Lawyer, grew up in Herefordshire, passionate about the river Wye, singing, making cider, foraging and mushroom spotting. Ukraine must win!
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Another hit on russian logistics. An oil depot in temporarily occupied Severodonetsk went up in flames. Every fire there means less fuel for russia’s war. Less gasoline for their trucks, tanks, and rockets. More proof: occupation burns from the inside.
if god forbid a tragedy happened… ive had on the job training fir the past 200 days……
receiving the nobel rest in peace prize
"I'm not dead yet." "He says he's not dead." "Yes he is." youtu.be/EfOW9QrLs0o?...
Has he received the nobel rest in peace prize?
Lets find a big hole on the golf course and stuff him in it. Tell em hes playing golf for the next 3 yrs
is someone digging a big hole in the rough on the Mar a lago golf course next to Ivana???
🇷🇺📉 #Kremlin’s own state bank just admitted it: #Russia is in recession. They tried “negative growth” 🤡 but truth is 100x worse – #Putin’s war economy is collapsing. ⚡️ 20% Russian refineries gone for 1% of 🇺🇦 land. Time to crush the Russian war machine. 💥✊ #MakeRussiaSmallAgain #StandWithUkraine
Among the people killed in the russian attack on Kyiv on August 28th were: 🕯Anhelina, 2, and her 24-year-old mother Nadiia 🕯Maryna Hryshko, 17, a student 🕯Yana Shapoval, mother of a 10-year-old boy 🕯Nazarii Koval, 14, a school student
General Valery Zaluzhny published his "10 lessons for ukrainians". 1. The enemy is eternal, and his purpose is destruction. The first and main lesson: forget about "brother nations" and "common history". 🧵1/
Haven’t been posting much, which is odd given where I am. Last night was the launch cider club at @rosscider.bsky.social. Great food, great cider and perry, and great company.
Went to check the chicken today and they are still small so I ventured off a little further down the trail and "bingo" absolutely beautiful oysters chilling amongst the jewel weed and horsetail. Took about two pounds and will go back with a bucket for the rest tomorrow.
America is a gun
based
He is a hero
Fifty-five foreign diplomats visited the residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district destroyed by a Russian strike. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it a “horrific war crime,” highlighting the death of a two-year-old girl—born during Russia’s 2022 attacks, killed in this latest one.
Russia should be condemned for this, and must be defeated, de-armed. But TACO does not care and will do nothing
And Witkoff pukingly says TACO is the finest person ever who deserves the nobel peace prize. History will record him in the legend of the most infamous morally bankrupt person who stood by watching and probably enjoying the terror Putin is wreaking
Another tragic war crime. But what is the point of russia doing this- it in no way makes any progress in winning the war and will not break Ukraine only stiffen their resistance. It reinforces Ukr’s emnity of all things russian
so evil so inhumane - 9 innocent lives pointlessly taken and countless others terrorised. How you stay sane is amazing
russia is losing quietly but surely and over time Ukraine will defeat them. Then russia will implode
Russia is losing. It will implode.
Dear Rostov, If your windows shattered last night, that’s us. If you smelled smoke on the roof, that’s us too. If your air defence accidentally hit your own Building - yes, that’s on you. Sincerely, Ukrainian drone swarm P.S. We aim for military targets. Your chaos is a bonus.
No problem - such a good idea to do these walks and show us the people and place whilst enduring this awful war. Good on you for highlighting the brave and beautiful. Slava Ukraini!!
sorry to have missed this. Is it available as a podcast?
The truth is that Russia is very weak, unstable, vulnerable and is primed to collapse economically and politically. And I think that is fantastic.
Getting the day started with the Philomusica of Gloucestershire’s Homage To Vaughan Williams, recorded at the Parish Church and Down Ampney House on the 12th and 13th of October 1972. #Vinyl
Dear Moscow, If you smell smoke, that’s us. If you hear buzzing, that’s us too. If you’re panicking - good. Sincerely, Ukrainian drone swarm P.S. We don’t knock.
Maybe Americans should rewatch Charlie Wilson’s war which has parallels with the present. Just give Ukrainians what they need and ruzzia can and will be defeated.
a remarkable speech about a remarkable and resilient united state of Ukrainian people delivered by an eloquent and defiant leader. Slava ukraini! Russia delenda est
Happy Independence Day, guys 🫶🏻 And thank you to the remarkable people all around the world who keep Ukraine in their hearts and minds, just thank you for being here 🇺🇦🤍
This is my response as a Ukrainian 🇺🇦 to #Trump's claim that Ukraine can't win just because #Russia is bigger: 1️⃣ Russia’s size is a disadvantage—they can’t protect their key sites 2️⃣ Ukrainian drones are hitting refineries, causing real gasoline crises 3️⃣ Russia is failing and will collapse eventually
🔥🔥rUSSIAN RAIL CHAOS: 38 trains stuck after drones hit near Sergeevka station. Contact network burned, fires in several districts, panic announcements about “fragments.” The same russia that wanted to cut Ukraine’s logistics… Now can’t move its own trains.
Flamingos.... So beautiful! #Flamingo #SlavaUkraïni
this is how russia conducts war - criminal, yet what does the US and Europe actually do to stop it?
Encore
Shrimp of the woods - aborted entolomas - Entoloma abortivum look like popcorn balls and vary in shape. Something occurs between honey mushrooms and entolomas, causing the mushrooms to "abort" and change their shape. They are a late Summer/Fall fruiting mushroom...
I dunno lets see what trump says in about 2 weeks… Meanwhile let Ukraine crack on with defending and defeating ruzzia. Ukr will never give up until it wins, whatever the rest of the world does (or does not do!). Slava Ukraini
Here’s that peace deal being ignored and Trumps humiliation writ large - hard to see how much more his ego can take - Trump has effectively cornered himself www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi visited the Pokrovsk front, meeting commanders and units holding the Dobropillia salient. Despite Russia’s numerical advantage, Ukrainian forces cleared six settlements. He praised the newly formed corps in Donetsk sector for their effective work.
⚡️Ukraine regains control of most of Tovste in Donetsk Oblast, military says. Tovste is a frontline village southwest of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk and near the key town of Vuhledar.
100% russia knew this was a US company. They are flexing and daring trump.
Obviously, a Russian attack on a US company deep into Ukraine's rear was deliberate and a clear signal of Russia's true attitude towards US and European peacemaking efforts. Previously, Russia has launched deliberate attacks on Polish and Azerbaijani companies. Conclusions must be drawn.
Kremlin asset. CNN reports that US special envoy Steve Witkoff delivered Putin’s Order of Courage to the family of Michael Gloss, son of a CIA deputy director, who was killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine. The CIA expressed condolences, stressing his death is a private family matter.
The best plan for peace and security is for troops in Ukr now on a peacekeeping mission in civilian area (ie in Kyiv, Odessa etc) with an ultimatum that Russia should desist bombing them. This should deter. If Putin continues then it will signal that Russia has no intention of peace. End the farce
🇺🇦 Zelensky: The Russians will not get Sumy and Kharkiv regions. A few months - and they will not be in Sumy region. In the long term - I do not want a military perspective - but they will not get Kharkiv region either.
Putin is not willing to meet with Zelensky now or in the future, — CNN
stay safe. stay strong. One day they will be gone - I wish it were tomorrow or tomorrow after
UK Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin says Britain is ready to deploy troops to Ukraine to protect skies and ports, providing logistical support and training.
The security guarantees of the US are long overdue - given by agreement in the 1994 Budapest Memo. Time to remind Russia/ US of this pact. No need to reinvent the wheel, just a reaffirmation& a term that in the event of breach Russia will be at war with US. That will deter!
“When it was in the height of fermentation, we played it really frenetic classical music, and then for the cold conditioning period at the end, we played it very calm, soothing .. music.” I must try some prog rock on the cider ELP conditioning ? #fermentation #beer www.1news.co.nz/2025/08/18/w...
monmouth apples, painted by ellen isham schutt, 1914
Kharkiv right now. Moscovia bombs sleeping families. 4 victims including kids. Don’t tell me about peace that Putin wants. Do not dare.
💪🇺🇦 Relax! The fate of the world isn’t decided by some #AlaskaTalks between unpredictable #Trump and crazy #Putin. It’s decided on the frontlines—now in Ukraine and inside Russia. Our drones just took out a huge #Russian vessel carrying Iranian drones, 850 km from our border 🔥
Alaska ❤️🩹 thank you!
I think this is a Cauliflower Mushroom. Don't remember ever seeing one before. It stood out in the forest. So big and frilly.
There is nothing common about this common earthbutt..I mean earthball. #mushrooms #fungifriends
m
lovely beasts
The U.S. - Russia charade continues. If there is a meeting world media will give it an enormous, and completely wasted, attention. We are still wasting time when dealing with Russia. Putin knows it but the West seems to be all in the clouds.
fascinating. Love old orchards.
Paused on a bike ride yesterday to pay tribute to the old Crocket orchard in Ipswich (MA), erased by time, weather, and bad luck #apples adamapples.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
after a day of perry pressing several sheets to the wind!
Zelensky: Had a productive call with President Trump—main focus: ending the war. Grateful for US efforts toward a just peace. We discussed the urgent need to stop the war, coordinated positions, Russian escalation, sanctions, new European commitments for US weapons, and a strong upcoming drone deal.
