Mike R 🏳️🌈
@mikerobin.bsky.social
Northern gay bloke, happily early-retired, filling my time with gardening, singing, dancing, cooking, walking the hound, and gadding around with husband @briascub.bsky.social
Manchester Proud Chorus and Wicked For Good.
Did someone see a bandwagon we can jump on?
youtu.be/b1jTFk22dgI
Did someone see a bandwagon we can jump on?
youtu.be/b1jTFk22dgI
Wicked, For Good - Performed by Manchester Proud Chorus
YouTube video by The Choir Project MCR
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Manchester Proud Chorus and Wicked For Good.
Did someone see a bandwagon we can jump on?
youtu.be/b1jTFk22dgI
Did someone see a bandwagon we can jump on?
youtu.be/b1jTFk22dgI
After too long sitting indoors watching it rain, finally some dry weather. Lovely day to be up the #nodig #allotment. Made a lid for my new compost bin. Weeded and tidied a couple of beds. Mulched. Planted tulips. Harvested leeks.
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
After too long sitting indoors watching it rain, finally some dry weather. Lovely day to be up the #nodig #allotment. Made a lid for my new compost bin. Weeded and tidied a couple of beds. Mulched. Planted tulips. Harvested leeks.
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
This morning: dog walk and flu jab.
This afternoon: allotment.
Hmmph. Bloody weather 😭
This afternoon: allotment.
Hmmph. Bloody weather 😭
November 10, 2025 at 11:16 AM
This morning: dog walk and flu jab.
This afternoon: allotment.
Hmmph. Bloody weather 😭
This afternoon: allotment.
Hmmph. Bloody weather 😭
I'm a man of simple tastes, so I'm very pleased to have doubled my compost bays.
Accompanied, of course, by great aunty Nelly, aka robin.
(It's not, of course. That kind of claptrap is as fictitious as aunty Nelly.)
#allotmentlife #nodig #allotment #gaygardeners #growyourown
Accompanied, of course, by great aunty Nelly, aka robin.
(It's not, of course. That kind of claptrap is as fictitious as aunty Nelly.)
#allotmentlife #nodig #allotment #gaygardeners #growyourown
November 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I'm a man of simple tastes, so I'm very pleased to have doubled my compost bays.
Accompanied, of course, by great aunty Nelly, aka robin.
(It's not, of course. That kind of claptrap is as fictitious as aunty Nelly.)
#allotmentlife #nodig #allotment #gaygardeners #growyourown
Accompanied, of course, by great aunty Nelly, aka robin.
(It's not, of course. That kind of claptrap is as fictitious as aunty Nelly.)
#allotmentlife #nodig #allotment #gaygardeners #growyourown
October 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Dog walk.
#Allotment visit (polytunnel mostly cleared, winter lettuce sown, wood chip shifted).
#Choir rehearsal (I do love making it sound better rather than just learning notes... although in the case of one song, I do need to learn the notes before this is helpful.)
Cocktails.
Retirement's great.
#Allotment visit (polytunnel mostly cleared, winter lettuce sown, wood chip shifted).
#Choir rehearsal (I do love making it sound better rather than just learning notes... although in the case of one song, I do need to learn the notes before this is helpful.)
Cocktails.
Retirement's great.
October 13, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Dog walk.
#Allotment visit (polytunnel mostly cleared, winter lettuce sown, wood chip shifted).
#Choir rehearsal (I do love making it sound better rather than just learning notes... although in the case of one song, I do need to learn the notes before this is helpful.)
Cocktails.
Retirement's great.
#Allotment visit (polytunnel mostly cleared, winter lettuce sown, wood chip shifted).
#Choir rehearsal (I do love making it sound better rather than just learning notes... although in the case of one song, I do need to learn the notes before this is helpful.)
Cocktails.
Retirement's great.
Today I created a new bed on the #allotment to sow broad beans, and since I didn't have cardboard or much compost and it was full of perennial weeds, I dug for once. If ever I needed persuading to stick to #nodig (as usual) in future, this afternoon worked. Send gin and a masseur
#allotmentlife
#allotmentlife
October 12, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Today I created a new bed on the #allotment to sow broad beans, and since I didn't have cardboard or much compost and it was full of perennial weeds, I dug for once. If ever I needed persuading to stick to #nodig (as usual) in future, this afternoon worked. Send gin and a masseur
#allotmentlife
#allotmentlife
It seems I'm better at growing tomatoes than I am at growing melons.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
October 3, 2025 at 8:36 PM
It seems I'm better at growing tomatoes than I am at growing melons.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Feeling slightly emotional after finishing this. Shades of "This is Us" in the way it jumps around the time line of a set of siblings and step-siblings, teasing you with hints about events we've not seen yet.
Always on the lookout for new authors to read... I wonder if her other books are as good?
Always on the lookout for new authors to read... I wonder if her other books are as good?
