iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 10m

The C17 is fascinating, and arguably has bigger social change than any other- at one end, death of E I, via, GPP, divine right of kings, Civil War, witch mania,superstition - to the Enlightenment, and a recognisable constitutional monarchy by its end (Queen Anne last monarch to veto an AofP in 1708)

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 2h

Quite apart from the many other artefacts recovered, it transformed our understanding of medieval archery. Everything from the length of arrows, to the exceptional draw weight of the longbows (between 140 - 160lb, with some around 200lb).

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Lisounours @lise-l.bsky.social · 10h

Ils étaient mi-cerf mi-escargot, et re mi-cerf derrière

Image de deux cerfs allongés devant des rouleaux de foin

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 3h

The ones that really get me are the (largely R/W) opinion peice pundits whose avatars are all from their 20s and bear no resemblance to their current appearance (despite all the Botox and fillers…)

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 6h

Will be interesting to see if it moves their poll ratings. And if the do have to repay the £72m, how much they claim has already been spent….

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 8h

Shame tickets to see them are so difficult to find….unless you are willing to fork out on resale sites….

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The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Is there a coat of arms more suited to the Halloween season than this one?! This image comes from a German manuscript made up of a collection of coats of arms which relate mainly to the Holy Roman Empire. It was probably written in southwest Germany or Switzerland, around the early 16th century.

Full-page allegorical representation of the arms of Death. The arms are supported by a skeleton and a female figure, surmounted by a helm, hourglass and clock as crest, over which two arm bones hold a rock.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

There are already suggestions based on your watch history - not sure what this will add

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Apparently Donald is keen to make this pay per view, with all proceeds going to one of his “family charities”….

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Shouldn’t they be using an AA gun to do it?

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I guess it’s a nice change from Badenoch and Lite-Reformism….

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

People say reading was so last year but it’s actually about half the time to download a transcript and read it than listening…even more if there are pointless visuals.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I said a black woman as PM - not Kemi. There is certainly benefit in giving disadvantaged and underrepresented groups positive opportunities but for a role like PM, I believe you have to be fully capable of doing it, not elected just because ethnic minorities are under represented in it.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

In fairness to JO’B, I don’t think it’s either. I suspect we would both view a black woman becoming PM as a progressive step. But that has to be on basis of ability to run the country and I have seen very little in Kemi during her ministerial years or as LOTO that suggest she is up to the job.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

She has inexhaustible confidence, which is a bonus leading a party polling so badly. And a lot of energy, and combative spirit. She also contradicts herself within two sentences, seems to revel in being the ‘nasty’ party, and incapable of leading a broad church, or any new offering to citizens.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

That is so odd, have got into exactly the same - tend to drink English ales from a half pint pewter tankard (though I have pint ones). Continental beers, a 25 or 33cl glass. Like Spaten - comes into the supermarkets here to co-incide with Oktoberfest, and one of the better ones readily available.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Lots of excitement and reposting on here every time a Euro politician says something positive about UK rejoining. And some polling looks good but depends on detail of questions asked. I haven’t seen much better than Sam’s discussion substack.com/@samf/note/p... - 10 yr timescale about right.

substack.com

The route back into the EU

Back in 2022 I wrote about the long-term prospects for undoing Brexit and made two predictions.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Am I becoming the ageing & overly nostalgic person I once railed against when I say “they don’t make them like that any more? But a 6 hour drama with, other than 1st episode, no pyrotechnics, largely just a master class in acting wouldn’t be commissioned now (cf also I Clavdivs)

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I agree it’s an important step, but the key is whether she enforces it. I don’t think many people will be convinced if you can’t be a Tory MP if you want to remain in EHCR, but can be if you talk about Muslims taking over Trafalgar Square, or Luton having no go areas for whites….

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

If it’s sudden, more likely you have strained it. There are a number of Pilates exercises, which if done regularly, even 10-15 minutes a day, really help. Plenty of resources available, but this is a reasonable start. www.pilatesanytime.com/blog/restora...

pilatesanytime.com

8 Pilates Exercises for Back Pain | Pilates Anytime

Pilates can help make the back feel better and prevent future flare-ups. Try these back-strengthening Pilates exercises for back pain today.

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James Wright @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I've been having a look at the comments on The ACTUAL Oldest Pub in England video (a thread)... youtu.be/RlyvHJtptbc?... #NeverReadTheComments #BottomHalfOfTheInternet #Architecture #Buildings #Archaeology

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Pleased it’s got widespread viewing - these sort of comments are, I guess, inevitable when you get exposure on social media. Maybe if they bought the book they might learn a bit more before commenting…..

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Robert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 06/10/2026

Kane and Unable: my SKETCH of Kemi Badenoch's decision to conduct her broadcast interviews as a tribute to Jeffrey Archer. thecritic.co.uk/kane...

