Claire Cock-Starkey
@nonfictioness.bsky.social
Writer (Lore of the Wild, Hyphens & Hashtags &c). Big fan of books, libraries, folklore, history. Also studying for a PhD on the folklore of death and dying in 19th century England
Lupin had an unfortunate encounter with a weed filled field this morning...
November 13, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Lupin had an unfortunate encounter with a weed filled field this morning...
Much excitement at the allotment yesterday as our onions have emerged! These are the first things we have planted there so it's a relief that they're actually growing 🌱
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Much excitement at the allotment yesterday as our onions have emerged! These are the first things we have planted there so it's a relief that they're actually growing 🌱
On Wednesday I passed my viva with minor corrections! 🥳🥳🥳
Huge thanks to my incredible examiners Professor Julie-Marie Strange and Dr Carmen Mangion for giving me a thorough but enjoyable grilling and to my supervisor Dr David McAllister for being a wonderful mentor!
#PhDsky #PhDone
Huge thanks to my incredible examiners Professor Julie-Marie Strange and Dr Carmen Mangion for giving me a thorough but enjoyable grilling and to my supervisor Dr David McAllister for being a wonderful mentor!
#PhDsky #PhDone
November 7, 2025 at 1:49 PM
One of today's tasks is drying out this excellent crop of chillies from the gardens at work to make dried chilli flakes. Hopefully by tonight they'll be ready to be cathartically crushed!
November 1, 2025 at 10:25 AM
One of today's tasks is drying out this excellent crop of chillies from the gardens at work to make dried chilli flakes. Hopefully by tonight they'll be ready to be cathartically crushed!
Lupin inspecting some excellent Halloween marrows!
November 1, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Lupin inspecting some excellent Halloween marrows!
Shadow me and my dog at the weir, enjoying the autumn sunlight.
October 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Shadow me and my dog at the weir, enjoying the autumn sunlight.
Forgot to post the completed bao buns last night. They were flipping delicious 😋 stuffed with sticky pork belly, pickled carrots and cucumber. Well worth the effort!
October 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Forgot to post the completed bao buns last night. They were flipping delicious 😋 stuffed with sticky pork belly, pickled carrots and cucumber. Well worth the effort!
Bao buns are proving!
October 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Bao buns are proving!
Up to Chapter 3 in the big pre-Viva thesis reread! It's corpse time...
October 24, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Up to Chapter 3 in the big pre-Viva thesis reread! It's corpse time...
I came across this series recently and I would have been all over it as a child (and still as an adult!). I love the way she approaches the supernatural by getting kids to investigate and engage their critical thinking. Like being mini-Mulder & Scully!
October 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I came across this series recently and I would have been all over it as a child (and still as an adult!). I love the way she approaches the supernatural by getting kids to investigate and engage their critical thinking. Like being mini-Mulder & Scully!
Today's task is to begin the reread of my thesis in preparation for my viva. Really hoping I don't spot any typos!
October 23, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Today's task is to begin the reread of my thesis in preparation for my viva. Really hoping I don't spot any typos!
We also disturbed a very cute family of shrews who were hiding under some cardboard.
October 18, 2025 at 1:13 PM
We also disturbed a very cute family of shrews who were hiding under some cardboard.
Lots of progress at the allotment this morning! Managed to dig over some beds and sow some green manure and got all our garlic and onions planted with the help of the teens 😊
October 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Lots of progress at the allotment this morning! Managed to dig over some beds and sow some green manure and got all our garlic and onions planted with the help of the teens 😊
Spotted this crayfish by the river. Much bigger than I imagined! They're invasive so I know they're not a good thing but quite fascinating to see the critter! Looks so freaking evil!
October 5, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Spotted this crayfish by the river. Much bigger than I imagined! They're invasive so I know they're not a good thing but quite fascinating to see the critter! Looks so freaking evil!
Good morning! Autumn's here 🍂
September 29, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Good morning! Autumn's here 🍂
Had a brilliant weekend in London with my sister including having a go on the highest, fastest and longest slide in the world at the Olympic Park. I screamed my head off! Fun? Absolutely. Do it again? God no! 🤣
September 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Had a brilliant weekend in London with my sister including having a go on the highest, fastest and longest slide in the world at the Olympic Park. I screamed my head off! Fun? Absolutely. Do it again? God no! 🤣
Lovely bit of fungi!
September 26, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Lovely bit of fungi!
Spotted Mythology Land on the shelves of Waterstones and Heffers in Cambridge this morning 😍
September 15, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Spotted Mythology Land on the shelves of Waterstones and Heffers in Cambridge this morning 😍
Took the 17yo up to York on Friday for their open day. So impressed! The archaeology department seemed excellent, the campus was great and the city so pretty!
September 8, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Took the 17yo up to York on Friday for their open day. So impressed! The archaeology department seemed excellent, the campus was great and the city so pretty!
First weekend at our new allotment and with the enthusiastic help of the younger two teens we did a blitz, yanking out weeds and discovering a nice patch of peppers. We also cleared a path through the fruit bushes. So much still to do, but very exciting to make a start.
September 8, 2025 at 8:47 AM
First weekend at our new allotment and with the enthusiastic help of the younger two teens we did a blitz, yanking out weeds and discovering a nice patch of peppers. We also cleared a path through the fruit bushes. So much still to do, but very exciting to make a start.
Lunch of champions! Dashi with noodles and spring greens topped with peanut ryu 😋
September 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Lunch of champions! Dashi with noodles and spring greens topped with peanut ryu 😋
Twenty years ago today me and @optimisey.com got married! Three kids and a dog later and we're still going strong. So lucky to have found my person 💓
August 19, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Twenty years ago today me and @optimisey.com got married! Three kids and a dog later and we're still going strong. So lucky to have found my person 💓
Assault course vibes on morning dog walk as I had to dodge the rotating water sprayer that was watering the potato field. Ended up sprinting past and feeling pleased with myself for staying dry until my soggy dog got excited and jumped up covering me in mud!
August 2, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Assault course vibes on morning dog walk as I had to dodge the rotating water sprayer that was watering the potato field. Ended up sprinting past and feeling pleased with myself for staying dry until my soggy dog got excited and jumped up covering me in mud!
I've done it! Just submitted my PhD thesis (digitally, no hard copy required!). Massive thanks to my supervisor Dr David McAllister and Birkbeck for all their support! Feels very strange to be done! #PhDone
July 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I've done it! Just submitted my PhD thesis (digitally, no hard copy required!). Massive thanks to my supervisor Dr David McAllister and Birkbeck for all their support! Feels very strange to be done! #PhDone
📢 Cover reveal and special offer klaxon!
My next book 'Mythology Land', beautifully illustrated by the very talented Pham Quang Phuc, is out in the UK in Sept 2025.
With 12 legendary tales from all around the world this book transports readers to faraway lands of mystery, fantasy and magic!
My next book 'Mythology Land', beautifully illustrated by the very talented Pham Quang Phuc, is out in the UK in Sept 2025.
With 12 legendary tales from all around the world this book transports readers to faraway lands of mystery, fantasy and magic!
July 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
📢 Cover reveal and special offer klaxon!
My next book 'Mythology Land', beautifully illustrated by the very talented Pham Quang Phuc, is out in the UK in Sept 2025.
With 12 legendary tales from all around the world this book transports readers to faraway lands of mystery, fantasy and magic!
My next book 'Mythology Land', beautifully illustrated by the very talented Pham Quang Phuc, is out in the UK in Sept 2025.
With 12 legendary tales from all around the world this book transports readers to faraway lands of mystery, fantasy and magic!