Tim Dowling
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timdowling.bsky.social
Tim Dowling
@timdowling.bsky.social
2.5K followers 210 following 58 posts
Guardian writer, sad sack. Police Dog Hogan's banjo player.
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timdowling.bsky.social
I went all in on jelly. As ever, gastronomy was the loser.

www.theguardian.com/food/2025/no...
Jelly’s back! Here are three worth making – and three that should wobble off to the bin
The traditional treat is all over Instagram and TikTok. But does it always taste as impressive as it looks? And why is it so hard to get it to set rather than slump? Time for a deep dive …
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:38 PM
timdowling.bsky.social
One for the Tims

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: life on the road was so much simpler than being at home
On tour with the band there were no snapping tortoises, no dog kerfuffles and certainly no peeping scaffolders
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
timdowling.bsky.social
I enjoyed the blue one, for what it’s worth.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: I love books – but can’t remember anything about the ones I’ve just read
In bed I lie awake, staring at the books on my nightstand, trying to remember a single salient fact about any of them
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
So, I made a lot of puddings.

www.theguardian.com/food/2025/se...
Steam, stodge – and so much suet: I made 10 endangered British puddings. Are any actually worth saving?
With many classic puddings on the verge of dying out, I set out to discover which should be back on the menu. It was a journey through some of the heaviest desserts in history
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
I wore toe shoes

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...
Ugly, mortifying – and addictive? Tim Dowling’s week in the world’s most divisive shoes
Twenty years after they first hit the shelves, five-fingered shoes are apparently having a big fashion moment. But what is it like to wear them in public?
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:33 PM
timdowling.bsky.social
RIP, the old dog.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: the old dog snorted with delight – and then she was gone | Tim Dowling
Our short stay in the country ended in heartbreak. If there’s a best way for an animal to die, I can’t say I’ve found it
www.theguardian.com
August 2, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
theguardian.com
Tim Dowling: the dog is destroying the lawn, but I need to catch her red-pawed
Tim Dowling: the dog is destroying the lawn, but I need to catch her red-pawed
I spend all afternoon watching the dog. Then an email pings and I turn to read it. When I turn back, the dog is gone and there’s a new hole in the lawn
www.theguardian.com
July 19, 2025 at 8:13 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
The short answer to the question is: yes, I'm afraid it does suit me.
www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...
The fisherman aesthetic: anglercore is everywhere – but does it suit me?
Waders you could wear to a gallery opening, vests cropped weirdly short and laden with pockets. I tried the biggest trend in fashion to find out why so many non-fishers are wearing it
www.theguardian.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
stanyanfan49.bsky.social
As a custodian of an ancient tortoise adept at concealing himself with the least available ground cover, that elusive Pimpershell, I always identify with @timdowling.bsky.social’s columns about his.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: let my tortoise’s humiliating mishap be a lesson to him
A freak thunderstorm soaks the middle one on his way to our house (he’s come to raid the fridge), but the real drama is the toppled tortoise
www.theguardian.com
May 24, 2025 at 9:26 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
Here's this week's column, posted a bit later than usual (no idea why).

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: Help! We have no internet and I really do have work to do
I’ve got a date with one of the country’s worst-rated customer service departments. What could possibly go right?
www.theguardian.com
May 10, 2025 at 9:07 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
The world is still not ready for my joke.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: it’s the last date of my band’s tour – do I risk telling my Italian sausage joke?
There is one story I’ve prepared but never used. Is the world ready for it?
www.theguardian.com
April 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
I'd forgotten that when I went to interview Onion staff 23 years ago, their photographer asked to borrow my gormless, self-satisfied mug.
theonion.com The Onion @theonion.com · Apr 23
Peace Activist Has To Admit Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Is Pretty Cool
theonion.com/peace-a...
Peace Activist Has To Admit Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Is Pretty Cool
April 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
timdowling.bsky.social
The less I say about this the better, except: there are ticket still available for Glasgow, Edinburgh and Brighton.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: I’m on tour with my band – and my wife is ignoring my calls
After a misunderstanding over who was using the car, my wife teaches me a lesson without saying a word
www.theguardian.com
March 22, 2025 at 10:15 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
Somewhere on this album is the sound of me not playing the banjo, which is now destined to become a popular live request.

