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Ginny Dawe-Woodings

@helloginnybatty.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1.5K following 308 posts

Archivist with a love for #histmed, surgical, sexual health, and #histsex collections; if it's in a jar I'll probably love it. She/her. Yellowbelly living in London. Aprendiendo Español.

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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I do love receiving rude veg in the post
A clear plastic bag on a wooden counter top with the words ‘YOUR MOTHER INSISTED’ written in marker pen. On the bag is a pair of conjoinred tomatoes that resembles genitalia
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I was not prepared for how hard the logo for the Basque anti-ableist group Bordillo Aplastao goes
A yellow diamond with a black logo in the centre. The logo depicts a wheelchair user holding an AK47 in front of a five pointed star. sunder the logo the text reads - BORDILLO APLASTAO
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
What’s your sign?
A white sign attacked to a post inside a tent. The sign has a no smoking logo (a cigarette inside a red circle, crossed through) and the text - “NO SMOKING In the marquee. It annoys people and os probably illegal”
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I’m still on the biggest high from seeing My Chemical Romance on Friday. Twenty years on from my mam driving me and two friends to Birmingham for the first Black Parade tour 💀👁️🖤 #LongLiveTheBlackParade
View of a stage with a massive standing crowd. Pyrotechnic flares are lighting up the main stage and to the sides, and part of the stage appears to be on fireA man wearing a skeleton onesie looks emotionally to the sky. The roof of a massive stadium, full of crowds illuminated in red with their phone torches lit, as fireworks launch from the roof A group of four people, all in black, smile at the camera.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
My fav 1066 and all that bit was Morton’s Fork 🍴
Black text on a white background above a picture of a tudor man jabbing a portly man with a fork. The text reads - “Henry VII was a miser and very good at statecraft; he invented some extremely clever policies such as the one called Morton's Fork. This was an enormous prong with which his minister Morton visited the rich citizens (or burghlers as they were called). If the citizen said he was poor, Morton drove his Fork in a certain distance and promised not to take it out until the citizen paid a large sum of money to the King. As soon as this was forthcoming Morton dismissed him, at the same time shouting 'Fork Out' so that Henry would know the statecraft had been successful. If the burghler said he was quite rich Morton did the same thing: it was thus a very clever policy and always succeeded except when Morton put the Fork in too far.’
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
I'm going back over the charter granted by Henry I to St Bartholomew's, albeit an early 20th century transcription of the 1133 copy, and I just cannot understand what "it shall have socc and sacc, and thol and theme, and infogheneteof" could possibly mean
Black text on beige background - "Know ye, that I have granted, and have by this my charter confirmed, to the church of St Bartholomew of London, and to Rahere the Prior, and the Canons Regular, in the same church serving God, and to the poor of the Hospital of the same church, that they be free from all earthly servitude and earthly power and subjection, except episcopal customs, to wit, only consecration of the church, baptism, and ordination of clergy; and that as any church in all England is free, so this church be free, and all the lands to it appertaining, which it now has, or which Rahere the Prior, or the Canons, may be able to acquire, whether by purchase or by gift. And it shall have socc and sacc, and thol and theme, and infogheneteof; and all liberties and free customs and acquittances in all things which belong to the same church, in wood and in plain, in meadows and pastures, in waters and mills, in ways and paths, in pools and vineyards, and marshes and fisheries, in granges and copses, within and without, and in all places now and for ever.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Also, archivists wouldn't just leave a researcher on their own with artefacts that the author has implied are valuable and rare, AND THEY DEFINITELY WOULDN'T PHOTOCOPY THE ORIGINALS FOR YOU. ARE YOU BARMY.
A screen shot of an ebook page, with a section highlighted in purple. The text reads –  for any meaningful interaction, but now, having discovered my King, I found I needed to locate them. They were in the office making photocopies, chatting to a guide. I asked if they would come with me to my room when they could - ideally immediately. We left the office together, and once I had closed the door to my room behind us, they asked what I had found. I gestured to the King's entry, resting like a fallen leaf on my desk. Do you know him? I do. He'll be the one, I said. They placed a hand on the entry. Of course.A screen shot of an ebook page, with a section highlighted in purple. The text reads – NOT ALL SEEDS NEED LIGHT TO GERMINATE. The archivist knocked at my closed door. I called out for them to come in, somewhat resenting the interruption. They wanted to ask about my process. They couldn't resist. Did I have half an hour for them? Maybe five minutes, I said. How did I begin? What parameters, if any, did I set myself? To what extent was I prone to working on feeling? Did I ever let it get the better of me? What did I see my role as being for the viewer? Where did auteur meet artist meet curator, if at all? What did I want? I gave my answers as best I could, and each time I found the follow-up
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I also resent the implication that we're all antisocial, timid, meek little church mice, hiding in dark basements waiting for some curator to come and bring collections into the metaphorical, or in this case literal, light.
