Chris Brooking
LightNews LightNews
banner
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
Chris Brooking
@chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
11 followers 2 following 76 posts
🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://mastodonapp.uk/@chris108, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
Posts Replies Media Videos
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
Some people go mad for crimbo.

#Crimbo #ChristmasLights
December 15, 2025 at 7:53 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
OK Firefox spell checker, my bad it's "car park" two words, not one. But what are the chances of someone writing "carp ark"? Maybe the fish prophet receiving a Lovecraftian covenant from Dagon?!

And "cark" was a new word to me - evidently Aussie slang for […]

[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
A spell checking drop-down showing alternatives: car park car-park carp ark carp-ark cark
December 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
These step stiles are always fun when they are wet and you have slippery mud on your boots.

#hiking #walking #northumberland #deathstairs
A stone wall has rough steps going up to the top, made by long stones which protrude on this side. You can't see it from the photo but they also protrude on the far side giving steps up and down. It's a dull grey day and the steps are already wet and muddy.
December 7, 2025 at 2:24 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
When in a shop that starts playing an American Christmas music track it's fun to wait for a particular tune then start singing "The people's flag is deepest red. It shrouded oft our martyred dead...".

(BTW I'm by no means a Marxist socialist; I'm a democratic socialist politically)

#theredflag […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
December 2, 2025 at 12:19 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
One of the issues with What3Words.

German hiker in the UK: I need help. My what three words location is
///aufgetragen.bauxit.lockt

Rescue: Wait a minute, I can't enter that. Can you change your What3Words app to English.

(A couple of minutes after fiddling with settings)

The German hiker […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
November 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Chris Brooking
everyheron.bsky.social
Few Leeds University Heron (you can see the little red duck house 🏠 on the edge of its pond) 2/2 bsky.app/profile/jont...
jontopham.bsky.social Jon Topham @jontopham.bsky.social · 29d
So, our concrete jungle may be deemed architecturally significant, but I definitely get more out of the heron.
Roger Stevens Building, University of Leeds Heron in pond by Roger Stevens building
November 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Chris Brooking
everyheron.bsky.social
At Leeds University resides a famous Grey Heron. Activities include standing on top of the duck house, freaking them out when they ducklings, and introducing new rush-about students to the ways of calm and mindfulness. 1/2 🧵
johnpleeds.bsky.social John Preston @johnpleeds.bsky.social · 26d
@everyheron.bsky.social thee heron on Leeds University campus. It.ised to.have a Twitter account.
November 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
Walking down the lane this morning I saw a heron ahead. I took several pictures as I approached, this was the last before it flew off.

#heron #northumberland #morningsun #silhouette
A wet road reflects the early gold-tinted sun. A large heron shows in silhouette.
November 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
Rare two-legged horse spotted in Northumberland.

#opticalillusion #horse #northumberland
Horse standing in a field appearing yo have two legs.
November 21, 2025 at 9:29 AM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
Sheep in the snow.

#SheepOfMastodon #northumberland #uk
Looking over a grey drystone wall sheep are in a field with a light covering of snow. Bright sunshine catches their white wool and coloured identification marks
November 19, 2025 at 10:29 AM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
When the water goes down there'll be a tree stuck in the stepping stones.

#steppingstones #rothbury #northumberland #uk
An uprooted tree in the middle of the river. This crosses a line of standing waves caused by the submerged stepping stones.
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
The river in Rothbury is the highest I've seen it since early spring. These waves are caused by stepping stones that are well submerged.

Rothbury Bridge is only a couple of hundred metres away so the frequent winter periods when they are submerged are not a […]

[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
November 13, 2025 at 6:17 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
I took a trip to Cragside and tried out the National Trust's new scone of the month. It was a nice walk with autumn colours and the calm day giving clear reflections in Tumbledon lake. The scone of the month is "red dragon", served with onion marmalade and […]

[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
A reflection of the Cragside stable block, now the cafe, in Tumbledon lake. Red-gold coloured autumn leaves in the trees still. A delicious scinevnext to a large fuo of coffee and small cups of "onion marmalade" and grated cheese.
November 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
I'm feeling a lot better today. After not managing to go out yesterday I had a gentle walk with Poppy (my daughter) to Cragside, then after some refreshments walked back. I'm feeling really tired now though.

#Cragside #northumberland #uk #walk
Debdon lake reflects the sun. There is a cloudy sky , green grass in the foreground and trees behind. A coffee and coffee cake. Also a tea and a Halloween donut. A dun horse with a lighter coloured mane, which catches the sunlight
October 29, 2025 at 1:04 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
I had my second shingrix (shingles) vaccine yesterday and I'm feeling terrible. I felt bad after the first one buy this is worse. I'd hot rather blase about vaccines as I've never had any issues with others, flu, covid, etc. I'm sitting indoors and shivering with a coat on, and my tracker watch […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
I had a short walk in Thrunton Woods this morning, and some paths are closed off due this forestry work. These include tracks that are often used to make a round walk from the carpark.

