iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Another great article from the Guardian - this time about a jeans manufacturer reviving the industry (and skills) in Wales and turning to its top customers for survival

theguardian.com

‘Our town is making jeans again’: meet the firm reviving jobs and skills in Wales

In the first article in a series on high end British manufacturing, we visit the Hiut Denim factory in Cardigan

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Credit is due to @nationalhighways.bsky.social - large sections of the A1 & A1(M) between the M1 near Leeds & Newcastle have recently been resurfaced with low noise & low spray (porous?) asphalt. Most of it is a pleasure to drive along - quiet & smooth. Also only a very short section of roadworks

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Presumably this is because the ticket revenue is now less due to more buying cheaper leisure tickets and fewer buying season tickets for commuting. Meanwhile inflation in construction & maintenance costs has increased the cost of operating the railway.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

It’s a common misconception and I had to do a lot of digging to get the story straight. As you say they’re very similar, similar age and Dorman Long were involved on both.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Staying at my mum’s this weekend. She’s playing random YouTube shit at high volume on her iPad. It’s rather nnoying but I can’t really say anything as she’s deaf and it’s her flat!

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Great to see Michael Crawford & Sarah Brightman back on stage together. Still haven’t managed to see it & crazy that it is still going 40 years since it premiered. I know the score pretty much off by heart after getting the CD as a child. Recall being envious of a friend going to see it in London.

trevordecker.com

Michael Crawford Returns as the Phantom 40 Years After Opening Night | Trevor Decker News

The 84-year-old originated the role in 1986 and joined Sarah Brightman on stage at His Majesty's Theatre for a finale four decades in the making.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

I’m afraid that’s an urban myth. The Sydney Harbour Bridge contract was awarded & started construction a year before Tyne Bridge. They shared Dorman Long as contractors but both were based on Hell’s Gate in NYC. Confusion arises as Tyne Bridge completed 4 years before the much larger Sydney bridge

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Beware of fire extinguishers…

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Reposted by Peter

Iain @iainmarley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#SmoggieQueens fans. Just seen this Teesside icon moving up the river whilst out on an afternoon run and immediately thought of Titanic, Drag Bingo and a dance off to B*Witched’s “C’est La Vie”. 🤣 Those that know, know. Folks like @bear35.bsky.social 😊

The Teesside Princess glides serenely up the River Tees - sadly no sight of Drag Bingo or a dance off to “C’est La Vie” by B*Witched

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I don’t have long to increase my Avios balance if I want to book reward flights to go next year. I might need to look at alternative routes, maybe via Singapore instead. Luckily my travel partner is a travel agent specialising in long haul travel, so he’ll be able to advise on the best way.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I’m thinking it’s high time I returned to Aus & NZ for a holiday. It’s nearly 20 years since I moved back to the UK from NZ & 13 years since I was last there on holiday. With my BA Companion Voucher, I need 350,000 Avios to go to Melbourne in Club with my travel partner. I have 285,000.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Thank you. I’m about to roll out of Miller & Carter

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Thank you! Miller & Carter so I’m looking forward to steak and lettuce!

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Celebrated another trip around the sun by working for 5 hours on what should have been a day off and going to the household tip. Relaxing now and going for a meal later.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

You’d not even pay interest just on the bit you didn’t clear. If you don’t clear the full balance you pay interest that month on the whole spending amount. Then next month you only pay interest on what’s outstanding from the previous month. I found that out the expensive way once.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

So much for taking annual leave on my birthday. Turns out that I have a client meeting at lunchtime that I have to attend and prepare for. Not entirely elated!

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Go Me! Radiators weren’t working, so checked the pressure gauge on the heating pressure valve and it was at zero. Turned the knobs and hey presto. We had issues with the water supply a few weeks ago so I wonder if that caused it.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Used the eleptical trainer atthe gym today, which I’ve not used much until now. I could really feel my glutes being worked. After 4 visits in 6 days my body is whinging a bit.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

As the son of a vicar in a parish in the nearby Wakefield diocese I was aware of St Thomas in Crookes. My father’s dead now so I can’t ask him of his views of what was going on there but it seems that this guy was arm’s length. Safeguarding wasn’t really a thing then!

