Owen
@oburbidge.bsky.social
Retired scientist, now working in medicines manufacturing sector. Interested in renewables, ASHP and EV owner.
Parent to Crumble the Romanian rescue. Views are entirely my own
🔶🏳️🌈 he/him
Parent to Crumble the Romanian rescue. Views are entirely my own
🔶🏳️🌈 he/him
You know what could also prevent a lot of injuries and death?
Increasing funding for public transport and active transport.
Reduced pollution, improved health.
Increasing funding for public transport and active transport.
Reduced pollution, improved health.
January 5, 2026 at 4:42 PM
You know what could also prevent a lot of injuries and death?
Increasing funding for public transport and active transport.
Reduced pollution, improved health.
Increasing funding for public transport and active transport.
Reduced pollution, improved health.
Food hack:
If you are using a jar of roasted peppers, artichokes or sundried tomatoes which come in oil.
Drain the oil. Then take a whole egg. One teaspoon of Dijon mustard and one garlic clove. Blend those together with a stick blender. Then drizzle in the reserved oil.
Boom flavoured mayonnaise
If you are using a jar of roasted peppers, artichokes or sundried tomatoes which come in oil.
Drain the oil. Then take a whole egg. One teaspoon of Dijon mustard and one garlic clove. Blend those together with a stick blender. Then drizzle in the reserved oil.
Boom flavoured mayonnaise
January 4, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Food hack:
If you are using a jar of roasted peppers, artichokes or sundried tomatoes which come in oil.
Drain the oil. Then take a whole egg. One teaspoon of Dijon mustard and one garlic clove. Blend those together with a stick blender. Then drizzle in the reserved oil.
Boom flavoured mayonnaise
If you are using a jar of roasted peppers, artichokes or sundried tomatoes which come in oil.
Drain the oil. Then take a whole egg. One teaspoon of Dijon mustard and one garlic clove. Blend those together with a stick blender. Then drizzle in the reserved oil.
Boom flavoured mayonnaise
After watching with horror at the actions of the US today. I am even more determined to reduce our use of fossil fuels.
The house gets solar and batteries this month. We have an EV and ASHP. We try to buy things with as little plastic as we can.
The sooner we can move away from oil the better.
The house gets solar and batteries this month. We have an EV and ASHP. We try to buy things with as little plastic as we can.
The sooner we can move away from oil the better.
January 3, 2026 at 10:48 PM
After watching with horror at the actions of the US today. I am even more determined to reduce our use of fossil fuels.
The house gets solar and batteries this month. We have an EV and ASHP. We try to buy things with as little plastic as we can.
The sooner we can move away from oil the better.
The house gets solar and batteries this month. We have an EV and ASHP. We try to buy things with as little plastic as we can.
The sooner we can move away from oil the better.
Will be interested to see how the markets react to the US and their illegal operation in Venezuela
January 3, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Will be interested to see how the markets react to the US and their illegal operation in Venezuela
Car drivers are assholes.
A road near us has been closed off and turned into a cul-de-sac because the council have installed a new crossing outside the school.
Council haven’t installed barriers or any trees. And now drivers are just driving across the pavement rather than drive round.
A road near us has been closed off and turned into a cul-de-sac because the council have installed a new crossing outside the school.
Council haven’t installed barriers or any trees. And now drivers are just driving across the pavement rather than drive round.
January 3, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Car drivers are assholes.
A road near us has been closed off and turned into a cul-de-sac because the council have installed a new crossing outside the school.
Council haven’t installed barriers or any trees. And now drivers are just driving across the pavement rather than drive round.
A road near us has been closed off and turned into a cul-de-sac because the council have installed a new crossing outside the school.
Council haven’t installed barriers or any trees. And now drivers are just driving across the pavement rather than drive round.
If only the UK designed apartment blocks with aesthetics in mind as instead of prioritising cost.
Another banger of an apartment design in Iran!