A screen shot of an ebook page, with a section highlighted in purple. The text reads – before they noticed me. Something in their face told me that this was a person to be taken seriously. It was without question. Welcome, they said, and pulled a chair out for me. I thanked them for making the time. The archivist said it is always a pleasure to meet a curator, especially one bothering to take an interest in the history of the specific building. They asked me what I would like to see. What is there? I asked. Everything, came the response. I felt my heart in my chest. I felt light with anticipation in a way I hadn't for some time. Two years? Maybe three? How long had it been? Everything meant: a detailed ledger which recounted the reign of each king and queen for the past half-millennium, as well as some records from the earlyA screen shot of an ebook page, with a section highlighted in purple. The text reads – To placate the office staff, I told them I would be happy to take part in the weekend of activities celebrating the palace's anniversary. And I wondered if I might make a suggestion? I thought the archivist and I could join forces on the Saturday - also, perhaps you might dim the room, and set display cabinets of manuscripts, segments of tapestry and pinned-open books around the perimeter. For the love of God, I thought, give the place some atmosphere. Expecting people to walk freely into a silent room, brightly lit, to converse with a lone human - and not just any lone human, but one that deep down they suspect might enjoy making them feel stupid - is ludicrous. I've been there before. People panic. It must be the two of us together, rousing lighting and low music, with things to look at. Then may come conversation.A screen shot of an ebook page, with a section highlighted in purple. The text reads – I spent some days reading copied pages from the ledger - refreshed frequently by the archivist, who appeared in the room out of nowhere, silently leaning over my shoulder and placing a new sheet on the desk. You'll like this, they'd say. You'll want to see this. I tried not to invite too much conversation, but their sudden presence at my shoulder sent a sensation through my torso and chest, like missing a step. A couple of times a member of the office staff popped their head around the door and enquired, very casually, whether I might be starting to assemble the scenes that day or the next day. Just so they could cordon off the room I
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I know there are bigger things to be concerned about, but I am unreasonably angry about a book I'm reading and the portrayal of archivists. Firstly - WHITE GLOVES. FFS. Also, the author has confused displaying things for a period in low light with viewing things in a search room.
A screen shot of an ebook page, with a section highlighted in purple. The text reads – WHITE GLOVES, The next morning – a fresh day, like cutting into an apple. I drove to the palace, keen to swim once again through its chambers. The archivist was waiting in a dim room. They always are. The better to protect the fragile pages, but I suspect, they enjoy the drama of it too – their white  gloves glowing as they beckon you inside, like a mystic bidding you come observe your future in a pale fire. I have levelled this suspicion at many archivists over the years, and they have always reddened and appeared taken back. On this occasion, however, I did not feel compelled to comment. There had been a second, upon, entering, when I saw the archivist
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
A day late but, feliç sant jordi 🌹📚
A close up of the front cover of Asako Yuzuki’s book Hooked, which shows a fish on a hook in bright pink and yellow
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Visited the wonderful Limehouse Chinatown exhibition at St Anne’s church. Such fascinating and evocative history, right on my doorstep 🧧🐉
A poster printed on purple paper advertising Limehouse Chinatown: The original chinatown, myths and realities 
A poster for ‘Hop Lee Chinese Laundry’ on an exposed wall, next to some shelves with packets wrapped in brown paperA display of Paka Poo gaming sheets A view across St Anne’s church, Limehouse
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
It’s me, I’m the hero
A white woman with brown and blonde hair, in a floral dress and wearing big spectacles, smiles at the camera whilst holding a large sword. She stands in front of book shelves.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
I’ll be the decider of that
A yellow post-it note labelled ‘HISTORICAL INTEREST’ is stuck on piece of photocopied paper. A plain green post it note is also adhered to the paper.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Amazing story about a doctor on fire-watch duty during WW2. Found by @ermerlindaj.bsky.social on RCS's Plarr's Lives of the Fellows.
