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eckerusla.bsky.social
Hannah Valerie
@eckerusla.bsky.social
890 followers 540 following 1.4K posts
Assorted posts about history, church architecture, choral singing, faith, baking, travel, and cats. #ActuallyAutistic #FaithfullyLGBT 💫🌈
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eckerusla.bsky.social
Today is my fifth autism #diagnosiversary, so I baked these to take into work... chocolate brainies.

Finally getting my diagnosis in one sense changed nothing - I'm still the same person I was before - but the relief, acceptance and validation I immediately felt were immense.

#ActuallyAutistic 🧠💫
Landscape: nine homemade chocolate brownies (3 x 3), all topped with chocolate "brains"
November 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
"Everything
Changes and moves in the split second between summer’s
Sprawling past and winter’s hard revision...
the season begins moving
Around us even as its colorful weather moves us" 🍂🍁🍄

(From 'Fall' by Edward Hirsch)

📍 Westonbirt Arboretum
Portrait: red-orange maple leaves, sunlit from behind with their shadows casting shapes on the leaf-strewn path below Portrait: close-up on red holly berries; blurred in the distance are trees in a variety of autumnal colours Portrait: trees with leaves in various shades of red, orange, yellow and green; beneath them is a carpet of fallen leaves Portrait: fungi shaped like a witch's hat (white stalk, grey/brown hat with white dots) growing among fallen maple leaves
November 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
A welcome sunny morning today. Making the most of this view on my way into work while I still can... office move imminent. 😢

#GloucesterCathedral
#CofE

@gloucestercathedral.org.uk

@glosdioc.bsky.social
Portrait: the tower of Gloucester Cathedral, with a landscaped area in front, all lit up in the morning sun. The sky above is blue with soft white clouds.
November 13, 2025 at 10:48 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Sparklers and homemade toffee apple muffins for tonight's church small group social 🎆
Landscape: five sparklers held out Landscape: close-up of homemade muffins which are golden brown with little fudge pieces inside. Left to right, the cases are yellow, orange and red.
November 6, 2025 at 11:38 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Shout-out to @waterstones.bsky.social and Royal Mail for getting this beauty to me two days prior to publication! Congratulations, @drjaninaramirez.bsky.social - looking forward to diving in. 🥰💙🌟

#Legenda
Portrait: Janina Ramirez's new book, "Legenda: The Real Women Behind the Myths That Shaped Europe" held up in front of my bookshelf (which is decorated with fairy lights). The book is a hardback with a beautiful blue and gold cover depicting three women in historical dress.
November 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Oh #TewkesburyAbbey, you gorgeous show-off, you... 🎆
Landscape: the floodlit tower of Tewkesbury Abbey (right of shot) with explosions of pink and white fireworks above/to the left, plus lots of smoke Landscape: the floodlit tower of Tewkesbury Abbey with pink and green fireworks to its left Landscape: the floodlit tower of Tewkesbury Abbey with an explosion of pink and purple fireworks (looking a bit like a giant allium) to its left
November 2, 2025 at 10:12 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
#ThrowbackThursday to the most spectacular of mountain hikes: Cader Idris, climbed via the Minffordd Path in June 2023 ⛰️

#Eryri
Portrait: one of the peaks of Cader Idris, looming dramatically over the (stunningly clear) waters of Llyn Cau (lake). Rocks are visible beneath the surface of the lake. Landscape: the mountain's peaks of Craig Cwm Amarch (left of shot, in foreground with a path in front) and Penygader (right of shot, in the distance) on a sunny day Portrait: the top of Cader Idris's trig point (blurred in foreground) and in the backround (in focus) the mountain's lower summit (Craig Cwm Amarch), with layers and layers of mountains beyond. The sky is pale blue. Portrait: distant mountain peak, hazy blue in late afternoon sunlight; in focus in the foreground is a stone path through rough, grassy terrain
October 30, 2025 at 1:56 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Introvert self-care: autumnal edition 🦔🐌🍂🌰

