iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

📣📣ANNOUNCEMENT!📣📣 Our next read is going to be Swallowdale! So dry out your cake and watch out for the pike rock, as we dive in to read over the next few weeks. We’ll gather around the campfire (aka Zoom call) to talk about our thoughts/reflections end of June (date TBC). #SwallowsAndAmazons

Image of the front cover of the Penguin 1970s paperback edition of Swallowdale. It shows Ransome’s line drawing of the camp in Swallowdale, featuring a pale blue grey sky, and yellowish green tones in the landscape. The Swallows and Amazons crossed pennants are in the bottom left corner, above the words ‘SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS FOREVER’

3175

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

📣📣 Ahoy there shipmates! 📣📣 Ahead of our Coot Club chat on Sunday 12th April, 7pm UK time on Zoom, here are some questions to get us thinking… If you’d like to join us then email winterholidaychat@gmail.com - I will send the zoom link on Saturday #SwallowsAndAmazons

Tom Dudgeon faces a moral dilemma at the start of the book, and his choices have a lasting impact throughout this story, and arguably also The Big Six. Did he do the right thing??

We hear a lot about yacht racing, with Port and Starboard ably helping their father. At one point A. R. tells us: “The Flash had rounded a mark too close and touched it and so was out of her race.” Radek writes, “a long time ago, when I myself raced, I had to do a 360 after touching the mark”. Have racing rules changed since the 1930s? And why do you think A.R. brings racing into this story?

What are your thoughts about the minor characters in Coot Club? Do you have a favourite?

A.R. places animals / nature at the heart of this book. What messages is he trying to convey to his readers?

What role does the sea play in the finale?

152

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

QUIZ! ‘I was wrong,' said Captain _____. 'He's not mad but ___. It isn't only ____ he wants. He wants to take the credit for it.’ 1. Fill in the blanks 2. Which book? 3. Who is ‘he’? Bonus: what colour pyjamas does ‘he’ favour? Reply below, answers tomorrow! #SwallowsAndAmazons

A photo of the spines of several Jonathan Cape editions of Arthur Ransome books. Two have dust jackets and the rest do not.

243

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

As Easter weekend begins, just a reminder that our Zoom chat about Coot Club is coming up soon (Sun 12th April, 7pm UK time), and you are warmly invited! There’s still plenty time to (re)read/listen to the story. We’ll be having a relaxed chat, sharing thoughts/reflections ⛵️📚 1/2 🧵

Line drawing showing the motor cruiser Margoletta. We see her approaching us in an intimidating fashion. Three Hullabaloos are on board sporting fashionable clothes, two sitting lounging whilst the third stands and looks at us through binoculars. Ughhhh.

1112

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

📣⛵️ A reminder … in four weeks we will be convening via Zoom for our Coot Club book chat, and you are warmly invited!⛵️📣 So … settle down with your favourite rations and (re)read the book over the coming weeks. When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time Where? Zoom (info/link to follow) #SwallowsAndAmazons

Image of the Jonathan Cape
edition of Coot Club. It has black and white illustrations from the book interspersed with a sort of cerise colour

0198

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

It’s #InternationalWomensDay so let’s celebrate Arthur Ransome’s strong female characters… Share some of your favourites below … they could be main or side characters, sympathetic (like Mother) or less so (like the GA!) #SwallowsAndAmazons

Mother and nurse waving the Swallows off as they sail to the Island for their first camping trip

851

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

See 45 down… I think there’s an error with this crossword … neither ‘Swallows’ nor ‘Walkers’ fits 🤔 #SwallowsAndAmazons

A photo of a partially completed crossword.

45 down reads:

- o - e - a - e

A photo of a list of crossword clues.

The clue for 45 down reads:

Eg, Susan or John (8)

350

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

It’s #WorldBookDay today, and thousands of children will be dressing up as their favourite characters. Which Arthur Ransome character would you choose to be? What would your costume be? Dot with her pigtails? Nancy or Peggy with their red caps? Dick with his pocket book? #SwallowsAndAmazons

This line drawing shows Dick wearing spectacles and Dot sporting pigtails they are walking towards Nancy and Peggy, who are both wearing their red caps, and are pointing towards the Dogs Home, a small stone hut surrounded by trees.

7102

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Excellent work, and also, all I can think about now is how very much I want a Tunnocks Caramel Wafer

Image showing a box full of Tunnocks Caramel Wafers. It is in the Tunnocks colours of yellow/gold and red and there is a painting of a very happy rosy cheeked boy on the box. He is clearly full of caramel wafers.

