Clare M. Dowding
@claredowding.bsky.social
Welshwoman in London. University administrator. Independent researcher (medieval anchorites). Anglican Reader (lay minister). Warden of Readers Diocese of Southwark.
Really not the point of the Guardian piece on Joe Marler, but my estimation of Adam Jones (which was already fairly high) has just gone up:
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Really not the point of the Guardian piece on Joe Marler, but my estimation of Adam Jones (which was already fairly high) has just gone up:
It's the small things which make a big difference:
November 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
It's the small things which make a big difference:
I just love the Welsh propensity for either deep pessimism or unwarranted optimism: at the time of writing, the poll on the BBC Sport website asking how many of the four men's rugby union Tests we might win this autumn demonstrates both positions:
(1/2)
(1/2)
October 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I just love the Welsh propensity for either deep pessimism or unwarranted optimism: at the time of writing, the poll on the BBC Sport website asking how many of the four men's rugby union Tests we might win this autumn demonstrates both positions:
(1/2)
(1/2)
It keeps reminding me of parts of Beyonce's 'Formation' video - only Queen Bey did it much, much better:
September 18, 2025 at 11:37 AM
It keeps reminding me of parts of Beyonce's 'Formation' video - only Queen Bey did it much, much better:
When they call them baby potatoes, they're not wrong!
August 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
When they call them baby potatoes, they're not wrong!
Check it out now, the plant spray bottle!
July 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Check it out now, the plant spray bottle!
![A series of posts, all within a couple of minutes of each other:
Leonie V Hicks @lvhicks.bsky.social
"What a test match!"
Ben not in Spain @benhunt.bsky.social
"What an extraordinary way for the Test to end. Brilliant cricket all round. Hats off to Jadeja who batted brilliantly - but the sheer willpower of Stokes is something to behold.
Endless Screaming @infinitescream.bsky.social
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Rosamundi @rosamundi.bsky.social
Never doubted them for a second, obviously #cricket #EnglandCricket #ENGvIND [cricket bat emoji]
One of those games that neither team deserved to lose.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pqjvei75towl3howztyrbrnj/bafkreidvpwzlywzyiigjcleplkmobbekddujsyqe6xshbzttdw3kjxmri4@jpeg)
I'm aware that it's not unusual for cricket matches to be stopped for strange reasons (ladybirds at Lord's yesterday, for instance), but how, on one of the hottest and sunniest days of the year, certainly in the south-east, can bad light have stopped play at Canterbury?
July 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I'm aware that it's not unusual for cricket matches to be stopped for strange reasons (ladybirds at Lord's yesterday, for instance), but how, on one of the hottest and sunniest days of the year, certainly in the south-east, can bad light have stopped play at Canterbury?
See also: when your small car is still too big for a small parking space, maybe find somewhere else - not do what the driver of this vehicle did. Photo taken by me some years ago in Rome - ah, yes, OK, as you were ...
July 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
See also: when your small car is still too big for a small parking space, maybe find somewhere else - not do what the driver of this vehicle did. Photo taken by me some years ago in Rome - ah, yes, OK, as you were ...
Like a number of universities, mine is part of the Warp-It scheme to reuse furniture and other things. This means we get emails offering items from other universities, and today's offering includes these - I'm sure there is or could be a story in there somewhere ...
May 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Like a number of universities, mine is part of the Warp-It scheme to reuse furniture and other things. This means we get emails offering items from other universities, and today's offering includes these - I'm sure there is or could be a story in there somewhere ...
Thank you - there is a setting which gives a prompt every time an image is posted, to help with getting into the habit:
May 5, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Thank you - there is a setting which gives a prompt every time an image is posted, to help with getting into the habit:
For some reason, I'm reminded of the Important Note re the Scots, Irish, and Picts in '1066 and All That':
![IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Scots (originally Irish, but by now Scotch) were at this time inhabiting Ireland, having driven the Irish (Picts) out of Scotland; while the Picts (originally Scots) were now Irish (living in brackets) and vice versa. It is essential to keep these distinctions clearly in mind (and verce visa).
[From '1066 And All That' by Walter Sellar and Robert Yeatman, chapter 2]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pqjvei75towl3howztyrbrnj/bafkreiej6gulzrjn44fopskcpkz4cpezbsiy3j6wgqitqhzlzlx2a4aruy@jpeg)
April 25, 2025 at 9:13 PM
For some reason, I'm reminded of the Important Note re the Scots, Irish, and Picts in '1066 and All That':
Certainly looks like some people will be remembering it for a while ..
April 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Certainly looks like some people will be remembering it for a while ..
This may be of interest to parishes or groups in the catholic tradition of the Church of England who are looking for funding for a particular project. (For information, the late Revd Anna Matthews was a Trustee, and they are looking to build a fund within the Trust in her memory.)
April 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This may be of interest to parishes or groups in the catholic tradition of the Church of England who are looking for funding for a particular project. (For information, the late Revd Anna Matthews was a Trustee, and they are looking to build a fund within the Trust in her memory.)
Post a warning:
![Sign from Sully Island, which is an island at high tide, accessible by a causeway at low tide:
Warning [in red letters].
You are risking your life by visiting this island.
Avoid [underlined] being caught on the causeway by a fast [underlined] rising tide. If in doubt stay [underlined] on this island.
(The rest of the text on the sign is obscured by brambles and nettles.)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pqjvei75towl3howztyrbrnj/bafkreibpgq4ax45vkidlf2gszvzywlxlmph7kfptnflgibz7zrp2bxlcni@jpeg)
March 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Post a warning:
*Crocodile Dundee voice* "That's not a big candle - this is a big candle"
January 16, 2025 at 10:37 AM
*Crocodile Dundee voice* "That's not a big candle - this is a big candle"