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Started re-watching Ghosts from the start. Thankfully my memory is crap these days so I only remember little bits.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I am very much looking forward to seeing this. US Ghosts is good, Australian Ghosts is ok but the UK BBC original is fabulous. I think it’s partly because the main team worked together for so long on Horrible Histories and that wamth shows through youtu.be/iLKGXt5JHKk?...

youtu.be

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House - Official Trailer

YouTube video by LionsgateFilmsUK

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

My birthday is coming up this week and I think I’ll take the day off work. It’s not a regular habit but I feel like this year it’s necessary given all that’s going on.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Another gym visit but no sign of the Gym Crush. Consoled myself by buying gingerbread & white chocolate cookies from M&S. Maybe addicted.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Train was 7 minutes late leaving York. We just passed Durham only 2 minutes late. Not bad going.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I’m waving. Seems safer. 👋

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

You still pass through it on the current Thameslink. It’s a bit eerie.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I’ll wave when I pass through on the train

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I think my attendance here in London has embarrassed a couple of colleagues who didn’t realise I was coming from Newcastle. It was partly my choice to not challenge in-person attendance, but even so…

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Always interesting to visit other companies’ offices. A well known international architect and engineering consultancy today. I feel like I’m not expected (although I’m early). Hopefully I’m not going to be messed around!

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Holed up in a Costa in London ahead of my meeting. London is heaving and was pleased to get off Euston Road. Despite that, it’s an increasingly walkable city as traffic is pushed out of the centre

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

On my way back down to London for the day for a project planning workshop. I can’t stop yawning. It’s going to be a long day in both senses as I’m not due back to Newcastle until after 8pm

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Back in the blood platelet donation chair after a 5 month absence for .. reasons.

Photo shows needle inserted in arm with blood flowing.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yes that was the announcement I recalled too. Her family’s announcement was very dignified and well written, as you’d expect.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Sad to hear that Dame Esther Rantzen has died but obviously not unexpected and it was clear she was becoming very frail. A shame that she saw the assisted dying bill fall in the HoC after campaigning so vigorously.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This is a great article highlighting how HS2 is generating a more biodiverse landscape than if land used for construction had simply been restored to arable farming land. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

theguardian.com

Wildlife arrives on time at rewilded chalk grasslands built along HS2 route

The trains may be running late, but the Western Slopes project is already attracting birds and insects on lands around the high-speed railway

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Second morning in a row that I made it to the gym before work. Not sure who I am any more.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I tried a pre-work gym visit today. Was short and not entirely successful, but at least I got there. I now need to refine my timing to create a reliable means of getting a couple of midweek visits in without getting to work too late. As expected it was quite busy but not hideously so.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Well there are things that family don’t need to know!

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I’m sure you have others …

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Matched with a guy on Tinder. As he has ignored me on Grindr, I wasn’t at all surprised when he quickly unmatched me. Presumably one of those who liberally swipes right and enjoys the power of rejecting later. Hey ho

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I suspect my father would’ve lived longer had he been able to get out of his cancer hospital sooner. Instead he was stuck in hospital while a care package was sorted out & by the time he got out he was covered in bed sores & weakened by an infection. He was there 10 days before dying of pneumonia

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I’m surprised you were able to get so close without scaring them.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Have you watched the spin-off Dickie Show? Also worth watching. Funny seeing Mark Benton in drag in both series, when he’s a senior police officer in Patience.

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

These would free up expensive hospital care beds and would be more suitable for the elderly & vulnerable. Anyone who watches BBC’s Ambulance would know that such care facilities would also significantly reduce paramedics’ workload, if supported by mobile careworkers with enhanced first aid training

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Peter @gatesheadgeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Interesting to see Burnham talking about free universal social care. The cost of £18bn has been mooted but with the savings for the NHS could reduce that substantially. I can envisage nursing & care facilities that provide a pathway from hospital to independent & semi-independent living for example.

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