000

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus (Happy St David’s Day) to Bluesky friends! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🌼 Hope you can find time today to ‘gwnewch y pethau bychain’ (do the little things), as St David said … a perfect day to spend outside in nature, or curl up with your favourite Ransome perhaps?? 📚 ⛵️

Map of the lake, showing Wild Cat Island, Rio, High Hills etc, from early edition of Swallows and Amazons

2133

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

⛵️Today you are able to join any scene, from any of the Arthur Ransome books.⛵️ Which would choose, and why? Making hats in the Fram? Sliding down the knickerbockerbreaker in Swallowdale? Sailing with Tom Dudgeon? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #SwallowsAndAmazons

A line drawing showing a cross section through a lake and to the hills beyond. Titty is on the left, diving for pearls. Roger is on the right, swimming with one foot on the bottom.

772

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

No fence/wall in sight … just for fun?

A stile over nothing - no fence or wall - with a path next to it

171

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Lovely collection of Ransomes spotted in the wild at the magical Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland. (Barter Books is a magical second hand bookshop inside an old station, with plentiful open fires, comfortable chairs, waiting room cafe, and a model train that chugs along the bookcases 🚂 📚)

Vintage copies of various Jonathan Cape Ransomes nestled on a bookshelf, including Pigeon Post and Secret Water in dust jackets, and Picts and Martyrs and We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea without dust jackets, and Winter Holiday wearing half a dust jacket.

2142

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Not Coots, but did think that Tom and the Death and Glories would have enjoyed seeing these Brent geese today #CootClub #SwallowsAndAmazons

Four smart Brent geese swimming on a cold blue sea. They have black heads and backs and white underneath … they look a bit like what you might get if you crossed a mallard with a penguin

091

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

❄️ HUGE thanks to all who attended our Winter Holiday chat. It was a genuine pleasure to meet, connect, and explore this book together ❄️ … so much so, we’re doing it again! When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time Where? Zoom (link to follow) What? COOT CLUB So get reading/listening… #SwallowsAndAmazons

An image of the cover of the Jonathan Cape publication of ‘Coot Club: A Norfolk Broads Adventure’. It shows various pen and ink illustrations from the inside of the book, including of some dinghies, interspersed with deep pink shaded areas

4102

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

And some questions to get us thinking …

Winter Holiday begins with two new characters, Dick and Dot. Why do you think Arthur Ransome chose to do this?
We get to know Mrs Blackett a little more during this story. What do you think of her as a person, and as a parent?
There is a lot of humour in Winter Holiday. What are your favourite moments?
We see a gentle friendship developing between Mr Dixon and Dick. Why do you think these two characters are attracted to one another?
If you could be dropped into any scene in the story, which part would you choose?
Nancy is absent for much of the action in this story.
Why do you think Arthur Ransome chose to do this? To what extent do we feel her presence?
How do you think Peggy's character responds to Nancy's absence?
What role does the Fram play in this story?

John and Susan face a dilemma when they consider whether or not to sleep in the Fram. Did they make the right decision?
There is mention of various meals in Winter Holiday, from Fram-based feasts to North Pole chickens. If you could take part in any, which would you choose?
Would you have paid for a mumpy. handshake as suggested by Roger, if it got you a month off school?
How do you think that Ransome plays with our perception of time in this book?
'Winter Holiday should only be read in winter': discuss
Is James Turner more 'Captain Flint' or 'Uncle Jim' in this story?
During the race to the Pole, what kinds of feelings does Ransome evoke in us as readers? How does he achieve this?
"The final scene in Winter Holiday is one of Ransome's finest endings': discuss

Do you remember when you first read this story?
Where does Winter Holiday rank for you, in your list of personal favourites?

341

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

🛷📚❄️Ahead of our Winter Holiday chat, here are a few prompt questions, just to get us thinking!❄️📚🛷 There’s no need to answer any/all of them, and it will be very relaxed (no one will be put on the spot). If you’d prefer to just sit back and listen that’s absolutely fine 😊 Zoom link to follow!

072

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Just sat down with cup of tea to take part, and someone else seems to have also decided it’s a good idea to watch the birds this morning …

Photo of a bird table, with a neighbour’s cat sitting hopefully next to it

120

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

It’s a dark, wet day… let’s brighten it up by sharing our favourite Arthur Ransome copies. 📚Which is your favourite copy? 📚Is it paperback or hardback? 📚When/where did you get it? 📚What is it that you particularly like about it? Reply below! 👇 #SwallowsAndAmazons

A photograph showing some spines of Jonathan Cape editions of Arthur Ransome books. Some are in good condition, and some less so, but all very much loved.

