PaulJN

Nice. I have tried many different ways of tracking my spiders. Currently using an app called Arachnifiles

Another Book Released Into the Wild War, intrigue, rebellion, and a writer at a loose end. Some thoughts about my new book on publication day.

It feels like a day for a blog post.

andrewknighton.com/another-book...

Desperately trying to finish the books I am reading(which is brilliant) so in can start this one. Can’t wait to find out how it all turns out.

The cover for the novel Forged for Royalty by Andrew Knighton. Three swords crossed across a crescent moon inside a ring, against a background of swirling green and yellow.

A have a new book out tomorrow! Real war, fake prophecies, & uncertain loyalties as the Forged for Destiny trilogy reaches its end in Forged for Royalty.

Will the kingdom be liberated from its occupiers? And perhaps as important, will it be a kingdom...

andrewknighton.com/forged-for-r...

Dear Shabana, I notice today that you referred to me in your speech on immigration at the IPPR think tank. You said: “A party leader should not be on the beaches of France encouraging people to make a perilous crossing on small boats.” I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised especially after the hateful Labour campaign in Gorton and Denton, but this is just the latest in a string of lies peddled by a discredited Government who intentionally fan the flames of racism and division. When I went to Calais, I was not there to encourage people to travel to the UK. I was there to see at first hand the suffering your Government and successive Governments have done in demonising migrants in a pathetic bid to pander to the base instincts of Reform and the flawed strategy of Morgan McSweeney. As you will know, if you even bothered to research my visit instead of taking Reform talking points, I was there to witness the brutality of families living in tents in freezing temperatures. I filled water tanks and picked up litter. What that visit did do is confirm my belief that if we are to smash the boat gangs and stop the boats, we need to offer safer and managed routes for migrants to come to this country. Showing compassion as a politician is not a crime. In fact, we need to see much more of it. It reminded me of a young MP who in October 2015 spent three days in Lesbos helping migrants fleeing war-torn Syria. She posted videos on X, talked about handing out water and croissants to refugees and food parcels. When she returned to the UK, she wrote a very moving piece in the New Statesman. She said “we have to work with our European partners and create new, safe, and legal routes for refugees to get to Europe. We cannot abandon them to their fate, left as prey for smugglers whilst risking death on the seas.” She said “maybe we can make ourselves feel better by saying no-one is making them get on the boats. And again, the Home Secretary is not entirely wrong when …

Dear Shabana,

Let's clear some things up around migration and remember we're talking about people's lives.

Great story and looking forward to this months Forged for Royalty release.

I used to have a huge tub full but gave them away to kids for school projects. After over 30 years of keeping spiders I had way too many.

Fearsome!! 😂

New arrival today. Aphonopelma seemani.

#spider #tarantula

That’s the only Brachy that I have. The P. muticus is a beast of a spider, stunning.

Here is a spider picture to cheer you up.

To anyone who thinks Trump can bring peace and equality to Iran – I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Going cheap | Marina Hyde If POTUS can really bomb peace, stability and women’s rights into the Middle East, I’ll take my hat off to him. Judging by his role in Gaza, I won’t hold my breath, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

To anyone who thinks Trump can bring peace and equality to Iran – I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Going cheap | Marina Hyde

Yes Brachypelma emilia

She is lovely. So is this one.

Bold Politics. Listen, watch and share with your friends.

Hope is here. It's all of us.

Your spiders are indeed beautiful.

@dugpinnick.bsky.social

Some days it just has to be vinyl. Joy Bomb by Dug Pinnick.

#vinyl #music #rock

Just finished reading The Book of Doors by @garethjohnbrown.bsky.social. What a wonderful story.

#BookSky #read #books

😱

Never voted green before but very tempted to in the next election. I have been seriously impressed by @zackpolanski.bsky.social today. #Green #Politics

These people are poison. They will unleash racist thugs on the streets of this country and call it security. They will subjugate us to the US and call it patriotism. They must be stopped. There is no more important task in politics.

This one hits hard.

Not quite as high brow, but I put on Long Cold Winter by Cinderella yesterday and had forgotten just how much I loved it. Also very nostalgic.

Linux mint is excellent. I have used it for years.

Yes the magazine is a lot better than it was. Although only 2 a year now.

She is about a 7 inch diagonal leg span. I got her as a sling about 12 years ago.

I love my Lasiodora parahybana. She’s a big girl.

My new novella has been out a couple of weeks, & it's started getting some nice reviews, so maybe you'd like to go read it? There's scientific research, high stakes action, & weird disfunctional people coping with a planet that wants to kill them. What more could you want?

Thunderbird or Betterbird for email and calendar. Libre Office is a bit ugly but it is very good. I am also trying out emClient for email but it does carry a license cost for some features.