simon blackbourn
@simonblackbourn.net
plymouth // photographer // serial wanderer // ancient stone botherer // co-founder + zine designer at dartmoor collective // job: freelance wordpress developer
A great duo of posts about a day of photographing Plymouth. Part 1 is here: tamarphotography.substack.com/p/one-day-in...
January 20, 2026 at 5:39 PM
A great duo of posts about a day of photographing Plymouth. Part 1 is here: tamarphotography.substack.com/p/one-day-in...
Reposted by simon blackbourn
Some beautifully moody conditions on yesterday afternoon’s dog walk #dartmoor #atmosphere #photography
January 15, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Some beautifully moody conditions on yesterday afternoon’s dog walk #dartmoor #atmosphere #photography
My god, the state of the comments section on a Facebook post about a new cycle path in the city centre. A torrent of vitriol and hatred. People ranting and raving as though cyclists were the number one cause of deaths in the UK.
January 20, 2026 at 10:11 AM
My god, the state of the comments section on a Facebook post about a new cycle path in the city centre. A torrent of vitriol and hatred. People ranting and raving as though cyclists were the number one cause of deaths in the UK.
Excellent article on the deep and inextricable links between dance music and politics. Brought back lots of memories from my younger days of squat parties, free festivals, Reclaim The Streets and Kill The Bill protests.
www.decodedmagazine.com/the-politics...
www.decodedmagazine.com/the-politics...
The Politics of Partying: Why Electronic Music Has Always Been Political
We look at how politics has shaped the electronic music industry
www.decodedmagazine.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Excellent article on the deep and inextricable links between dance music and politics. Brought back lots of memories from my younger days of squat parties, free festivals, Reclaim The Streets and Kill The Bill protests.
www.decodedmagazine.com/the-politics...
www.decodedmagazine.com/the-politics...
January 18, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Dartmoor in all its glory
January 18, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Dartmoor in all its glory
Reposted by simon blackbourn
My last two shots before my world went dark.
January 17, 2026 at 9:55 PM
My last two shots before my world went dark.
If you're a Mark Fisher fan this will be a film not to miss. If you've never heard of Mark Fisher but you're even remotely curious about why the world is in the state it's in and what to do about it, this will be a film not to miss. www.eventbrite.com/e/we-are-mak... (tickets are free)
January 17, 2026 at 8:52 AM
If you're a Mark Fisher fan this will be a film not to miss. If you've never heard of Mark Fisher but you're even remotely curious about why the world is in the state it's in and what to do about it, this will be a film not to miss. www.eventbrite.com/e/we-are-mak... (tickets are free)
Reposted by simon blackbourn
Who did this> 🤣
January 16, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Who did this> 🤣
Blimey. Just opened my front door to about 30 police, street cordoned off, chopper circling overhead. I'm not allowed out and my neighbours who are out are not being allowed back in. Apparently a manhunt under way after a "serious incident". Not sure what happened, police are not saying.
January 16, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Blimey. Just opened my front door to about 30 police, street cordoned off, chopper circling overhead. I'm not allowed out and my neighbours who are out are not being allowed back in. Apparently a manhunt under way after a "serious incident". Not sure what happened, police are not saying.
Trowlesworthy stone circle on Dartmoor. This is how I like my stone circles: no visitor centre, no signs, no manicured paths, no fences. Just the stones, the landscape, the weather.
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#standingStoneSunday
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#standingStoneSunday
January 11, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Trowlesworthy stone circle on Dartmoor. This is how I like my stone circles: no visitor centre, no signs, no manicured paths, no fences. Just the stones, the landscape, the weather.
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#standingStoneSunday
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#standingStoneSunday
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.
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#standingStoneSunday
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#standingStoneSunday