Two days, two herons; am I being storked? Lol.

Very pleased to see a copy of my friend Chris Rose’s co-authored book Perceptual Engineering, published this year. He highlights use of all the senses, sometimes in unexpected ways - eg dogs who can detect cancer through smell - and urges wider thinking about how we can improve our own perceptions.

Galloway cliffs at Balcary Bay good enough for me today!

Enjoying the picturesque town of Kirkcudbright today. Lovely people there - it’s just nonsense to say the Scots are always in search of a bargain.

Hello, both! Greetings from lovely Wales!

Pleased to see this initiative from @camdencouncil.bsky.social to help expectant parents. As said in report, the contact will also put parents in touch with other sources of support, while helping pay bills, clear debt, buy baby essentials, etc. @maternityaction.bsky.social @nctcharity.bsky.social

Moments from an excellent tree-identification walk in Highgate Wood this morning: the elegance of hornbeams; the pleasing palmate shape of chestnut leaves; the tales told by all the interweaving cracks & lines on a fallen oak.

After enjoying a visit to the Affordable Art Fair on Hampstead Heath, an equally enjoyable walk home offered some totally affordable art from nature. Have a great weekend!

The River Tywi, running through Rhandirmwyn, is Wales’s longest river and its banksides are beautiful: starred with stitchwort; placid in its present mood; swathed with sheep; dramatic as dark falls.

Travel to Oxford for an highly enjoyable lunch at @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social with Professor Debra Bick & Dr Judy Shakespeare allowed time for a nostalgic stroll round the sunny city & its waterways. The apple (found exactly so) looks a bit like Turing’s and may have strayed from Cambridge.

Privileged to be in House of Lords this evening to hear legendary social scientist Ann Oakley on a new phase of her 1970s work ‘From here to maternity’ with Charlotte Faircloth, Kate Brintworth @greenjennyjones.bsky.social @alexbollen.bsky.social @marynewburn.bsky.social @drjennyhall-5.bsky.social

I was delightfully entertained to lunch today by friends at @rcm.org.uk when we indulged in a nostalgic look at old copies of the journal, where I worked 1988-1997. Thanks so much @gillwalton.bsky.social @stuartbonar.com @birtelam.bsky.social & Clare & Abbie: a lovely gathering!

I’ve been trying to remember all the work done to get it established. The CHCs in Barnet & Camden were closely involved: that dates it <2003. Local MP was Rhodes Boyson: that dates it <1997 (or 19thC by the whiskers!)

Highgate was looking blossomy & flowery in spring sunshine today. Pic #3 has a beautifully planted garden bank with daffodils, narcissi, wood anemones, snakeshead fritillaries & if you can ID others please say!

I’m delighted to see this commitment from @nctcharity.bsky.social on an appropriate day. The charity published this excellent myth-busting book back in 1997 & it’s great to see such an important aspect of support for parents returning to its strategic priorities for action.

At #LondonMMF25 I’m listening to @gillwalton.bsky.social from @rcm.org.uk giving us some good news! In a call for midwives to speak with a collective voice, she reports encouraging recruitment numbers to the profession. @midwiferyforum.bsky.social