Jeff Livingstone

Impressive count of 62 Whooper Swans at Whittle Dene today and unusually they were on the smallest (Western) reservoir affording an opportunity for some decent pictures. First Chiffchaffs calling and Dippers displaying on Whittle Burn made for a fine Spring afternoon. #NEBirding

Ten seconds of Blitzkrieg Bop are played over the PA while the UEFA video plays on the big screen before the game. Gordon, in tracksuit, immediately sent off. Penalty to Barca. Jason Tindall dismissed to the stands. Lewis Miley sold before midnight deadline.

Made it. Happy. Be happier when they refer to Woolsington in the same misty eyed way they do about La Masia. Still, can’t complain about the first eleven (even though many do!).

Jess Phillips backs jury bill as she reveals she is ‘victim of courts backlog’ Exclusive: Safeguarding minister says man accused of restraining order breach will not come to court until 2028

"It’s OK for me. I’ve got extra security, I’ve got other safeguards. But imagine that was a breach of an order against a violent ex-husband, and it’s going to be heard in more than 2 years’ time. Are you joking? That’s absolutely mental.”

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

X7/8 Arriva. Bloke at stop had waited almost an hour, three hadn’t turned up. Why do they even have a contract? They were appalling long before the election.

I’d be on the lash if the buses in Newcastle weren’t so fucking dreadful. Quick wins, Labour. You could have blasted stuff like this along. Reform may not form the next majority Government, but they’ll have enough local clout from this year on to ensure cars remain god for a long time yet.

What the hell has Trump put in their shoes?

* That’s “one last corporate year before I retire” ‘Hoppy’s’ nonsense 2030 claim, btw. Ideally I’ll get past that date. That said, let’s all just get through 2026 first, eh?

Don’t get a crack at teams like this very often, and may never again in my lifetime (2030 indeed 🙄). I’d recommend enjoying it. I’m away on the lash. Howay the lads!

Good stuff. That looks likely, mind. Rural enough.

In all honesty the curlews aren’t impossible, especially if you’re near water or any moorland and they do call on flight. Ebird has some reports locally, not sure if nearby. Sometimes I just listen back to the recording. If you click curlew it’ll take you to that part of the recording to check.

This is an excellent idea.

The thing that everyone expected to happen has happened [FREE TO READ] Trump wants the war to be over

as.ft.com/r/08358903-1... The thing that everyone expected to happen has happened
@robarmstrong.bsky.social

Pleased to see both projects finally receiving backing, however it’s disappointing to hear that both are being scaled back. That ‘levelling up’ was never going to happen was it? I do also wonder about the arena, given the existing one now has funding for a major overhaul. Two of the same size?

Sandy Sandilands in the desert? Who named him? JK Rowling?

OFCOM all over this like a sloth on diazepam wielding a feather duster

Two home wins, two away draws. Not a ridiculous ask, but that would make things interesting. See what you rustle up, United, and then we can all have a breather. Have a bash. Howay the lads.

Françoise Hardy has a great idea! 📸 Jean-Marie Périer, 1968

Françoise Hardy, 1968

If only we had had a way to generate clean energy for free from the wind or the sun or the tides or something, so we didn't have to blame every government since Thatcher for failing to address the energy insecurity and pretending that fossil fuels were OK.

Utterly embarrassing. Abhorrent.

Bluesky... I need your help! This little indie kid is in with a shot at her first UK Top 40 Album this week. I'm currently number 5 in the midweek charts! 🤯 If there was ever a time to buy, stream or download my new album... This is absolutely it. I can't believe it! katherinepriddy.tmstor.es

Coin used as Leeds bus fare was 2,000‑year‑old currency The coin was handed down to Peter Edwards from his grandfather in the 1950s.

This is the sort of thing a cashless society robs us of, the opportunity to try to get away with paying the bus fare in Carthaginian currency www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Arsenal's accounts for 2024-25 were published last week and I was fascinated to see that gate receipts now account for just 22.3% of turnover. The table below shows how reliant the club has been on gate receipts since WW1.

Does FIFA do a prize for economics

And I know you’ll need a bit of cheer in Glasgae this week. Heartbreaking scenes last night. I know that corner well and the little charity shop has had a hammering from this pilgrim over the years.

Forgot to mention, went to see this at Sunderland Empire, as part of a brief tour following a West End stint. Love a bit of Ayckbourn and really enjoyed this. National treasure Dame Sheridan perfect for the lead and really inhabited the role. Think it’s on in Glasgow this week; heartily recommended.

hello I'm mental

I like this cartoon so much we paid the New Yorker the fee it requested to include it in my book.

We’ve not even had the vote 100 years. Let’s not let thing backslide.

Happy International Women’s Day, one and all.