Alyn Nicholls
@alyn.bsky.social
Chartered Town Planner. Making geography and trying not to leave a mess. Food, music, older motor cars, model making and other stuff. RTPI Independent Consultants Network. Views my own.
The design of cards for 70th birthdays is generally a bit rubbish so I’m improvising - just adding an “0”…
Card by Wee Dippers - Cardigan Cards.
Card by Wee Dippers - Cardigan Cards.
January 17, 2026 at 11:11 AM
The design of cards for 70th birthdays is generally a bit rubbish so I’m improvising - just adding an “0”…
Card by Wee Dippers - Cardigan Cards.
Card by Wee Dippers - Cardigan Cards.
Luncheon: proper pie & peas at the local…
Steak and Ale pie, mushy peas, a dollop of mint sauce and a splash of Hendo’s sauce.
Accompanied by a Mr’s Pop.
At The George, Upper Denby.
Marvellous!
Steak and Ale pie, mushy peas, a dollop of mint sauce and a splash of Hendo’s sauce.
Accompanied by a Mr’s Pop.
At The George, Upper Denby.
Marvellous!
January 16, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Luncheon: proper pie & peas at the local…
Steak and Ale pie, mushy peas, a dollop of mint sauce and a splash of Hendo’s sauce.
Accompanied by a Mr’s Pop.
At The George, Upper Denby.
Marvellous!
Steak and Ale pie, mushy peas, a dollop of mint sauce and a splash of Hendo’s sauce.
Accompanied by a Mr’s Pop.
At The George, Upper Denby.
Marvellous!
Luncheon: avocado with coriander and lime on Mrs.N’s sourdough and sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, with tomatoes and mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil.
We’re using up stuff from the fridge!
We’re using up stuff from the fridge!
January 14, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Luncheon: avocado with coriander and lime on Mrs.N’s sourdough and sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, with tomatoes and mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil.
We’re using up stuff from the fridge!
We’re using up stuff from the fridge!
Towards Barnsley, 8.47am Tuesday. First meeting of the day done, looking forward to breakfast back at base.
January 14, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Towards Barnsley, 8.47am Tuesday. First meeting of the day done, looking forward to breakfast back at base.
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s roast ginger, celeriac, parsnip and sweet potato soup, with a scattering of cracked black pepper and enthusiastic swirls of crème fraiche.
It’s steaming!
Accompanied by Mrs.N home baked focaccia.
It’s steaming!
Accompanied by Mrs.N home baked focaccia.
January 13, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s roast ginger, celeriac, parsnip and sweet potato soup, with a scattering of cracked black pepper and enthusiastic swirls of crème fraiche.
It’s steaming!
Accompanied by Mrs.N home baked focaccia.
It’s steaming!
Accompanied by Mrs.N home baked focaccia.
I’m in trouble. It’s Mrs.N not Mrs.B.
Mrs B knocks it out of the park and we are all chasing!!
Luncheon: Mrs.B’s done a warm salad with cabbage, courgettes, pecans, pear and blue cheese (and flaked chilli).
January 12, 2026 at 7:11 PM
I’m in trouble. It’s Mrs.N not Mrs.B.
Luncheon: Mrs.B’s done a warm salad with cabbage, courgettes, pecans, pear and blue cheese (and flaked chilli).
January 12, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Luncheon: Mrs.B’s done a warm salad with cabbage, courgettes, pecans, pear and blue cheese (and flaked chilli).
This was Sunday Lunch: a magnificent sausage sandwich and mug of tea at @whiskas9.bsky.social
(I was on DIY duties…)
(I was on DIY duties…)
January 12, 2026 at 8:28 AM
This was Sunday Lunch: a magnificent sausage sandwich and mug of tea at @whiskas9.bsky.social
(I was on DIY duties…)
(I was on DIY duties…)
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s only done a smoked duck salad with loads of stuff.
January 10, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s only done a smoked duck salad with loads of stuff.
This morning…the breakfast at #StJohnsHouseLichfield Not huge but great quality (and I had yoghurt berries and granola to start).
Excellent start to the day.
Excellent start to the day.
January 9, 2026 at 9:36 PM
This morning…the breakfast at #StJohnsHouseLichfield Not huge but great quality (and I had yoghurt berries and granola to start).
Excellent start to the day.
Excellent start to the day.
Abode last snowy evening: St John’s House, Lichfield…
January 9, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Abode last snowy evening: St John’s House, Lichfield…
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s done baked sweet potato with local Langley Farm cottage cheese, pumpkin seeds, a red cabbage salad and avocado.
