Russ Swan
@russs.bsky.social
Recovering journalist, universe/UK/Notts. Geek, nerd, dweeb. Fixer. Author of popular science book. Columnist @ Lab News. Motorcycles. Spaniels. Science. Engineering. Screaming into the void
It's nearly 50 years since the UK adopted metric measurements. Why do we still have to have these dual units, and could they not at least be accurate conversions? Basic innumeracy in this BBC weather article (and yes I'm postponing travel today, grumble grumble).
November 14, 2025 at 11:53 AM
It's nearly 50 years since the UK adopted metric measurements. Why do we still have to have these dual units, and could they not at least be accurate conversions? Basic innumeracy in this BBC weather article (and yes I'm postponing travel today, grumble grumble).
Am writing a thing (not a song) and the cadence of a section means a rhyme would be interesting.
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
November 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Am writing a thing (not a song) and the cadence of a section means a rhyme would be interesting.
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
Cartoon by Stephen Collins
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Cartoon by Stephen Collins
Anybody who has spent any time as an editor will be familiar with The Editors' Curse. That's the thing where any typo, no matter how fleeting, leaps out and demands attention. Tonight I'm watching an old episode of Andromeda, and this is on the opening credits. I'm embarrassed for Eric.
November 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Anybody who has spent any time as an editor will be familiar with The Editors' Curse. That's the thing where any typo, no matter how fleeting, leaps out and demands attention. Tonight I'm watching an old episode of Andromeda, and this is on the opening credits. I'm embarrassed for Eric.
This looks like the test Trump was boasting about passing last week, used to assess dementia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrea...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrea...
November 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This looks like the test Trump was boasting about passing last week, used to assess dementia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrea...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrea...
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
November 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
On National Clock Confusion Day, a visit to the meridian line within the Bromley House Library in Nottingham. When the sun, shining through the small hole at upper left of the window, falls on the line, it is noon (local noon, 4 mins 33 sec behind Greenwich). Bit cloudy today though.
October 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
On National Clock Confusion Day, a visit to the meridian line within the Bromley House Library in Nottingham. When the sun, shining through the small hole at upper left of the window, falls on the line, it is noon (local noon, 4 mins 33 sec behind Greenwich). Bit cloudy today though.
No ambiguity in this Halloween decoration from Lidl, none at all. Suitable for all houses of ill repute.
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
October 16, 2025 at 2:04 PM
No ambiguity in this Halloween decoration from Lidl, none at all. Suitable for all houses of ill repute.
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
Has anybody ascertained, or even asked the question, of the flavour of the chocolate inside this hilariously-bad bit of political merch? #tories #partyconference #typo
October 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Has anybody ascertained, or even asked the question, of the flavour of the chocolate inside this hilariously-bad bit of political merch? #tories #partyconference #typo
Hello BBC and Louise Lear. Your midnight forecast for the week ahead showed this nice pic of Cullercoats and labelled it Tynemouth. Close, but not correct. To put it in London-centric language you might understand, it's like calling Balham Clapham.
October 7, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Hello BBC and Louise Lear. Your midnight forecast for the week ahead showed this nice pic of Cullercoats and labelled it Tynemouth. Close, but not correct. To put it in London-centric language you might understand, it's like calling Balham Clapham.
Superabundance of sloes on this (and every other) blackthorn bush this year. Apparently it is a 'mast' year when fruits, berries, and nuts are produced in great numbers like this. Old fables say this precedes a cold winter. Only got stabbed a few times collecting some (thorns!).
September 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Superabundance of sloes on this (and every other) blackthorn bush this year. Apparently it is a 'mast' year when fruits, berries, and nuts are produced in great numbers like this. Old fables say this precedes a cold winter. Only got stabbed a few times collecting some (thorns!).