(I was very excited to discover that the farmshop at Gloucester Services sells vegetarian-friendly bonfire s'mores brownies. 🎆)
Portrait: colouring book with an autumnal design (hedgehogs, leaves, snails etc.) open and partially coloured, with colouring pens alongside. Also pictured is a cappuccino and a fancy chocolate brownie.
October 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Oh, I do so love Deerhurst. Odda's Chapel is so special, and St Mary's Priory Church has that gorgeous 9th century font!
Portrait: 9th century stone font with an intricate swirled pattern, lit from the base. Behind is a (fairly) modern stained glass window.
October 23, 2025 at 7:12 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
What a lovely evening at Cheltenham Lit Fest, hearing #CharlieMackesy discussing art, kindness, seeing the beauty & complexity in everyone, & - of course- the importance of cake. (I made it 15 mins in before bawling my eyes out.) Thanks Charlie for sticking around to sign for 3 hours afterwards! 💓🍰
Landscape: my book and a print by Charlie, both signed, "Love Charlie." The print shows the boy, mole, fox and horse sitting together, with the caption, '"What's your best discovery?," asked the mole. "That I'm enough as I am," said the boy.' Portrait: screen in Cheltenham Town Hall featuring a drawing by Charlie Mackesy showing his characters of the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse. The caption reads, "Hello Cheltenham Literary Festival, love Charlie and Georgina." Portrait: Charlie Mackesy and Georgina Godwin in converation on a stage, with a screen overhead bearing one of Charlie's drawings, showing the mole next to a massive cake. The caption reads, "Well hello." Portrait: Charlie Mackesy and Georgina Godwin in converation on a stage, with a screen overhead bearing one of Charlie's drawings, showing the boy and mole sitting either side of a flower. The caption reads, "Be patient with yourself... shouting at a flower won't make it bloom."
October 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Sharing a couple more confirmation photos, since today marks six months since I was confirmed during this year's Easter Vigil at @gloucestercathedral.org.uk. I'm particularly grateful for the light and joy that service brought, as 2025 has turned out to be quite a challenging year for me. 🕯

#CofE
Landscape: my confirmation certificate, held up in front of Gloucester Cathedral on a sunny day Landscape: left to right inside Gloucester Cathedral: me; Bishop Robert; Ruth (vicar); Amanda (lay reader)
October 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Eryri, I miss you. 💔⛰️

#Eryri
Landscape: layers and layers of mountain seen from Elidir Fawr, looking green and blue in the hazy evening light Landscape: Y Garn and Foel-goch, seen from partway up Mynydd Perfedd. The summit of Foel-goch is obscured by cloud. Landscape: stone marker on the rocky summit of Mynydd Perfedd, with mood mountains (partially obscured by mist) in the distance behind Landscape: sunset over a lake which is surrounded by mountains
October 19, 2025 at 11:19 AM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Halloumi and vegetable stew in progress 😋
October 18, 2025 at 9:29 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Excellent, thought-provoking and enriching church small group outing to Cheltenham Literature Festival tonight to hear @lamornaash.bsky.social in conversation with former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

(A little different from our previous social: axe-throwing!)
Portrait: colourful dust jacket of Lamorna Ash's book "Don't Forget We're Here Forever: A New Generation's Search for Religion", with yellow and blue, plus artwork reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts Landscape: title page of Lamorna's book, signed with the words, "Dear Hannah, next time I will do axe throwing! With love, Lamorna xx" Portrait: target projected onto a wall, with an axe embedded in one of the concentric rings
October 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Happy #Caturday from this afternoon's nap/snuggle buddy (Mercutio) and his tiniest of bleps. 🐾🐈‍⬛️
Portrait: Mercutio (tuxedo cat), lying on a dark grey blanket and sticking his tongue out ever so slightly. His whiskers look fabulous, as usual.
October 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Homemade chana masala is excellent autumn comfort food. 😋🍂🍽
Landscape: a dark blue pasta bowl containing flatbread, natural yoghurt, and a large portion of homemade chana masala (tomato-based curry containing chickpeas)
October 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Guess I won't be moving ever again... 🐾🐈‍⬛️

