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brianhaines.bsky.social

@brianhaines.bsky.social
38 followers 52 following 183 posts

Even quieter in person.

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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"Marseille ... A place where anyone, no matter what colour, could get off a boat or a train, suitcase in hand, not a penny in their pocket, and melt into the tide of other people. A city where, having scarcely set foot on the ground, one could say 'This is it. I am home'
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Just caught up with Colin from Accounts series 3. Brilliant! Can't match series 1 (what can?) but much better than s2. Will miss it. Too much Nick Cave though.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
TV historians, I'm begging you, please use the past tense when you're talking about the past. Thank you.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Went to the Frida Kahlo show at Tate Modern today. Not really surprising but I'd guess at least 90% of visitors were women, which seems exceptional.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I'm reading a book where, on page 86, there is an enormous clap of thunder, followed by a great flash of lightning. Is this just a mistake or a hint that time is going backwards? The book is Satantango so anything's possible.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I've just remembered that I did meet Bill Oddie once, in the foyer of the Festival Hall after a Miles Davis concert (1985?). We'd seen the first show and he was going to the second and we told him he was sure to enjoy it, which might have been optimistic, given his famous grumpiness.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Hello all! Does anyone* know if the photo in this cover is a Lee Miller? *Hello @kirkdalebooks.bsky.social and @beckenhambookshop.bsky.social for example!
Cover of Palm House by Gwendoline Riley, a photo of two legs as seen from their owner's pov
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Argentina were a disgrace in every way. Spain were, as usual, frustrating and annoying but by far the better team.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
I really don't know why people think strikers are the best players to take penalties. Often their strengths are speed and ability to sneak into dangerous positions, neither of which are any use from the spot.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
It's not often that a football result unites the world in thinking that justice has been done.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
I just want to mention to whoever the new PM might be that I will unswervingly vote for anyone who pledges to outlaw the use of roman numerals in copyright notices. (Also golf umbrellas on urban streets.)
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
It can't last, but right now England are looking magnificent!
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Just found this: a guide to matching food with the World Cup. www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...
theguardian.com
Pass the chakalaka! The best World Cup drinks and snacks – inspired by all 48 teams
From spicy South African relish to Scottish tattie scones, food is an integral part of watching the beautiful game. Here’s how fans around the world fuel match day
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Oh my god the bailiffs have been in and repossessed all the BBC's chairs! #worldcup
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Says something about me, I suppose, that when I heard the sad news of Anthony Head's death, my first thought was of Mr Gently Benevolent in Bleak Expectations. He was terrific in it.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
blimey Eurovision goes on forever when you're not drunk. Fortunately, there's an easy remedy ..
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The pair who are just about to win on Pointless are called Adam and Steve. Take that, creationists!
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Oh I didn't know until a few minutes ago that J H Prynne was an alumnus of St Dunstan's, Catford (just down the road from me). I (obviously) can't say I always understood what he was going on about, but he made most other poetry seem trivial somehow.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Ooh, this is online! In my memory it was fantastic and I'll listen to it later. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Desert Island Discs - Andy Kershaw - BBC Sounds
Kirsty Young's castaway is broadcaster Andy Kershaw.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Playing a bit of this for Andy
Cover of album Best of Kanda Bongo Man
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
I've really no idea what 'compline' is, but to this jaded atheist Radio 3's broadcasts during Lent have been absolutely beautiful! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 3 - Compline - Available now
Available episodes of Compline
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
A Bette Davis, Gena Rowlands, Romy Schneider ... A todas las actrices que han hecho de acactrices, a todas las mujeres que actúan, a los hombres que actúan y se convierten en mujeres, a todas las personas que quieren ser madres. A mi madre.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
I don't suppose anyone expected that tonight! #cafc
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
I miss Rosa @marxroadrunner.bsky.social She's on here but has never posted. ☹️ No-one better than her at telling Tony Blair to fuck off.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Started reading this on Friday, and it's suddenly sadly relevant.
Cover of novel The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
This seems to be Starmer's line (poem by B Brecht 1953)
Poem by Brecht called The Solution. 

