TAFKANorthernHeckler
@northernheckler.bsky.social
Mainly retired former Special School Head & Teacher. Born in North, Living down South. English by the quirks of fate.
Labour till I die, unless they get another tosser like Corbyn.
Huddersfield Town is my religion
Labour till I die, unless they get another tosser like Corbyn.
Huddersfield Town is my religion
Pinned
A big thanks to those of you who’ve followed me since I left X & came to BlueSky. I’ve quickly surpassed the 1400 or so followers it took me years to acquire back there. I’m sure I’ll pass 2,000 pretty quickly. But I’ve done it largely by following Starter Packs, so I now nearly 4k myself …
Forgot to mention Kasper Schmeicel - that’ll teach him to come out of his area
November 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Forgot to mention Kasper Schmeicel - that’ll teach him to come out of his area
November 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
A left handed ruler. They exist.
But why ?
But why ?
November 17, 2025 at 6:31 PM
A left handed ruler. They exist.
But why ?
But why ?
I’ve wondered sometimes why Americans use the word “oftentimes”. It seems to be absolutely identical in meaning & purpose to “oft-times” - ie. A flowery way of saying “often”. You could also say that in a flowery way by saying “oft”. Which is much easier to write, type, or say.
November 11, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I’ve wondered sometimes why Americans use the word “oftentimes”. It seems to be absolutely identical in meaning & purpose to “oft-times” - ie. A flowery way of saying “often”. You could also say that in a flowery way by saying “oft”. Which is much easier to write, type, or say.
I love doing the NYT Sports Connection puzzle with very little knowledge of US sport. It’s like doing a jig saw in the dark with gloves on. And yet I’m on a 3 day streak.
November 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I love doing the NYT Sports Connection puzzle with very little knowledge of US sport. It’s like doing a jig saw in the dark with gloves on. And yet I’m on a 3 day streak.
Nigel Farage saying that Tim Davie resigning from the BBC must be “the start of wholesale change”.
Careful what you wish for Nige !
Heh, heh, heh !!!
Careful what you wish for Nige !
Heh, heh, heh !!!
November 9, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Nigel Farage saying that Tim Davie resigning from the BBC must be “the start of wholesale change”.
Careful what you wish for Nige !
Heh, heh, heh !!!
Careful what you wish for Nige !
Heh, heh, heh !!!
A fair bit of irony in the bit of bias that finally ousted Tim Davie from the BBC. I won’t miss him much.
November 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A fair bit of irony in the bit of bias that finally ousted Tim Davie from the BBC. I won’t miss him much.
A female behind the counter in Kebab Ye. I’ve lived here 29 years and that’s the first time ever.
November 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
A female behind the counter in Kebab Ye. I’ve lived here 29 years and that’s the first time ever.
Tried the Buldak Spicy Chicken Ramen tonight.
Verdict : it’s tasty while you’re eating it, and the heat is fairly hot but doesn’t overwhelm you. After you’ve eaten it the heat lingers annoyingly on lips. It annoys just a bit too long for my liking.
So it’s hot, too hot for some. OK for others.
Verdict : it’s tasty while you’re eating it, and the heat is fairly hot but doesn’t overwhelm you. After you’ve eaten it the heat lingers annoyingly on lips. It annoys just a bit too long for my liking.
So it’s hot, too hot for some. OK for others.
November 6, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Tried the Buldak Spicy Chicken Ramen tonight.
Verdict : it’s tasty while you’re eating it, and the heat is fairly hot but doesn’t overwhelm you. After you’ve eaten it the heat lingers annoyingly on lips. It annoys just a bit too long for my liking.
So it’s hot, too hot for some. OK for others.
Verdict : it’s tasty while you’re eating it, and the heat is fairly hot but doesn’t overwhelm you. After you’ve eaten it the heat lingers annoyingly on lips. It annoys just a bit too long for my liking.
So it’s hot, too hot for some. OK for others.
I was wondering whether Bonfire Night was fading in significance & merging into Halloween. On the evidence of tonight’s fireworks, I can confirm that it’s still going strong in Bedfordshire. Either that or we’ve declared war on Hertfordshire & the machine gun & mortar fire is really heavy.
November 5, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I was wondering whether Bonfire Night was fading in significance & merging into Halloween. On the evidence of tonight’s fireworks, I can confirm that it’s still going strong in Bedfordshire. Either that or we’ve declared war on Hertfordshire & the machine gun & mortar fire is really heavy.
The 1st European football match I went to was to see Newcastle v Athletic Bilbao. The same fixture as tonight.
Had a pre-match drink in the Irish Club at Gallowgate - plenty of Bilbao fans in there (how ? Why ?)
