Skionar
@skionar.bsky.social
Roger Clarke. Author of A Natural History of Ghosts, published by Penguin Books (2012). Former writer for the Independent Newspaper UK, Sight & Sound. In it for the long haul with chronic ill health, colitis from childhood, CPTSD and 21 other conditions.
Pinned
Skionar
@skionar.bsky.social
· May 6
'Beautifully written, lithe, complicated and hugely rewarding' Sunday Times
'Splendid... a compelling read... Clarke manages to give goose-flesh and a giggle while informing the reader...an enviable feat' Scotland on Sunday
'Outstanding...deeply enjoyable' Shade Point
'Splendid... a compelling read... Clarke manages to give goose-flesh and a giggle while informing the reader...an enviable feat' Scotland on Sunday
'Outstanding...deeply enjoyable' Shade Point
Rebecca Nurse hung for a witch in Salem Massachusetts 1692. 4th cousin many times removed, which is quite close.
In October 1692, Crown Appointed Governor Phips suspended the court, forbade further arrests, and later prohibited the use of "spectral evidence."
In October 1692, Crown Appointed Governor Phips suspended the court, forbade further arrests, and later prohibited the use of "spectral evidence."
November 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Rebecca Nurse hung for a witch in Salem Massachusetts 1692. 4th cousin many times removed, which is quite close.
In October 1692, Crown Appointed Governor Phips suspended the court, forbade further arrests, and later prohibited the use of "spectral evidence."
In October 1692, Crown Appointed Governor Phips suspended the court, forbade further arrests, and later prohibited the use of "spectral evidence."
Reposted by Skionar
Absolutely fascinating glimpse
A glimpse through the topsoil of #Stonehenge for #StandingStoneSunday
Like an iceberg, there is more of these bluestone below the surface than above
Unlike icebergs, it's not because they're less dense than saltwater
📷 of the @buarchanth.bsky.social trench excavated April 2008
#WhatLiesBeneath
Like an iceberg, there is more of these bluestone below the surface than above
Unlike icebergs, it's not because they're less dense than saltwater
📷 of the @buarchanth.bsky.social trench excavated April 2008
#WhatLiesBeneath
November 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Absolutely fascinating glimpse
I've always had this weird conviction that a Michael Jackson puppet would make a perfect addition to the traditional Punch and Judy roster of cartoon characters, but I just can't explain why
November 16, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I've always had this weird conviction that a Michael Jackson puppet would make a perfect addition to the traditional Punch and Judy roster of cartoon characters, but I just can't explain why
I discover I'm cousin to Rebecca Nurse. She was executed for a witch in the Salem Trials. Since I'm also related to the Windsor Witch, the first person executed for 'witchcraft' in the 13 colonies, in the same line, my adoptive father, there seems to be a theme.
November 16, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I discover I'm cousin to Rebecca Nurse. She was executed for a witch in the Salem Trials. Since I'm also related to the Windsor Witch, the first person executed for 'witchcraft' in the 13 colonies, in the same line, my adoptive father, there seems to be a theme.
I found Anthony Hopkins talking about his estranged daughter cruel, smug and heartbreaking - even malignant. His use of the word blood was more black pudding than warm hearts full of love
November 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I found Anthony Hopkins talking about his estranged daughter cruel, smug and heartbreaking - even malignant. His use of the word blood was more black pudding than warm hearts full of love
Toad news 🧙
Live birth in toads! Is a thing! Three newly described species of tree toads give birth to toadlets, ~40 or more at a pop and each just a few millimeters long. They were previously all lumped together as Nectophrynoides viviparus, until new analysis identified them as three different species 🐸🧪
Newly identified species of Tanzanian tree toad leapfrog the tadpole stage and give birth to toadlets | CNN
Researchers have newly described three extremely rare species of toad that leapfrog over the egg-to-tadpole stage and give birth to toadlets.
www.cnn.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Toad news 🧙
Reposted by Skionar
I was thinking of holding this over until next week's #PhantomsFriday but it's too much fun to leave it hanging (as it were).
#ghosts #BookChatWeekly
#ghosts #BookChatWeekly
"Authentic Ghost Stories" complete article from Famous Crimes v3 #23 (1904) published by Harold Furniss.
The article contains accounts of the Hammersmith Ghost (1804) and Cock Lane Ghost (1762) incidents in London.
Another late shift entry for #phantomsfriday
The article contains accounts of the Hammersmith Ghost (1804) and Cock Lane Ghost (1762) incidents in London.
