Jonathan Whiteland
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chailey.whiteland.net
Jonathan Whiteland
@chailey.whiteland.net
68 followers 87 following 200 posts
Semi-retired IT support/web engineer (mainly WordPress), cyclist, and Mac fanboi. Birmingham, UK. 👨🏻‍💻🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 He/Him. Also: 🐘 @chailey@tech.lgbt
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chailey.whiteland.net
Example of the Dutch being so much more civilised (2 weeks ago when we were at the Mauritshuis in The Hague). As we know, the UK's cruelty is the point. :-(
Entrance to toilets in a museum. There is a sign on the faux-wood wall in Dutch and English saying "Feel free to the toilet that best suits you"
November 21, 2025 at 12:40 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Went down to #London for a Peccadillo-Pictures-organised preview screening of Marcelo Caetano’s “Baby”. Was completely invested in the characters, great sound design and score, informative Q&A with the director. Well-worth the slog to Bermondsey. :-) peccadillo.film/pages/films/...
A poster for the film “Baby”. A young man is lounging asleep on a bed, illuminated by a ray of sunshine
November 15, 2025 at 11:02 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Always fascinating to visit the #London Design Museum (and experience their complex hyperbolic paraboloid roof too, of course).
An interior view of a modern museum showcasing prominent architectural features. Multiple levels display colorful artworks along the walls, while visitors walk along the balconies and corridors. The ceiling has a unique, angular design, contributing to the contemporary atmosphere. A visually striking grid display featuring various everyday objects, including a bicycle, footwear, a red bucket, vintage telephones, and a large "UNDERGROUND" sign. The arrangement showcases a mix of colors and designs, creating a vibrant and eclectic collage The image features a red typewriter mounted on a grid wall, surrounded by various objects including cutlery (spoon, fork, knife), a vintage mobile phone, a small kitchen utensil, a glass, and a fan.
November 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
While visiting The Hague, we made a day trip by tram out to Delft. We experienced the pretty canals and quintessential humpy bridges we were hoping for. Plus we climbed the church tower for amazing views over the town.
A historic windmill stands beside a brick building, featuring a green door and black shutters. The windmill has four blades and a wooden platform at the top, with a cloudy sky in the background. An aerial view of a cityscape featuring rows of houses with orange rooftops, interspersed with canals. Trees with autumn foliage are visible, along with a skyline in the distance under a cloudy sky. A historic brick gate with two tall spires stands at the end of a cobblestone pathway. Surrounding the gate are buildings with arched openings and greenery. The sky is partly cloudy, and the scene includes hints of autumn foliage. A scenic view of a canal lined with bare trees and buildings, featuring parked bicycles. The water reflects the sky and surroundings, with a small arched bridge visible in the distance.
November 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
chailey.whiteland.net
Just back from The Hague. Probably not an obvious European city-break destination, but we had a great time. There was a staggering breadth of retail (and restaurants) in the centre ranging from international and local chains through to quirky independents. Oh, and some historical buildings too. :-)
A view across some pink flowers towards historical buildings on the far side of a formal lake. The sky is blue and the tres are leafless. The impressive 3-side courtyard of a white stone palace behind substantial railings. A red brick building with stripy awnings over all of its windows., some of which are deployed There is a greek restaurant on the ground floor. A night view of a 4 storey building brightly lit from inside. It's an H&M store. A red and white tram is approaching
November 13, 2025 at 8:53 AM
chailey.whiteland.net
The #ForwardGallery 's current exhibition, "The Master Collection", contains an amazing array of internationally famous artists. For free! Right in the centre of #Birmingham! The staff are lovely, knowledgeable, and friendly to those of us who perhaps can't afford to buy anything. :-)
An art gallery featuring various artworks, including a prominent orange figure on a yellow background, framed in black (Keith Haring). Other pieces include prints and photographs in muted colors, mounted on white walls. The overall space has a modern aesthetic with well-lit artwork. An art gallery display featuring several framed artworks on white walls. The prominent piece depicts a vase of sunflowers with a message "get well soon" (David Hockney) alongside other colorful prints, including playful figures (Banksy) and abstract designs. The image features two framed artworks on a wall. On the left, there is a neon sign in the shape of a heart with the text "I promise to have you" (Tracey Emin). On the right, a colorful dotted artwork (Damien Hurst)
November 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Evening view from the kitchen window with Mum’s old SunJar (designed by Tobias Wong, from SUCKUK www.suck.uk.com/mob/products...)
A window sill scene featuring a clear vase with spring onions in water, a frosted glass mason jar emitting a soft glow, and a small potted basil plant. The background shows a city skyline at dusk, slightly blurred by a dusty window. A window sill scene featuring a clear vase with spring onions in water, a frosted glass mason jar emitting a soft glow, and a small potted basil plant. The background shows a city skyline at after dusk, lights from the building’s flats.
November 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
The #Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is nearly upon us (for the next 8 weeks)
The grand arch over pedestrianised New Street bearing the words "BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET". A giant LED screen hangs under the arch but it is mostly black and inactive barring a pair of folder icons labelled "LED CONFIG" and "FW_Frankfu..."
