Franca
@applefranca.bsky.social
Live in Edinburgh, like dressmaking, knitting, active travel, Eurovision and coffee. Scottish Government researcher working on children and families. 🏴 🇩🇪 🇱🇺
I still write an occasional personal blog like it's 2005: www.applefranca.com
I still write an occasional personal blog like it's 2005: www.applefranca.com
Reposted by Franca
But she's more than happy to subsidise people who can afford to buy £40k electric cars but more than the cost of a decent bike. And through salary sacrifice schemes too.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves to cut tax benefits for workers using salary sacrifice schemes to buy bikes
Chancellor expected to introduce new limit on how much can be spent on a bicycle through cycle to work scheme
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:30 AM
But she's more than happy to subsidise people who can afford to buy £40k electric cars but more than the cost of a decent bike. And through salary sacrifice schemes too.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
I can't read the full thing, but if this delivers what the headline promises, amazing news! I hate that evil circle!
Meta’s messaging app offers free access to the AI chatbot, but only until January 2026.
How to Talk to ChatGPT for Free Inside WhatsApp (While You Still Can)
Meta’s messaging app offers free access to the AI chatbot, but only until January 2026.
wrd.cm
November 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I can't read the full thing, but if this delivers what the headline promises, amazing news! I hate that evil circle!
Reposted by Franca
To all the doubters, AI is so close to being perfect
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
November 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM
To all the doubters, AI is so close to being perfect
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
No skin in this game, but who would possibly sau Argyle House is Edinburgh's ugliest building? Even if you're big into brutalism, there is no end of much, much uglier buildings
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Wednesday’s headlines: Argyle House demolition plan, 'serious concerns' over tram plan, Gorgie residents dispute £19m bill + the history of North Edinburgh resistance and community activism
⏰ Edinburgh’s ad-free local news: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
⏰ Edinburgh’s ad-free local news: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
No skin in this game, but who would possibly sau Argyle House is Edinburgh's ugliest building? Even if you're big into brutalism, there is no end of much, much uglier buildings
Regardless of whether you think this is a good idea, why do you need AI for this? Government does this sort of statistics all the time.
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
November 12, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Regardless of whether you think this is a good idea, why do you need AI for this? Government does this sort of statistics all the time.
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
Reposted by Franca
Any Edinburgh cycling people know how you're supposed to turn right from the new Great Junction Street cycle path onto Leith Walk? I've done this a few times now and I can't figure it out
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
November 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Any Edinburgh cycling people know how you're supposed to turn right from the new Great Junction Street cycle path onto Leith Walk? I've done this a few times now and I can't figure it out
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
Reposted by Franca
Why are Edinburgh council commissioning yet another report, instead of cracking on & actually implementing the bus-gates?
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
I’ve been consistent in my opposition to allowing PHVs into bus lanes. I do however think it is worth exploring allowing PHVs and Black Cabs access through certain bus gates if the data and evidence proves it can aid city mobility.
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...
Plans for Edinburgh private hire cars to be allowed to use bus lanes
Council officers are recommending that councillors delay making any decision on a policy change until after several projects and traffic studies are completed
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Why are Edinburgh council commissioning yet another report, instead of cracking on & actually implementing the bus-gates?
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
Reposted by Franca
Amazing how often we say 'too many visitors' when what we mainly mean is 'too many cars'
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...
Can Highland Perthshire cope with 'unprecedented' tourist demand?
Local businesses rely on visitors coming to Dunkeld, but some residents worry the town can no longer cope.
news.stv.tv
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Amazing how often we say 'too many visitors' when what we mainly mean is 'too many cars'
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...
Reposted by Franca
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!
It emerges that my husband did not know about Miette
November 8, 2025 at 9:46 PM
It emerges that my husband did not know about Miette
Reposted by Franca
Until I die, I will never understand why so many motorists think that “having a car” should give you special protections from doing crimes.
Year one: "We can work it out as an estimate"
Year two: "Oh, look, lots of people are dodging the system!"
Year three: "We need to fit mandatory trackers to every car in the country."
Year four plus: "Why shouldn't tracker data be used in evidence? What have people got to hide?"
Year two: "Oh, look, lots of people are dodging the system!"
Year three: "We need to fit mandatory trackers to every car in the country."
Year four plus: "Why shouldn't tracker data be used in evidence? What have people got to hide?"
I don’t think think “estimated road use” is right approach - at the least drivers should have the *option* of getting a black box fitted that just tracks their EVs usage, but come on, Mel, impersonate a serious politician!
November 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Until I die, I will never understand why so many motorists think that “having a car” should give you special protections from doing crimes.
I was interested enough to look this up and according to Wikipedia 'In modern practice, social democracy has taken the form of democratic socialism' and now I wonder what is the meaning of words.
