.

Terminal 2 | The Queen's Terminal at Heathrow Airport.

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Mark Braggins @markbraggins.bsky.social · 11d

Marvellous!

Robert Hernandez @webjournalist.bsky.social · 11d

It’s tradition that when you see the frogs, you show them respect 🫡

(Someone should do the Creed cut with the footage)

Reposted by Mark Braggins

Tade Thompson @tadethompson.bsky.social · 12d

It's important to focus on who won, not who did not.

Nobel peace prize 2025 live: María Corina Machado wins for work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela

US president had been conducting campaign to influence prize committee

www.theguardian.com

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