iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 42m

For #nationalpoetryday I wrote this in response to a poem by @johndredge.bsky.social . @imcmillan.bsky.social suggested a slight edit.

Wonder no more

Light waves of all colours from our sun
End their cosmic journey scattered
by myriad mini-glitterball molecules
in our atmosphere
Blue light is scattered more
Red and yellow less
Look up the sky is blue
Only at sunset do the red and yellows make their mark
These rays, working through more of the atmosphere,
to colour our evening sky

Ancient bacteria in their search for usable energy
Turned to sunlight.
Primitive proteins found that absorbing blue and red light worked best
To strip hydrogen from water.
Change by tiny change chlorophyll evolved,
bacteria became plants became trees
the sun’s unabsorbed green light reflected from leaves
Look up trees are green

Our massive sun draws towards it
From the infinities of space countless hydrogen atoms
In the crucible of its gravity, they are forced together to make helium
No laughing matter atomic fusion
Look up we feel the emitted heat

The sun will outlast us, our children and grandchildren
Even our grandchildren’s grandchildren
But at some point, the hydrogen fuel will run out
Sulking the sun will swell,
Cool from white hot to merely red hot
A red giant, swallowing our planet
Eventually in an eye wateringly bright explosion
It will collapse into itself by the hubris of its own gravity
Until it sees out the universe as a tiny cool white dwarf.

Some might rather wonder
and continue to ponder
on the beauty of our planet
I prefer to know and tell
The wonder is that we do know
And can even tell what happened billions of years in the past
And can tell what will happen billions of years into the future.
Wonderful

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Reposted by Alastair Gittner

Alex Quigley @alexjquigley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Education Endowment Foundation (@theeef.bsky.social) is asking for your input on their research agenda. It is a great opportunity to help shape and inform national priorities. Find out more here: eefoundation.tfaforms.net/5044606

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I don't think you should watch the last 20 mins of The Godfather when you have your Grandsons' Baptism to attend in a couple of weeks. 🫨

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I lay claim to the short form "2 egg whites short of a pav" 🤣

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Looking forward to being able to use my new favourite phrase. Courtesy of @nigella.bsky.social in her FT column. Describing someone as "two egg whites short of a pavlova." Priceless.Brilliant😂 www.ft.com/content/048f...

ft.com

‘A fascinating combination of chemistry and poetry’: Nigella Lawson on the magic of baking

From ‘baking outsider’ to Bake Off judge, the FT columnist explores pastry’s enduring appeal

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I looked for this earlier in the week when @laurenlaverne.bsky.social was doing her Six of the Best to mark 50years of U2. The only time I saw them in concert and of course with this internet thing you can now find the complete set list.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I am learning German on Duolingo it is getting serious, I am not getting the gender right for too many nouns...time to hit the flashcards!!!! Ich lerne Deutsche mit Duolingo. Ich kenne nicht das richtige Geschlect fur Substantive. Es ist Zeit für mich, Karteikarten zu verwenden.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@ensermark.bsky.social I need to hand back my O-level in Geography, all the physical geography we did, all the work on"passage of a frontal system across britain" seems pointless with climate change 😂 We are supposed to have a "temperate maritime climate", where is the rain?

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

When someone called Hilary Fordwick (supposed business leader) calls for the castration of all male immigrants on a national TV channel, then you realise that Not the Nine O'clock news was actually foretelling the future. youtu.be/04clpd7h0b0?...

youtu.be

Football Hooligans

YouTube video by chickensh1t

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

There is always a sense of trepidation when the new season of #strictly starts. And I know there will be grumps who say it is not as good as last year..but you know what? We enjoyed it in this house.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Katya is completely correct. I watch #strictly2027 to see the transformation, to see the teaching and the learning. Sorry, boring teacher.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Put a cyclist on it and I’ll buy it!!🚴🏽🚴🏼‍♀️

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This is totally tragic. It is a stain on that once great country. A powerful action....

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#Allcreatures is on a roll tonight. Jimmy "You can't milk a hamster" All together now....."Cos you can't get a bucket under them!!"

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Mrs Hall has just mentioned "Rock Buns"....disaster...I've not had a rock bun for years...now where is that BeRo cookbook? #allcreatures

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

We're bingeing a catch up of All creatures. Siegfried has just put some cream on a pig's ear and we both shouted He's using Oinkment!!!!🤣

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Is he hoping for martyrdom? Does he think he will get more publicity at a Crown Court? Does he know already all his legal fees will be met? (you've got to find something to spend £32m on) Hard to plead not guilty when you post the footage yourself? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Daniel Thomas pleads not guilty after dinghy slashed in Channel

Daniel Thomas is accused of criminal damage after a video appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy.