January 7, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s done baked sweet potato with local Langley Farm cottage cheese, pumpkin seeds, a red cabbage salad and avocado.
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s roast leek and potato soup. Thick and warming ?and I’ve added a generous smattering of Hendos sauce for a bit more heat.
January 6, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Luncheon: Mrs.N’s roast leek and potato soup. Thick and warming ?and I’ve added a generous smattering of Hendos sauce for a bit more heat.
Luncheon: a lovely celebratory birthday with Grandpeople - James (Senior Grandson); Benj (Junior Grandson); Daisy (camera operator); and Betsy (the smallest and littlest)
January 4, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Luncheon: a lovely celebratory birthday with Grandpeople - James (Senior Grandson); Benj (Junior Grandson); Daisy (camera operator); and Betsy (the smallest and littlest)
Mrs.N’s done a belter!
So that’s Marmite on sourdough toast for breakfast tomorrow…
So that’s Marmite on sourdough toast for breakfast tomorrow…
January 3, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Mrs.N’s done a belter!
So that’s Marmite on sourdough toast for breakfast tomorrow…
So that’s Marmite on sourdough toast for breakfast tomorrow…
A wolf moon (apparently).
January 3, 2026 at 4:56 PM
A wolf moon (apparently).
I suspect it was out of warranty.
January 3, 2026 at 4:51 PM
I suspect it was out of warranty.
Towards Barnsley, Saturday, 2.46pm. Crisp, clear, bright and bitter with numb ears.
January 3, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Towards Barnsley, Saturday, 2.46pm. Crisp, clear, bright and bitter with numb ears.
And I turn my back and another loaf appears (although Mrs.N describes this as a cheating ciabatta because it’s come out of the bread maker).
December 31, 2025 at 7:48 PM
And I turn my back and another loaf appears (although Mrs.N describes this as a cheating ciabatta because it’s come out of the bread maker).
Look what’s just emerged from the oven…Mrs.N’s magnificent sourdough! (presently cooling).
December 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Look what’s just emerged from the oven…Mrs.N’s magnificent sourdough! (presently cooling).
Luncheon: I managed to get to The Butcher’s Larder at Kirkburton and picked up a huge sausage roll. Almost enough to feed a small family.
Accompanied by some Cumberland spiced sauce and a cheeky Palo Cortado.
It’s set me up for the afternoon!
Accompanied by some Cumberland spiced sauce and a cheeky Palo Cortado.
It’s set me up for the afternoon!
December 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Luncheon: I managed to get to The Butcher’s Larder at Kirkburton and picked up a huge sausage roll. Almost enough to feed a small family.
Accompanied by some Cumberland spiced sauce and a cheeky Palo Cortado.
It’s set me up for the afternoon!
Accompanied by some Cumberland spiced sauce and a cheeky Palo Cortado.
It’s set me up for the afternoon!
I can confirm that this Christmas, 5yo senior granddaughter has passed through the Disney Princess phase and has entered the K-Pop Demon Hunters phase…
(We are not disappointed).
(We are not disappointed).
December 27, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I can confirm that this Christmas, 5yo senior granddaughter has passed through the Disney Princess phase and has entered the K-Pop Demon Hunters phase…
(We are not disappointed).
(We are not disappointed).
Luncheon: warming for a cold wet day, Mrs.N’s roast sweet potato, parsnip and ginger soup. Accompanied by her homemade focaccia.
It’s baking day in the kitchen. A sourdough is in the oven and mince pies are nearly ready to go in.
It’s baking day in the kitchen. A sourdough is in the oven and mince pies are nearly ready to go in.
December 23, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Luncheon: warming for a cold wet day, Mrs.N’s roast sweet potato, parsnip and ginger soup. Accompanied by her homemade focaccia.
It’s baking day in the kitchen. A sourdough is in the oven and mince pies are nearly ready to go in.
It’s baking day in the kitchen. A sourdough is in the oven and mince pies are nearly ready to go in.
For tea…Mrs.N’s done a Lisa Faulkner recipe: cauliflower cooked in Marmite, then coated in crème fraiche and mustard, then coated in sage and onion stuffing before being topped with Parmesan cheese and baked. Served with shredded roast chicken and carrots cooked in Marmite.
Epic!
Epic!
December 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
For tea…Mrs.N’s done a Lisa Faulkner recipe: cauliflower cooked in Marmite, then coated in crème fraiche and mustard, then coated in sage and onion stuffing before being topped with Parmesan cheese and baked. Served with shredded roast chicken and carrots cooked in Marmite.
Epic!
Epic!