Another late shift entry for #phantomsfriday
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I was thinking of holding this over until next week's #PhantomsFriday but it's too much fun to leave it hanging (as it were).
#ghosts #BookChatWeekly
#ghosts #BookChatWeekly
As someone who has written history books and poetry books, I love the history and poetry of DNA and ancestral research. DNA expression however makes it almost meaningless however. I don't we'll ever get the technology to know which expression comes from which ancestor
November 15, 2025 at 10:44 AM
As someone who has written history books and poetry books, I love the history and poetry of DNA and ancestral research. DNA expression however makes it almost meaningless however. I don't we'll ever get the technology to know which expression comes from which ancestor
Back home after a trouble free journey
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Back home after a trouble free journey
Waiting for a late train at Gare Du Nord. Goodnight.
November 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Waiting for a late train at Gare Du Nord. Goodnight.
This quite haunted me when it first came out, and though eccentrically made almost beyond the point of reason, those summer hedgerows in sunken lanes was the first time I'd had such an impression mirrored by a TV show.
Reposting for #folkyfriday
West Country Tales was a supernatural drama series based on real-life experiences sent in after a BBC appeal. Many #folklore elements here! Not all episodes are on YouTube unfortunately
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
West Country Tales was a supernatural drama series based on real-life experiences sent in after a BBC appeal. Many #folklore elements here! Not all episodes are on YouTube unfortunately
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
WEST COUNTRY TALES(BBC;1982-83) - YouTube
Most Complete on YouTube,In-Order. Missing: S1E1"The Sabbatical" S2E3 "Tell It to the Marines" S2E5 "Sarah" S2E6 "The Little Bounder" S2E7 "The Healer" West ...
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
This quite haunted me when it first came out, and though eccentrically made almost beyond the point of reason, those summer hedgerows in sunken lanes was the first time I'd had such an impression mirrored by a TV show.
Story of a Panic
Well, I know what I'll be wearing next time I visit 😁🖤
@helleborezine.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
@helleborezine.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Demonic’ Wind in the Willows jumper banned from Westminster Abbey
Woman told to remove or cover up garment featuring 1908 illustration of Pan lest it offend worshippers
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Story of a Panic
Found a completely clean and modern hotel, which allows you to check out at 6pm near the Gare De L'est. A complete godsend.
November 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Found a completely clean and modern hotel, which allows you to check out at 6pm near the Gare De L'est. A complete godsend.
Delayed in Paris by Eurostar cancellation. Really not happy. Floridly ill and stressed. Just want to get home. This is goodbye to my travels, I fear. It's too much.
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Delayed in Paris by Eurostar cancellation. Really not happy. Floridly ill and stressed. Just want to get home. This is goodbye to my travels, I fear. It's too much.
I think my travelling days are over. Unexpected extra night in Paris. But feeling too ill to enjoy this bonus.
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I think my travelling days are over. Unexpected extra night in Paris. But feeling too ill to enjoy this bonus.
Under the shadow of the Sacre Coeur I discover I'm a distant cousin of Samuel Beckett. A good way to leave Paris, so be it.
November 13, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Under the shadow of the Sacre Coeur I discover I'm a distant cousin of Samuel Beckett. A good way to leave Paris, so be it.
Goodnight from Paris
November 11, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Goodnight from Paris
Reposted by Skionar
I've got a fresh batch of paperbacks in if anyone wants to buy directly from me for Christmas. Same deal as back in July: £13 each, or both for £25, including UK postage.
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
A rare chance to buy books direct from me
I’ve got a limited supply of paperback copies of both Municipal Gothic and Intervals of Darkness ready to ship to anyone in the UK who wants to buy one. They’re £13 each including delivery in the U…
precastreinforced.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 AM
I've got a fresh batch of paperbacks in if anyone wants to buy directly from me for Christmas. Same deal as back in July: £13 each, or both for £25, including UK postage.
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
A great Christmas present
I endorse Intervals of Darkness. A diverse, chilling collection. I can’t vouch for the other because I’ve not read it. I might put that right now…
I've got a fresh batch of paperbacks in if anyone wants to buy directly from me for Christmas. Same deal as back in July: £13 each, or both for £25, including UK postage.
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 AM
A great Christmas present
I'm thinking of making a list : 39 films you should see after you're dead
Luchino Visconti and Alain Delon on the set of Rocco and His Brothers (1960).
On Scorsese's list named “39 movies you must see before you die.”
On Scorsese's list named “39 movies you must see before you die.”
November 8, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I'm thinking of making a list : 39 films you should see after you're dead