A Geordie Mag asked one of them in perfect Spanish “Swappio Badge-eo ?” - love it !
Had a pre-match drink in the Irish Club at Gallowgate - plenty of Bilbao fans in there (how ? Why ?)
A Geordie Mag asked one of them in perfect Spanish “Swappio Badge-eo ?” - love it !
November 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The 1st European football match I went to was to see Newcastle v Athletic Bilbao. The same fixture as tonight.
Had a pre-match drink in the Irish Club at Gallowgate - plenty of Bilbao fans in there (how ? Why ?)
A Geordie Mag asked one of them in perfect Spanish “Swappio Badge-eo ?” - love it !
Had a pre-match drink in the Irish Club at Gallowgate - plenty of Bilbao fans in there (how ? Why ?)
A Geordie Mag asked one of them in perfect Spanish “Swappio Badge-eo ?” - love it !
The BBC on R4’s Today programme repeatedly pointedly described Zohran Mamdani as a “Socialist” - as if this is some kind of crime. The UK currently and at many times in the past has had a socialist government. The card in my wallet describes Labour as a democratic socialist party. Just like Mamdani
November 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The BBC on R4’s Today programme repeatedly pointedly described Zohran Mamdani as a “Socialist” - as if this is some kind of crime. The UK currently and at many times in the past has had a socialist government. The card in my wallet describes Labour as a democratic socialist party. Just like Mamdani
I’ve always been a bit lax on the issue of the monarchy. I’ve felt that it symbolises the strength of a democratic parliament over the old inherited power of the Royals. It’s usually been popular, and has brought in more money than it costs.
October 31, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I’ve always been a bit lax on the issue of the monarchy. I’ve felt that it symbolises the strength of a democratic parliament over the old inherited power of the Royals. It’s usually been popular, and has brought in more money than it costs.
What I also don’t get about the Ponce Andrew thing - he gets kicked out of Windsor lodge. He currently lives there with his ex wife Sarah Ferguson. Presumably it’s so big that they can both live in the same house without ever bumping into each other …
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
What I also don’t get about the Ponce Andrew thing - he gets kicked out of Windsor lodge. He currently lives there with his ex wife Sarah Ferguson. Presumably it’s so big that they can both live in the same house without ever bumping into each other …
So Ponce Andrew has to change his many names so now he only has Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten Windsor to write. Of course as he is a retired Navy “officer” he should be entitled to call himself Vice Admiral Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten Windsor. He’s so hard done by.
October 31, 2025 at 9:23 AM
So Ponce Andrew has to change his many names so now he only has Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten Windsor to write. Of course as he is a retired Navy “officer” he should be entitled to call himself Vice Admiral Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten Windsor. He’s so hard done by.
stuff about ex-Prince Andrew - this about where his surname came from :
Mountbatten is an anglicised version of Battenberg. The Duke of Edinburgh's mother was Princess Battenberg, the family opted to change it to Mountbatten, to avoid anti-German sentiment.
& because it’s the name of a cake
Mountbatten is an anglicised version of Battenberg. The Duke of Edinburgh's mother was Princess Battenberg, the family opted to change it to Mountbatten, to avoid anti-German sentiment.
& because it’s the name of a cake
October 31, 2025 at 8:39 AM
stuff about ex-Prince Andrew - this about where his surname came from :
Mountbatten is an anglicised version of Battenberg. The Duke of Edinburgh's mother was Princess Battenberg, the family opted to change it to Mountbatten, to avoid anti-German sentiment.
& because it’s the name of a cake
Mountbatten is an anglicised version of Battenberg. The Duke of Edinburgh's mother was Princess Battenberg, the family opted to change it to Mountbatten, to avoid anti-German sentiment.
& because it’s the name of a cake
This just oozes quality. Trump could learn a lot from this. He won’t.
October 31, 2025 at 8:28 AM
This just oozes quality. Trump could learn a lot from this. He won’t.
Just saw an ad for a Christmas recipe for “Vegan Stuffing”
2 points - stuffing is by default made of sage, onion & breadcrumbs. Some add pork sausage meat - if you’re vegan : don’t !
Next - why does a Vegan need anything to stuff a turkey ????
2 points - stuffing is by default made of sage, onion & breadcrumbs. Some add pork sausage meat - if you’re vegan : don’t !
Next - why does a Vegan need anything to stuff a turkey ????
October 30, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Just saw an ad for a Christmas recipe for “Vegan Stuffing”
2 points - stuffing is by default made of sage, onion & breadcrumbs. Some add pork sausage meat - if you’re vegan : don’t !
Next - why does a Vegan need anything to stuff a turkey ????
