CarolD
@carolwildbird.bsky.social
Mad dog woman. Ex Public & Univ. sector (science/tech policy, funding, VC); Politics (centre left), rural life & regen. agriculture, gardening & garden design, art & pottery, fellwalking, sailing (ex yacht gypsy), the outdoor life.
I believe there are some anomalies in London, but when I researched this for this year (believe it or not we- as a village of c. 80 people have the highest council tax in the whole of the UK), most areas have a tax above £2000- average is 2200 ish
November 20, 2025 at 10:56 AM
I believe there are some anomalies in London, but when I researched this for this year (believe it or not we- as a village of c. 80 people have the highest council tax in the whole of the UK), most areas have a tax above £2000- average is 2200 ish
First snow of the winter on Ingleborough. Nice crisp morning walk
November 19, 2025 at 1:49 PM
First snow of the winter on Ingleborough. Nice crisp morning walk
Glorious morning for an extended dog walk listening to the landscape, @quietriotpod.bsky.social and Podyssey @alexpodyssey.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Glorious morning for an extended dog walk listening to the landscape, @quietriotpod.bsky.social and Podyssey @alexpodyssey.bsky.social
I can’t quite match the excellent work of @skybluebrunty.bsky.social but was just stopping for a rural pee whilst listening- and up popped the glorious peeing section. Good job I’d peed before the section!
November 16, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I can’t quite match the excellent work of @skybluebrunty.bsky.social but was just stopping for a rural pee whilst listening- and up popped the glorious peeing section. Good job I’d peed before the section!
Actually they haven't... it was temporary. We are living with such short term horizons and scare mongering doesn't help.
November 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Actually they haven't... it was temporary. We are living with such short term horizons and scare mongering doesn't help.
Oopss.. well spotted! Its not anything to do with Ullock pike. I just had to do some sleuthing through my photo files.. It was on a circular walk around Whiteside/ Hopegill head/Whiteless Pike/Rannerdale knotts, looking down on Crummock water (Loweswater in the distance)
October 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Oopss.. well spotted! Its not anything to do with Ullock pike. I just had to do some sleuthing through my photo files.. It was on a circular walk around Whiteside/ Hopegill head/Whiteless Pike/Rannerdale knotts, looking down on Crummock water (Loweswater in the distance)
They did support reform.... fortunately labour jumped off he fence.
October 29, 2025 at 3:57 PM
They did support reform.... fortunately labour jumped off he fence.
Labour did vote.....
October 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Labour did vote.....
Seems like your colleagues didnt adhere to the convention (good job too!)
October 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Seems like your colleagues didnt adhere to the convention (good job too!)
does sound familair!!
June 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM
does sound familair!!
From the Times (London) .. love the understated caption!
June 15, 2025 at 8:39 AM
From the Times (London) .. love the understated caption!
Inflation was rampant (I remember it well. My first mortgage rate was 13%), unemployment was high and there were strikes and summer riots. Its well worth reading the follow-on paragraphs from the two I posted, including this gem.
June 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Inflation was rampant (I remember it well. My first mortgage rate was 13%), unemployment was high and there were strikes and summer riots. Its well worth reading the follow-on paragraphs from the two I posted, including this gem.
Rory talking about Mrs T and a strong narrative, reminded me that, far from starting off with a strong narrative, she started off floundering. By 1981 the conservatives were polling very badly and the embryonic SDP was polling well. Things can change!! www.margaretthatcher.org/archive/1981...
June 11, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Rory talking about Mrs T and a strong narrative, reminded me that, far from starting off with a strong narrative, she started off floundering. By 1981 the conservatives were polling very badly and the embryonic SDP was polling well. Things can change!! www.margaretthatcher.org/archive/1981...
The EU is heading towards approving gene editing (first legislation passed in 2023; more in March 25 ). The UK is ahead of the game, but its going to take time before any crops which have been precision bred come to market. The Agricultural Industries Federation thinks it an opportunity!
June 10, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The EU is heading towards approving gene editing (first legislation passed in 2023; more in March 25 ). The UK is ahead of the game, but its going to take time before any crops which have been precision bred come to market. The Agricultural Industries Federation thinks it an opportunity!
Despite the usual bleating about surrender in some of the comments, The Times article on the EU reset includes a live poll: current standing at 4.27pm
May 19, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Despite the usual bleating about surrender in some of the comments, The Times article on the EU reset includes a live poll: current standing at 4.27pm
He directly rebuked JD vance on Twitter
May 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM
He directly rebuked JD vance on Twitter
Anyone forecasting the death of the Tories or the inevitability of Reform might like to take a quick glance at the Thatcher archives for 1981..
May 8, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Anyone forecasting the death of the Tories or the inevitability of Reform might like to take a quick glance at the Thatcher archives for 1981..
Adding to the clip below, this applies to countries other than those listed in the first clip if we have a social security agreement. The list of countries is in this guidance note. www.gov.uk/government/p...
May 7, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Adding to the clip below, this applies to countries other than those listed in the first clip if we have a social security agreement. The list of countries is in this guidance note. www.gov.uk/government/p...
Today's Times cartoon (courtesy of Peter Brookes)
May 5, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Today's Times cartoon (courtesy of Peter Brookes)
I guess that will be repeated everywhere..
May 3, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I guess that will be repeated everywhere..
It will be very interesting to see how Reform councils perform. I listened to Zia Yusuf on Times radio yesterday afternoon, who seemed to believe it would be easy to improve local services under Reform leadership. AS someone who lives in Lancashire (Reform council now) I will be watching closely!
May 3, 2025 at 7:34 AM
It will be very interesting to see how Reform councils perform. I listened to Zia Yusuf on Times radio yesterday afternoon, who seemed to believe it would be easy to improve local services under Reform leadership. AS someone who lives in Lancashire (Reform council now) I will be watching closely!