October 1, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Feeling slightly emotional after finishing this. Shades of "This is Us" in the way it jumps around the time line of a set of siblings and step-siblings, teasing you with hints about events we've not seen yet.
Always on the lookout for new authors to read... I wonder if her other books are as good?
Always on the lookout for new authors to read... I wonder if her other books are as good?
Today's adventure in randomly making up recipes based loosely on something I've seen was home-grown organic slow-roasted red kuri squash risotto with rosemary, semi-dried cherry tomatoes, red wine stock and parmesan.
Very tasty indeed.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Very tasty indeed.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
September 25, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Today's adventure in randomly making up recipes based loosely on something I've seen was home-grown organic slow-roasted red kuri squash risotto with rosemary, semi-dried cherry tomatoes, red wine stock and parmesan.
Very tasty indeed.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Very tasty indeed.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Having seen frost on the roofs (rooves?) this morning I decided it was time to harvest any outdoor tomatoes that had any hint they were ripening, to bring inside.
It turns out that's 16 lb of tomatoes 🍅
Maybe I overdid how many I planted this year 🤔
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown
It turns out that's 16 lb of tomatoes 🍅
Maybe I overdid how many I planted this year 🤔
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown
September 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Having seen frost on the roofs (rooves?) this morning I decided it was time to harvest any outdoor tomatoes that had any hint they were ripening, to bring inside.
It turns out that's 16 lb of tomatoes 🍅
Maybe I overdid how many I planted this year 🤔
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown
It turns out that's 16 lb of tomatoes 🍅
Maybe I overdid how many I planted this year 🤔
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown
This is the first year I grew flowers at my #nodig #allotment, partly for pollinators and more biodiversity generally, partly cos they're pretty, and partly to cut them and bring them home. In the last month the sunflowers have brought me particular joy.
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
September 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
This is the first year I grew flowers at my #nodig #allotment, partly for pollinators and more biodiversity generally, partly cos they're pretty, and partly to cut them and bring them home. In the last month the sunflowers have brought me particular joy.
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
#allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Oh look! More tomatoes 😊
I've been waiting for the whopper to ripen, and only remembered today that I planted some that turn orange rather than red. It's actually overripe.
Also courgettes (obvs), borlotto and black beans, and leaks.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
I've been waiting for the whopper to ripen, and only remembered today that I planted some that turn orange rather than red. It's actually overripe.
Also courgettes (obvs), borlotto and black beans, and leaks.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
September 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Oh look! More tomatoes 😊
I've been waiting for the whopper to ripen, and only remembered today that I planted some that turn orange rather than red. It's actually overripe.
Also courgettes (obvs), borlotto and black beans, and leaks.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
I've been waiting for the whopper to ripen, and only remembered today that I planted some that turn orange rather than red. It's actually overripe.
Also courgettes (obvs), borlotto and black beans, and leaks.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
The ones that ripened between Tuesday and today.
Temperatures are definitely dropping, and not sure how much longer the plants will do anything, but if the weather is kind there are lots more to come.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Temperatures are definitely dropping, and not sure how much longer the plants will do anything, but if the weather is kind there are lots more to come.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
September 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The ones that ripened between Tuesday and today.
Temperatures are definitely dropping, and not sure how much longer the plants will do anything, but if the weather is kind there are lots more to come.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Temperatures are definitely dropping, and not sure how much longer the plants will do anything, but if the weather is kind there are lots more to come.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
Reposted by Mike R 🏳️🌈
I suppose Rayner can now sell her posh flats in Glasgow, her Chelsea mews house and £19m London townhouse, plus her yacht, while she works out how to get the National Crime Agency to unfreeze £75m of her assets.
My bad, that's Michelle Mone.
My bad, that's Michelle Mone.
September 5, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I suppose Rayner can now sell her posh flats in Glasgow, her Chelsea mews house and £19m London townhouse, plus her yacht, while she works out how to get the National Crime Agency to unfreeze £75m of her assets.
My bad, that's Michelle Mone.
My bad, that's Michelle Mone.
Watching Alcaraz v Djokovic in the US open semi. Carlos started playing tennis aged 4. The same year, Novak first got into the top ten (in fact, finished that year ranked 3 in the world).
September 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Watching Alcaraz v Djokovic in the US open semi. Carlos started playing tennis aged 4. The same year, Novak first got into the top ten (in fact, finished that year ranked 3 in the world).
At the theatre, sitting next to the playwright in the bar.
I'm playing it cool 😎
With @briascub.bsky.social
hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/canal-...
I'm playing it cool 😎
With @briascub.bsky.social
hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/canal-...
CANAL STREET LONELY HEARTS CLUB – Hope Mill Theatre
hopemilltheatre.co.uk
September 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
At the theatre, sitting next to the playwright in the bar.
I'm playing it cool 😎
With @briascub.bsky.social
hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/canal-...
I'm playing it cool 😎
With @briascub.bsky.social
hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/canal-...
September 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I almost wish I still worked just so I could go tell some people what I really thought of them 😉 (not really! Perish the thought)
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
Calling boss a dickhead was not a sackable offence, tribunal rules
Woman who was immediately sacked when she insulted her manager during a row wins unfair dismissal case
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I almost wish I still worked just so I could go tell some people what I really thought of them 😉 (not really! Perish the thought)
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
Who ate all the corn?
I've managed three cobs for me so far, but something's had the rest and other allotmenters blame badgers. Next year's anti-badger fence needs to be taller.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #gaygardeners #growyourown
I've managed three cobs for me so far, but something's had the rest and other allotmenters blame badgers. Next year's anti-badger fence needs to be taller.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #gaygardeners #growyourown
September 4, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Who ate all the corn?
I've managed three cobs for me so far, but something's had the rest and other allotmenters blame badgers. Next year's anti-badger fence needs to be taller.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #gaygardeners #growyourown
I've managed three cobs for me so far, but something's had the rest and other allotmenters blame badgers. Next year's anti-badger fence needs to be taller.
#nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #gaygardeners #growyourown
Not an #allotment post for once, but still #gardening. It may be autumn (according to some definitions) but lovely to enjoy some summery sunshine and flowers in the garden, before going to see The Roses (not flowers) with hubby @briascub.bsky.social. Next: mates, chippy tea, cocktails.
#retiredjoy
#retiredjoy
September 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Not an #allotment post for once, but still #gardening. It may be autumn (according to some definitions) but lovely to enjoy some summery sunshine and flowers in the garden, before going to see The Roses (not flowers) with hubby @briascub.bsky.social. Next: mates, chippy tea, cocktails.
#retiredjoy
#retiredjoy
It's tomato time: tomato risotto, sweet tomato and chilli jam, gazpacho, thick tomato sauce, tomato soup, bruschetta... Lots more on the way too 😃🍅🍅🍅 (and more plants outside the polytunnel). #nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
August 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
It's tomato time: tomato risotto, sweet tomato and chilli jam, gazpacho, thick tomato sauce, tomato soup, bruschetta... Lots more on the way too 😃🍅🍅🍅 (and more plants outside the polytunnel). #nodig #allotment #allotmentlife #growyourown #gaygardeners
I'm so fed up of hearing about this story. Basically, the Torygraph wrote a stupid story to concoct a fake scandal; idiot Corbyn leapt unthinkingly aboard the bandwagon (if the telegraph and Jeremy are on the same side, something is fishy) and a load of allotmenters didn't read the detail...
“To put it simply, Rayner has not declared war on allotments. But there's no sign of actual facts getting in the way of the perfect silly season story”
www.private-eye.co.uk/issue-1656/s...
www.private-eye.co.uk/issue-1656/s...
Private Eye | Allotments
: Planting a story
IN an August tale guaranteed to get its readers foaming at the mouth, the Telegraph revealed that Angela Rayner has declared
www.private-eye.co.uk
August 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I'm so fed up of hearing about this story. Basically, the Torygraph wrote a stupid story to concoct a fake scandal; idiot Corbyn leapt unthinkingly aboard the bandwagon (if the telegraph and Jeremy are on the same side, something is fishy) and a load of allotmenters didn't read the detail...
Happy #Manchester #Pride!
For us that's #Alert! tonight #Homoelectric tomorrow and #Supernature on Sunday. Oh, and our 16th anniversary😃
There's an alternative pride involving parade, vigil and village but I'll not see any of it 🤣 I'm too old for clubbing *and* daytime shenanigans.
#gay #lgbt
For us that's #Alert! tonight #Homoelectric tomorrow and #Supernature on Sunday. Oh, and our 16th anniversary😃
There's an alternative pride involving parade, vigil and village but I'll not see any of it 🤣 I'm too old for clubbing *and* daytime shenanigans.
#gay #lgbt
August 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Happy #Manchester #Pride!
For us that's #Alert! tonight #Homoelectric tomorrow and #Supernature on Sunday. Oh, and our 16th anniversary😃
There's an alternative pride involving parade, vigil and village but I'll not see any of it 🤣 I'm too old for clubbing *and* daytime shenanigans.
#gay #lgbt
For us that's #Alert! tonight #Homoelectric tomorrow and #Supernature on Sunday. Oh, and our 16th anniversary😃
There's an alternative pride involving parade, vigil and village but I'll not see any of it 🤣 I'm too old for clubbing *and* daytime shenanigans.
#gay #lgbt
Guardian crossword clue of the day: Survivor of battle with prime minister leaves (7)
Poor Liz Truss! 🤣🤣
Poor Liz Truss! 🤣🤣
August 22, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Guardian crossword clue of the day: Survivor of battle with prime minister leaves (7)
Poor Liz Truss! 🤣🤣
Poor Liz Truss! 🤣🤣