Had the best day at Tongobriga! Fascinating and funny stories about excavations there in the 80s, a brilliant Roman themed lunch, my paper on Tongobriga in context in the Durius Valley was well received, some musical interpretations and stimulating conversations

Excited to be speaking at this event today at Tongobriga!

Stopped by Porto for lunch today on my way between sites! Great to see Castro de Romariz in the flesh at last - I missed it when I was here in June

Great weekend of racing and catching up with friends at Peterborough Summer Regatta, 10 years since the last time I was there!

Excited to say I'll be heading back to Portugal in about a month to participate in 'Tongobriga Day', an event celebrating the 45th anniversary of the start of excavations at Tongobriga. Here are some more photos from my visit in June

Next stop was Soria for the Numantine Museum and to get close up to the Duero, the river that has been at the heart of my research for over 10 years! Finished by visiting Termes just before the storm clouds broke!

Final day in the Duero Valley! I've packed loads in again today. Visited the Iron Age castro near Aldealices first thing, then had a look at one of Scipio's camps around Numantia. Then to Numantia itself (my favourite)... (1/2)

Spent several hours at Uxama today (all the photos are on my camera not phone) and then hiked along the route of the Roman road between Numantia and Uxama. Back just in time for assessment meetings on Teams at the end of the afternoon, followed by lots of emails!

Packed day! Checked out the remains of a Roman villa near my hotel, then visited Clunia, Pintia (where I first got into archaeological excavations back in 2009) and Rauda. And the museum in Burgo de Osma next door to my hotel. Bit much really!!

Long day travelling from Porto but I've just arrived at my hotel in Burgo de Osma - I've got really lucky with the view from my hotel room!

Spent most of today in and around Porto, visiting museums and seeing what little you can of the iron age and Roman remains. Flying to Madrid tomorrow morning, then driving up to the top end of the Duero Valley for more site visits!

Visited two more sites today: Castro de Romariz and what little is visible of Castro Monte Murado (not much because of the vegetation!). Also stopped by the Museu Convento dos Lóios. Rewarded myself by swinging by the beach late afternoon...

Another great day in Portugal! I've been to three archaeological sites: Citânia de Sanfins, Castro do Monte Padrão and Castro de Alvarelhos, as well as several museums in the area... pretty exhausted but worth it. Absolutely loved Sanfins (seen in all four photos)

Plenty of photos taken for the book and other projects too! And having seen these sites in person today I feel even more convinced by what I've already argued in my manuscript about local identity and culture before and after the establishment of Roman power. So need to rewrite the whole thing!!

Great, productive first day in Portugal! I've visited Tongobriga, Monte Mozinho and the museum in Penafiel, which had some amazing objects from Monte Mozinho on display...

Had the best day in North Yorkshire! Haven't had a day off in ages and we definitely picked a good one

Hooray for a win in York today! Entered as a masters crew but had to race against uni crews because no masters opposition. Great race!

Last day at work before the holidays! I could reflect on 2023 from an academic point of view, but absolutely everything feels insignificant compared to becoming a father - a dream come true