#hiking #walking #thruntonwoods #northumberland #uk #Footpath
The view across the Northern Thrunton Woods towards Callaly with the Cheviot in the distance. A sign saying "Please follow Safety signs". There is a map showing yellow closed areas, which include paths often used to make a round walk in Thrunton Woods.
October 27, 2025 at 1:45 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
The rain from earlier this week has left the Coquet high, but today is lovely and sunny. Ideal for a morning walk.

#rothbury #northumberland #uk
Stepping stones covered by white foaming water. A view across moorland to the Simonside hills
October 25, 2025 at 11:47 AM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
He may have officially given up his titles but he'll forever be known as "Nonce Andrew".

#nonceanrew #RoyalFamily
Headline: PRINCE ANDREW GIVES UP ALL HIS TITLES DUE TO ‘CONTINUED ACCUSATIONS’ ABOUT HIM
October 20, 2025 at 7:42 AM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
McVittie's have reduced the cocoa content so much that they have to call them "chocolate flavoured" rather than chocolate biscuits. I don't often eat these but for some reason I find this example of Qualityflation particularly disappointing.

#RipOff #chocolate #mcvitties #qualityflation
Guardian headline and tagline Club and Penguin bars are now ‘chocolate flavour’ after owner McVitie's cuts cocoa content amid soaring prices If you like a lot of chocolate on your biscuit ... look away now
October 18, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Chris Brooking
feed.www.404media.co.ap.brid.gy
The End of Windows 10 Support Is an E-Waste Disaster in the Making
In an example of egregious planned obsolescence, as many as 400 million computers will soon hit the waste stream.
www.404media.co
October 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
On the u3a natural history walk we came across this rock, which is very artistically painted. It was up near the Drake Stone above Harbottle and we left it for others to see. Whoever Mel is, it brought a smile to our faces!

#northumberland #northumberlandrocks #paintedrocks #art
A lovely picture of an arched wooden door in a grey stone wall. The wall is covered with green ivy and there are two red toadstools in front of the bottom of the door The back of the stone with text: Northumberland Rocks on Facebook! Post picture keep or rehide Mel ♥️
October 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
This map of designated "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty" (AONBs) makes it looknlikebl the Midlands must be less beautiful than the rest of the country. Come on Midlanders, prove me wrong? What areas are beautiful enough to be designated? If they're really […]

[Original post on mastodonapp.uk]
A map showing designated areas of outstanding natural beauty in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (I believe Scotland has its own scheme). Threer is a large area in the North Midlands without any areas shown.
October 14, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Reposted by Chris Brooking
emptywheel.bsky.social
Huh. Gonna be an awkward day for Secretary of State-National Security Advisor-Acting Archivist Marco Rubio.

www.rickscott.senate.gov/services/fil...
Part of a letter sent by a bunch of GOP members of Congress in favor of granting Maria Corina Machado the Nobel Peace Prize, which she won today. The last three paragraphs, before Rick Scott and Marco Rubio's signature, reads: The Maduro regime's abuses and assaults on the civil society and legitimate political activity of Venezuelan citizens have caused millions to flee to other countries, while millions more have had no choice but to remain in the prison Maduro has imposed on them. The peace of the region has been greatly disturbed by Maduro’s welcoming of some of the world’s worst actors, including terrorists and dictators who support him. It is our firm belief that María Corina Machado’s courageous and selfless leadership, and unyielding dedication to the pursuit of peace and democratic ideals, make her a most deserving candidate for this prestigious award. Her efforts not only highlight the urgent need for international solidarity in the face of aggressive and expansive authoritarianism but also serve as a reminder of the power of individual bravery in the quest for justice.
October 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
Slightly frustrating. I lead a short walk with a local walking group starting in Alnwick. As one other leader did previously, I arranged it to start on the arrival of a bus to save C02 emissions..

Almost everyone had "things to buy" in Alnwick so had to take their cars. Only three of us went on […]
Original post on mastodonapp.uk
mastodonapp.uk
October 10, 2025 at 1:05 PM
chris108.mastodonapp.uk.ap.brid.gy
I'm sure this will be very hard work, but it sounds idyllic! Article :
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/isle-mull-job-opportunity-couple-36033303

#islandjob #islandlife #scotland
News paper headline: Isle of Mull job opportunity for couple with £60k salary and cottage with garden included A "beautiful" estate on a Scottish island is looking for two people to relocate. 0060
October 10, 2025 at 7:42 AM