Tom Jolliffe
@thomjolliffe.bsky.social
Old crock. Climate action vital for our Earth. Progressive UK European opposed to Brexit insanity and Trump's fascism. Human rights for all. Oligarchs are an obscenity. Respect for all living species. Centre Left. Hope not Hate. No chat unless I know you.
This is what real Granny Smiths, grown in the garden in France and harvested late, look like. Not much resemblance to the supermarket variety in taste, either! Much sweeter.
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This is what real Granny Smiths, grown in the garden in France and harvested late, look like. Not much resemblance to the supermarket variety in taste, either! Much sweeter.
The opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 was an engineering, political and cultural triumph which we must maintain.
August 12, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 was an engineering, political and cultural triumph which we must maintain.
Over 30 years ago, the UK and France forged a new link between their cultures, and the whole of Europe. What a day 6th May 1994 was for us all. In the same year there were democratic elections in South Africa: the end of Apartheid! In 2025 UK, some poisonous people want to recreate all the hatred.
August 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Over 30 years ago, the UK and France forged a new link between their cultures, and the whole of Europe. What a day 6th May 1994 was for us all. In the same year there were democratic elections in South Africa: the end of Apartheid! In 2025 UK, some poisonous people want to recreate all the hatred.
Sadly Crace is right. Also see Keir's 2020 statement on migration.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
May 12, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Sadly Crace is right. Also see Keir's 2020 statement on migration.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Margaret Atwood foresaw the way that a sinister Government would take control in A Handmaid's Tale, her 1985 dystopic novel. Women were "switched off" digitally, losing their bank accounts, savings and their identity. This digital button is held by Musk and Trump and everyone is in the crosshairs.
February 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Margaret Atwood foresaw the way that a sinister Government would take control in A Handmaid's Tale, her 1985 dystopic novel. Women were "switched off" digitally, losing their bank accounts, savings and their identity. This digital button is held by Musk and Trump and everyone is in the crosshairs.
I tried to get ChatGPT to make a picture described below. Presumably its refusal is related to the creation of fake AI images. However, I changed it to an American President.
January 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I tried to get ChatGPT to make a picture described below. Presumably its refusal is related to the creation of fake AI images. However, I changed it to an American President.
Trump and his stooges, Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos, are draining the meaning out of the word SHAME.
January 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Trump and his stooges, Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos, are draining the meaning out of the word SHAME.
Haaretz Today | Musk's 'Fascist Salute': U.S. Jewish Establishment Failed Its First Test With Trump 2.0
www.haaretz.com
Musk's Nazi grandparents went to South Africa as they supported Apartheid. Musk knew he was imitating Hitler, who killed millions as he attempted to eliminate the Jewish race.
www.haaretz.com
Musk's Nazi grandparents went to South Africa as they supported Apartheid. Musk knew he was imitating Hitler, who killed millions as he attempted to eliminate the Jewish race.
January 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Haaretz Today | Musk's 'Fascist Salute': U.S. Jewish Establishment Failed Its First Test With Trump 2.0
www.haaretz.com
Musk's Nazi grandparents went to South Africa as they supported Apartheid. Musk knew he was imitating Hitler, who killed millions as he attempted to eliminate the Jewish race.
www.haaretz.com
Musk's Nazi grandparents went to South Africa as they supported Apartheid. Musk knew he was imitating Hitler, who killed millions as he attempted to eliminate the Jewish race.
David Lynch R.I.P. He was an original artist, with a talent which he used to mingle film and TV genres to confound the audience's expectations, to entertain, but also to expose the dark side of human (the American) culture for those who could read it, with great intelligence and humour.
January 16, 2025 at 8:27 PM
David Lynch R.I.P. He was an original artist, with a talent which he used to mingle film and TV genres to confound the audience's expectations, to entertain, but also to expose the dark side of human (the American) culture for those who could read it, with great intelligence and humour.
"Freedom of Speech" is often a figleaf for those who abuse others, lie, stir up fear, hatred, division, misogny, xenophobia and racism, undermine equality, promote conspiracy theories, deceive the feeble minded. Letting it rip fosters the financial interests of a few billionaires. Images ChatGPT
January 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"Freedom of Speech" is often a figleaf for those who abuse others, lie, stir up fear, hatred, division, misogny, xenophobia and racism, undermine equality, promote conspiracy theories, deceive the feeble minded. Letting it rip fosters the financial interests of a few billionaires. Images ChatGPT
Here it is at 11 years old, having been transplanted to France in about 2005.
January 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Here it is at 11 years old, having been transplanted to France in about 2005.
Araucaria araucana - Monkey Puzzle Tree. Maybe you can guess why it is called this from this photo. In French it is Desespoir des Singes, Monkey's Despair. We bought this 25 years ago in a pot with four "branches". It thrives by a well in France.
January 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Araucaria araucana - Monkey Puzzle Tree. Maybe you can guess why it is called this from this photo. In French it is Desespoir des Singes, Monkey's Despair. We bought this 25 years ago in a pot with four "branches". It thrives by a well in France.
