merryn
@merryn02.bsky.social
Interests: archaeology of ale, beer and brewing, history & prehistory of malt and malting technologies. I like campervans, spinning, walking, gardening, swimming in the sea. Academic stuff is here:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Merryn-Dineley
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Merryn-Dineley
Oh, I took one photo at the Fair, here are some baskets. Lids fitted perfectly. Superb.
November 15, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Oh, I took one photo at the Fair, here are some baskets. Lids fitted perfectly. Superb.
What's on at the Drapers tonight? Proper cask ales, that's what!
November 3, 2025 at 8:27 PM
What's on at the Drapers tonight? Proper cask ales, that's what!
Draper's. And a fine pint of ale.
November 3, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Draper's. And a fine pint of ale.
Some fine Tribute Ale. Tastes as good as it looks. The Wellington. Bristol. Holidays down south.
November 1, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Some fine Tribute Ale. Tastes as good as it looks. The Wellington. Bristol. Holidays down south.
Rye straw. Almost as tall as me! Here's where I start, with half a bundle of rye. It will be made into baskets of various sizes and I'll save a few seed heads to sow next year. #rye #straw #Orkney #strawwork
October 6, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Rye straw. Almost as tall as me! Here's where I start, with half a bundle of rye. It will be made into baskets of various sizes and I'll save a few seed heads to sow next year. #rye #straw #Orkney #strawwork
Smalk crocheted tortoises. Tricky, fiddly, the next task to give them eyes.
October 5, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Smalk crocheted tortoises. Tricky, fiddly, the next task to give them eyes.
Rainbow and rain clouds gathering over the sea at Birsay, Orkney, this afternoon.
September 13, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Rainbow and rain clouds gathering over the sea at Birsay, Orkney, this afternoon.
It's brew day! As assistant to the brewer, I can report that mashing in went well. No clumps. Mash temperature: 67 degrees C. We use thermometers to check. Whenever we mash in, I'm reminded of the brewers in the past who did it without thermometers, just using their skill, knowledge and experience.
September 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
It's brew day! As assistant to the brewer, I can report that mashing in went well. No clumps. Mash temperature: 67 degrees C. We use thermometers to check. Whenever we mash in, I'm reminded of the brewers in the past who did it without thermometers, just using their skill, knowledge and experience.
Fabulous exhibition of Roger Acklings work at the Pier Arts Centre, Stromness, Orkney. He used a hand held lens to burn perfect designs on wood.
August 30, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Fabulous exhibition of Roger Acklings work at the Pier Arts Centre, Stromness, Orkney. He used a hand held lens to burn perfect designs on wood.
We have had such a lovely time with the grand children!
July 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
We have had such a lovely time with the grand children!
And we're off. Taking a Van trip to see where it takes us. Currently at Dunnet beach, Caithness.
July 16, 2025 at 9:05 AM
And we're off. Taking a Van trip to see where it takes us. Currently at Dunnet beach, Caithness.
Walked a few miles to see these particular cliffs today. Rocky erosion stripes from the sea.
June 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Walked a few miles to see these particular cliffs today. Rocky erosion stripes from the sea.
First article I read for my research into archaeological evidence for prehistoric ale/beer brewing and all that. Twenty five years later. Reading it again. Odd that it hasn't yet been resolved. Is it still a controversial issue? 🏺🍻 #BreadorBeer?
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
June 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM
First article I read for my research into archaeological evidence for prehistoric ale/beer brewing and all that. Twenty five years later. Reading it again. Odd that it hasn't yet been resolved. Is it still a controversial issue? 🏺🍻 #BreadorBeer?
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Sitting here at "my" beach having just been for a dip. Met my friend here. Our first swim of the year together. Just want to get back in and do it all over again.
June 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Sitting here at "my" beach having just been for a dip. Met my friend here. Our first swim of the year together. Just want to get back in and do it all over again.
We stumbled upon this article on the Birth of Beer (2020) by Christian Berger for Beer Studies. In the notes my work is described as 'cutting edge' because it's science and technology based, not just academic literature. The question to ask is not 'bread or beer' but 'who were the first maltsters?'
May 17, 2025 at 10:51 AM
We stumbled upon this article on the Birth of Beer (2020) by Christian Berger for Beer Studies. In the notes my work is described as 'cutting edge' because it's science and technology based, not just academic literature. The question to ask is not 'bread or beer' but 'who were the first maltsters?'
Started a new basket today. Bundling the oat straw and stitching with sisal. A few mistakes made but it's looking like a good start. Aiming for a big and chunky sort of basket.
May 8, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Started a new basket today. Bundling the oat straw and stitching with sisal. A few mistakes made but it's looking like a good start. Aiming for a big and chunky sort of basket.
My turn to collect the oat straw for the crafty basket making group. Nice and sunny and dry!
May 7, 2025 at 3:01 PM
My turn to collect the oat straw for the crafty basket making group. Nice and sunny and dry!
An evening stroll along the cliffs of South Ronaldsay. Orkney. Lots of red campion in flower, a few white campion, some cuckoo flowers and spear thistles starting off. Primroses abundant. Lapwings. Curlew. Skylarks. Feeling a bit more cheerful after seeing all that.
May 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
An evening stroll along the cliffs of South Ronaldsay. Orkney. Lots of red campion in flower, a few white campion, some cuckoo flowers and spear thistles starting off. Primroses abundant. Lapwings. Curlew. Skylarks. Feeling a bit more cheerful after seeing all that.
Peg loom weaving sampler, I just used some thick crochet cotton scraps to work on and remind myself of techniques. Linen warp. Looks a bit thin compared to the cotton weft but it worked.
May 1, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Peg loom weaving sampler, I just used some thick crochet cotton scraps to work on and remind myself of techniques. Linen warp. Looks a bit thin compared to the cotton weft but it worked.
On our way home. Made the mid day boat with minutes to spare. Travelling is easy, just think about the next destination. Now we must get our heads down and actually write all that stuff we've been talking about while we were away.
April 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
On our way home. Made the mid day boat with minutes to spare. Travelling is easy, just think about the next destination. Now we must get our heads down and actually write all that stuff we've been talking about while we were away.
Rainy morning activity in the Van. Unravelling a mess of linen thread. Very different properties from cotton or wool thread. That would knot up tightly and be unravellable. This linen thread is loose, strong, workable. I can follow the thread through the mess.
April 21, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Rainy morning activity in the Van. Unravelling a mess of linen thread. Very different properties from cotton or wool thread. That would knot up tightly and be unravellable. This linen thread is loose, strong, workable. I can follow the thread through the mess.
Well here we are. Down south near Gloucester. Travelled around 700 miles, almost the length of the country. Really noticeably more spring like than up north.
April 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Well here we are. Down south near Gloucester. Travelled around 700 miles, almost the length of the country. Really noticeably more spring like than up north.
Can thoroughly recommend overnighting at Stafford Services south where there's lots of trees and even a few birds singing. #Vanlife #travelling #fun
April 10, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Can thoroughly recommend overnighting at Stafford Services south where there's lots of trees and even a few birds singing. #Vanlife #travelling #fun
The post above did not have a photo so here it is again, complete with Getafix, the cauldron, a tree and a possible Roman spy!
media.playmobil.com/i/playmobil/...
media.playmobil.com/i/playmobil/...
March 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The post above did not have a photo so here it is again, complete with Getafix, the cauldron, a tree and a possible Roman spy!
media.playmobil.com/i/playmobil/...
media.playmobil.com/i/playmobil/...