TACO wont get a deal. It is a move to allow more excuse to do nothing to help Ukr and let Putin carry on
popped into the Yew Tree, Peterstow for supplies and snagged some leftovers perry and cider from the recent competition for a bargain. Love the Charnwood cider from Leicester. Gregg’s Pitt fine as ever. The Three Wells is too sweet for my liking - unexpected with foxwhelp - backsweetened? All fun
first perry press 2025 and bottling 2024 cider from the Benches orchard
When we are pressing apples & pears to make cider, we do it in our front yard. Now & then an apple might escape, or get thrown into the flower bed. So now there are two apple seedlings growing there 🙂 Would love to know the mother variety, but these two will be unique/new. Will dig out and pot them.
💙💛 First Lady Olena Zelenska The massive drone and ballistic missile attack — one more night of hell for Kyiv, hardly imaginable in any other European capital. Russia continues to destroy and kill. I hope that the world will see this, feel our pain and react as it should to terror.
good on you Bob
After attacking residential areas with kamikaze drones the russians are launching missiles at a sleeping city in 4-30 a.m. #Ukraine #UkrainianView
My glorious pears.
lovely. My perry pears are starting to drop. The crows are coming to the crown- 25ft up and having a go.
Ukrainian intelligence has hacked the Russian-installed “Crimean government” servers and uncovered evidence of mass abductions of children from occupied territories. Thousands of names and their relocation sites have been obtained and handed over to investigators.
Gustav Klimt's Birnbaum or Pear Tree is distinct for its square canvas and style painted during his summer retreat at Lake Attersee 1903 . Klimt's detailed brushstrokes, creates a dense, flickering field of colour, is reminiscent of Byzantine mosaics. #pear #painting teepeecider.co.nz
Urban Wildflowers for #Stunday and potentially #smArtist theme of #rebellion too. #EastCoastKin #photograph #wildflowers #sideoftheroad #colour #bloomscrolling #BloomSky #multicolour #flowers #urbansetting (iPhone camera)
Cracking day at the yew tree cider challenge at peterstow, tasting through 77 entries. I'll be sleeping con⛺️ly in the orchard tonight 😴
When I enter an old building, the first thing I do is look up. Chandeliers and ceilings are my special love. This chandelier in St. Sophia Cathedral (built in 1037) is gorgeous. I don’t know which century it’s from. Ukraine is more than the war.
perry drops…
Treasures of legal history - Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest- now on display at Durham Cathedral. (Image below a photo of an illuminated early medieval statutes book - including the 1225 Magna Carta - in the Weston library in Oxford) #medievalsky www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/explore/trea...
awful.
In this instance you’d have to say it’s the crime *and* the cover-up, yeah?
Think tanks… Is that where the Epstein files are hiding?
It´s all about fungi, small yet cute ones! Chalciporus rubinus #fungifriends #mycology #rubyred
bsky.app/profile/pesc...
so remind me when was Obama president- wasnt it about a decade ago? why is Trump etc obsessed by this, instead of releasing all the Epstein docs. Its what he promised and what his supporters want, right?
He hasnt got any cards. (Except for the birthday card he sent…)
How striking an image. How sick is ruzzia to do this repeatedly to innocent civilians.
The biggest cause of river pollution is farming & 6 months ago the government promised to loosen planning regs to allow bigger chicken sheds. The River Wye is dying from the amount of chicken poo pouring into the river, so allowing more intensive farms will no doubt increase farm pollution. 👇
let’s not get distracted from the real issue. Putin’s ruzzia continues to commit civilian terror and he does not want peace. We must wake up and actually do something to stop russia
Finally finished labelling all of the cider we made in 2023 & bottled in 2024 after maturing in bulk. The clarity is again very good - just time, nature & gravity: no finings or filtering. Off out delivering tomorrow. #cider #natural #justapples
A favorite from my archive a day: A TEENY-TINY Atheniella. So small my phone camera struggled to focus. Note the pine needles for scale. They come in pink, yellow, orange, red. I’ve only found pink and I’ve only found three. Different angle below⬇️ #fungifriends #fungi #mycology #naturephotography
🚀 For three days straight, Ukraine's drones have targeted military sites around Moscow! ✈️ The result? Airports closed, flights canceled, and even Turkish Airlines is pulling out. The war has come home, and now #Moscow is a no-fly zone 🛑 #StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState #putin
🇺🇦 Zelensky: "Why is Putin afraid of the end of the war? One of the reasons is that these people will return home. They are psychologically unstable. They did not fight to protect their homes. Russia still does not have a plan for what to do with them when they return."
Russia’s stockpile of ballistic missiles is shrinking—Ukraine’s military intel says only around 300 Iskander-M and KN-23 missiles remain. Meanwhile, over 60 tactical missile launchers have been deployed near the border.
I’m seeing many reposts of Donald Trump’s demented distraction from the Jeffrey Epstein mess about Rosie O’Donnell. What I’m not seeing is her sassy response. Here it is:
No-one does jewellery quite as well as Nature does jewellery. #redcurrants
why cant the world have peace? Why cant Russia just leave Ukraine alone? Why cant Israelis and Palestinian civilians say look enough is enough lets live together in peace. Why cant human being realise that live and let live is just better than all the crap?