@stoicalcat.bsky.social
Reposted
This is really cool. When you see the storks at Knepp they feel pre-historic. This is basically bringing dinosaurs to Dagenham.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
White storks nest at Dagenham country park in rewilding project
White storks, were previously driven to extinction in Britain, and not seen in London for 600 years.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This is really cool. When you see the storks at Knepp they feel pre-historic. This is basically bringing dinosaurs to Dagenham.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted
Day 8 of #Shedvent: You pick a pine cone from the tree and slip it into your pocket. It smells of the forest; resinous; green, with the fresh wild scent of the outdoors…
December 8, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Day 8 of #Shedvent: You pick a pine cone from the tree and slip it into your pocket. It smells of the forest; resinous; green, with the fresh wild scent of the outdoors…
Reposted
Tales from the market - this weekend, a woman was looking for prints featuring distant flocks of birds.
Again, I didn’t have much on offer, but challenge accepted! ☺️
Again, I didn’t have much on offer, but challenge accepted! ☺️
December 7, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Tales from the market - this weekend, a woman was looking for prints featuring distant flocks of birds.
Again, I didn’t have much on offer, but challenge accepted! ☺️
Again, I didn’t have much on offer, but challenge accepted! ☺️
Reposted
Best of the week. And it was quite a week!
So much lately is seeking out the beauty in the dark and the dreich. And it IS there. Beauty can always be found if you’re looking.
So busy. And happy with it. Would I have it any other way?
No. I don’t think so. ☺️
So much lately is seeking out the beauty in the dark and the dreich. And it IS there. Beauty can always be found if you’re looking.
So busy. And happy with it. Would I have it any other way?
No. I don’t think so. ☺️
December 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Best of the week. And it was quite a week!
So much lately is seeking out the beauty in the dark and the dreich. And it IS there. Beauty can always be found if you’re looking.
So busy. And happy with it. Would I have it any other way?
No. I don’t think so. ☺️
So much lately is seeking out the beauty in the dark and the dreich. And it IS there. Beauty can always be found if you’re looking.
So busy. And happy with it. Would I have it any other way?
No. I don’t think so. ☺️
Reposted
Three more British MEPs in Nigel Farage’s bloc now alleged to have “followed the script” given to Nathan Gill by an alleged Russian asset, according to prosecutors.
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Three more Farage bloc MEPs alleged to have followed Russian asset’s script
At least eight MEPs elected for Ukip or Brexit party now known to have been focus of efforts by jailed Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Three more British MEPs in Nigel Farage’s bloc now alleged to have “followed the script” given to Nathan Gill by an alleged Russian asset, according to prosecutors.
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Sensible conclusion to Sam’s newsletter. When UK politicians talk about joining the EU CU they aren’t (usually) talking about a or let alone the CU - they’re making a rhetorical approximation for something that would negate all the negative aspects of Brexit on trade in goods.
A lot of this comes down to UK politicians wanting to negate the consequences of Brexit without negating Brexit itself. But no, you can't have your cake and eat it too - and I don't think a very overt dependency on EU policy with no say is sustainable for the UK.
December 8, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Sensible conclusion to Sam’s newsletter. When UK politicians talk about joining the EU CU they aren’t (usually) talking about a or let alone the CU - they’re making a rhetorical approximation for something that would negate all the negative aspects of Brexit on trade in goods.
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🧵Spotted at a Wool Shed Gallery Opening in Aotearoa New Zealand:
A joyful man (50s?) is directing traffic into apple-orchard parking with a gloriously cheerful rainbow umbrella. Someone yells from their car: "Lookin' fabulous!"
And he gives them a bow and a laugh: "Thank you sweetie!" (1)
A joyful man (50s?) is directing traffic into apple-orchard parking with a gloriously cheerful rainbow umbrella. Someone yells from their car: "Lookin' fabulous!"
And he gives them a bow and a laugh: "Thank you sweetie!" (1)
December 7, 2025 at 10:15 PM
🧵Spotted at a Wool Shed Gallery Opening in Aotearoa New Zealand:
A joyful man (50s?) is directing traffic into apple-orchard parking with a gloriously cheerful rainbow umbrella. Someone yells from their car: "Lookin' fabulous!"
And he gives them a bow and a laugh: "Thank you sweetie!" (1)
A joyful man (50s?) is directing traffic into apple-orchard parking with a gloriously cheerful rainbow umbrella. Someone yells from their car: "Lookin' fabulous!"
And he gives them a bow and a laugh: "Thank you sweetie!" (1)
Reposted
Fox Postcard, A. Komarov, 1969.
December 8, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Fox Postcard, A. Komarov, 1969.
Reposted
‘The grey wolf knows me; by one ear
I lead along the woodland deer;
The hares run by me growing bold.
They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.’ ~ Yeats, The Madness Of King Goll.
🖼️ Hare in Snowy scene, Karl Wagner.
I lead along the woodland deer;
The hares run by me growing bold.
They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.’ ~ Yeats, The Madness Of King Goll.
🖼️ Hare in Snowy scene, Karl Wagner.
December 8, 2025 at 4:41 AM
‘The grey wolf knows me; by one ear
I lead along the woodland deer;
The hares run by me growing bold.
They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.’ ~ Yeats, The Madness Of King Goll.
🖼️ Hare in Snowy scene, Karl Wagner.
I lead along the woodland deer;
The hares run by me growing bold.
They will not hush, the leaves a-flutter round me, the beech leaves old.’ ~ Yeats, The Madness Of King Goll.
🖼️ Hare in Snowy scene, Karl Wagner.
