Arthur Ransome
@aransome.bsky.social
Ransome related chats and quizzes, and all things Swallows and Amazons ⛵️
Pinned
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📣📣 One week to go until our Winter Holiday chat! 📣📣
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
February 1, 2026 at 9:06 AM
📣📣 One week to go until our Winter Holiday chat! 📣📣
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
Still water, heavy skies and the kind of calm you only find by the lake. 💙
#Windermere #Winter #LakeDistrict
#Windermere #Winter #LakeDistrict
January 31, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Still water, heavy skies and the kind of calm you only find by the lake. 💙
#Windermere #Winter #LakeDistrict
#Windermere #Winter #LakeDistrict
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
Newly repaired with sellotape. 1969 edition. A warm read on a very cold day.
January 31, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Newly repaired with sellotape. 1969 edition. A warm read on a very cold day.
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
Taken this afternoon, in a brief spell without rain. The head of the lake, Coniston.
January 31, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Taken this afternoon, in a brief spell without rain. The head of the lake, Coniston.
Excellent homework here for anyone who might want to signal across a frozen lake, especially when it’s dinner time.
Thank you @fennygoldfish.bsky.social
Thank you @fennygoldfish.bsky.social
@aransome.bsky.social
The official Navy instructions for signalling in Morse code with a flag.
#Swallows&Amazons
#WinterHoliday
The official Navy instructions for signalling in Morse code with a flag.
#Swallows&Amazons
#WinterHoliday
January 31, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Excellent homework here for anyone who might want to signal across a frozen lake, especially when it’s dinner time.
Thank you @fennygoldfish.bsky.social
Thank you @fennygoldfish.bsky.social
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
From Friday 30 January through to Sunday 1 February, we'll have the Snow Moon visible in the sky. So named because the heaviest snowfall is typical during this month. It's also the last Full Moon of meteorological winter.
art: Victo Ngai
art: Victo Ngai
January 30, 2026 at 11:14 PM
From Friday 30 January through to Sunday 1 February, we'll have the Snow Moon visible in the sky. So named because the heaviest snowfall is typical during this month. It's also the last Full Moon of meteorological winter.
art: Victo Ngai
art: Victo Ngai
I imagine a few of these may have been found around Secret Water …
Welcome back to another #FossilFriday
Here is the molar from an American Mastodon (Mammut americanum). This comes from Pleistocene deposits in San Jacinto County, Texas. Mastodons used their bumpy molars for grinding up twigs, leaf matter, and other shrubs.
Here is the molar from an American Mastodon (Mammut americanum). This comes from Pleistocene deposits in San Jacinto County, Texas. Mastodons used their bumpy molars for grinding up twigs, leaf matter, and other shrubs.
January 30, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I imagine a few of these may have been found around Secret Water …
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
We know a lot about Mr. Dixon and Grandpa Swainson but little about Mr. Jackson at Holly Howe. Just that he was big and powerful. I wonder why not?
January 27, 2026 at 2:29 AM
We know a lot about Mr. Dixon and Grandpa Swainson but little about Mr. Jackson at Holly Howe. Just that he was big and powerful. I wonder why not?
Excellent thought from @fennygoldfish.bsky.social … Ink our Winter Holiday zoom chat (8th Feb) into your pocket books folks 🖊️ 📕
I'd best write it in my pocket book.
January 25, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Excellent thought from @fennygoldfish.bsky.social … Ink our Winter Holiday zoom chat (8th Feb) into your pocket books folks 🖊️ 📕
It’s two weeks until our Winter Holiday chat, so still plenty of time if you’d like to (re)read the book and join us! 📚❄️🛷
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
January 25, 2026 at 10:06 AM
It’s two weeks until our Winter Holiday chat, so still plenty of time if you’d like to (re)read the book and join us! 📚❄️🛷
This is fun for a Saturday morning…
An observation test for your inner 8-year-old.
You’ll be doing well to spot 12 deliberate mistakes.
From Treasure magazine, 1963
Official answers coming soon
(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one?)
You’ll be doing well to spot 12 deliberate mistakes.
From Treasure magazine, 1963
Official answers coming soon
(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one?)
January 24, 2026 at 8:46 AM
This is fun for a Saturday morning…
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
Who'll be doing the #BigGardenBirdwatch this weekend?
And how many of these do you think you'll cross off? 😁👇
And how many of these do you think you'll cross off? 😁👇
January 23, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
Get one! (Or thirty!)
They don't hurt, much, and are a permanent joy to behold.
They don't hurt, much, and are a permanent joy to behold.
July 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Get one! (Or thirty!)
They don't hurt, much, and are a permanent joy to behold.
They don't hurt, much, and are a permanent joy to behold.
Scroll down in this article to look at the Pin Mill photograph… I wonder if there are any mastodon footprints anywhere nearby …
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Northern Lights illuminate UK skies in hues of pink and green
The phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis is the result of solar eruptions sending particles that interact with the Earth's atmosphere.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Scroll down in this article to look at the Pin Mill photograph… I wonder if there are any mastodon footprints anywhere nearby …
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
I'm beginning to get ready, even though I finished WH just over a month ago. I have a copy on my Kindle.
January 18, 2026 at 3:48 PM
I'm beginning to get ready, even though I finished WH just over a month ago. I have a copy on my Kindle.
