Mhairi Alexander
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mhairialexander.bsky.social
Mhairi Alexander
@mhairialexander.bsky.social
340 followers 130 following 690 posts
Retired social worker, grandparent, member of Gurt Lush Choir and Humanists UK.
Barely adequate keyboard and ukulele player.
Bristol, UK
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
bertrom.bsky.social
Iconic.
French photographer Giles Caron took this photograph of Anne Kelly in Derry in August 1969 at the time of The Battle of the Bogside.
December 28, 2025 at 9:28 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
Diego who? 🤣🤣🤣
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 2d
1933 newspaper article on artist Frida Kahlo #WomensArt
December 26, 2025 at 7:27 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
I'm a big fan of these ice skating pictures, and I don't think I've seen this lovely example before.
johnconstablera.bsky.social John Constable RA @johnconstablera.bsky.social · 5d
A Winter Scene with Skaters near a Castle by Hendrick Avercamp 1608
Oil on Panel
(National Gallery)
#Bauble
December 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
🤣
slendersherbet.bsky.social Paul Bronks @slendersherbet.bsky.social · 5d
"Oh hello. You're home early"
December 23, 2025 at 7:40 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
🤣
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 8d
For all the hard working, over burdened ♀ out there at Xmas....
By UK cartoonist Jacky Fleming 🩷
Cartoon with four dinner guests sitting at a table with empty plates and a standing female host saying 'no food, couldn't be bothered'
December 20, 2025 at 11:16 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
Love this!
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 9d
Winter Landscape, 1880 by Finnish landscape painter Fanny Churberg #womensart
Painting of a snow covered rural landscape with a small figure by z frozen lake under a dramatic sky of rising or setting sun amongst dark clouds and golden light
December 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
gailbrodholt.bsky.social
Just a little reminder that tomorrow, Friday 19th, is the last day I can post prints in time for Christmas (UK only). 🎄
December 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
Who doesn't love these skating pictures!
peterpaulrubens.bsky.social Dr. Peter Paul Rubens @peterpaulrubens.bsky.social · 11d
Skating, playing, and a lot of falling on the ice near Amsterdam, as painted by Hans Bol. He was born on this day in 1534.
December 16, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
brianbilston.bsky.social
Here’s a poem called ‘An Invention of Collective Nouns’.
An Invention of Collective Nouns   A reckoning of spreadsheets. A distraction of smartphones. A prattle of podcasts. A mispronunciation of scones.   A clique of photographers. A heard of precedents. An enjambment of poets. A grope of presidents.   A pile of haemorrhoids. A bunion of personal trainers. A bout of estimations. A condescension of mansplainers.   A stroke of geniuses. A spot of adolescents. An embarrassment of Richards. A collection correction of pedants. Brian Bilston
December 13, 2025 at 8:05 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
A great one to follow if you're interested in a wide variety of art.
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 15d
The original and only Womensart - Art posted every single day, 365 days a year, for almost a decade....!Thanks to the artists for so much create genius.....♀️ 💜
Thanks to you...one of more than half a million followers... 💜 !! 🫶🙏
December 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
My daughter once complained that everything was 'going to hell in a handbag.'
brianbilston.bsky.social Brian Bilston @brianbilston.bsky.social · 18d
Here’s a poem which has become trapped in a vicious circus (and other phrases of a similar elk).
To Be Pacific Why do you always go off on a tandem, say goodbye without further adieu? It’s time you climbed down from your pedal stool – this is not a phrase you’re going through,   when antidotal evidence suggests you’ve been three-wheeling right from the start. Or rather, from the gecko, as you might say. You’re always upsetting the apple tart.   Now I’m not saying I’m above approach: it takes two to tangle, I won’t deny it. But when push comes to shovel and all’s set and done, I need rest bite. A little piece of quiet.   I’d love to curl up in the feeble position but you pass me from pillow to post, you see, with your Belgian whistles and semi-skilled milk – they do not pass mustard with me.   I don’t regard you as a social leopard. You’re no escape goat – just a hapless case. But do be aware there may be reaper cushions when you cut off your nose despite your face.   Brian Bilston
December 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
Horses and sky!
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 20d
Gígja Einarsdóttir, photographer who was born and raised around Icelandic horses #WomensArt
#December8th #ArtAdvent 🎄
Photograph of a group of horses standing in an icey field at night under a big sky of shimering green Northern lights
December 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
carlbovisnature.bsky.social
Hi everyone. 😊
Could you do me a big favour please. 🙏
Go and have a quick look in my birdy shop here;
www.carlbovis.com/shop-3
No need to buy anything, (although amazing if you do!)😁
Just looking is a big help to me! ❤️
Thank you! 🙏🥰🐦
Shop | Carl Bovis Nature Ph
All the products available featuring the bird photography of Carl Bovis
www.carlbovis.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
bigissue.com
A homeless tent village on London's Strand is to be demolished. Photographer Marc Davenant captured the stories of the people who live there.
What a row over a tent village in London says about the homelessness crisis
www.bigissue.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:07 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
🎵 "I wish I had a river I could skate away on.." 🎵
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 25d
Joni Mitchell, singer-songwriter, musician, painter, poet, genius... and skater #WomensArt❄️
(Photo by J. Bernstein)
Monochrome photo of a woman skating on a lake wearing a black dress and black coat with feather-like trim, the figure holds out her arms, back view and resembles a crow-like creature
December 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
This is lovely.
peterpaulrubens.bsky.social Dr. Peter Paul Rubens @peterpaulrubens.bsky.social · 27d
Skating, sledding, and a little kolf on a frozen river in 1668. By Adriaen van de Velde.