This time in the city of Birjand, designed by Sahar Kamaleddin and Nima Safdari
This time in the city of Birjand, designed by Sahar Kamaleddin and Nima Safdari
January 3, 2026 at 7:57 AM
If only the UK designed apartment blocks with aesthetics in mind as instead of prioritising cost.
I guess FIFA should take back its peace prize and The Hague should start preparing papers for when the Orange Baby comes to town.
🤷♂️
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
🤷♂️
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Venezuelan capital Caracas – live
Multiple loud explosions were reported in Caracas at about 2am on Saturday
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:51 AM
I guess FIFA should take back its peace prize and The Hague should start preparing papers for when the Orange Baby comes to town.
🤷♂️
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
🤷♂️
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Had to bump up the weather comp curve on our ASHP because the husband was complaining.
Now set to 0.5 which is approximately the design temp of 40C at -4C.
Still think we may benefit from a heating return volumiser. Defrosts definitely feels like it pushes cold water into the heating circuit.
Now set to 0.5 which is approximately the design temp of 40C at -4C.
Still think we may benefit from a heating return volumiser. Defrosts definitely feels like it pushes cold water into the heating circuit.
January 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Had to bump up the weather comp curve on our ASHP because the husband was complaining.
Now set to 0.5 which is approximately the design temp of 40C at -4C.
Still think we may benefit from a heating return volumiser. Defrosts definitely feels like it pushes cold water into the heating circuit.
Now set to 0.5 which is approximately the design temp of 40C at -4C.
Still think we may benefit from a heating return volumiser. Defrosts definitely feels like it pushes cold water into the heating circuit.
January 2, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you.
Hello, I’m the floorboard which had been cut in half by a plumber previously and then re-fixed to two joists.
I broke under Owen’s weight whilst they were working alone at the house causing them to fall through the ceiling into an excavated room below.
Hello, I’m the floorboard which had been cut in half by a plumber previously and then re-fixed to two joists.
I broke under Owen’s weight whilst they were working alone at the house causing them to fall through the ceiling into an excavated room below.
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you:
Hello, I’m the driver going too fast for a bend causing me to leave the road, missing teenage Scott and his friend by a few feet.
Hello, I’m the driver going too fast for a bend causing me to leave the road, missing teenage Scott and his friend by a few feet.
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you:
Hello, I’m the unseen tram, the drunk driver, the concrete on the other side of the wall, the arrow, the electric shock, the severe illness, the black ice, the psychotic ex, and middle aged ennui.
Hello, I’m the unseen tram, the drunk driver, the concrete on the other side of the wall, the arrow, the electric shock, the severe illness, the black ice, the psychotic ex, and middle aged ennui.
January 2, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you.
Hello, I’m the floorboard which had been cut in half by a plumber previously and then re-fixed to two joists.
I broke under Owen’s weight whilst they were working alone at the house causing them to fall through the ceiling into an excavated room below.
Hello, I’m the floorboard which had been cut in half by a plumber previously and then re-fixed to two joists.
I broke under Owen’s weight whilst they were working alone at the house causing them to fall through the ceiling into an excavated room below.
Hi @octopus.energy your energy mix on our bill only goes into March 2025 and your website also doesn’t have this info.
Can you provide a breakdown of the energy mix from March 25-present?
Can you provide a breakdown of the energy mix from March 25-present?
January 2, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Hi @octopus.energy your energy mix on our bill only goes into March 2025 and your website also doesn’t have this info.
Can you provide a breakdown of the energy mix from March 25-present?
Can you provide a breakdown of the energy mix from March 25-present?
Wouldn’t it be good if the UK government hadn’t brought into the marketing and hype and instead had looked at the facts.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Just invest in both home and grid scale solar, batteries, on and offshore wind, tidal and other forms of energy generation and storage.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Just invest in both home and grid scale solar, batteries, on and offshore wind, tidal and other forms of energy generation and storage.