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
My battered and beloved copy of WH. Now held together with tape. Finished reading, now back to S&A.
January 18, 2026 at 7:55 PM
My battered and beloved copy of WH. Now held together with tape. Finished reading, now back to S&A.
❄️📚 a reminder of our Winter Holiday chat coming up on 8th Feb 📚❄️
… have you started reading yet? Finished?? Perhaps you’re listening to the audiobook?
Why not share a pic of your copy below? 👇
… have you started reading yet? Finished?? Perhaps you’re listening to the audiobook?
Why not share a pic of your copy below? 👇
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
January 18, 2026 at 8:36 AM
❄️📚 a reminder of our Winter Holiday chat coming up on 8th Feb 📚❄️
… have you started reading yet? Finished?? Perhaps you’re listening to the audiobook?
Why not share a pic of your copy below? 👇
… have you started reading yet? Finished?? Perhaps you’re listening to the audiobook?
Why not share a pic of your copy below? 👇
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
Vibrant watercolours from the journal of Susan Veeder, who joined her captain husband on the whaler Nauticon for a gruelling five-year voyage visiting places as varied as Tahiti, the Arctic and Cape Horn (1848-53)
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ar...
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ar...
January 18, 2026 at 7:03 AM
Vibrant watercolours from the journal of Susan Veeder, who joined her captain husband on the whaler Nauticon for a gruelling five-year voyage visiting places as varied as Tahiti, the Arctic and Cape Horn (1848-53)
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ar...
publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-ar...
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
This is my favourite.
I borrowed CC & PP from the library age 7 or 8 without realising Pa had various books, including CC. When he realised what I was reading, he showed me his copies of S&A, CC, P&M, & GN.
When I needed to cover a book for my Brownie Book Lover badge, I did this. Pa did the writing
I borrowed CC & PP from the library age 7 or 8 without realising Pa had various books, including CC. When he realised what I was reading, he showed me his copies of S&A, CC, P&M, & GN.
When I needed to cover a book for my Brownie Book Lover badge, I did this. Pa did the writing
January 16, 2026 at 11:51 PM
This is my favourite.
I borrowed CC & PP from the library age 7 or 8 without realising Pa had various books, including CC. When he realised what I was reading, he showed me his copies of S&A, CC, P&M, & GN.
When I needed to cover a book for my Brownie Book Lover badge, I did this. Pa did the writing
I borrowed CC & PP from the library age 7 or 8 without realising Pa had various books, including CC. When he realised what I was reading, he showed me his copies of S&A, CC, P&M, & GN.
When I needed to cover a book for my Brownie Book Lover badge, I did this. Pa did the writing
I’ve attended a couple of James’ talks … highly recommend if you’re interested in this sort of thing 😊
Just 2 weeks to go until the next Triskele Heritage online talk: The Mediaeval Traveller - a journey into life on the road & the observations of mediaeval wayfarers.
Takes place at 7pmGMT on Wed 28 Jan. Booking & more info, here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-mediae...
📸: British Library
Takes place at 7pmGMT on Wed 28 Jan. Booking & more info, here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-mediae...
📸: British Library
January 14, 2026 at 8:15 PM
I’ve attended a couple of James’ talks … highly recommend if you’re interested in this sort of thing 😊
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
@aransome.bsky.social
I'm sure Captain Nancy would have tried some of these!
I'm sure Captain Nancy would have tried some of these!
![Comic: Common Sailing Rigs. [18 boats with different sail types, labeled.] Lateen; Bermuda rigged sloop; Ketch, Gaff rigged sloop; yawl; schooner; Ketch-rigged Gaff; Kloop-rigged sketch; bunkbed rig; Flettner rig; Oops, all Spinnakers; keel rig; kite rig; longsail rig; deckhand obliterator; offset rig; mastless rig; unclassifiable chaos rig.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreientc5tredyz4kyj4ifwiiu2diy5zkxze6pnlbtcyxlntwlkg43ku@jpeg)
January 14, 2026 at 10:29 AM
@aransome.bsky.social
I'm sure Captain Nancy would have tried some of these!
I'm sure Captain Nancy would have tried some of these!
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
Fun fact: that Lakeland holiday was paid for from money my brother gave me as thanks for being one of his Phone A Friends when he was on “Who Wants To be A Millionaire?” He didn’t even call me in the end; our sister won him £250K with her answer when he called her instead! But he was very generous 🙂
January 13, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Fun fact: that Lakeland holiday was paid for from money my brother gave me as thanks for being one of his Phone A Friends when he was on “Who Wants To be A Millionaire?” He didn’t even call me in the end; our sister won him £250K with her answer when he called her instead! But he was very generous 🙂
Reposted by Arthur Ransome
I bought this hardback copy of Swallows & Amazons at the Windermere Steamboat Museum over 20 years ago, on my first trip to the Lakes since 20 years before that! I still have many of the classic Puffins, but the family paperback of S&A had fallen to bits through much reading many years ago.
January 13, 2026 at 9:43 PM
I bought this hardback copy of Swallows & Amazons at the Windermere Steamboat Museum over 20 years ago, on my first trip to the Lakes since 20 years before that! I still have many of the classic Puffins, but the family paperback of S&A had fallen to bits through much reading many years ago.