Katy
LightNews LightNews
banner
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Katy
@theblueulysses.bsky.social
1.2K followers 750 following 1.1K posts
cycling and walking, science nerdery, food & drink. PhD (medical physics). she/her
📍Stockport, UK
Posts Replies Media Videos
theblueulysses.bsky.social
You have to applaud this level of Christmas market shameless capitalism.
Christmas market stall selling 3 marshmallows on a stick to toast for £5.
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
This last bit got me...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
When my grandparents died, I went to their Liverpool home, and opened their “nice things” cupboard (one was a wartime child and the other a refugee from eastern Europe – they were, honestly, low-level hoarders). They too had bottles of champagne and posh chocolates, all waiting for that next simcha. But the corks had disintegrated and the perishables were years past their best. When eventually someone comes to clear out my “nice things” drawer, I want it to be found empty, its contents relished and enjoyed with the people I love. I’ve still not yet opened my one posh bottle of fizz, but it lives in the fridge now, ready and waiting.
October 15, 2025 at 9:36 AM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Moment of relief to see the two library books I've collected are slim paperback volumes and not huge chunky hardcovers. Might actually squeeze them in on bike packing!
A blue paperback book called Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico. Behind it partial view of a yellow paperback, on the calculation of volume. Side view of two slim books (approx 100 to 150 pages)
October 8, 2025 at 12:06 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Did a car write these "how to get here" instructions for a new gym near me?
There are other branches 1.8 and 2.9 miles away too. Way to go on generating more short car journeys,
Directions We're located on Commercial Road, next to Aldi and Wynsors. And you can park for free in PureGym’s dedicated on-site car park!* BY CAR Pop SK7 4BE, into your SatNav and navigate towards Commercial Road, where you can park on site for free. *Parking restrictions may apply. Please check in the car park before you enter the gym. PureGym is not responsible for any parking fines.  BY BUS The nearest bus stop, Hazel Street, is located just a short 1 minute walk away from the gym.
October 8, 2025 at 8:21 AM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Nooooo!
I'll be honest, I'm surprised I kept it that long...
Notification from Strava. Uh oh you lost your QOM on Broad Lane Climb.
October 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
I really like the spiky skyline from afar.
Moody view of a city from afar. Foreground is green field, backdrop is rolling hills. The clouds are grey and orange. The tall buildings in the city centre show in dark grey.
September 25, 2025 at 10:55 AM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
For those who don't know Knutsford, just look at GSV for either King St or Princess St and you'll see that the current set-up prioritises car storage over any wish to make two stretches of shops, bars, cafes etc remotely pleasant places to be.
Narrow historic street. Just under half of the carriageway is given over to parking bays. The pavement on the left is not wide enough to allow a pushchair or wheelchair.
September 22, 2025 at 12:34 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
One last tortilla and txakoli before home (well, airport, as my flight is delayed)
A slice of a very runny, bright yellow tortilla on a white plate alongside a slice of baguette. Alongside is a glass of white wine. Both are sat on a marble bar. Behind is a glass display counter
September 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
The hang ley moo (pork curry) has defeated me! Absolutely delicious. (The place is Perro Chico, by the way)
Big pieces of slow cooked meat in a dark sauce.
September 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
When I ordered they asked me "are you very hungry?" Yes I am (free lunch consisted if canapes) but I get their question now that the massive bowl of edamame has turned up.
Standard cereal bowl size portion of grilled edamame beans in their pods coated in sesame seeds
September 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
I *love* the local food and drink here but fancied a change (and most pintxo places are shut today) so here we are at a place that does Asian food and (Basque) craft beer. With an excellent playlist too.
Stemmed glass with beer in it. It is yellow-orange in colour. There is a good head and condensation on the outside. In the background is a row of beer taps and many bottles of spirits etc.
September 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Quick nosy around the old town (I also came last night but it was raining cats and dogs so no photos).
Old church Super narrow street lined with 5 storey blocks of around 100 years old on each side. Each building is a different colour, and there are small railing balconies on each floor, some with plants. River. On one side are 5 storey apartment blocks, on the other is a market building.
September 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
I've been enjoying the trams (kindly free with my congress pass) and the bike lanes here also look fab. Here's a photo from Friday when it was much hotter and less rainy.
A white and green tram on a city street. There is grass between the tracks and trees along the route. In foreground is a very wide zebra crossing.
September 21, 2025 at 5:51 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Worked all day (and yesterday too) so now it's time for "me" stuff in Bilbao. A funicular! Obviously noted the bike stuff too.
Front end of a red funicular car in a bright white station. A view of a city from up high, with a backdrop of cloudy sky and tree-covered hills in mist. A river winds through the middle. In the foreground is a big red "Bilbao" sign. Rules for taking your bike by funicular.
September 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
What on earth am I supposed to pack for Fri-Mon in Bilbao???
Weather forecast showing max temps for Friday of 35 degrees C with sun and cloud, and max temps for Monday of 16 degrees C and rain.
September 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Things in Rome I didn't take a photo of: cacio e pepe, abbacchio alla romana, gelato, vino, maritozzi.
Things I did: Tripel beer
(Italy's only Trappist beer to be fair)
Plastic beer cup on a table outside, with a golden beer and light head.
September 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Damnit! That's going to make the "100 QOMs before my next birthday" challenge tricky...
Alert from Strava - you lost your QOM. "Uh oh you lost your QOM by 1:10"
September 3, 2025 at 7:34 AM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Chapel-en-le-Frith for example has some cute "Capital of the Peak" signs as you drive in, but all I can find on google are the slightly less glamourous "home of Ferodo" ones.
Chapel-en-le-Frith sign. Below it "The home of Ferodo brake linings"
September 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Gonna make a political statement by flying this flag outside my house.
three golden sheaves of wheat and a golden blade on a blue background
September 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Sat here in the beer garden, enjoying live music wafting from inside the pub and a delicious pint. The Strines Nightingale is so fab on a day like today.
Pint of pale beer, with a sunny patio in the background. The trees beyond are green and the sky is blue with scattered clouds.
August 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Who out there is a fun guy? Can I eat these? They're growing in my planter.
Some kind of mushroom
August 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
I feel like the punctuation here may irritate.
Pamphlet entitled "how to get the juice from your apples?"
August 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Update: this section of path is now closed to all
section of map showing temp closure of Disley FP19 between FP24 and FP61
August 21, 2025 at 12:02 PM
theblueulysses.bsky.social
Behold the shy blue-bordered sign.
Large green conifer hedge with the pointy edge of a road sign peeking out. The road sign has a royal blue border and a black arrow, and you can just about make out an S for the start of the placename
August 13, 2025 at 9:28 AM