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David

@davidalaunt.bsky.social

created March 6, 2025

50 followers 66 following 75 posts

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Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Great shot!

4/9/2025, 12:21:16 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

😀 Oi, I'm one! But not a crazy.

4/9/2025, 11:53:21 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I'd prefer we didn't have sub-culture snobbery against particular groups. Legal e-bikes surely are a good thing as they get more people out on bikes, especially the less able or older riders. Walking the dogs, I've had to dive out of the way from non-e mountain bikes on a steep track, so ...?

4/9/2025, 11:32:52 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

🤣 Thank you for the recommendation. What was it again?

2/9/2025, 12:39:55 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I paid real money at a cinema to go and see Solo. Apart from dabbling with a few episodes of Madalorin (then bailing), I haven't touched a Star Wars thing since. Has anything come close to the more grown-up feel and quality of Empire Strikes Back? If so, I might be tempted to re-visit the universe.

2/9/2025, 8:57:58 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Uuum, has the autocorrect learnt from your previous typing ....😆

1/9/2025, 9:28:57 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I've stopped trying to understand the people of that collection of states that calls itself a country, but this map helps!

1/9/2025, 1:24:54 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes definitely Arouras are sustainable. But that's not enough. A diversified, combined, and complimentary grid that includes Wardrunas and Lindy-Fay Hellas, would make sense.

1/9/2025, 8:48:17 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Please click, I am not a robot.

1/9/2025, 8:20:24 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I hope the Académie enjoyed le week-end ...

31/8/2025, 9:15:07 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

They've made it look like a console game cut scene. A terrible one at that.

30/8/2025, 1:10:43 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

There's a contented pup.

30/8/2025, 8:28:24 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Reminds me of when Sherlock Holmes starred in the Talons of Weng Chiang ...

29/8/2025, 8:32:14 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

😂

29/8/2025, 4:43:38 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

CAT!!

29/8/2025, 9:23:02 AM | 5 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

And yet we still remember Dekard hanging off the side of a building in the rain with the street below, or facing the AT-ATs in the snow as if those scenes were real and we were there ...

28/8/2025, 1:21:37 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Referring to a scenario of Denmark plus EU and NATO allies having to defend Greenland against fellow NATO member and now aggressive and unreliable "ally" US, there was a Danish MP recently who said something like, "We don't know if these (F35s) have a remote kill switch on them!"

27/8/2025, 10:31:25 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I picked up a DVD copy of this for 10p in a charity shop last trip back to UK. Thanks for the reminder to watch it!

27/8/2025, 10:03:59 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Talvez os burros que votam no Chega devam voltar à escola para estudar história também.

24/8/2025, 8:44:59 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

And Israel is a cunt nation. Ponto final.

23/8/2025, 10:03:47 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Papua New Guinea has always been up there, but probably top of the list I've never really thought about, is Germany. The simplicity of the two dimensional design, the striking form and colours, and easy replication at small sizes, makes it memorable and versatile.

23/8/2025, 10:42:52 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

OK, hold my beer then ...

22/8/2025, 9:11:21 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

More than "ish" I'd say! OK, like a sandwich eaten on a hillside with a view, that's 50% enjoyment of the sandwich – you've got the Liberator, so already has bonus points. But this has fantastical 70s-ish vibrancy and a real stained glass feel to it. Worthy of the cathedral of sci-fi!

22/8/2025, 8:51:01 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

That's lovely! How did you make it?

21/8/2025, 7:39:13 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes very true. Rather than sprawling further, I'm actually referring to regenerating existing small cities, building (plus creating more parkland) on brownfield sites. Considering roads, sometimes train lines, and electricity etc. is already there. This doesn't destroy more native flora and fauna.

21/8/2025, 1:08:01 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes good point. Improving smaller existing cities is a more sustainable future. There are many good places that could do with less car-centric fresh thinking and modern improvements.