January 2, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Wouldn’t it be good if the UK government hadn’t brought into the marketing and hype and instead had looked at the facts.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Just invest in both home and grid scale solar, batteries, on and offshore wind, tidal and other forms of energy generation and storage.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Just invest in both home and grid scale solar, batteries, on and offshore wind, tidal and other forms of energy generation and storage.
Reposted by Owen
"I'd like to order 100 coffins, please. Oh, and make sure they float."
"That sounds a little suspicious, not sure if we can do that."
"It's for The Traitors."
"Oh, that's fine. Do you need some headstones too?"
#TheTraitors
"That sounds a little suspicious, not sure if we can do that."
"It's for The Traitors."
"Oh, that's fine. Do you need some headstones too?"
#TheTraitors
January 1, 2026 at 8:45 PM
"I'd like to order 100 coffins, please. Oh, and make sure they float."
"That sounds a little suspicious, not sure if we can do that."
"It's for The Traitors."
"Oh, that's fine. Do you need some headstones too?"
#TheTraitors
"That sounds a little suspicious, not sure if we can do that."
"It's for The Traitors."
"Oh, that's fine. Do you need some headstones too?"
#TheTraitors
When hatred and division is mainstream, of course this was going to happen. It’s no surprise that by platforming the bottom of the barrel and pandering to the far-right this is the result.
Racial and religious hate crime on UK public transport is growing, data shows
Racial and religious hate crime on UK public transport is growing, data shows
Anti-racism groups warn some people are avoiding public transport or limiting their use of it for fear of abuse
Racial and religious hate crime on public transport is on the rise according to new data obtained by the Guardian, as community groups report how people are restricting their daily journeys because they fear abuse or assault.
Police forces across the country have recorded an increase in hate crimes over the past year, with a significant rise in racially motivated offences in Scotland as well as religious hate crimes targeting Muslims in England and Wales. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:08 AM
When hatred and division is mainstream, of course this was going to happen. It’s no surprise that by platforming the bottom of the barrel and pandering to the far-right this is the result.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Why does this government not have the balls to stand up to lobbies?
Solar, batteries, ASHPs and EV charging points should be mandatory. As should passivehaus standards.
Why build homes as you would 50 years ago? When you could actually build for the future?
Why does this government not have the balls to stand up to lobbies?
Solar, batteries, ASHPs and EV charging points should be mandatory. As should passivehaus standards.
Why build homes as you would 50 years ago? When you could actually build for the future?
Ministers may cut green tech mandate from new homes regulations in England
Critics say removing battery installation requirement will reduce amount homebuyers save on energy bills
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:06 AM
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Why does this government not have the balls to stand up to lobbies?
Solar, batteries, ASHPs and EV charging points should be mandatory. As should passivehaus standards.
Why build homes as you would 50 years ago? When you could actually build for the future?
Why does this government not have the balls to stand up to lobbies?
Solar, batteries, ASHPs and EV charging points should be mandatory. As should passivehaus standards.
Why build homes as you would 50 years ago? When you could actually build for the future?
Did something I never thought I would do….
A North Sea New Years dip!
🥶🥶🥶
Now back home defrosting.
A North Sea New Years dip!
🥶🥶🥶
Now back home defrosting.
January 1, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Did something I never thought I would do….
A North Sea New Years dip!
🥶🥶🥶
Now back home defrosting.
A North Sea New Years dip!
🥶🥶🥶
Now back home defrosting.
#Parkrun PB!!! Starting the year off as I wish to go on. 🥳🥳🥳
26:21 approx at Herrington Country Park
#NewYearNewMe
26:21 approx at Herrington Country Park
#NewYearNewMe
January 1, 2026 at 9:33 AM
#Parkrun PB!!! Starting the year off as I wish to go on. 🥳🥳🥳
26:21 approx at Herrington Country Park
#NewYearNewMe
26:21 approx at Herrington Country Park
#NewYearNewMe
Crumble is absolutely beside herself.
Fireworks going off since 3pm.
I’m so done with this shit.
And if this government comes out and says ‘but they’re tradition’ instead of just having the guts to ban them. I’m going to riot
Fireworks going off since 3pm.
