Gareth Oakland 🇫🇷🏏🏉
@goakl.bsky.social
Published on 19th Century Vendéen memorials. Former PwC partner. Trustee at Institute of Historical Research. Trustee at NHS Retirement. Active travel in Bishop’s Stortford. Keyboard warrior. Bearsted CC. Cricket, cycling, rugby à XV. France and England.
Things that are utterly weird (verging on creepy) - someone follows you on Strava and then immediately likes a ride you did from a house you moved out of over a decade ago, to have dinner with a girlfriend you split up with a year later.
November 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Things that are utterly weird (verging on creepy) - someone follows you on Strava and then immediately likes a ride you did from a house you moved out of over a decade ago, to have dinner with a girlfriend you split up with a year later.
Five years ago my #PhD supervisor confirmed that my “minor amendments” had been accepted.
I still smile when someone calls me doctor Oakland though.
I still smile when someone calls me doctor Oakland though.
November 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Five years ago my #PhD supervisor confirmed that my “minor amendments” had been accepted.
I still smile when someone calls me doctor Oakland though.
I still smile when someone calls me doctor Oakland though.
November 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
“The answers…”
I don’t think I (almost 68 years on the planet) have ever asked a question the remotely needs this answer.
I don’t think I (almost 68 years on the planet) have ever asked a question the remotely needs this answer.
November 23, 2025 at 10:19 AM
“The answers…”
I don’t think I (almost 68 years on the planet) have ever asked a question the remotely needs this answer.
I don’t think I (almost 68 years on the planet) have ever asked a question the remotely needs this answer.
Happy Sunday.
Travel day breakfast.
Travel day breakfast.
November 23, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Happy Sunday.
Travel day breakfast.
Travel day breakfast.
Just in time for half-time.
Duck. Orange sauce. The last of the apple pies and the last of the winter wine!
Duck. Orange sauce. The last of the apple pies and the last of the winter wine!
November 22, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Just in time for half-time.
Duck. Orange sauce. The last of the apple pies and the last of the winter wine!
Duck. Orange sauce. The last of the apple pies and the last of the winter wine!
You miss out on all the dodgy hair on the radio.
November 22, 2025 at 6:23 PM
You miss out on all the dodgy hair on the radio.
Whenever I put the freshly ironed laundry to air by the fire, I know my dear old mum would have approved.
Good game on the telly too.
Good game on the telly too.
November 22, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Whenever I put the freshly ironed laundry to air by the fire, I know my dear old mum would have approved.
Good game on the telly too.
Good game on the telly too.
Back to the UK tomorrow. The butter has already been in the freezer once and I had some oats, cream, ginger and flour. At least they won’t be confiscated at customs!
November 22, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Back to the UK tomorrow. The butter has already been in the freezer once and I had some oats, cream, ginger and flour. At least they won’t be confiscated at customs!
Got to say that I read this as “minus one” and thought it was generous.
But y’know he’s a good team man and Baz likes his dad. So…
But y’know he’s a good team man and Baz likes his dad. So…
November 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Got to say that I read this as “minus one” and thought it was generous.
But y’know he’s a good team man and Baz likes his dad. So…
But y’know he’s a good team man and Baz likes his dad. So…
Six years ago, I wrote these two words.
Obviously it wasn’t.
Thesis-final-final-v16.doc came a lot later!
Obviously it wasn’t.
Thesis-final-final-v16.doc came a lot later!
November 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Six years ago, I wrote these two words.
Obviously it wasn’t.
Thesis-final-final-v16.doc came a lot later!
Obviously it wasn’t.
Thesis-final-final-v16.doc came a lot later!
And to finish, home made apple pie and ice cream. Don’t say I don’t spoil you.
November 21, 2025 at 8:10 PM
And to finish, home made apple pie and ice cream. Don’t say I don’t spoil you.
This old fella is on his last legs. One day he’s going to fall on the paddock…
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This old fella is on his last legs. One day he’s going to fall on the paddock…
And so we make do with baguette and red wine
November 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
And so we make do with baguette and red wine
Aren’t freezers amazing luck dip machines?
This is a vegan curry. Sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, onions, garlic and coconut milk.
Made sometime in the summer when I thought the vegetarian child was coming to stay…
Would be good with a naan (which I don’t have) and Thai beer (ditto!)
This is a vegan curry. Sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, onions, garlic and coconut milk.
Made sometime in the summer when I thought the vegetarian child was coming to stay…
Would be good with a naan (which I don’t have) and Thai beer (ditto!)
November 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Aren’t freezers amazing luck dip machines?
This is a vegan curry. Sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, onions, garlic and coconut milk.
Made sometime in the summer when I thought the vegetarian child was coming to stay…
Would be good with a naan (which I don’t have) and Thai beer (ditto!)
This is a vegan curry. Sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, onions, garlic and coconut milk.
Made sometime in the summer when I thought the vegetarian child was coming to stay…
Would be good with a naan (which I don’t have) and Thai beer (ditto!)
It’s true that a log burner keeps you warm three times. Once when you scavenge the wood, once when you split the logs and finally when you toast your toes next to it.
French rural life.
French rural life.
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
It’s true that a log burner keeps you warm three times. Once when you scavenge the wood, once when you split the logs and finally when you toast your toes next to it.
French rural life.
French rural life.
Here too. Bright clear skies. North westerlies. Might get out and cut back the overgrown fig tree.
November 21, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Here too. Bright clear skies. North westerlies. Might get out and cut back the overgrown fig tree.
We had a little snow overnight. Minus 3 later today.
November 21, 2025 at 7:48 AM
We had a little snow overnight. Minus 3 later today.
Had a bite out of it on way back to bed.
November 21, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Had a bite out of it on way back to bed.
It all a bit Painful in Perth isn’t it?
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 AM
It all a bit Painful in Perth isn’t it?
Tonight’s dinner is the simplest of all. Some mousse de canard au porto, an 18 month matured comté, the fig and ginger compote and a local red. In front of the fire with the final few episodes of the final series of House MD. No spoilers, now.
November 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Tonight’s dinner is the simplest of all. Some mousse de canard au porto, an 18 month matured comté, the fig and ginger compote and a local red. In front of the fire with the final few episodes of the final series of House MD. No spoilers, now.
Truite aux amandes
November 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Truite aux amandes
Ce soir, je vous propose…
November 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Ce soir, je vous propose…
November 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
It’s cold and bleak outside. I have fast fibre broadband and I’m catching up on last weekend’s rugby on the laptop.
I did go downstairs to make tea and toast earlier.
I did go downstairs to make tea and toast earlier.
November 19, 2025 at 11:03 AM
It’s cold and bleak outside. I have fast fibre broadband and I’m catching up on last weekend’s rugby on the laptop.
I did go downstairs to make tea and toast earlier.
I did go downstairs to make tea and toast earlier.