October 31, 2025 at 10:31 AM
chailey.whiteland.net
It’s such a great station view. Here’s one I snapped on my phone 3 years ago (from our train enroute to Gatwick at the start of a holiday).
View of a silhouetted man standing on Blackfriars Station platform above the Thames with the view down the river towards the city.
October 21, 2025 at 9:43 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Today I walked past where Birmingham New Street's living wall used to be. Despite promising (in April 2024) that they “…are reusing old plants and adding specially selected new ones…” it is, somewhat predictably, now just plastic plants. And some hoardings with pictures of a living wall. :-(
A green vertical garden is displayed alongside a walkway - but all the plants on the wall are plastic - with various real shrubs in front of it. In the background, the "Grand Central" sign is visible on top of the shiny station building. People walk along the paved path next to the garden. A vertical garden featuring a variety of lush green plants and foliage except they are actually all plastic. In the background, a modern circular building - The Rotunda - is visible against a blue sky. A large hoarding featuring historic train scenes, labeled “[SERVING] BIRMINGHAM SINCE 1838" is displayed alongside a path. The mural is adorned with a background of a photo of a living wall.
October 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
… including my favourite Birmingham building: George Marsh's "Alpha Tower". I was lucky enough to work on one of its upper floors for a while a few years ago. I have a lovely Elliott Packham print of it above the sofa. :-)
A skewed perspective view of a framed print lit by a standard lamp and adjacent to a red curtain. The print is an artistic representation of the repeating windows of Birmingham's Alpha Tower.
September 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
*waves* from near The Mailbox. Noticed your finished tiles when walking over to the Jewellery Quarter a couple of days ago. They look great! (Feel they might look even nicer when someone finds some money too upgrade the lighting too, which I think is a plan).
Very colourful geometric tiles on both walls of a brightly lit underpass Very colourful geometric tiles on both walls of a brightly lit underpass
September 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
I have (but not yours, I think). Not quite as impressive here.
A Macintosh Classic II (with its keyboard and mouse) sitting on top of a subwoofer beside the end of a cream sofa.
September 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Walked over to The Birmingham Oratory this afternoon, open as part of #BHeritageWeek. Wow.
A historic courtyard featuring manicured hedges, potted plants, and a stone building with ornate architecture. Surrounding structures are made of red brick. The sky is overcast, creating a moody atmosphere. A majestic interior of a church featuring ornate ceilings, marble columns, and rows of wooden chairs. The altar is visible in the background, adorned with candles. The space is illuminated by natural light from windows. Interior of a church featuring a decorated altar with a crucifix, surrounded by ornate candles and a rich red carpet. The roof above has colorful mosaics depicting religious figures and a rainbow. The walls are adorned with marble and ornate details. An interior view of a church featuring a dome adorned with intricate murals and stained glass windows. The walls showcase detailed artwork and golden accents, creating a grand and historic atmosphere.
September 13, 2025 at 5:48 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
We love ours, brought back from a trip to Hong Kong. We use it every week for our trip to the markets/supermarkets here in central Birmingham (we do all our shopping on foot). We just call it ”the trolley”.
Two people in winter coats at in inside market stall selling meats of many kinds. Between them, a grey plastic shopping trolley can just be seen (and is crudely circled in yellow to make it easier to spot). Some product shots of a grey plastic cuboid shopping trolley with 4 little wheels. It shows that it can be folded up quite small.
August 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Wandered over to have a look at the two under-construction #HS2 bridges here in central #Birmingham. They’re very big and really not very finished. Given the money it’s all costing, I kindof expected workers there today… seems not.
The image depicts a construction site featuring a large, rusty metal railway bridge supported in part by scaffolding. A red crane is visible in the foreground, with workers and construction materials nearby. Several cars are seen on the road at the bottom, and trees are present. The image shows a construction site with a large, rusty steel railway bridge, partially covered in scaffolding. A red crane is visible on the left, lifting materials, while a grey car is parked in the foreground. The sky is partly cloudy. Construction site showing a partially built rusty steel railway bridge. Heavy machinery and a crane are present, and safety barriers and signs are visible. The sky is overcast. A construction site featuring huge, partially constructed rusty steel railway bridge under a cloudy sky. In the foreground, a man smiles for a selfie. Safety signs and a blue barrier are visible.
August 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Paid a visit to the #ForwardGallery in Cannon Street earlier. Loved the Horace Panter "Access All Areas (AAA)" exhibition they've got upstairs at the moment, and also great to see other contemporary art downstairs too. Friendly, not at all intimidating! #Birmingham
The image features the exterior of a gallery named "FORWARD GALLERY," located in a urban setting. The entrance is prominently displayed, with the words "OPEN" visible through the glass doors. An art gallery showcasing various framed acrylic paintings of concert access passes (and prints of the same). The artwork features designs for bands like The Specials, Madness and Black Sabbath, with vibrant colors and distinct graphics, displayed on white walls in a modern setting.