I’m so done with this shit.
And if this government comes out and says ‘but they’re tradition’ instead of just having the guts to ban them. I’m going to riot
December 31, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Crumble is absolutely beside herself.
Fireworks going off since 3pm.
I’m so done with this shit.
And if this government comes out and says ‘but they’re tradition’ instead of just having the guts to ban them. I’m going to riot
Fireworks going off since 3pm.
I’m so done with this shit.
And if this government comes out and says ‘but they’re tradition’ instead of just having the guts to ban them. I’m going to riot
@perfectcircle77.bsky.social HNY when you get there!!
December 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
@perfectcircle77.bsky.social HNY when you get there!!
Crumble is curled up on my feet on the sofa, she’s hiding from the fireworks.
December 31, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Crumble is curled up on my feet on the sofa, she’s hiding from the fireworks.
2025 - a summary
- still in the same job but have done some cool things. Am now a union rep and have also set up an internal community of facilitators.
- joined a swimming club, made some amazing friends and got back into swimming competitively after a 20 year break
- still in the same job but have done some cool things. Am now a union rep and have also set up an internal community of facilitators.
- joined a swimming club, made some amazing friends and got back into swimming competitively after a 20 year break
December 31, 2025 at 6:49 PM
2025 - a summary
- still in the same job but have done some cool things. Am now a union rep and have also set up an internal community of facilitators.
- joined a swimming club, made some amazing friends and got back into swimming competitively after a 20 year break
- still in the same job but have done some cool things. Am now a union rep and have also set up an internal community of facilitators.
- joined a swimming club, made some amazing friends and got back into swimming competitively after a 20 year break
Labour will be a spent entity soon.
Reform I hope have peaked early.
Reform I hope have peaked early.
Westminster Voting Intention [1st Jan 2025 / 31st Dec 2025]:
➡️ RFM: 22.3% / 27.5% 🔺 5.2%
🌳 CON: 24.5% / 20.1% 🔻 4.4%
🌹 LAB: 27.2% / 18.4% 🔻 8.8%
🌍 GRN: 8.1% / 13.9% 🔺 5.8%
🔶 LDM: 12.1% / 13.8% 🔺 1.7%
➡️ RFM: 22.3% / 27.5% 🔺 5.2%
🌳 CON: 24.5% / 20.1% 🔻 4.4%
🌹 LAB: 27.2% / 18.4% 🔻 8.8%
🌍 GRN: 8.1% / 13.9% 🔺 5.8%
🔶 LDM: 12.1% / 13.8% 🔺 1.7%
December 31, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Labour will be a spent entity soon.
Reform I hope have peaked early.
Reform I hope have peaked early.
A lovely end to 2025 with a walk along the Durham Heritage Coast with Crumble and my friend James.
Seeing out the year in the crisp December weather.
Seeing out the year in the crisp December weather.
December 31, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A lovely end to 2025 with a walk along the Durham Heritage Coast with Crumble and my friend James.
Seeing out the year in the crisp December weather.
Seeing out the year in the crisp December weather.
Woke up this morning and realised I had stupidly forgotten to charge the EV last night. Has 4% left.
Quick defrost whilst I was having my coffee, then hopped in and have driven it to the local FastNed. Plugged in, going to Greggs for breakfast. 15 min round trip and I’ll be on my way.
Quick defrost whilst I was having my coffee, then hopped in and have driven it to the local FastNed. Plugged in, going to Greggs for breakfast. 15 min round trip and I’ll be on my way.
December 31, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Woke up this morning and realised I had stupidly forgotten to charge the EV last night. Has 4% left.
Quick defrost whilst I was having my coffee, then hopped in and have driven it to the local FastNed. Plugged in, going to Greggs for breakfast. 15 min round trip and I’ll be on my way.
Quick defrost whilst I was having my coffee, then hopped in and have driven it to the local FastNed. Plugged in, going to Greggs for breakfast. 15 min round trip and I’ll be on my way.