November 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I was interested enough to look this up and according to Wikipedia 'In modern practice, social democracy has taken the form of democratic socialism' and now I wonder what is the meaning of words.
What an odd and delightful feeling to be waking up to so much good news. Keep it going Americans, you can do it!
November 5, 2025 at 6:38 AM
What an odd and delightful feeling to be waking up to so much good news. Keep it going Americans, you can do it!
Reposted by Franca
Kennt man ja gar nicht mehr, morgens nach dem Aufwachen Wahlergebnisse im Handy checken und sich freuen…. 🤩
November 5, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Kennt man ja gar nicht mehr, morgens nach dem Aufwachen Wahlergebnisse im Handy checken und sich freuen…. 🤩
Maybe it's more the fact that no one has a spare £100 for a restaurant meal, or a spare £20 for a coffee and cake, but what do I know
November 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Maybe it's more the fact that no one has a spare £100 for a restaurant meal, or a spare £20 for a coffee and cake, but what do I know
Just remembered I took a picture of them digging up the newly properly resurfaced Tantallon place and Hatton place. Anyone know what this is about?
Bet the fixes are all going to be bumpy and a different colour.
you do wonder if this couldn't have been sequenced a bit more sensibly
Bet the fixes are all going to be bumpy and a different colour.
you do wonder if this couldn't have been sequenced a bit more sensibly
November 3, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Just remembered I took a picture of them digging up the newly properly resurfaced Tantallon place and Hatton place. Anyone know what this is about?
Bet the fixes are all going to be bumpy and a different colour.
you do wonder if this couldn't have been sequenced a bit more sensibly
Bet the fixes are all going to be bumpy and a different colour.
you do wonder if this couldn't have been sequenced a bit more sensibly
Happy to see I've not missed anything not watching Game of Wool. And quite enjoying all the lists of things they got wrong
Apparently they said "Knitters use just two needles or a hook" OR A HOOK. Have a word with yourselves, producers
Apparently they said "Knitters use just two needles or a hook" OR A HOOK. Have a word with yourselves, producers
November 3, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Happy to see I've not missed anything not watching Game of Wool. And quite enjoying all the lists of things they got wrong
Apparently they said "Knitters use just two needles or a hook" OR A HOOK. Have a word with yourselves, producers
Apparently they said "Knitters use just two needles or a hook" OR A HOOK. Have a word with yourselves, producers
Reposted by Franca
Challenge 3 - unravel a charity shop jumper and knit a hat with the recouped yarn
Challenge 4 - give them finished panel pieces and ask them to seam together without using mattress stitch
There's so many knitting related tasks that would suit a time Challenge
#gameofwool
Challenge 4 - give them finished panel pieces and ask them to seam together without using mattress stitch
There's so many knitting related tasks that would suit a time Challenge
#gameofwool
November 2, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Challenge 3 - unravel a charity shop jumper and knit a hat with the recouped yarn
Challenge 4 - give them finished panel pieces and ask them to seam together without using mattress stitch
There's so many knitting related tasks that would suit a time Challenge
#gameofwool
Challenge 4 - give them finished panel pieces and ask them to seam together without using mattress stitch
There's so many knitting related tasks that would suit a time Challenge
#gameofwool
Reposted by Franca
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
November 2, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Reposted by Franca
Ross Bandstand getting ready for #Diwali celebrations in Edinburgh - parade should be on route from St Andrews Square via George St around 2ish
November 2, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Ross Bandstand getting ready for #Diwali celebrations in Edinburgh - parade should be on route from St Andrews Square via George St around 2ish
Reposted by Franca
it's me, unnamed critter from bosch's triptych of the temptation of anthony!
November 1, 2025 at 12:16 AM
it's me, unnamed critter from bosch's triptych of the temptation of anthony!
This years Halloween costumes! Very different vibes from the two boys
October 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This years Halloween costumes! Very different vibes from the two boys
This is something I'm always anxious about. It is very clear I should leave on my German passport and return on the British one (as confirmed by a slightly scary and very insistent German consulate person), but there is not space on airlines' systems for two passports.
That would be an issue if they had to travel in on one and out on another (ie between the two countries they were nationals of). So yep that’s a problem.
October 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
This is something I'm always anxious about. It is very clear I should leave on my German passport and return on the British one (as confirmed by a slightly scary and very insistent German consulate person), but there is not space on airlines' systems for two passports.
I'm not really a garment knitter but I'm pleased with this! 🧶
Maddie Harvey Nettle Earnest Vest knitting pattern review — apple franca
Now that it's autumn I've started knitting again. The starting point for this was the yarn which I bought at the 2024 woozy good gathering and had sitting around. It's Auchen from Black Isle yarns, an...
www.applefranca.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:20 AM
I'm not really a garment knitter but I'm pleased with this! 🧶