Kemi Badenoch’s broadcast interviews on Tuesday were a touching celebration of someonewhose extravagant boasts and relaxed relationship with reality won the heart of Conservative members. There was also a lot of discussion of Jeffrey Archer.

The Tory leader opened her chat with BBC Breakfast viewers by talking about the bestselling novelist messaging her only the previous day. She would reply with emojis, she said, and we got an image of a somewhat one-sided chat that allowed Archer to allude to his closeness to Top People. Or Badenoch, anyway.

Not, of course, that the Master Storyteller ever felt constrained by the truth. It was a stellar career built on an instinct for what the audience wants to hear, a gift for “inaccurate precis”, and a willingness, when necessary, to simply say things that weren’t true. Sorry, I’ve completely lost track of who I’m writing about.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Good luck with that policy in Hackney….it might be easier to identify those that aren’t….

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CBHC / RCAHMW @rcahmwales.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Wales’s archaeology from the air! Discover this summer’s remarkable drought discoveries with @drtobydriver.bsky.social in Current Archaeology and the Time Team Podcast. 📖 zurl.co/vrp3d 🎧zurl.co/s7ff7 #Archaeology #Wales #hanescymru #yagym

Image of Caerhun Roman fort, near Conwy (Crown Copyright: RCAHMW).

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This could be about publicity? It’s first time I have seen anything promoting this. Will try and find a suitable date along the way!

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

But positive to see a Tory leader putting clear distance from Reform on Britishness and ethnic identity. Even if it did get a noticeably mixed reception from the Party faithful.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Kemi’s offer is the usual Tory salami slicing - of course starting with welfare (but not welfare like Pensions, WFA, or any of the other pensioner benefits). And good news if you earn £100k +, you will also benefit. And we are also going to find £10bn for an Iron Dome (Israel’s £100bn).

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

You are not allowed to take photos in the exhibit gallery. I am very much in favour of accessibility, but I have been to the exhibition, and am really struggling to see how a blind person could benefit from walking along the length of the tapestry, when there more meaningful options available.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

You can’t touch the tapestry; it is a pretty swift moving conveyor belt of people, so there isn’t time to stop and chat; access to other exhibits is not prevented - you just wouldn’t pay for the exhibition. The replica in Reading would be far more suitable.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This is not even the usual basics for a new policy, “what will it really cost” and “how will it be paid for”. This is “what is it” and “how will it work”. And she can’t even answer that, even at an elementary level.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

And it wasn’t your fault? You may have a claim. Phone Tory Historians For U…. True, history did end in the 90s, but since Kemi became leader, it started again. Why, they even have a Tapestry to prove it.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

youtu.be/18LFW-w1uSQ?.... This a pretty good Obit, anticipating this day. Captures the character of the man in a warm and gracious manner, as should we all in remembering him.

youtu.be

HIGNFY Mastermind

YouTube video by Steve White

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Despite all this, the obits in the MSM are very generous. Well, at least C4 News was a bit more balanced tonight…

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Adam Macqueen @adammacqueen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Just as a counterpoint to some of the obituaries this morning, here's the start of the Archer chapter in my history of political lying, The Lies of the Land:

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Honestly her brain should be studied. Why is she incapable of going 'this nuts politician has said something nutty and vile?'

youtu.be

Does Kemi Badenoch agree with Suella Braverman that she 'can't call herself English'?

YouTube video by Good Morning Britain

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

In the hackneyed cliche of the 80s, there was no “I” in TEAM. But now there is - Team KemI….huzzah. Kind of like a one pot meal, very satisfying….

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

From Whitehall days, I recall a few SPADS like that.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Enjoying the Norman Conquest at the moment - the prequel is next on the list (alongside Ian Mortimer on Restoration England…)

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Further details emerge of the new “Iron Dome” Storm Force system from the Tory Party conference. To remain within budget, they are proposing to buy a multi lateral, fully integrated system around the 7th of November consisting of the most powerful unsold Lidl rockets still on the shelf.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I favour the hypothesis she would be moving this from Stamford Bridge to Hastings by sea, depending on whether the threat came from the Russians or the French….

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Marc Morris @marcmorris.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

We have more information about Harold Godwineson's defensive strategy in 1066 than we do about Kemi Badenoch's today.

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Are these “legitimate concerns”? I think we should be told….

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

French or Belgian? Never come across it, but looks quite alcoholic, despite description. But the Orval from the other day….mmm, if I could take just one beer with me….And yes, I do have too many Orval glasses and not enough bottles to drink in them…

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I’m pretty ignorant on these things, does one always get a notification if someone blocks you?

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Belle de jour @bowman120.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Big question is, did the 3 blockers actually read any of your posts, or just weren’t keen on the avatar…. (they are missing out whichever). Maybe they are just petrified of someone who is a living embodiment of a principal in the Crucible?

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