August 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Arrived back home in Birmingham (after a few days #catsitting in Cambridge) to discover Mum’s Clivia is confidently flowering for a second time this year. :-)
A close-up of a Clivia flowering with vibrant orange and yellow blossoms. The background features long green leaves and a window with red curtains. Soft sunlight illuminates the scene.
July 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Discovered earlier in the week that it’s now possible to walk round three sides of “Three Chamberlain Square”. This building has really grown on me, and I am pleasantly surprised at the respectable gap between it and #Birmingham Town Hall. #Paradise www.paradisebirmingham.co.uk/business-at-...
A photo capturing a juxtaposition of architectural styles, featuring a classical building with columns on the left and a modern, angular red structure on the right. The sky is bright with scattered clouds. A view of a clear blue sky framed by modern buildings with various designs and materials, including a reddish facade and glass. The perspective is from the ground looking upwards. A narrow urban alleyway flanked by two modern buildings—one with a gray facade and the other with a red, angular design. In the background, a historical building with a domed roof is visible under a partly cloudy sky.
July 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
The rather wonderful “One Centenary Way” seen from the “Library of Birmingham” (I noticed its having its endlessly-flaking-off black paint touched up once again). #birmingham
A view through a circular decorative framework showcasing a modern building against a clear blue sky. The foreground includes a plaza with people walking and biking, as well as greenery and architectural elements in the scene.
June 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
#ad My lovely little terraced house on Beche Road in Cambridge is still available for rent (2 bed, 1 bath, unfurnished). Now £1600 pcm. www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/deta...
An inviting and open-plan living space showcasing contemporary wood-effect LVT flooring throughout, leading towards a striking staircase with a clear glass balustrade, offering a glimpse into the kitchen area. A bright and modern kitchen featuring light green Shaker-style cabinets, warm wood-effect countertops, a sleek black induction hob, and integrated oven, all illuminated by under-cabinet lighting. A clean and well-lit bedroom featuring soft, neutral grey carpet, freshly painted white walls, and a large window dressed with simple grey curtains, providing natural light and a view of the terraced street. A lovely private back garden offering a peaceful escape, complete with a paved pathway, established green shrubbery, vibrant purple irises, a rustic wooden fence, and a convenient detached garden brick shed.
June 13, 2025 at 11:03 AM
chailey.whiteland.net
RIP Bill Atkinson, legendary Macintosh software creator. (Image of my workspace – with his eponymous dithering algorithm – using iconfactory.com/bc.html)
A workspace featuring two monitors, a Mac Mini sitting on a hard disk, a keyboard, and a mouse on a desk. The wall has framed posters with a “Think different” Apple logo and an original Macintosh startup logo. The whole image is black and white dithered using Atkinson Dithering courtesy of the BitCam app.
June 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
Gorgeous afternoon for a stroll along the canal, then back to the city centre through leafy Edgbaston (boy oh boy did I see some grand houses!)
A scenic sunny view featuring a train traveling along a railway beside a calm canal. Lush greenery surrounds the area, with a narrow boat moored along the water's edge and pedestrians walking along the tow path. A rainbow lens flare can also be seen. A grey heron stands on a tow path beside a canal, facing forward. Lush green foliage is present on both sides of the path, with sunlight creating shadows on the ground.
June 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
It’s #BirminghamPride weekend! We did (some of) the community event last night, and watched all of the parade today.
A stage at Birmingham Pride features a speaker, Peter Tatchell, reading a speech. The backdrop displays colorful graphics, including text with his name and various musical elements. An audience is gathered in front, with some individuals holding flags, including pride flags. A diverse choir performs on stage, wearing colorful matching shirts, in front of a vibrant backdrop that reads "RAINBOW VOICES." A vibrant parade scene with a diverse group of performers in extravagant costumes, including sequined outfits and colorful feather accessories. The crowd is cheering along a city street lined with buildings, banners, and onlookers. A colorful digger participates in the pride parade, decorated with rainbow flags and banners promoting equality. A crowd of onlookers is visible, along with individuals holding flags. Behind it is The Rotunda and a cloudy sky.
May 24, 2025 at 3:25 PM
chailey.whiteland.net
We walked over towards Snow Hill to see @anfurman.bsky.social ’s tiles going into the subway. They look gorgeous (love the little labels so everything gets installed in the right place!). Sadly, it still smells of piss (hopefully it will get a deep clean when it’s finished).
A narrow underground tunnel featuring a colorful wall mural with abstract architectural designs. A person is walking in the corridor, and there is construction fencing and equipment present. The lighting is bright and fluorescent, enhancing the vibrant colors of the artwork. A grid of colorful, geometric ceramic tiles featuring various abstract designs, including arches, patterns, and shapes. Each tile is labeled with a section number. The overall aesthetic is playful and modern, with a mix of muted and vibrant colors. A colorful tiled mural on a wall in a tunnel, featuring geometric patterns in various shades. The area appears under construction, with barriers and yellow safety blocks visible in the foreground. Some graffiti is present on the left side of the image. A selfie of two me & Ernest in front of Birmingham’s BT Tower, with a partly cloudy sky in the background. The buildings surrounding them feature a mix of brick and modern architectural styles.
May 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM