Nigel McFarlane
@nigelmcfarlane.bsky.social
Partner. Father. Civil servant. OU Classics student. Interested in modern Greece, ancient history, churches, faith, nature. My own views.
It's been nearly six years since he left us, and the loss of his eloquence and wit are still keenly felt, at least by me. Remembering cultural polymath (and one of my heroes) Clive James. Born #OTD in 1939.
October 7, 2025 at 6:53 AM
It's been nearly six years since he left us, and the loss of his eloquence and wit are still keenly felt, at least by me. Remembering cultural polymath (and one of my heroes) Clive James. Born #OTD in 1939.
A brilliant selection of birthday reading. Looking forward to getting stuck in.
October 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A brilliant selection of birthday reading. Looking forward to getting stuck in.
Finished this on the beach. One of my very favourite books. A beautiful opening, intricate plotting with an epic scope, ingenious storytelling and fabulous characters. My copy is 40 years old and I love picking it up to enjoy it all over again. #TheWomanInWhite #WilkieCollins
August 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Finished this on the beach. One of my very favourite books. A beautiful opening, intricate plotting with an epic scope, ingenious storytelling and fabulous characters. My copy is 40 years old and I love picking it up to enjoy it all over again. #TheWomanInWhite #WilkieCollins
It's a bit faded now, and a few repairs have been needed, but I'm enjoying a canter through this postmodern classic for the umpteenth time. Always fun to be had in this book about books and reading. #ItaloCalvino
August 14, 2025 at 7:40 AM
It's a bit faded now, and a few repairs have been needed, but I'm enjoying a canter through this postmodern classic for the umpteenth time. Always fun to be had in this book about books and reading. #ItaloCalvino
In honour of today's date, this is my favourite line from one of my absolute favourite novels. #WilkieCollins #TheWomanInWhite
July 31, 2025 at 6:51 AM
In honour of today's date, this is my favourite line from one of my absolute favourite novels. #WilkieCollins #TheWomanInWhite
Absolutely addicted to this at the moment. Fantastic track from the brilliant new album from Orchestra of the Swan.
June 27, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Absolutely addicted to this at the moment. Fantastic track from the brilliant new album from Orchestra of the Swan.
Wow, has it really been 15 years to the day since Sharon and I welcomed Max into the world? Tempus fugit. We're so proud of the young man he's become. Happy birthday, Max! 🎉
June 22, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Wow, has it really been 15 years to the day since Sharon and I welcomed Max into the world? Tempus fugit. We're so proud of the young man he's become. Happy birthday, Max! 🎉
Currently enjoying this absolute classic - Silence by Shusaku Endo. A beautiful 'exploration of faith and suffering' written in such a tender but powerful style. Breathtaking.
June 18, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Currently enjoying this absolute classic - Silence by Shusaku Endo. A beautiful 'exploration of faith and suffering' written in such a tender but powerful style. Breathtaking.
Another terrific delivery today from @princetonupress.bsky.social. Their discounts will get me into trouble...
June 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Another terrific delivery today from @princetonupress.bsky.social. Their discounts will get me into trouble...
Lovely wander around Bury art gallery this morning. Missed the Turner exhibition by a week, although his Calais Sands remains on view. Even got a selfie with my hero from The Age of Heroes, #Homer.
June 17, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Lovely wander around Bury art gallery this morning. Missed the Turner exhibition by a week, although his Calais Sands remains on view. Even got a selfie with my hero from The Age of Heroes, #Homer.
It's a couple of days early for the 810th anniversary of the signing of #MagnaCarta on June 15 1215, but it's close enough to wear my tie with text from The Great Document into the office today. #History
June 13, 2025 at 7:10 AM
It's a couple of days early for the 810th anniversary of the signing of #MagnaCarta on June 15 1215, but it's close enough to wear my tie with text from The Great Document into the office today. #History
My final #OUClassics #A229 assignment is submitted and it's a case of just waiting for results now. So I'm starting my pre-reading for #A340 with @gregwoolf.bsky.social outstanding account of the Roman empire.
May 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
My final #OUClassics #A229 assignment is submitted and it's a case of just waiting for results now. So I'm starting my pre-reading for #A340 with @gregwoolf.bsky.social outstanding account of the Roman empire.
As well as his novels, I love to dip into Wormholes, a terrific volume of essays by the great #JohnFowles
Erudite, waspish and always entertaining and enlightening - it's nice to be reminded of the sheer enjoyment of his superb writing.
Erudite, waspish and always entertaining and enlightening - it's nice to be reminded of the sheer enjoyment of his superb writing.
May 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
As well as his novels, I love to dip into Wormholes, a terrific volume of essays by the great #JohnFowles
Erudite, waspish and always entertaining and enlightening - it's nice to be reminded of the sheer enjoyment of his superb writing.
Erudite, waspish and always entertaining and enlightening - it's nice to be reminded of the sheer enjoyment of his superb writing.
Thrilled to take delivery of the new translation of #Homer's #Odyssey by @danielmendelsohn.bsky.social Read such great things about it, can't wait to get started.
April 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Thrilled to take delivery of the new translation of #Homer's #Odyssey by @danielmendelsohn.bsky.social Read such great things about it, can't wait to get started.
It was great to receive the latest edition of the Classical Association Omnibus magazine, and even better to pick up a couple of beauties from @cambridgeup.bsky.social using the CA discount offer which came with it...
March 27, 2025 at 8:47 PM
It was great to receive the latest edition of the Classical Association Omnibus magazine, and even better to pick up a couple of beauties from @cambridgeup.bsky.social using the CA discount offer which came with it...
A special day. Was it really 18 years ago that we welcomed Lyra into the world? It was. Tempus fugit. She's overcome so much already, we can't wait to see what else she achieves. Happy birthday to our precious, brave Junior Daughter. 💖
March 19, 2025 at 7:42 AM
A special day. Was it really 18 years ago that we welcomed Lyra into the world? It was. Tempus fugit. She's overcome so much already, we can't wait to see what else she achieves. Happy birthday to our precious, brave Junior Daughter. 💖
Our football journey has taken some twists and turns but this is a new one. A match injury in January means an operation today for brave Lyra (a 'right shoulder acromioclavicular joint reconstruction', to be precise). But recovery time is quick and she'll be back to normal soon.
March 5, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Our football journey has taken some twists and turns but this is a new one. A match injury in January means an operation today for brave Lyra (a 'right shoulder acromioclavicular joint reconstruction', to be precise). But recovery time is quick and she'll be back to normal soon.
On the eve of Lent, I'm looking forward to revisiting this lovely book by @revrachelmann.bsky.social as my trusted companion for the season. A wonderful, entertaining and illuminating set of reflections and texts.
March 3, 2025 at 9:41 PM
On the eve of Lent, I'm looking forward to revisiting this lovely book by @revrachelmann.bsky.social as my trusted companion for the season. A wonderful, entertaining and illuminating set of reflections and texts.
It's Burns night. I hate Burns' poetry and the ridiculous faff associated with Burns night but I love haggis and so I'm using it as an excuse to have one.
January 25, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It's Burns night. I hate Burns' poetry and the ridiculous faff associated with Burns night but I love haggis and so I'm using it as an excuse to have one.
Who is your celebrity "Birthday Twin" (born same day as you)? Answer with pic or gif only.
January 14, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Who is your celebrity "Birthday Twin" (born same day as you)? Answer with pic or gif only.
Was it really 20 (yes, TWENTY) years ago today that we welcomed our first daughter Natasha into the world? Tempus Fugit.
Many, many happy returns to our gorgeous Senior Daughter xx
Many, many happy returns to our gorgeous Senior Daughter xx
October 12, 2023 at 7:17 PM
Was it really 20 (yes, TWENTY) years ago today that we welcomed our first daughter Natasha into the world? Tempus Fugit.
Many, many happy returns to our gorgeous Senior Daughter xx
Many, many happy returns to our gorgeous Senior Daughter xx
Got the grandson off to sleep with Fats Domino, so now easing back with some classic journalism in The Best of Rolling Stone. Had this for 30 years but not dipped into it for ages - some of the all-time great stories from 1969-87. A dazzling collection.
September 20, 2023 at 8:05 PM
Got the grandson off to sleep with Fats Domino, so now easing back with some classic journalism in The Best of Rolling Stone. Had this for 30 years but not dipped into it for ages - some of the all-time great stories from 1969-87. A dazzling collection.