#Caturday #CatsOfBluesky
Portrait: Merky, our tuxedo cat, seen from behind settling down on a cushion on my lap
October 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
So, has anyone else's spellchecker also randomly turned Finnish, or... ?
Portrait: photograph of Word spellchecker suggesting Finnish alternatives to the word "description"
October 4, 2025 at 3:24 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Obscure homemade jelly, coming soon to a kitchen near you!

#quince #medlars
Portrait: two cardboard boxes of fruit: quince (above) and medlars (below)
October 1, 2025 at 11:46 AM
eckerusla.bsky.social
I am so, so going to miss this view on my way into work. 😥

#CofE

@gloucestercathedral.org.uk

@glosdioc.bsky.social
Portrait: exterior view of the tower and south transept of Gloucester Cathedral, seen on a sunny morning with a blue sky behind. In the foreground is a paved path and shrubs/small trees.
September 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Early autumn views from yesterday's visit to Cerney House Gardens, incl. some #Michaelmas daisies (since today is the Feast of St Michael & All Angels). I was delighted to find quince on sale in the Potting Shed - will be upgrading this year's homemade medlar jelly to quince & medlar jelly!

#CofE
Portrait: pink Michaelmas daisies (New England asters) with yellow centres Portrait: close-up of autumnal leaves on a tree (potentially an Indian horse chestnut) and a smooth seed case just opening to reveal a conker inside Portrait: quince growing on a tree; blurred in the background are other quince trees, plus a small stone plinth (atop which is a metal statue of a giant snail)
September 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
Surprise @klicons.bsky.social artwork on display outside my church today!

#RefugeesWelcome #CofE
Portrait: royal blue display board outside my church (St Philip and St James, Leckhampton) with printed sheets of two icons by Kelly Latimore (showing the Holy Family under rubble, and the Flight into Egypt) and two signs saying 'Jesus was a refugee: Matt 2. 13-23'
September 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
It begins...

(Still holding you responsible for this annual autumnal obsession, @nickduffdavies.bsky.social. 😉)

#Medlars
Portrait: screenshot of an email showing medlar fruit purchased on Ebay
September 26, 2025 at 10:12 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
My grandpa Ernest (Ernst) emigrated to the UK from Germany in 1932. Today I am the exact same age as he was in August 1938 when he became British. He spent most of his life here but never formally anglicised the surname, which intrigues me – can’t have been easy with a German name in 1940s Britain!
Scan of film photo showing my grandpa (Ernest) in a hospital bed, while my grandma (Muriel) stands off to one side, holding baby me Portrait: screenshot of a digitised page from the London Gazette, dated Tuesday 6th September 1938. I have highlighted the following paragraph: "NATURALIZATION. LIST of ALIENS to whom Certificates of Naturalization have been granted by the Secretary of State, and whose Oaths of Allegiance have been registered in the Home Office during the month of August, 1938. The date shown in each case is the date on which the Oath of Allegiance was taken." Portrait: another screenshot from the same edition of The London Gazette. I have highlighted the following text: "Leckebusch, Ernst; Germany; Department Manager; 154, London Road, Coalville. 5 August, 1938."
September 26, 2025 at 9:21 PM
eckerusla.bsky.social
I made a map showing where all my blood donations to date have gone. 11 different hospitals across 8 counties!

#GiveBlood 🩸

@givebloodnhs.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/my-blood-don...
Landscape: Google Maps screenshot of part of the UK (Wales and southern/midlands England), showing a dark blue pin on Gloucester Blood Donor Centre, and red pins on all the donation destinations, which reach as far as the West Midlands, Kent, Devon and the Isle of Wight. Also shown is the map legend with the hospitals named.
September 20, 2025 at 10:31 PM