752

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Not quite signalling to Mars, but for anyone UK based, there’s a red alert for the aurora just now, so worth having a peak towards the north if you’re somewhere without too much cloud cover/light pollution

141

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣 When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time Where? Zoom - link nearer time What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us. Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫 #SwallowsAndAmazons

An image of the cover of Winter Holiday by Arthur Ransome

9237

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Highly recommend ‘Reading Series Fiction’ by Victor Watson to anyone interested in children’s literature. Watson explores why we value reading series (like visiting ‘a room full of friends’), devotes a juicy 3 ch to Swallows&Amazons, &also explores The Dark is Rising, Green Knowe, The Borrowers etc

An imagine of the book ‘Reading Series Fiction’ by Victor Watson, gently resting on aged spaniel Molly

A image of the contents page of Reading Series Fiction, showing three chapters devoted to the Swallows and Amazons books, as well as an Introduction called ‘a room full of friends’

242

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Fair winds and following seas to all for 2026… wishing everyone a year ahead full of good things ⛵️ #SwallowsAndAmazons

Line drawing showing the Swallows and Amazons flags, and the words ‘Swallows and Amazons For Ever’

3140

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Hello friends, I’m sorry for the radio silence, it’s been (is) a difficult time hence the lack of quizzes/advent calendar this year. I hope to start again in the new year, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your recent Ransome reads, thoughts, moments… or just say hello! #SwallowsAndAmazons

A line drawing showing the Swallows sitting and looking out over the lake. The illustration is called ‘Making Ships Papers’

9110

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Important crossword clue: see 17 across …

A crossword. 17 across: _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ O

Crossword clue: 17 across - insectivorous mammal (9)

450

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Just catching up with Only Connect … some excellent Ransomish clues here 🏴‍☠️

150

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

A quiz! Can you name: 1. The furtive character A 2. The three characters at B 3. What B are searching for, and the name of their company 4. The book Reply with guesses below, answers tomorrow! #SwallowsAndAmazons #ArthurRansome

A line drawing depicts a barren rocky landscape. A furtive figure wearing a hat appears in the left of the image, in the distance, and is marked A. Three characters marked B are in the foreground on the right. One wears a cap, the others have short hair. One of the three wears spectacles and carries a hammer. All three at B are looking towards A.

1193

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

It’s been a little while since we’ve had a discussion, so… What’s your preferred Ransome read for July? Perhaps you like to dive into Pigeon Post for a sweltering adventure, or take refuge in the cold of Winter Holiday?? Do share your thoughts! 👇 PS quiz to follow soon #SwallowsAndAmazons

A snapshot of a coloured map of High Moor and High Topps.

681

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Very lucky to be doing a spot of Swallows-and-Amazons-ing in the Lake District this weekend. Where’s your favourite place to go adventuring? 🥾

A view of Grasmere. The sky is blue with a few fluffy white clouds.

090

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

On #internationalwomensday, let’s celebrate some of Arthur Ransome’s female characters. Who holds a special place in your heart, and why?

A drawing of Captain Nancy climbing up the newly erected trellis at Beckfoot

10111

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

After posting the Swallowdale quiz yesterday, I spotted this rather similar view on a walk today, which made me smile. A canal rather than a stream, Wales rather than the Lakes, and thankfully no GA in the vicinity…

A photograph of a bridge over a canal, with some shrubs to the right

A line drawing by Arthur Ransome of a bridge over a stream

3161

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

It’s been too long since we’ve had a quiz, so here goes… 1. Name characters A & B 2. Which location are they about to discover? 3. When A&B return from exploring, there’s a hurry to get going-which visitor has occasioned the hurry? 4. Sailing back, which portentous rock is spotted? Answers tom!

A line drawing shows character A (wearing a dress and leading the way) and character B (scruffy hair and shorts, following A) up to their ankles in a stream, and passing beneath a stone bridge.

1272

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Thought I’d share this painting which my Dad made this week … rather Ransome-esque!

An acrylic painting of Coniston, with two sailing dinghies in the foreground… one with a white sail, and one with a red sail.

4192

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

It’s certainly been Winter Holiday weather here… Do share your snowy pics ❄️🔭✨📷👇

A photo showing a hillside covered with snow

3161

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

A quiz for new year! 1. Name characters A, B, & C 2. B saves A & C from an unpleasant breakfast experience - what? 3. What piece of kitchen equipment does B recommend? 4. C has found something belonging to B - what? 5. Which book? Reply with guesses, answers tomorrow!

Character A, who wears pigtails, is holding a bottle and standing next to a table set for a meal. Character B holds a bottle and is relaxing in an open doorway. Character C, who is wearing spectacles, watches on.

1163

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

And day 24! 1. Name character A 2. Name the building, and the characters who are already inside 3. What food item does A have in their knapsack? 4. With what does A make a good blaze? 5. Which book? Bonus… share any of your favourite moments from this story! Reply below, answers tomorrow!

