Rowland Jack
@rowlandjack.bsky.social
London and occasional other observations. Personal views. Work @itrustsport.bsky.social
On crutches for the first time in my life and I've been impressed by the consideration of Londoners on the street and buses. Of course, crutches are highly visible and it's easy to know how to be helpful, in contrast to other challenges that people face
January 12, 2026 at 10:50 AM
On crutches for the first time in my life and I've been impressed by the consideration of Londoners on the street and buses. Of course, crutches are highly visible and it's easy to know how to be helpful, in contrast to other challenges that people face
The fifth emergency service: competent IT support
December 31, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The fifth emergency service: competent IT support
Unproven theory: 50% of the world's beermats at any one time are propping up wobbly tables
December 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Unproven theory: 50% of the world's beermats at any one time are propping up wobbly tables
In a terraced street in a quiet but previously unfashionable part of south London there is scaffolding everywhere - maybe every 10 houses. Gentrification via doer-uppers
November 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
In a terraced street in a quiet but previously unfashionable part of south London there is scaffolding everywhere - maybe every 10 houses. Gentrification via doer-uppers
Don't get me wrong, the dinosaur PR team have done a great job. But the name recognition only goes down to about no. 5 or 6. Any lower than stegosaurus and you're not gettng a lunchbox endorsement deal
November 22, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Don't get me wrong, the dinosaur PR team have done a great job. But the name recognition only goes down to about no. 5 or 6. Any lower than stegosaurus and you're not gettng a lunchbox endorsement deal
Thank you for reminding me that your brand of peanut bitter is "plant-based". No doubt it's also gluten-free, at least until you spread it on toast
November 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Thank you for reminding me that your brand of peanut bitter is "plant-based". No doubt it's also gluten-free, at least until you spread it on toast
Q: Should you feel guilty about enjoying the unseasonably mild weather?
A: Yes, absolutely. But you can also be smug about saving energy because you don't need so much heating.
A: Yes, absolutely. But you can also be smug about saving energy because you don't need so much heating.
November 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Q: Should you feel guilty about enjoying the unseasonably mild weather?
A: Yes, absolutely. But you can also be smug about saving energy because you don't need so much heating.
A: Yes, absolutely. But you can also be smug about saving energy because you don't need so much heating.
Battersea Power Station is on 66% Christmas when the maximum permitted level at this point in November is 33%. Sorry, I don't make the rules
November 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Battersea Power Station is on 66% Christmas when the maximum permitted level at this point in November is 33%. Sorry, I don't make the rules
The advent of Canva and other content creation tools has really raised the quality of all the missing cat and dog posters around London
October 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The advent of Canva and other content creation tools has really raised the quality of all the missing cat and dog posters around London
Sometimes I think the people chatting with a friend over a coffee in a cafe should be more considerate about us laptop workers. On a marginally more serious note, many London cafes are in denial about who their core market are on weekdays
October 15, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Sometimes I think the people chatting with a friend over a coffee in a cafe should be more considerate about us laptop workers. On a marginally more serious note, many London cafes are in denial about who their core market are on weekdays
Pleased and surprised to hear a bagpipes student in South London, fortunately not too close to home
October 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Pleased and surprised to hear a bagpipes student in South London, fortunately not too close to home
The temperature drops a few degrees, the wind picks up, and Santander bikes are in plentiful supply at every hire point
October 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The temperature drops a few degrees, the wind picks up, and Santander bikes are in plentiful supply at every hire point
Visitors at a nearby AirBnB house are often to be seen waiting for an Uber, despite buses and tube within easy reach. Tourists can stick with a few familiar apps - no need to engage with city/language/people
September 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Visitors at a nearby AirBnB house are often to be seen waiting for an Uber, despite buses and tube within easy reach. Tourists can stick with a few familiar apps - no need to engage with city/language/people
Pumpkins all over the supermarket. Really?
September 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Pumpkins all over the supermarket. Really?
1st gen bank branch closure: grand building becomes trendy bar
3rd gen branch closure: run-down high street unit becomes casual diner, juiced by private quity
3rd gen branch closure: run-down high street unit becomes casual diner, juiced by private quity
September 22, 2025 at 8:25 AM
1st gen bank branch closure: grand building becomes trendy bar
3rd gen branch closure: run-down high street unit becomes casual diner, juiced by private quity
3rd gen branch closure: run-down high street unit becomes casual diner, juiced by private quity
Platoons of bikes pass closed tube stations in London this morning, but also more cars than usual. No doubt WFH also elevated. @timharford.ft.com noted that when forced to try a new route, some commuters stick with it. Interesting to see impact of strikes over time
September 10, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Platoons of bikes pass closed tube stations in London this morning, but also more cars than usual. No doubt WFH also elevated. @timharford.ft.com noted that when forced to try a new route, some commuters stick with it. Interesting to see impact of strikes over time
Use this car park at your own risk of grammatical damage
August 30, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Use this car park at your own risk of grammatical damage
Several AirBnB flats I have seen in European cities (but not prime tourist destinations) in recent years are optimised for short lets: little storage space, small kitchen areas. Owners making substantial bets that authorities won't regulate against them. Battles ahead?
August 29, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Several AirBnB flats I have seen in European cities (but not prime tourist destinations) in recent years are optimised for short lets: little storage space, small kitchen areas. Owners making substantial bets that authorities won't regulate against them. Battles ahead?
Someone is reading an actual printed copy of Metro in the tube - it's like the old days...
August 19, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Someone is reading an actual printed copy of Metro in the tube - it's like the old days...
Significant number of Bolivians queuing and chatting at a polling station in South London today, voting in what appears to be a highly consequential election
August 17, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Significant number of Bolivians queuing and chatting at a polling station in South London today, voting in what appears to be a highly consequential election
Minor unpopular opinion: signs in TFL buses should state that wheelchairs and baby buggies have priority over the increasing number of dog buggies carrying aging or lazy pooches
August 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Minor unpopular opinion: signs in TFL buses should state that wheelchairs and baby buggies have priority over the increasing number of dog buggies carrying aging or lazy pooches
Free sun cream dispenser in a public park in Belgium, presumably with the brand as a sponsor. Interesting innovation
July 29, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Free sun cream dispenser in a public park in Belgium, presumably with the brand as a sponsor. Interesting innovation
Heavy rain this morning in London: weekend plans ruined for millions, tourism takes a big hit. And Londoners with tiny gardens are secretly thinking, "At least I don't have to get out the watering can."
July 19, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Heavy rain this morning in London: weekend plans ruined for millions, tourism takes a big hit. And Londoners with tiny gardens are secretly thinking, "At least I don't have to get out the watering can."
The superiority of the squeezed juice from one ordinary, supermarket orange to most packaged orange juice is a reminder how we are often manipulated by the food industry
July 18, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The superiority of the squeezed juice from one ordinary, supermarket orange to most packaged orange juice is a reminder how we are often manipulated by the food industry
Mental health awareness is much better these days
July 11, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Mental health awareness is much better these days