Chris Armistead
@chrisarmis.bsky.social
Husband, father, physicist in photonics. UK and European. Loves mountains, coasts, Scotland, Lake District. Passionate about natural history and environment.
Ukraine supporter-Slava Ukraini!
Ukraine supporter-Slava Ukraini!
Reposted by Chris Armistead
50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
January 7, 2026 at 11:48 AM
50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Incredible how little attention this is getting outside Germany. "In its third full day, a ... power failure in Berlin resulting from an arson attack...tens of thousands...making do without heat, electricity, cellphone service & warm food or drinks." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
Thousands in Berlin Go Days Without Power and Cell Service After Cables Are Set on Fire
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Incredible how little attention this is getting outside Germany. "In its third full day, a ... power failure in Berlin resulting from an arson attack...tens of thousands...making do without heat, electricity, cellphone service & warm food or drinks." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
Reposted by Chris Armistead
87 years ago today, the Kristallnacht burned. 36 years ago today, the Berlin Wall fell.
Whether from the darkness of 9.11.1938 or light of 9.11.1989, the lesson for 🇩🇪 in 2025 is clear: Fight for freedom. Stop fascists. #StandWithUkraine. Their fight for freedom & peace is ours.
Whether from the darkness of 9.11.1938 or light of 9.11.1989, the lesson for 🇩🇪 in 2025 is clear: Fight for freedom. Stop fascists. #StandWithUkraine. Their fight for freedom & peace is ours.
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
87 years ago today, the Kristallnacht burned. 36 years ago today, the Berlin Wall fell.
Whether from the darkness of 9.11.1938 or light of 9.11.1989, the lesson for 🇩🇪 in 2025 is clear: Fight for freedom. Stop fascists. #StandWithUkraine. Their fight for freedom & peace is ours.
Whether from the darkness of 9.11.1938 or light of 9.11.1989, the lesson for 🇩🇪 in 2025 is clear: Fight for freedom. Stop fascists. #StandWithUkraine. Their fight for freedom & peace is ours.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
From division to unity. From walls to freedom. From barriers to bridges.
It was courage and determination that brought down the Berlin Wall 36 years ago.
Today, that same spirit must guide us as we continue building a Europe of peace.
It was courage and determination that brought down the Berlin Wall 36 years ago.
Today, that same spirit must guide us as we continue building a Europe of peace.
November 9, 2025 at 8:55 AM
From division to unity. From walls to freedom. From barriers to bridges.
It was courage and determination that brought down the Berlin Wall 36 years ago.
Today, that same spirit must guide us as we continue building a Europe of peace.
It was courage and determination that brought down the Berlin Wall 36 years ago.
Today, that same spirit must guide us as we continue building a Europe of peace.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Today, Germany remembers the November pogroms of 1938.
87 years ago, Jews were targeted in a wave of orchestrated violence in Germany. Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed. Many Jews were murdered.
These acts of terror paved the way for the Holocaust.
#NeverForget
87 years ago, Jews were targeted in a wave of orchestrated violence in Germany. Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed. Many Jews were murdered.
These acts of terror paved the way for the Holocaust.
#NeverForget
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Today, Germany remembers the November pogroms of 1938.
87 years ago, Jews were targeted in a wave of orchestrated violence in Germany. Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed. Many Jews were murdered.
These acts of terror paved the way for the Holocaust.
#NeverForget
87 years ago, Jews were targeted in a wave of orchestrated violence in Germany. Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed. Many Jews were murdered.
These acts of terror paved the way for the Holocaust.
#NeverForget
Reposted by Chris Armistead
This is what Europe’s hope looks like.
A hope for a better future. For Moldova and all of Europe.
Thank you to all the young Moldovans who joined me and President Maia Sandu today.
The future is yours. Write it. Make it happen. We will be with you every step of the way 🇪🇺🇲🇩
A hope for a better future. For Moldova and all of Europe.
Thank you to all the young Moldovans who joined me and President Maia Sandu today.
The future is yours. Write it. Make it happen. We will be with you every step of the way 🇪🇺🇲🇩
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is what Europe’s hope looks like.
A hope for a better future. For Moldova and all of Europe.
Thank you to all the young Moldovans who joined me and President Maia Sandu today.
The future is yours. Write it. Make it happen. We will be with you every step of the way 🇪🇺🇲🇩
A hope for a better future. For Moldova and all of Europe.
Thank you to all the young Moldovans who joined me and President Maia Sandu today.
The future is yours. Write it. Make it happen. We will be with you every step of the way 🇪🇺🇲🇩
Reposted by Chris Armistead
On Thursday 13 November at 12 noon, @camukrainistyka.bsky.social are hosting an extraordinary panel (in English) of Ukraine's thought leaders and cultural activists at Gonville and Caius College on contemporary Ukrainian culture.
