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.
Speaking as a Somerset fan who now lives on the other side of London, just about the only opportunity I got to see them was at Chelmsford, Lords or the Oval. All gone. Still we’ve still got the Metro…haven’t we?
November 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Speaking as a Somerset fan who now lives on the other side of London, just about the only opportunity I got to see them was at Chelmsford, Lords or the Oval. All gone. Still we’ve still got the Metro…haven’t we?
I had (probably still do but it no longer matters) a speech defect that allowed the bullies to rename me Gayesh. It’s not racism or misogyny but the memory of it still haunts me. The idea that you can do this stuff without hurting people is utter nonsense.
November 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I had (probably still do but it no longer matters) a speech defect that allowed the bullies to rename me Gayesh. It’s not racism or misogyny but the memory of it still haunts me. The idea that you can do this stuff without hurting people is utter nonsense.
Could you have a look at this boil…
November 24, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Could you have a look at this boil…
Broken record here (and actually born in Lowestoft!). If we removed most of the demand (work from home,15 minute cities, insulate homes) and built solar/wind/tidal/battery supply we wouldn’t need nuclear or gas…or the auto/oil industry.
November 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Broken record here (and actually born in Lowestoft!). If we removed most of the demand (work from home,15 minute cities, insulate homes) and built solar/wind/tidal/battery supply we wouldn’t need nuclear or gas…or the auto/oil industry.
“Reordering the world” and “reducing private consumption” are the same thing. They don’t necessarily need to be painful. A world where people live a work with walking/cycling distance of everything they need, where free solar and wind powers their home/transit removes the auto/oil industry.
November 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
“Reordering the world” and “reducing private consumption” are the same thing. They don’t necessarily need to be painful. A world where people live a work with walking/cycling distance of everything they need, where free solar and wind powers their home/transit removes the auto/oil industry.
On the train. 8 minute journey. Will miss the anthems!
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
On the train. 8 minute journey. Will miss the anthems!
I had my left arm set and plastered there when I was 12…
Bit of Devon do surpass all understanding.
Bit of Devon do surpass all understanding.
November 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I had my left arm set and plastered there when I was 12…
Bit of Devon do surpass all understanding.
Bit of Devon do surpass all understanding.
Does Bishop’s Stortford count as nice?
Back to England for work meetings, children, grandchildren, concerts and rugby. And central heating. Pub tonight.
One of these days I’ll finally retire and live in my little paradise 365 days a year. Though I may need to be less miserly with the radiators.
Back to England for work meetings, children, grandchildren, concerts and rugby. And central heating. Pub tonight.
One of these days I’ll finally retire and live in my little paradise 365 days a year. Though I may need to be less miserly with the radiators.
November 23, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Does Bishop’s Stortford count as nice?
Back to England for work meetings, children, grandchildren, concerts and rugby. And central heating. Pub tonight.
One of these days I’ll finally retire and live in my little paradise 365 days a year. Though I may need to be less miserly with the radiators.
Back to England for work meetings, children, grandchildren, concerts and rugby. And central heating. Pub tonight.
One of these days I’ll finally retire and live in my little paradise 365 days a year. Though I may need to be less miserly with the radiators.
Robert Gildea - Marianne in Chains
Simon Schama - Citizens
Jean-Clément Martin - La Vendée de la Mémoire 1800-2018
Simon Schama - Citizens
Jean-Clément Martin - La Vendée de la Mémoire 1800-2018
November 23, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Robert Gildea - Marianne in Chains
Simon Schama - Citizens
Jean-Clément Martin - La Vendée de la Mémoire 1800-2018
Simon Schama - Citizens
Jean-Clément Martin - La Vendée de la Mémoire 1800-2018
Cherry goes so well with game dishes doesn’t it? I should have a go at one. With venison or hare maybe. Seem to remember having that a lot in autumn when I was working in Switzerland.
November 22, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Cherry goes so well with game dishes doesn’t it? I should have a go at one. With venison or hare maybe. Seem to remember having that a lot in autumn when I was working in Switzerland.
Cheery sauce sounds like something the Irish could do with right now.
November 22, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Cheery sauce sounds like something the Irish could do with right now.
But your meal sounds perfect for a game finishing at stupid o’clock
November 22, 2025 at 7:49 PM
But your meal sounds perfect for a game finishing at stupid o’clock
Not sure I have another game in me tonight. But at least I don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night for cricket!
November 22, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Not sure I have another game in me tonight. But at least I don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night for cricket!
I can tell you that the orange sauce - finely chopped red onion, orange peel and juice, marmalade, red wine, Cointreau - freezes really well in small portions. I’ll remember that for the Christmas visit.
November 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I can tell you that the orange sauce - finely chopped red onion, orange peel and juice, marmalade, red wine, Cointreau - freezes really well in small portions. I’ll remember that for the Christmas visit.