21/8/2025, 8:34:46 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

There is immense environmental impact of new sites being built on, including all the infrastructure that goes with linking those new cities. Australia has numerous large towns and small cities that can be improved, built into, and they already have roads and some with railways linking them.

21/8/2025, 8:21:50 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

So AI couldn't even be bothered to do some real research!

20/8/2025, 5:46:44 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Perdi todos os cartazes do Chega a dizer-me que o Chega nos vai salvar, por isso que alívio o Expresso nos está a informar repetidamente ...

20/8/2025, 10:11:06 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Ah yes, "our flag". The flag of Genoa. No Bologna. No Freiburg ...

20/8/2025, 9:06:01 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

17.15 dogs all present themselves for dinner. "No you have to wait until 6 o'clock." All disappear. 17.58 dogs reappear asking again. "No it's not 6 o'clock is it." 5 seconds later their dog-eye-mind-trick works and I'm feeding them.

20/8/2025, 8:18:48 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

... series *where* 90% ...

20/8/2025, 8:13:35 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I think I first saw him back in the mists of time in Reilly Ace of Spies! Back when even young teenagers had attention spans and we could sit and watch slow burn series were 90% of it was dialogue. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTS4...

20/8/2025, 8:10:24 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Windmill? What mill? I'd love to look inside a wind turbine base and see some corn being milled. OK I get the different use of the word across the Atlantic, but makes me laugh every time he moans about "windmills"! Oh no, they're going to make bread, arrgh ...

19/8/2025, 2:22:28 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

O cheiro é um pouco diferente, mas ainda é um cocó.

19/8/2025, 9:55:06 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Ooh, now that's some news! Class production, superb writing and acting all round. A spiritual successor to the West Wing. And of course you have to keep reminding yourself that you're not watching CJ ...

18/8/2025, 9:54:15 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Some official online documents in Portugal are YMD, which makes my head hurt. I don't know how the Canadians do it! Maybe it's regional so easier to handle than a jumble of all formats.

17/8/2025, 2:12:10 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Being caps-lock responded to is a badge of honour!

15/8/2025, 10:41:56 PM | 5 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

😆

15/8/2025, 11:05:30 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Ha, ha! True for many places I think! "Local hero does amazing thing." "Person of foreign origin who once lived here for a short time does terrible thing."

15/8/2025, 11:02:51 AM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Sweet dreams everyone! www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxH9C...

15/8/2025, 10:48:12 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Boss level geeking there! 10/10. Not sure we'll be bending space and time, but perhaps by 2047 the Union Flag will be replaced. Sam Neill is a wine of multiple origin, but always thought of him as more NZer than anything. I guess Australia is easier to locate considering NZ is left off some maps!

15/8/2025, 10:44:05 AM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Nice idea, but I'm not sure there are any neutral countries in Europe are there? There are either a couple of Russian lapdogs, or pro-Ukraine countries who are obliged to arrest the war criminal.

14/8/2025, 1:01:33 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I loved the expanded David 8 and our creators are a superior aliens direction of the story, but the difference with all of them bar the first two or three is that I can't wait for the entire crew to be impregnated, exploded, or eaten.

14/8/2025, 7:56:35 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Cherrueix?

12/8/2025, 12:45:28 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I had a neighbour in Woking who didn't like change. They couldn't accept the new slightly smaller waste bin and the larger recycling bin, so every week filled the back of the car and drove to the recycling centre/tip. That showed them ...

11/8/2025, 11:48:26 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

The finest interior design always features ill-fitting hardware store bought, stick-on shiny things. A perfect metaphor for this presidency and the decline of the United States.

image
7/8/2025, 4:33:22 PM | 84 9 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Yeah but if you still have an equalizer and you push every channel to the top you're cool ... 😜

5/8/2025, 8:32:56 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

The colour combination has more ancient roots, but definitely the reason for that arrangement in the modern flag.