A two-wheeled excursion today to see this new full-size representation of the Avro #Lancaster bomber near the village of Norton Disney in #Lincolnshire. The #sculpture, called On Freedom's Wings, is complete but unhelpfully the car park is not yet open. #motorcycle
September 27, 2025 at 6:03 PM
A two-wheeled excursion today to see this new full-size representation of the Avro #Lancaster bomber near the village of Norton Disney in #Lincolnshire. The #sculpture, called On Freedom's Wings, is complete but unhelpfully the car park is not yet open. #motorcycle
Any #cloud experts here? I think these might be #mammatus clouds, seen last week near #Fribourg, #Switzerland but would appreciate either confirmation or refutation. Ta. (Pic by me) #nephology #meteorology
September 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Any #cloud experts here? I think these might be #mammatus clouds, seen last week near #Fribourg, #Switzerland but would appreciate either confirmation or refutation. Ta. (Pic by me) #nephology #meteorology
Some years ago I described Swan's Law of Phenomenal Meteorology, which states that the likelihood of clear skies is inversely proportional to the interest in a given celestial event. Swan's Law has manifest this evening. #eclipse #bloodmoon #lunareclipse
September 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Some years ago I described Swan's Law of Phenomenal Meteorology, which states that the likelihood of clear skies is inversely proportional to the interest in a given celestial event. Swan's Law has manifest this evening. #eclipse #bloodmoon #lunareclipse
Got to love the gentle eccentricity of the English village show, especially the vegetable categories. Special mention to the red cabbage anglerfish, genius in both concept and execution.
September 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Got to love the gentle eccentricity of the English village show, especially the vegetable categories. Special mention to the red cabbage anglerfish, genius in both concept and execution.
Snippet from Punch magazine (called Punch or the London Charivari in those days) from July 1913. Gotham man was shorthand for fool, perhaps rather like Florida man today. I mean, who doesn't know what a cran is?
Full explanation in the alt txt, and it is *hilarious*.
Full explanation in the alt txt, and it is *hilarious*.
August 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Snippet from Punch magazine (called Punch or the London Charivari in those days) from July 1913. Gotham man was shorthand for fool, perhaps rather like Florida man today. I mean, who doesn't know what a cran is?
Full explanation in the alt txt, and it is *hilarious*.
Full explanation in the alt txt, and it is *hilarious*.
Traditional late summer golden hour daddy long legs shot. Might need to view full image for full effect.
August 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Traditional late summer golden hour daddy long legs shot. Might need to view full image for full effect.
This is apparently the world's only coal-fired steam-powered Land Rover. Engine from a half scale model of a 1910 Foden Steam Wagon, chain final drive (RWD only), built around 2020 by Frank Rothwell. It's good for about 10mph. Fuel consumption not recorded. #steam #landrover
August 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
This is apparently the world's only coal-fired steam-powered Land Rover. Engine from a half scale model of a 1910 Foden Steam Wagon, chain final drive (RWD only), built around 2020 by Frank Rothwell. It's good for about 10mph. Fuel consumption not recorded. #steam #landrover
Love mine, especially with her new MoT this week. 94 Trident Sprint in BRG
August 15, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Love mine, especially with her new MoT this week. 94 Trident Sprint in BRG
Harvest is underway here, and this is the view from my front garden. One year I fully expect the combine harvester to become a garden ornament.
August 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Harvest is underway here, and this is the view from my front garden. One year I fully expect the combine harvester to become a garden ornament.
I see that Stella Rimington, former boss of MI5, has died. I interviewed her in 2011 on the publication of her novel Rip Tide. Despite the fixed smiles here, I found her rather charmless and her book rubbish. I suppose it's RIP TIME now, hurr hurr.
August 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I see that Stella Rimington, former boss of MI5, has died. I interviewed her in 2011 on the publication of her novel Rip Tide. Despite the fixed smiles here, I found her rather charmless and her book rubbish. I suppose it's RIP TIME now, hurr hurr.
Little jaunt out today to a landmark whose main purpose is to flummox American visitors by being pronounced rather differently to its spelling.
This is Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire or, phonetically, Beever Castle in Lestershur.
This is Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire or, phonetically, Beever Castle in Lestershur.
August 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Little jaunt out today to a landmark whose main purpose is to flummox American visitors by being pronounced rather differently to its spelling.
This is Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire or, phonetically, Beever Castle in Lestershur.
This is Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire or, phonetically, Beever Castle in Lestershur.
My review spoke of the incompetence of the third-party seller, who sent the wrong product, claimed it was the right product, then claimed I'd ordered something entirely different, and finally gaslit me before issuing a refund and letting me keep the thing I didn't want in the first place.
July 31, 2025 at 6:46 PM
My review spoke of the incompetence of the third-party seller, who sent the wrong product, claimed it was the right product, then claimed I'd ordered something entirely different, and finally gaslit me before issuing a refund and letting me keep the thing I didn't want in the first place.