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Reposted by Alastair Gittner

Samuel Pepys @samuelpepys.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Telling my wife that I go to Deptford, I went, by water to Westminster Hall, and there finding Mrs. Lane, took her over to Lambeth, where we were lately.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Totally unashamedly downed tools, cranked up the volume and just listening to six of the best from U2 on @bbc6music.bsky.social "One more in the name of love" 🎵🎶

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Brexit has been a disaster for so many communities including our own I hope @danjarvismp.bsky.social @stephanie-peacock.bsky.social will attend the vote

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

So she wants to determine how public money is spent by individuals. So can we suggest that MPs also don't spend their money on alcohol and cigarettes? We all know of one MP who spends more time in the US than his constituency or in Parliament, so he's not working either.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Aceing Grandad duties today. Fed youngest, changed batteries in three different toys, including original Buzz and Woody, two different screwdrivers and three different battery types including CR025!! Get in!!

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Annual old joke alert: Misheard the BBC6Music celebration today, apparently it is about T-shirts and NOT the Irish premier.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Finally pulled myself out of an anxiety dream at 6am. The usual one for me where I am wandering an unfamiliar school looking for the class I am supposed to be teaching, no logon and unable to find someone in front of a PC to tell me. I wouldn't mind but I have been retired 2 years.

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Reposted by Alastair Gittner

Danny Fearns @dannyfearns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I don't follow Formula One, but good on them for using subtitles for the hard of hearing…

F1 track with numerous Zoom signs on the advertising billboards

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Petrol prices are mad around here; Closest to my house £171.9 Cheapest in our town £167.9 Highest price within 12 miles £194.9 Lowest price within 12 miles £158.9 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

UK inflation pushed up by petrol and diesel price rises

Summer holidays and disruption to global oil supplies by the Middle East conflict stoked price growth.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I’ve just discovered a little bit of heaven. 24hr Cake Shed. It does a roaring trade apparently

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Note to self: I must stop watching with grim curiosity, online videos of mad, poorly educated americans being interviewed about their current political situation and their thoughts on vaccines. ( as I suspect we could find plenty this side of the pond)

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

We're watching the last night of the proms. Just the finale (though I caught the Barber Piano concerto and loved it) and I know its naff, I know plenty on here will scoff but we love it. (no longer sure if 500 miles is PC)

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Is it me who is over thinking this, but with 2 rich white fascists donating £72m to reform are we looking at the end of democracy? Am I being melodramatic?

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I am sensing a great disturbance in the force as thousands of Gardener's World fans mutter into their horlicks as the start is delayed with coverage stays on the athletics and a world record pole vault attempt.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Friday good news. We had a lovely day celebrating my son and his partner’s wedding last weekend. They safely flew off on honeymoon prior to the issues. And I got a jazzy waistcoat 🥰😍 @louiestowell.bsky.social

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#9/11 25th Anniversary; We visited Ground Zero last year. I found it surprisingly moving, seeing the names, the commemoration and the streets where we had watched it enfold. For all those who died that day and the brave rescuers.

A close up of a rose placed in commemoration in the name of a victim of the 9/11 terrorist act in New York with a picture of the skyscraper which now replaces the twin towers.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Tonight I gave in and when I went to choir rehearsal I changed from shorts to jeans, a sweater and socks. #nightsdrawingin #winteriscoming tempted to put the heating on!!!

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Why is the BBC website debating whether Trump will actually give $5k to every American? Of course he won't/can't. Remember TACO and he's completely mad.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Vain hope I know but he is EXACTLY the sort of person we should keep out of this country. Thoroughly detestable waste of our oxygen.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I will continue to bake my own, with a mix of flours sourced from a variey of suppliers. Of course if anyone wants to pay me $60 then I am sure we can negotiate. www.grubstreet.com/article/mart...

grubstreet.com

A New Bakery Makes One Bread and One Bread Only

Rye’s specialty is Austrian sourdough. Is it worth the $60-per-loaf price?

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The focussed exhibitions are my favourite. I loved the art inspired by LOTR, the Brian Wildsmith was exemplary, but the current one curated by Barnsley's own Prof Joann Fletcher is my favourite and it's on until February.

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Enjoying watching this adult and juvenlie Chiff Chaff exploring the planters in our garden this afternoon. They inspired one of our resident Blue Tits to have a look too.

Green/brown small bird next to a yellow flower

Juvenile Green/brown small bird next to a planter of pink flowers

The same small green/brown juvenile bird stumbling off the fence post

Adult blue tit investigating a pink flower

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Decided to finish off my bedtime book in the afternoon.Having read it I now discovered that, though I first read the first two aged about 12,I had no recollection of this book at all. Like Tombs of Atuan this is a book that you can read both as a child and as an adult.Not sure if it is stand alone.

The front cover of the 1970s penguin version of The Farthest Shore by Ursula K Le Guin, showing a dragon and tow figures looking at .

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

@petebrownbeer.bsky.social Here's a post you might like or even know about already. I'll make some when we get round to coming to visit. A Norwich bread recipe from 15th Century made with the "barm" from the local beer brewery www.instagram.com/reel/Dc5bmpN...

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

“and they’re climbing the Stairway to Heaven”

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