December 1, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
carlbovisnature.bsky.social
Song Thrush feasting on berries! 😍
Thrilled to get this photo at RSPB Ham Wall today... do you like it? 😊🐦
#birds 🪶

Lots of Christmas gift ideas in my shop for nature lovers here;
www.carlbovis.com/shop-3
A Song Thrush in the process of swallowing a red berry surrounded by red berries in otherwise bare branches
November 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
#foxoftheday.
An urban fox in Bristol.
A fox looking straight at us.
November 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
sirmichaeltake.bsky.social
‘You, Boy!
Go and racially abuse everybody you meet
…but not in a hurtful or insulting way!’
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
marcdavenant.bsky.social
I spent hours yesterday at the tent encampment behind the Adelphi in London and as a result have sent this open letter with a plea for a meaningful intervention to
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
A plea for a meaningful intervention - Adelphi tent encampment London Dear Paula, Bob and Matthew I wanted to thank you again for facilitating the display of my Outsiders exhibition on homelessness inside Parliament last year. The touring exhibition has now had over 120,000 visitors and continues to tour. Matthew I really valued our conversation about homelessness in the exhibition space - it was clear to me then that you really understood the issues and were determined to do something meaningful to address the problems. Dear Adam and Sadia You don't know me, but I am a documentary photographer who works with marginalised communities and uses photography to highlight social inequality. You can see something about the Outsiders project on homelessness and substandard housing here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnOdqk4req0o Dear All Five of the participants in Outsiders have now died while experiencing homelessness. Since I stopped the photography in 2022 the situation has become exponentially worse both in London and in the other cities which I covered during the project. One of the most noticeable changes has been the development of tent encampments and I am writing to all of you about the encampment which is currently behind the Adelphi in London. I believe plans are being drawn up to get an injunction to clear the encampment without any meaningrut Intervention to address the problems laced by the community there. It seems to me that it is an extraordinary situation that in the wealthiest borough, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, these people are struggling to survive against all the odds and not receiving the support needed to transition them out of homelessness and help them become productive members of society. As a society we are defined by how we treat the poor. Regardless of the legal position I believe that we all have a moral and ethical responsibility towards those who have fallen through the gaps and ended up experiencing homelessness. The people in this encampment are vulnerable and marginalised. The women have all been sexually assaulted or subjected to violence while sleeping rough in London. They rely on the men in the encampment for their safety and if the camp is simply cleared, they will end up back on the street with no safety net, likely being subjected to ongoing sexual abuse and exploitation. People in the camp have both mental and physical health needs which need to be addressed. One has diabetes, has open sores on his legs and is likely to suffer amputations, blindness and possibly death via diabetic coma unless this is addressed. There are mental nean ana suostance abuse chauenges as wel. However overa nis is a close knit communit wrich nas become ponded togeter ov the power of a shared experience. Disbanding the camp with no plans for transitioning the occupants into a stable home would be cruel and irresponsible. The people in the camp also rely on their dogs to provide emotional support. One of the worst things about sleeping rough is being ignored and treated like something less than human. Having something to love and which will love you back unconditionally can be the difference between life and death for someone in their situation. All of them have been told they will have to give up their dogs to get support. I believe that to be an inhumane and unreasonable position to take. There is a desperate need for a multidisciplinary intervention with this camp. If you bulldoze it you will break the bonds within the community ana simply move the problem somewnere else. It isn t a solution to what nas become a nuge problem tor society and is a test for your humanity as the people with the power to change things. Collectively you control billions in spending, control the public policy on homelessness and housing and do have the power to intervene and ensure a positive outcome for the people in this camp. I have attached some portraits taken yesterday and would urge you to look at them and consider how you would feel if they were members of your family who had fallen on hard times. I know that with a sweep of a pen you can simply have them moved on but would ask you to consider whether there is a different approach and who gains from simply sweeone unese oroolems under ine caroet. Experience has taught me to have very low expectations when it comes to asking for support like this in a society which knows the price or everything ana the value or little, but i belleve that you are all good people who came Into public service with the best of Intentions and hope you can find it in your hearts to help. Thank you all for reading this and I hope something can be done. Best Marc Davenant
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
paintingsoflondon.bsky.social
🎵 If you're interested, all the songs this week came from a mammoth playlist I put together earlier this year of songs about and inspired by London 🎵

Over 18 hours for your listening pleasure.
open.spotify.com/playlist/6sZ...
Songs of London
open.spotify.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Reposted by Mhairi Alexander
chrisdaleoxford.bsky.social
Oxfordshire swans have died from bird flu this week, including near us. Report it, don't touch, and keep dogs away. RSPB guidance page, including contact details, here www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wi...
Black and white photograph of the head and neck of a swan with weed and water drops hanging from its beak.
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
A 'residential' van parked outside my local park.
Someone's not happy with it being there.
@marcdavenant.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
What an amazing linocut.
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · Nov 16
UK artist/printmaker Vanessa Lubach creates fascinating artworks via her intricate and highly skilled linocuts #WomensArt
November 16, 2025 at 1:34 PM
mhairialexander.bsky.social
This reminds me of a time several years ago when our son, daughter and friends went to see Gunther von Hagens' 'Plastination' exhibition, and we went to Highgate Cemetery. They thought our choice was weird, and we thought theirs was.
November 14, 2025 at 10:10 AM