A snowy scene. We see character A in the foreground, moving towards a small building which has light shining from its windows

1281

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Day 23! 1. Who is at the window, under the blue circle? What vegetable do they resemble, and why? 2. What does the flag above signify? 3. Who is leaning on the sundial, writing? 4. Name the location 5. Which book? Reply with guesses, answers tomorrow!

A line drawing shows the backs of seven characters, six of whom are looking at an upper window in a house, and one is leaving on a sundial, writing. At the upper window a blue circle obscures the face of a character, although we can see two outstretched arms. A flag hangs above the window.

1351

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

Day 22! 1. Name this character 2. What is he watching? 3. What mode of transport did he use to arrive at this location? 4. Someone else is masquerading as this character-who? And how do they imitate this character’s appearance? 5. Which book? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A character wearing spectacles sits between two rocks, behind a net that has some foliage woven into it. They are looking towards a lake and watching something intently.

1030

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Day 21! 1. What is the name of this location, as noted on sign A? 2. Name character B 3. What is being marked on the map, and whose idea is it to do so? 4. Which book? Bonus: Mrs Dudgeon’s cook brings a seed cake and something in a jug - what? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A busy scene shows the inside of a lean-to, where Dot, Dick, Joe, Pete, Bill, and Tom seem engaged in various activities including marking locations on a map. A sign ‘A’ hangs on the wall, and a canine character B breaks the fourth wall.

1050

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Day 20! 1. Who made this? 2. What is it called? 3. Who named it? 4. What is written on each of the three signs? 5. What was left behind, necessitating this invention? 6. Which book? Bonus: which animal has joined this expedition? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A tall straight stick has been hammered vertically into the ground, as have three small signs. The landscape is barren, and the stick/signs throw some long shadows.

830

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Day 19! 1. Name characters A, B, C, & D 2. What company do B, C, & D belong to? 3. What metal has C recently found? 4. Which peak rises above this location? 5. Which book? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A line drawing shows a tall figure marked A, wearing a hat, appearing from between some rocks. In the foreground three characters are watching him, hidden behind some rocks. B is wearing pigtails, C has short scruffy hair, and D is sporting spectacles.

1372

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Day 18! 1. Name characters A, B, C, & D 2. A is writing something…What? 3. C decides to make something… What? 4. D must learn to do something… What? 5. Which book? Bonus: A, B, C, & D have a name for this location… what is it? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A line drawing shows four characters sitting on some raised ground overlooking a lake. A lies on his stomach and is busy writing, resting the paper on an upturned plate. B sits with her hand on a kettle. C is looking towards a small island in the distance. D has slightly scruffy hair and is busy looking through a telescope

1240

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Day 17! 1. Name this object 2. What noise does it make? 3. From which vessel is it encountered by the Swallows? 4. What does passing it mean? Bonus: what rousing tune is being played on the whistle by Roger, just before this object is identified? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A slightly ovoid structure floating in the sea, like ‘an enormous parrot cage with a pointed top, built on a round raft. At the top of the cage was a lantern’

1542

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Day 16! Jibbooms and bobstays, ink has been splashed all over someone’s pocket book. Can you identify: 1. The missing words, A to H 2. The name of the owner of the pocket book 3. Which book? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

1553

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Day 15: 1. Name the vessel 2. Name the part of the vessel that this image shows 3. Two mates are in charge here. Who are they? 4. Fill in the blanks - A, B, & C 5. Which book? Bonus: which vessel is in pursuit? Bonus bonus: What is in the saucepan at D? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A line drawing shows some shelves above a stove. On the shelves we see tea, sugar, salt, tapioca, and rice. We can also see some items with parts of their names obscured: ‘Captain’s A, Squashed B, and C Loaves’. Bubbling away on the stove is a large kettle and a saucepan (D). Outside we can see Gibber, and someone with a telescope looking at a dot on the horizon.

1231

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Day 14! 1. Identify characters A & B 2. Who is lying on the stretcher at C, and what are they holding aloft? 3. Where did C spend the previous night, and with whom? 4. Who is C pretending to be? 5. Which book? Bonus: What did C have to eat the previous evening? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A line drawing shows a barren landscape. In the background a character C lies on a stretcher, which is being carried by a small party. C is waving a linear object in the air. In the foreground two characters are running towards the stretcher party, arms aloft. A is an adult, and B a child. Both wear dresses, and B wears a sun hat.

1432

Arthur Ransome @aransome.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Scary one for Friday 13th… 1. Name this nefarious individual 2. Name his vessel 3. Who is (mistakenly) visiting him for advice, and about what kind of bird? 4. Name the book Bonus: What colour are this person’s pyjamas? Reply with guesses, answers tom!

A line drawing showed a bespectacled person sporting a moustache, sitting at a desk and measuring an ovoid object using some callipers. He is frowning.

960