After the uprising of the 17th of June
The Secretary of the Writers' Union
Had leaflets distributed on the Stalinallee
Which stated that the people
Had squandered the confidence of the government
And could only win it back
By redoubled work. Would it not in that case
Be simpler for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
I don't really care if Andrew stays in the line of succession but I suggest it wouldn't be wise to let him watch Kind Hearts and Coronets.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Here's something for that smallest of niche readerships: Spanish-speaking vegetarians. 10 traditional recipes. elpais.com/gastronomia/...
elpais.com
Diez platos clásicos del recetario español que siempre fueron vegetarianos
La porrusalda, las patatas a la importancia o la fritada aragonesa son solo algunas de las recetas que siempre se prepararon con los vegetales e ingredientes sencillos disponibles en las casas
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
... an apocalypse escape vehicle ... with an array of weaponry.
Tweet by Bear Grylls, 14 Jan
The storms of life will always come... that's guaranteed.
All our 'Everests' will come and our strength will be tested.
We will be pushed to your limits... and there we will see what we’re really made of.
But in my experience, brute strength alone won’t keep us standing.
We need
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Ooh, so glad the heating got partially fixed yesterday! 🥶
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
The BBC's recent survey showed that only 43% of respondents thought it was effective in showing independence from the government. It was the worst result in that survey, and I'd say that's a more pressing concern. l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...
l.facebook.com
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Hey, @snig.bsky.social , I'm just making sure you know about this new shop in Lewisham (on the station approach). Bigger than it looks, and certainly worth a visit, I'd say.
Photo of Kiku & Miumiu, a new Japanese/Chinese supermarket in the station approach at Lewisham.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
WHAT?!!!??!! #cafc
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
If I were, for some implausible reason, defining my taste in books by reference to 8 authors, and if, improbably, all 8 I first thought of were men, I think I might lie, just a bit.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Hollie McNish, who I must admit I'd never heard of, is doing Private Passions on Radio 3 and she's really charming and interesting. Must find out more. @holliemcnish.bsky.social
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Define my musical taste by 8 musicians, you say? (Yes, I am old. And inclusion on this list does definitely not mean moral approval) Joni Mitchell John Martyn Ravel Linda Catlin Smith Miles Davis David Bowie Jacques Brel Mozart
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Oh no how will the people of York get by without a Duke?
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
The big unanswered question: Would you like to sin With Elinor Glyn On a tiger skin? Or would you prefer To err with her On some other fur? Born on this day in 1864
Photo of Elinor Glyn with her two cats, Candide and Zadig.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
“The cover’s blue, yeah,” he says. “It’s a translation, and not much happens, but it’s good.” I *bet* this was a @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social book. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
Tim Dowling: I love books – but can’t remember anything about the ones I’ve just read
In bed I lie awake, staring at the books on my nightstand, trying to remember a single salient fact about any of them
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Happy birthday (85) to this man.
Photo of Steve Swallow, playing a high note on a bass guitar
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Really smoky smell in the air in #Catford tonight (and not the usual ganja) which I guess is coming from the #Beckenham fire
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Sad news poets.org/poem/long-di...
poets.org
Long Distance II
Though my mother was already two years dead
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Not that it seems to matter these days, but I imagine the BritCard™️ wasn't in the manifesto?
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
youtu.be/_bi8uRmFKTY?...
youtu.be
John Martyn & Danny Thompson - Couldn't Love You More - Whistle Test 1977
YouTube video by Timtubeyou
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Top 10 TV Comedies for @cairdiul.bsky.social Top Cat Bewitched Spaced Fawlty Towers Frasier (up to s7) Porridge The Simpsons (up to s10) Ghosts The Office (remember when Gervais wasn't a monster?) [empty slot for the one I've inevitably forgotten]
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
'Neatly trimmed and shaved, Robert Redford was just outrageously handsome, incandescently handsome, he was handsomeness on legs. His photograph was in the dictionary next to “handsome”.' www.theguardian.com/film/filmblo...
theguardian.com
Robert Redford: the incandescently handsome star who changed Hollywood forever
Robert Redford, who has died at the age of 89, began as a blond bombshell at a time when American cinema favoured grit, then turned into a supremely assured director and unlikely keeper of the indie f...
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
It used to be football club owners who would express full confidence in the manager on Wednesday and sack them on Thursday.
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Just re-read this (iykyk). Still an absolute blast.
Two unnumbered pages from H(A)PPY by Nicola Barker
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Last five concerts: Musica Antica Rotherhithe Fiona Monbet Héloise Werner (et amies) Page Blanche Elana Sasson
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brianhaines.bsky.social @brianhaines.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
I've spent too long today wondering if the throwaway reference to a hugely successful Irish novelist (p 151) is significant. #TonyInterruptor
Dust jacket of TonyInterruptor by Nicola Barker.
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