2 points - stuffing is by default made of sage, onion & breadcrumbs. Some add pork sausage meat - if you’re vegan : don’t !
Next - why does a Vegan need anything to stuff a turkey ????
I can’t help but wonder whether the De-Princing of Andrew Windsor may in some weird way ultimately make him the perfect super witness to truly blow the whole Epstein horror right out into the open, and possibly take down some of the most powerful people in the world into the abyss.
October 30, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I can’t help but wonder whether the De-Princing of Andrew Windsor may in some weird way ultimately make him the perfect super witness to truly blow the whole Epstein horror right out into the open, and possibly take down some of the most powerful people in the world into the abyss.
Well …
@gramadre62.bsky.social is the latest person who has blocked me.
No apparent reason or previous interaction. But I’ve added him as a ‘following’ on another account.
So that account only follows people who have blocked the real me. One of them follows the latest blocker. Interesting.
@gramadre62.bsky.social is the latest person who has blocked me.
No apparent reason or previous interaction. But I’ve added him as a ‘following’ on another account.
So that account only follows people who have blocked the real me. One of them follows the latest blocker. Interesting.
October 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Well …
@gramadre62.bsky.social is the latest person who has blocked me.
No apparent reason or previous interaction. But I’ve added him as a ‘following’ on another account.
So that account only follows people who have blocked the real me. One of them follows the latest blocker. Interesting.
@gramadre62.bsky.social is the latest person who has blocked me.
No apparent reason or previous interaction. But I’ve added him as a ‘following’ on another account.
So that account only follows people who have blocked the real me. One of them follows the latest blocker. Interesting.
Best reason ever for getting myself blocked - I expressed an opinion that leaking details of Donald Trump’s confidential medical information was not a good idea. So much for ethics.
October 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Best reason ever for getting myself blocked - I expressed an opinion that leaking details of Donald Trump’s confidential medical information was not a good idea. So much for ethics.
This guy’s a weird one - @ knsc DOT bsky DOT social
Adds people to a random list according to hashtags he doesn’t like.
If you ask him why, he puts you on a block list and claims you’ve blocked him without interacting. I’ve had about 4 blocks in 3 days. Naturally my other account now follows them
Adds people to a random list according to hashtags he doesn’t like.
If you ask him why, he puts you on a block list and claims you’ve blocked him without interacting. I’ve had about 4 blocks in 3 days. Naturally my other account now follows them
October 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This guy’s a weird one - @ knsc DOT bsky DOT social
Adds people to a random list according to hashtags he doesn’t like.
If you ask him why, he puts you on a block list and claims you’ve blocked him without interacting. I’ve had about 4 blocks in 3 days. Naturally my other account now follows them
Adds people to a random list according to hashtags he doesn’t like.
If you ask him why, he puts you on a block list and claims you’ve blocked him without interacting. I’ve had about 4 blocks in 3 days. Naturally my other account now follows them
Some time ago I walked away from X & from Facebook. Since the I keep getting posts especially from Facebook to draw me back.
2 things I notice. There are more intolerant posts than ever, but also less kick back than ever. All the good folks have left it behind.
2 things I notice. There are more intolerant posts than ever, but also less kick back than ever. All the good folks have left it behind.
October 28, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Some time ago I walked away from X & from Facebook. Since the I keep getting posts especially from Facebook to draw me back.
2 things I notice. There are more intolerant posts than ever, but also less kick back than ever. All the good folks have left it behind.
2 things I notice. There are more intolerant posts than ever, but also less kick back than ever. All the good folks have left it behind.
Festive flavours. Festive Emmental Cheese. Because everyone loves to get up on Christmas morning and think “Merry Christmas Darling, shall we have a slice or two of Emmental to celebrate the birth of our Lord & saviour ?”
October 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Festive flavours. Festive Emmental Cheese. Because everyone loves to get up on Christmas morning and think “Merry Christmas Darling, shall we have a slice or two of Emmental to celebrate the birth of our Lord & saviour ?”
Had a drive by wife’s Dad’s old house. Just curiosity. He died last Xmas - We just nicely sold it.
It is a quiet old people’s bungalow in a cul-de-sac of same. They all look similarly vanilla & crocheted.
It is a quiet old people’s bungalow in a cul-de-sac of same. They all look similarly vanilla & crocheted.
October 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Had a drive by wife’s Dad’s old house. Just curiosity. He died last Xmas - We just nicely sold it.
It is a quiet old people’s bungalow in a cul-de-sac of same. They all look similarly vanilla & crocheted.
It is a quiet old people’s bungalow in a cul-de-sac of same. They all look similarly vanilla & crocheted.