#eclipse Viewing through my solar filter (too hot for my scope) and my trustee colander. 15 minutes to the maximum and getting dark, with the wind and temperature dropping. 🤩

These are a couple of science books from the 1920s — inside leaf and back cover.

Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness Asmodeus and Thuan from Aliette de Bodard’s Dominion of the Fallen series are one of the cutest couples in literature, IMHO

No clouds so finally a chance to image the glorious sunspots on the sun at the moment. 🤩 The original image in colour; a black and white image processed on my phone (I think b&w shows the features better? 🧐).

Going through London yesterday gave me a chance to pick up the latest Judge Dredd megazine, including the new Rogue Trooper story by @andiewington.bsky.social . A good read 😀

Finished a glorious tour along parts of Hadrian’s Wall. From 30C at the start to a bit of rain at the end. But stunning scenery along the way. So glad to have finally seen the wall in its context, as well as some of the turrets, milecastles and forts along the way.

Doing a tour of Hadrian’s Wall and today it was the Roman fort at Chesters. A beautiful site and a lovely hypocaust to stand in 😀 @durotrigesdig.bsky.social

Our gladioli are in full bloom and the setting sun is backlighting them beautifully.

The crescent moon with Venus just above, at twilight last night (Wed 17JUN). Snapped with my phone. Found the juxtaposition of these two just 🤩

Just finished reading Outraged by @kurtjgray.bsky.social . What an excellent book, IMHO. The psychology behind how people think and why they react how they do is so interesting. And some great insights on how to see other people’s points of view, and to share yours with them. A must read these days.

Just finished @zanzjan.bsky.social ‘s latest book Ode to the Half-Broken. What a great read! Amazing characters, an intriguing story, lots of twists and turns, and steam punk to boot. 😀

A floor mosaic in situ in the entrance of a house at Herculaneum, Italy. The warping was caused by the weight of the volcanic debris that covered it. 📷 my own — taken today (20APR2026) #MosaicMonday

Visited Pompeii today — a dream come true. There was a tear in my eye when we stepped out into the ‘main street’. Our guide, Rosina, was great. Saw the main bits but some off the beaten path. And the current excavations are uncovering some stunning buildings — roof tiles in place, frescos so fresh.

And finally in Naples, where every taxi in Italy seems to be outside the station. 😳 The whole trip by train has been great, watching the landscape and architecture change — I love my travels by train. 🥰 I’m so lucky I can travel this way.

Day 3 and Milan to Naples. Left via the magnificent Central Station. The train was a bit late but that gave me time to admire the decorations on the walls and floors of the stunning central hall. Onwards to Napoli…

… and ciao Porta Garibaldi Station , Milan? If I hadn’t just walked out I wouldn’t know this was the train station — come for the restaurants, stay for the trains. 😀 I think the central train station I’m leaving from tomorrow morning will be more impressive.

Day 2 and it’s Paris to Milan. There are 2 direct trains — one leaves Paris at the crack of dawn; the other leaves in the afternoon but arrives in Milan at dusk. So gone for dawn and a beautiful sunrise it is, too. 7 hours but it should be lovely scenery. Goodbye Gare de Lyon ….

… et bonjour Le Gare du Nord. They’ve finished the roadworks in front so the station’s glorious façade can be seen. Overnight in Paris, then the long leg tomorrow.

Taking my dream holiday to Naples and Rome. Travelling by train and the first leg is London to Paris. Taking the gorgeous Eurostar — love it so much. Goodbye St Pancras …

First day of three days of train travel. A bit of a delay this morning but as Faith of Beasts dropped yesterday I don’t mind. A third of the way in — such a great story. On tenterhooks! 🤩

Out observing and thought I would finish with a quick look at Jupiter. Was delighted to see that I had caught, unaware, Callisto transiting the planet! So chuffed. PS my @unistellar.bsky.social scope is designed for DSOs, hence the planets are imaged less clearly. But still very pleased.

With everything happening on the ground, it is nice when there is a clear sky and one can spend the night admiring the beauty of the sky and universe beyond

First time in months that there have been clear skies and light winds. So out with my @unistellar.bsky.social telescope to enjoy the night sky’s galaxies, nebulas and beautiful moon.

Finished @discworldemporium.bsky.social jigsaw map of Discworld’s main city Ankh-Morpork. I love the way jigsaws make me look deeply into the image. I feel like I know the streets of Ankh-Morpork so well now (& I may get confused next time I am in London😀). The toughest I have done but worth it.

Auroras over Jersey in the Channel Islands last night, just after 10 pm

Aurora in Jersey, Channel Islands (latitude 49N)!!! Normally one has to go to the north coast of the Island to look over the sea to see the aurora in the distance to the north. This is from my house in the interior of the Island with my phone hanging out the window! 🤩

A cheering thought from @twisteddoodles.bsky.social in this week’s @newscientist.com

I just finished O.O. Sangoyomi’s Masquerade and what a brilliant book. Beautifully captured the world of Yorubaland and its mythology. And the ending had me smiling for the rest of the day. Well worth a read. 😘

Cudos to @gov.je and the Infrastructure Dept for this interactive map of Jersey with symbols showing where damage from Storm Goretti has occurred, and then faded symbols where it has been dealt with. Really helpful for Islanders and an eye-popping indication of the storm’s impact.

Quite the change in atmospheric pressure as Storm Goretti passed through Jersey. 😳 With the strong wind gusts last night, our ears seemed to feel the change in pressure in our house.