Free admission. Register at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/contempora...
Free admission. Register at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/contempora...
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
On Thursday 13 November at 12 noon, @camukrainistyka.bsky.social are hosting an extraordinary panel (in English) of Ukraine's thought leaders and cultural activists at Gonville and Caius College on contemporary Ukrainian culture.
Free admission. Register at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/contempora...
Free admission. Register at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/contempora...
Reposted by Chris Armistead
OTD in 2002 🇺🇦 began decommissioning its nuclear capable Tu-22 strategic bombers & Kh-22 cruise missiles, as per the Budapest memo.
30 bombers & 230 missiles were destroyed over 2 & half years in exchange for promise 🇷🇺 would never invade.
But you can believe our promises now
30 bombers & 230 missiles were destroyed over 2 & half years in exchange for promise 🇷🇺 would never invade.
But you can believe our promises now
October 14, 2025 at 7:50 AM
OTD in 2002 🇺🇦 began decommissioning its nuclear capable Tu-22 strategic bombers & Kh-22 cruise missiles, as per the Budapest memo.
30 bombers & 230 missiles were destroyed over 2 & half years in exchange for promise 🇷🇺 would never invade.
But you can believe our promises now
30 bombers & 230 missiles were destroyed over 2 & half years in exchange for promise 🇷🇺 would never invade.
But you can believe our promises now
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Europe lives where people meet.
In our town halls, schools and public squares.
In every village, town and city across our Union.
It was great to see that spirit fill the @europarl.europa.eu hemicycle today as we kicked off #EURegionsWeek.
In our town halls, schools and public squares.
In every village, town and city across our Union.
It was great to see that spirit fill the @europarl.europa.eu hemicycle today as we kicked off #EURegionsWeek.
October 13, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Europe lives where people meet.
In our town halls, schools and public squares.
In every village, town and city across our Union.
It was great to see that spirit fill the @europarl.europa.eu hemicycle today as we kicked off #EURegionsWeek.
In our town halls, schools and public squares.
In every village, town and city across our Union.
It was great to see that spirit fill the @europarl.europa.eu hemicycle today as we kicked off #EURegionsWeek.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
UK friends, please follow the new German Ambassador in London Susanne Baumann
@germanambuk.bsky.social
@germanambuk.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
UK friends, please follow the new German Ambassador in London Susanne Baumann
@germanambuk.bsky.social
@germanambuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Armistead
His Majesty King Charles III has announced that he will host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender for a State Visit from 3-5 December. It will be an incredible moment for 🇬🇧🇩🇪 relations and the first State Visit by a German President in 27 years.
October 13, 2025 at 8:58 AM
His Majesty King Charles III has announced that he will host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender for a State Visit from 3-5 December. It will be an incredible moment for 🇬🇧🇩🇪 relations and the first State Visit by a German President in 27 years.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
The twelves pages that paved the way to a fully sovereign Germany.
Hailed as a triumph of diplomacy, the Two Plus Four Agreement marked the peaceful settlement of the unresolved issues of Germany’s status under international law.
Hailed as a triumph of diplomacy, the Two Plus Four Agreement marked the peaceful settlement of the unresolved issues of Germany’s status under international law.
October 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM
The twelves pages that paved the way to a fully sovereign Germany.
Hailed as a triumph of diplomacy, the Two Plus Four Agreement marked the peaceful settlement of the unresolved issues of Germany’s status under international law.
Hailed as a triumph of diplomacy, the Two Plus Four Agreement marked the peaceful settlement of the unresolved issues of Germany’s status under international law.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Russia once again assured the UN that it wants peace, but bombed peaceful cities in Ukraine for 12 hours straight. Four people died in Kyiv, including a nurse and a patient at the cardiology institute. A whole street was destroyed in Petropavlivskyi Borshchagovka.
September 28, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Russia once again assured the UN that it wants peace, but bombed peaceful cities in Ukraine for 12 hours straight. Four people died in Kyiv, including a nurse and a patient at the cardiology institute. A whole street was destroyed in Petropavlivskyi Borshchagovka.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Today’s #EuropeanDayofLanguages reminds us that learning each other’s language brings us closer together. I'm grateful for language teachers' phenomenal work here, especially in today's challenging language learning environment. Teachers of German are key for the close 🇩🇪🇬🇧 ties!
September 26, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Today’s #EuropeanDayofLanguages reminds us that learning each other’s language brings us closer together. I'm grateful for language teachers' phenomenal work here, especially in today's challenging language learning environment. Teachers of German are key for the close 🇩🇪🇬🇧 ties!