Impressive sunrise this morning over the coast looking East from Hillhead, near Brixham, Devon at about 7.30 a.m. UK time
January 14, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Impressive sunrise this morning over the coast looking East from Hillhead, near Brixham, Devon at about 7.30 a.m. UK time
The Genitron coundown (in seconds) clock to the year 2000 was stationed outside the Pompidou Centre in Paris from 1987 to 1996. Then it was moved the the Place de La Bastille. It stopped working in July 1998 and could not be repaired. Rather sad at zero, in technological disgrace. Photo 01.01.2000
January 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The Genitron coundown (in seconds) clock to the year 2000 was stationed outside the Pompidou Centre in Paris from 1987 to 1996. Then it was moved the the Place de La Bastille. It stopped working in July 1998 and could not be repaired. Rather sad at zero, in technological disgrace. Photo 01.01.2000
It was 25 years ago. Fab in Paris.
January 1, 2025 at 9:39 AM
It was 25 years ago. Fab in Paris.
Even in the deepest parts of France, Manchester City's recent dreadful run of form has been noted...and their revival yesterday! From la Montagne - Creuse edition.
December 30, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Even in the deepest parts of France, Manchester City's recent dreadful run of form has been noted...and their revival yesterday! From la Montagne - Creuse edition.
Manchester City's remarkable run of recent failures can only be accounted for by a curse on the team! The curse weakens as the year comes to an end. Images made by ChatGPT, though I could not get it to make teams in two shades of blue. Normally it can't spell, either, but O.K. on these.
December 30, 2024 at 8:17 AM
Manchester City's remarkable run of recent failures can only be accounted for by a curse on the team! The curse weakens as the year comes to an end. Images made by ChatGPT, though I could not get it to make teams in two shades of blue. Normally it can't spell, either, but O.K. on these.
It's a very tough world for some. I am fortunate enough to be able to donate to the Samaritans who save people from despair or suicide day after day and at night. If anyone else can do so, it is money well spent. use Giftaid, too, if you pay tax. Samaritans work across the UK.
December 19, 2024 at 8:05 PM
It's a very tough world for some. I am fortunate enough to be able to donate to the Samaritans who save people from despair or suicide day after day and at night. If anyone else can do so, it is money well spent. use Giftaid, too, if you pay tax. Samaritans work across the UK.
I'd encourage anyone who can afford it to donate to their local foodbank. Or, if they can spare it, offer some time to help. You can Giftaid, so 25% extra is paid by UK Govt from your tax. Brixham's foodbank puts all the money donated into goods. Staffed by volunteers. Locals give enough to help.👍
December 19, 2024 at 3:47 PM
I'd encourage anyone who can afford it to donate to their local foodbank. Or, if they can spare it, offer some time to help. You can Giftaid, so 25% extra is paid by UK Govt from your tax. Brixham's foodbank puts all the money donated into goods. Staffed by volunteers. Locals give enough to help.👍
Memories of summer and a marvellous peach crop from a peach tree which we grew from a local tree's peach stone. We put bags on them to stop the wasps, but there were very few wasps this year. Not a good sign. But good for peaches.
November 18, 2024 at 8:56 PM
Memories of summer and a marvellous peach crop from a peach tree which we grew from a local tree's peach stone. We put bags on them to stop the wasps, but there were very few wasps this year. Not a good sign. But good for peaches.
Wonderful and inspiring. I like the whole process of growth from start to finish. Just finished digging out last year's to weed them and re-plant. If you get Darwin variety tulips, they will come up every year. Other varieties get weaker each year.
November 15, 2024 at 4:50 PM
Wonderful and inspiring. I like the whole process of growth from start to finish. Just finished digging out last year's to weed them and re-plant. If you get Darwin variety tulips, they will come up every year. Other varieties get weaker each year.
Gorse Shield Beetle - Piezodorus lituratus
This little insect was on a pear. We are harvesting pears. The few wasps and hornets (frelons) can do damage quickly. Hornets are partial to pears. Not sure why a Gorse Shield Beetle, looked up on Google, is on the pears. There is no gorse in this area.
This little insect was on a pear. We are harvesting pears. The few wasps and hornets (frelons) can do damage quickly. Hornets are partial to pears. Not sure why a Gorse Shield Beetle, looked up on Google, is on the pears. There is no gorse in this area.
September 9, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Gorse Shield Beetle - Piezodorus lituratus
This little insect was on a pear. We are harvesting pears. The few wasps and hornets (frelons) can do damage quickly. Hornets are partial to pears. Not sure why a Gorse Shield Beetle, looked up on Google, is on the pears. There is no gorse in this area.
This little insect was on a pear. We are harvesting pears. The few wasps and hornets (frelons) can do damage quickly. Hornets are partial to pears. Not sure why a Gorse Shield Beetle, looked up on Google, is on the pears. There is no gorse in this area.
Found this thriving in the garden and thought it was a rare plant. However, I discovered it is the commonest of the "dog" lichens: Peltigera membranacea. My ignorance probably made it more attractive!
September 8, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Found this thriving in the garden and thought it was a rare plant. However, I discovered it is the commonest of the "dog" lichens: Peltigera membranacea. My ignorance probably made it more attractive!
Fabulous crop of peaches this year. The virtual absence of wasps, and hornets, (known as frolons in France) was very fortunate, but it is not a good sign environmentally.
September 7, 2024 at 8:46 PM
Fabulous crop of peaches this year. The virtual absence of wasps, and hornets, (known as frolons in France) was very fortunate, but it is not a good sign environmentally.