Reposted
December 8, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Reposted
Robin of the Day:
Banded-yellow Robin
📷 Laurie Ross
Banded-yellow Robin
📷 Laurie Ross
December 8, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Robin of the Day:
Banded-yellow Robin
📷 Laurie Ross
Banded-yellow Robin
📷 Laurie Ross
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Dear Monday, I’m ready for you.
🖼️ Lily Seika Jones
🖼️ Lily Seika Jones
December 8, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Dear Monday, I’m ready for you.
🖼️ Lily Seika Jones
🖼️ Lily Seika Jones
Reposted
December, Hans Thoma.
December 8, 2025 at 4:17 AM
December, Hans Thoma.
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Book Cover of the Day:
December 8, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Book Cover of the Day:
Reposted
Birds of Paradise, Bernabe Diaz Ramirez.
December 8, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Birds of Paradise, Bernabe Diaz Ramirez.
Reposted
Reposted
Should be sounding loud alarm bells in Westminster and Brussels
Kremlin hails Trump’s national security strategy as aligned with Russia’s vision
Kremlin hails Trump’s national security strategy as aligned with Russia’s vision
Moscow welcomes White House document critical of the EU as talks to end the Ukraine war enter a key phase
The Kremlin has heaped praise on Donald Trump’s latest national security strategy, calling it an encouraging change of policy that largely aligns with Russian thinking.
The remarks follow the publication of a White House document on Friday that criticises the EU and says Europe is at risk of “civilisational erasure”, while making clear the US is keen to establish better relations with Russia. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Should be sounding loud alarm bells in Westminster and Brussels
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Hey, Does Anyone Want to Talk About Donald Trump’s Infirmities? trib.al/O3D0W24
Hey, Does Anyone Want to Talk About Donald Trump’s Infirmities?
He’s clearly slipping, mentally and physically, but the political press suddenly finds it less newsworthy that we have a woefully aging president.
trib.al
December 7, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Hey, Does Anyone Want to Talk About Donald Trump’s Infirmities? trib.al/O3D0W24
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Pretty crazy that nearly all of the EU Commission is still on X even as Elon Musk is literally talking about destroying the EU.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
So what's the outcome?
2️⃣5️⃣ of the 27 Commissioners have posted in the last week
2️⃣4️⃣ of the 27 generally post every week (Albuquerque has never been on X, Ribera is sporadic, McGrath has somehow stopped)
0️⃣ have stopped as a result of what Twitter has become since the Musk takeover
2️⃣5️⃣ of the 27 Commissioners have posted in the last week
2️⃣4️⃣ of the 27 generally post every week (Albuquerque has never been on X, Ribera is sporadic, McGrath has somehow stopped)
0️⃣ have stopped as a result of what Twitter has become since the Musk takeover
December 7, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Pretty crazy that nearly all of the EU Commission is still on X even as Elon Musk is literally talking about destroying the EU.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
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After this weekend's racist attacks on the EU, I've written a column about the moral obligation to stop posting on X.
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
December 7, 2025 at 10:18 PM
After this weekend's racist attacks on the EU, I've written a column about the moral obligation to stop posting on X.
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted
Insulting female journalists - Farage emulating his hero Trump
Emma Barnett is one of the BBC’s most senior and high-profile presenters (Woman’s Hour, Newsnight, later flagship political interviews). Farage calling her “lower grade” is:
•factually incorrect,
•demeaning rather than descriptive,
•clearly an insult
He’s despicable www.youtube.com/live/qwYO1HZ...
•factually incorrect,
•demeaning rather than descriptive,
•clearly an insult
He’s despicable www.youtube.com/live/qwYO1HZ...
December 7, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Insulting female journalists - Farage emulating his hero Trump
Reposted
The half Scot in me enjoyed this very much. The other half appreciated it too. (Sorry about the wind, it’s very blowy out.) As I left town, a group asked me if the Christmas market was this way, I said, ‘Unfortunately, yes.’ They laughed, thankfully.
December 7, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The half Scot in me enjoyed this very much. The other half appreciated it too. (Sorry about the wind, it’s very blowy out.) As I left town, a group asked me if the Christmas market was this way, I said, ‘Unfortunately, yes.’ They laughed, thankfully.
Reposted
Tove Jansson's (1957) illustration from her book 'Moominland Midwinter'. Moomintroll, unlike his family who hibernate, decides to stay up through the harsh winter. It is a tale of endurance, acceptance and learning to live with the discomfort of uncertainty #WomensArt
December 7, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Tove Jansson's (1957) illustration from her book 'Moominland Midwinter'. Moomintroll, unlike his family who hibernate, decides to stay up through the harsh winter. It is a tale of endurance, acceptance and learning to live with the discomfort of uncertainty #WomensArt
Reposted
The golden rule is this:
If it looks too good to be true then look again for clues
If it looks too good to be true then look again for clues
December 7, 2025 at 9:03 AM
The golden rule is this:
If it looks too good to be true then look again for clues
If it looks too good to be true then look again for clues
Reposted
Crick's biography is very good and very thorough but what's really striking is that the central character - Farage - is fundamentally boring.
Not sure I'd want to write the life story of Farage because there's no journey. He doesn't change or learn and he has no interests apart from the wars
Not sure I'd want to write the life story of Farage because there's no journey. He doesn't change or learn and he has no interests apart from the wars
December 7, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Crick's biography is very good and very thorough but what's really striking is that the central character - Farage - is fundamentally boring.
Not sure I'd want to write the life story of Farage because there's no journey. He doesn't change or learn and he has no interests apart from the wars
Not sure I'd want to write the life story of Farage because there's no journey. He doesn't change or learn and he has no interests apart from the wars