Reposted by Chris Armistead
I wrote for Eurozine on the lingering imperial geographies that define our understandings of Ukraine and eastern Europe.
Imperial Russia saw the nation as the sea into which all the other Slavic cultures flowed. The idea persists today in way the region is studied in the West. Ukraine scholar @uilleamblacker.bsky.social pleas for institutional reform: www.eurozine.com/russia-is-no...
Russia is not the sea
Imperial Russia saw the nation as the sea into which all the other Slavic cultures flowed. The idea persists today not only in Russia's attitude towards its neighbourhood, but also in way the region i...
www.eurozine.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I wrote for Eurozine on the lingering imperial geographies that define our understandings of Ukraine and eastern Europe.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Putin, speaking in China today, again confirmed nothing has changed. He wants a pliable Ukraine, one that will remain tethered to Russia in some way. He added he wants to undo the "Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic models" also confirming his aims for his meeting in Alaska, to split US and Europe.
September 1, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Putin, speaking in China today, again confirmed nothing has changed. He wants a pliable Ukraine, one that will remain tethered to Russia in some way. He added he wants to undo the "Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic models" also confirming his aims for his meeting in Alaska, to split US and Europe.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
That is an alarming map! Not being an expert on these things - does the jamming affect all satellite navigation systems covering that area - Galileo, Glonass and BeiDou as well as GPS? And can receivers work off any of them, or are they tied to one system?
We are getting used to the Russians jamming the Baltic Sea and more. Boat owners in Sweden were advised this summer to use regular maps and not only rely on GPS and satellites.
September 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
That is an alarming map! Not being an expert on these things - does the jamming affect all satellite navigation systems covering that area - Galileo, Glonass and BeiDou as well as GPS? And can receivers work off any of them, or are they tied to one system?
Reposted by Chris Armistead
“As the clever hopes expire,
Of a low dishonest decade…
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again…”
September 1 1939, by W.H. Auden, poet 1907-1973
Portrait by Cecil Beaton 1930, National Portrait Gallery London
Of a low dishonest decade…
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again…”
September 1 1939, by W.H. Auden, poet 1907-1973
Portrait by Cecil Beaton 1930, National Portrait Gallery London
September 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
“As the clever hopes expire,
Of a low dishonest decade…
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again…”
September 1 1939, by W.H. Auden, poet 1907-1973
Portrait by Cecil Beaton 1930, National Portrait Gallery London
Of a low dishonest decade…
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again…”
September 1 1939, by W.H. Auden, poet 1907-1973
Portrait by Cecil Beaton 1930, National Portrait Gallery London
Reposted by Chris Armistead
September 1, 1939
I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth...
I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth...
September 1, 2025 at 6:52 AM
September 1, 1939
I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth...
I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth...
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Really exciting new archaeology report showing that two people who died in 7th century Kent had West African grandfathers. It’s suggested they’d travelled here as traders and settled thanks to the Byzantine Empire’s trade network that linked North Africa to Britain
August 13, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Really exciting new archaeology report showing that two people who died in 7th century Kent had West African grandfathers. It’s suggested they’d travelled here as traders and settled thanks to the Byzantine Empire’s trade network that linked North Africa to Britain
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Rescue efforts at the site of the russian strike on a residential building in Kyiv have concluded.
The attack killed 31 civilians, including five children, and injured 159 — among them 16 children.
The attack killed 31 civilians, including five children, and injured 159 — among them 16 children.
August 1, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Rescue efforts at the site of the russian strike on a residential building in Kyiv have concluded.
The attack killed 31 civilians, including five children, and injured 159 — among them 16 children.
The attack killed 31 civilians, including five children, and injured 159 — among them 16 children.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
The Shiants from the Croft, yesterday - summery hues and just beyond the pale.
July 31, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The Shiants from the Croft, yesterday - summery hues and just beyond the pale.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
Grim morning in Kyiv as the city wakes to devastation. A massive russian combined attack left six civilians dead, including a 6-year-old boy; over 50 injured, including nine children; and dozens of buildings damaged.
July 31, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Grim morning in Kyiv as the city wakes to devastation. A massive russian combined attack left six civilians dead, including a 6-year-old boy; over 50 injured, including nine children; and dozens of buildings damaged.
Reposted by Chris Armistead
You can pick up a copy at your local newsagent, get it online, or, if you’re having trouble getting hold of it but would like to read my text, just drop me a line.
Full text:
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/75/o...
Full text:
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July 6, 2025 at 10:33 AM
You can pick up a copy at your local newsagent, get it online, or, if you’re having trouble getting hold of it but would like to read my text, just drop me a line.
Full text:
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/75/o...
Full text:
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/75/o...