5/8/2025, 11:06:12 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Ah so it's you making the Gifdom a better and more expressive place for B7 fans!

3/8/2025, 12:16:29 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Always on the lookout for dangerous IJDs (Improvised Jazz Devices).

3/8/2025, 11:18:41 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Looks like a 25 year old console game like the original Halo. Gone is the gentle light, the lovely touchable human warmth and narrow depth of field of the old lenses.

2/8/2025, 2:22:05 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

2/8/2025, 1:15:32 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I'd try that purely based on the spectacular typography and design!

1/8/2025, 2:19:08 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

At a glance seriously thought it was some kind of horror apocalypse film or game. Then realised it was just Yorkshire.

1/8/2025, 9:46:03 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Gushing with excitement over this. As you appear to have some spare time on your hands for this dramatically important news, perhaps you could work harder on real news in the European section? For example you could report on the 1800 firefighters battling 47 different fires in Portugal.

31/7/2025, 8:14:57 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

The collective meltdown was even more fun than the ceremony!

29/7/2025, 10:55:57 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I'm intrigued by "blue-tiled calçadas of Lisbon". Blue tiles are on the walls surely. Azulejos and calçadas are different things. But you would know that living in the country wouldn't you?

27/7/2025, 9:20:26 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

I spy with my little eye, something beginning with WY ...

22/7/2025, 7:57:39 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Glorious!

19/7/2025, 10:24:24 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Is the image a CG or model version? Anyway, whether it's drawn that way, a lens, or they bent the the model 😀, I like the exaggerated perspective. Gives an epic sense of scale.

19/7/2025, 9:08:41 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

The Pillar of Autumn! No what? Oh yeah, Aliens ...

image
19/7/2025, 8:54:09 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social)

Weathered but solid. A classic village scene, central Portugal. For camera geeks, taken with a old Canon 5D using a much older Soviet era Helios 44 lens. No post-click fiddling.

Old stone barn, olive tree, central Portugal.
18/7/2025, 2:49:39 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

B&W definitely!

18/7/2025, 12:39:51 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Beautiful images. Embracing the B&W and the high contrast moody pics is worth a follow! Without giving away your favourite secret spots, where are you taking some of these shots? And for the mild camera geeks, what equipment are you using generally?

18/7/2025, 12:39:15 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Dear Viktor, I typed Ukraine into a map website, and it was really helpful.

image
18/7/2025, 10:06:46 AM | 2 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Espero mais de ti, Público. Esforça-te mais. A tua foto click bait é um Beechcraft B200 Super King Air? Eu ajudo-te...

image
16/7/2025, 9:07:45 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

If you're passing central Portugal on the way to Santiago and expect to see pebbles in an arrow shape pointlessly pointing down a straight bit of track, it may have been changed into a knob and balls. Don't worry, it points in the right direction ...

7/7/2025, 12:48:37 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Ah yes, the well known continent of Latin America! 😆 Hopefully the creator of this simply mis-labelled, but like you said hard to trust it.

15/6/2025, 11:00:45 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Mexico is part of North America.

14/6/2025, 10:33:08 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Civilians and not precise. Genocidal war criminals are not on any moral high ground because on this occasion they happened to be deliberately more accurate.

image
13/6/2025, 1:54:00 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Not surprising Reform voters choose Spitfires, 1966, and a fighting dog long past its best. "Selective breeding for appearance has led to increased susceptibility to health problems including brachycephaly, hip dysplasia, heat sensitivity and skin infections."

12/6/2025, 10:13:03 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Ha-ha, thank you for the reminder of the madness of the Tom Baker Dr.! www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWe7...

17/4/2025, 1:20:24 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

Same! I think it was the book, The Power of Geography that said "China is a civilization pretending to be a country".

8/4/2025, 1:36:15 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture David (@davidalaunt.bsky.social) reply parent

The best people include a dog in the team!

7/4/2025, 2:06:19 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view