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Kate Bush and Damon Albarn among 1,000 artists on silent AI protest album
Recordings of empty studios represent impact on musicians of UK’s plans to let AI train on their work without permission
www.theguardian.com
February 25, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
policedoghogan.bsky.social
We're among 1,000+ musicians who are jointly releasing this album of recordings of empty studios to protest the government's planned changes to copyright law, which would hand the life's work of the country's musicians to AI companies for free.
Don't legalise music theft! isthiswhatwewant.com
Is This What We Want?
More than 1,000 musicians have come together to release Is This What You Want?, an album protesting the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law.
isthiswhatwewant.com
February 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
I slept in a giant human dog bed, with dogs

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Will a dog bed for humans improve my life? My pets and I found out
The Snuggle Pod is big enough for a 6ft person and at least one dog. Unfortunately, I have two dogs
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2025 at 11:48 AM
timdowling.bsky.social
For the record I would like to state that I know you're not supposed to wear them around your neck like a feed bag.
But I am eerily compliant in the company of photographers.

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...
My week with a man bag: am I cool enough for winter’s hottest trend?
Timothée Chalamet, Pharrell Williams and Jacob Elordi have no qualms about using one. But can our writer carry it off?
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
timdowling.bsky.social
Celebrating my sobriety in this the 11th week of January.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Tim Dowling: doing dry January is a doddle these days – but I can’t wait for it to be over
I’ve succumbed to peer group pressure and am abstaining this month. So why are friends still bringing all this booze to my house?
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
ralphmclean.bsky.social
Celebrating #SteveEarle at 70 on #ralphmcleancountry tonight. Some old favourites and a couple of exclusive session tracks. Also new music from Brown Horse, Dean Owens and Police Dog Hogan plus a classic live performance from #GarthHudson. 8pm on BBC Radio Ulster & Sounds folks.
January 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
policedoghogan.bsky.social
Many thanks to Ralph McLean for playing the title track from our album Lightning Strike on BBC Radio Ulster last night! Listen here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Ralph McLean - Country - Steve Earle at 70 - BBC Sounds
Ralph celebrates the music of Steve Earle.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
ryanreadsandwrites.me
I have a big ask. My 9yo son is autistic and he’s been raising a betta fish he named Kevin. Yesterday He asked if he could “share a photo of Kevin with the whole world“. I don’t know if this will work, but a dad’s gotta try. Like and share if that’s your thing. Kevin says hi! 🐟👋
January 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
timdowling.bsky.social
Super-rare all the animals portrait.
January 19, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
theguardian.com
When kids set their parents’ screen time rules: ‘I hit my limit before I even get out of bed’
When kids set their parents’ screen time rules: ‘I hit my limit before I even get out of bed’
Would six-year-old Malakhi be strict? Could the grownups give up their phones? Three writers let their children set the rules
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
timdowling.bsky.social
I interviewed @leenanorms.bsky.social about her new book Half-Arse Human. I thought she'd have nothing to teach me, but it turns out I've been half-arsing half-arsing all this time.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
How to be a half-arse human: ‘You probably aren’t going to have clean knickers all the time’
Is it better to fail half the time than do nothing at all? Of course! Author and poet Leena Norms explains the fine art of being slapdash and happy
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Tim Dowling
timturner.bsky.social
My top 5 gigs of 2024:
1) The Long Ryders (229)
2) Police Dog Hogan (Half Moon)
3) Bruce Springsteen (Cork)
4) Sons Of Town Hall (St Pancras Old Church)
5) The Hanging Stars (Jazz Cafe)

@sidthesquid.bsky.social @policedoghogan.bsky.social @officialbruce.bsky.social @thehangingstars.bsky.social
January 1, 2025 at 3:18 PM