iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Away for work. Anyone guess the premier seaside location I’ve got the pleasure to stay in?

James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Rusty my Brachypelma auratum has flipped onto their back and started the molting process. Yesterday they had made a molting mat out of webbing so I knew it was coming. Always a nerve wracking time as they are extremely vulnerable.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Not what you want to be greeted with on a footpath! Later I didn’t realise that another footpath on the map had been diverted on the ground and came across a pissed off but reasonable farmer in his farmyard. Of course exiting the farmyard the diversion if coming the other way was clearly marked…

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The sky did its thing again this evening.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Minninglow always draws the eye in the White Peak.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Having a post work sit at the most impressive Neolithic site in the Peak District. Just the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze. It’s always quiet up here.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I awoke in Derbyshire to a lovely early Autumn morning. A heavy dew and light mist in the valley. This afternoon it feels like summer.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

We’ve just booked a 1050km 14hr train journey in Thailand. First class private sleeper cabin for the two of us comes to a grand total of £31 each. Third class is only £6.60. I really wish we had affordable train travel in the Uk, it would be great to be able to travel to the Highlands via sleeper.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

IIam village is the birthplace of Elon Musk, hence the full size replica of space X a local built in his honour in 1840.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Warm sun and moody sky in the Peak District today.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A great view down into the Hamps valley, barely a soul about.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

A cool, wet and breezy start to the day. Something I’ve not experienced for a while!

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Stiles to nice places in the Peak District this afternoon.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

We are currently in Crete where tomorrow it will be a couple of degrees cooler than back home in Nottingham. Heat is so much easier to deal with when you are near a beach and have crisp aircon in the hotel. Our house in Nottingham will be insufferably hot. Anyway, a photo from our balcony.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Rusty the Brachypelma auratum molted last weekend. Looking rather lovely in their brand new jumper. A leg span of 9cm now. A couple more days and they can have their first post molt dinner.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

A very pleasant short stroll yesterday through the Heddon Valley to Heddon’s Mouth Beach. It was lovely to sit for a while on the beach listening to the hypnotic sound of the waves. Followed by a good lunch in the Hunter’s Inn.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

A late afternoon walk up Great & Little Hangman Hills from Combe Martin. The highest point on the South West Coast path at 318 metres, a fair climb from sea level! I took an old mine path around the back to the highest sea cliff in England and Wales at 244 metres. Superb scenery.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Pitched last night at 2000ft on the North Pennine moors. First time out out since September last year. A beautiful day of crisp blue skies. Warm sunshine in the valley and a cold biting wind up high. The sound of Curlew, lapwing and skylarks this morning.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Couldn’t ask for better weather this afternoon.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

A couple of weeks ago I got a Avicularia avicularia (Guyana Pinktoe tarantula). It’s a fairly small arboreal species and this one has around a 5 inch leg span. She’s settling in well and has just started webbing up her enclosure. She’s an absolute beauty, and so far appears nice and gentle.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

The ford on the minor road up to Tissington had a large volume of water today. Watched a 4x4 cross but wouldn’t it attempt in a normal car.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Sitting having lunch in the sun and if it wasn’t was the wind it would feel rather spring like.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

A lovely blue sky and crisp snowy day on Kinder Scout yesterday. Got the train to Edale for a change. The train, Edale and Kinder were all very busy with folk enjoying the first nice day of the year.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

A new addition to our household. He / she is a juvenile Brachypelma auratum (Mexican Flame knee Tarantula). Small at around 5cm, but over the next few years could grow up to 15cm. Currently on the side of its enclosure watching me work…

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Jet lag at this time of year is less that ideal. Been up since 5am and sunrise is still a few hours away. Really feels like the middle of the night!

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

An evening stroll around a Bangkok park. Loads of people out jogging, using the gym equipment, and there was even a free open air aerobics class taking place. Such a difference to the UK where you’d likely be mugged entering a city park after dark.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Old vs modern. The view from our Bangkok hotel room.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

I don’t fancy a journey on this bus…

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

A very pleasant early morning walk. Happy Xmas all.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

The ‘bum gun’. Why are these not a thing in the west? I have to admit that after a couple of weeks in Thailand I’m a big fan. I don’t think my bum has ever been so squeaky clean. If you had poo on your face would you wipe it off with toilet paper or wash it off?

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

A lovely peaceful 24 hours at a remote homestay on the edge of Khao Sam Roi Yot National park. Just the sounds of birds and buffalo.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Young water buffalo. The owner had a close eye on mum who was having a bath nearby.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

A few days spent around the village of Baan Krood. Mass tourism has yet to arrive in this part of Thailand. Deserted beaches and a general laid back atmosphere.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

A visit to Ao Siam National Park this afternoon to walk its nature trail. Entrance was free and we were the only visitors which was nice. Despite smothering ourselves with half a bottle of mozzie spray we both ended up covered in bites. Some impressive 150ft+ trees.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Last nights dinner wasn’t quite what I thought I’d be getting as something got lost in translation. It did taste much better than it looked though!

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

A great morning hiking up the trail to Pala-U Waterfall in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Elephants are common on the road to the trailhead but unfortunately we didn’t spot any. A tough walk though with ropes for the tricky bits, would be slippery after rain. The air full of butterflies and bird song.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

A Vespa Tropica (greater banded hornet) flew into our room yesterday. It was huge. Guest house worker said they are very dangerous!

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

It was a beautiful drive through the Thai countryside yesterday to get to our accommodation. As the road twisted its way up and over a jungle clad pass we noticed elephant dung on the side of the road. A cacophony of insects and frogs at night & apparently sometimes elephants can be heard.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

I think some of the items on the menu may be lost in translation!

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Want to raise your blood pressure? Hire a car and drive out of Bangkok! Went the wrong way and got lost. Finally found the motorway and headed south.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Bangkok Mall breakfast of kings. Spicy fish soup with rice & omelette and spicy mushroom soup with rice & omelette. Came to 140 baht (£3.30). Some stomach adjustment may be needed due to Thai spice levels.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Can’t beat a good pounding in the kitchen to make a very spicy Thai jungle curry. We are off to Thailand in a couple of weeks so are training our taste buds.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

A nice quiet sit overlooking one of the biggest honeypots in England. I’ve not passed a soul since leaving the car. It’s heaving down there by the stepping stones even on a gloomy Thursday in November.

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James Boulter @bpackingbongos.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

A bit of weirdness in the woods today.

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