While a student Andrew served in the Home Guard and fire-watched at St Mary's and at Boosey and Hawkes, the music publishers on Regent Street - which enabled him to expand his already formidable knowledge of classical music. After one night bombing raid, Andrew entered a ward to be greeted by the sister. One of the patients thought there was a bomb under her bed and the nurse wanted Pollen to reassure her. He duly went to see the patient, looked under the bed and retrieved a partially hidden incendiary bomb. It had entered the ward through an open window. He rapidly disposed of it. The patient was relieved, the sister speechless.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
This is who runs this account
A photograph rests on a wooden floor. It shows a small white girl with blonde hair in a garden. She’s wearing a floral dress and clothing an inflatable pink and yellow Mr Blobby
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Festive walk through the village 🐬🧜🏻‍♀️🎄
A look out to the harbour across the sea where xmas lights are visibleTwo LED dolphins bouncing a ball between their noses, atop a wall An LED mermaid A lit up xmas tree next to a red telephone box. In the background is an LED tractor
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
The xmas cake has been iced! In December 1901 Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first transatlantic radio signal from Poldhu Beach in Cornwall to Signal Hill in Newfoundland Canada - depicted here in cake and fondant 📡🎄🎅🏼
A square cake iced with white fondant, there is a design of two pieces of green land in opposite corners connected by black dots. Merry Xmas is written in morse code in red icing. There is text in the top right corner that reads “12 December 1901 Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio signal”
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Lovely stuff. Welcome to the cause
A white roman wearing a flowery dress points a sword towards the camera. She stands in front of shelves of books.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Lovely winter walk 🌲🍂🌞
A white woman with brown hair, wearing a green raincoat, cups a yellow mug in her hands whilst looking off to the left of the photo. In the background of a lake, trees, and a cloudy sky A muddy path winding through an autumnal forrest into the distance
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
I don't suppose anybody is able to help me with the names in this document? I'm finding them really hard going!
A series of 12 names written in 15th century handwriting, on parchment.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Another lovely wedding weekend 🌷🌼🪻
A couple pose together in front of a garden. The man, on the left is wearing a green suit. The woman on the right is wearing a green jumpsuit. A bed of white, yellow and pink flowers Looking up at a church wall with the words (in Welsh) GOGONIANT I DDUW YN Y GORUCKYFION
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Such a beautiful wedding in Somerset
A white couple stand in front of a historic yellowy stone building. He wears a green tweed suit with orange floral tie. She wears a blue satin dress. She smiles joyfully at himA view across a field of sheep with a tree off to the side. The grass is gold in the evening sunsetView across a meadow field with two large trees in the middle, against a blue sky A white woman with brown hair and wearing a blue satin dress takes a photo of herself in a mirror
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Always interesting to see what has been used as backing material in picture frames
An image showing a graph of an evening energy schedule, from coitus to sleep, on top of an empty frame, on a white desk
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Saturday dip at the ladies pond 🪷🌳
Colour photo showing blackberry brambles in the foreground and a large pond behind with buoys and life rings. The pond is surrounded by trees and bushes. The sky is cloudy and grey.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
It’s book club evening 🌷📗
A look across the road to St Sepulchre’s church tower. There are trees to the left and a red London bus to the right. The church tower is set against a blue cloudy sky A black cat wearing a white ruff curled up on a yellow cushion A printed agenda on pink paper against a green and white checkered table cloth
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
I’m constantly being advertised that Shakti mat, it seems like quackery to me
A screenshot from the Shakti mat website advertising ‘ancient solutions to modern tension’
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
First wedding (of five) of the year 🌻🌸🌼🪻🌷🌧️
A couple wearing a tweed suit and a floral dress against a garden background  Pink peonies  Corn and flowers against a grey background A wedding cake
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
Off to present at my first conference. There’s no better birthday present than forcing a lecture hall of people listen to my voice for 30 mins
White womsn wesring a cream sweater vest and gingham trousers poses in a mirror.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
Importantly, in removing the mannequins from the museum we’ve learned that I’d make an absolutely spectacular mother superior 🙏🏻
A white woman stands in an office space, she is wearing a black robe, black cloak, and a white balaclava-like garment, all previously worn by a nun mannequin in a museum. She looks thrilled (not sarcastic).
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Book club on a sunny evening 🌻📓
An open book sits on top of a piece of paper, both are on a lino gingham print table cloth. There is a pint to the right.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
One of our succulents is flowering and it’s so pretty 🌸🌼
A succulent plant in a yellow pot sitting on a windowsill. There is a stem projecting out with flowers hanging off it. In the background is a trainline and a skyline against a blue sky. Close up of a stem projecting out with flowers hanging off it. In the background is a trainline and a skyline against a blue sky.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
My phone reminded me that 14 years ago I was VERY into crimping my hair...
Photo of a white woman with blonde crimped hair. She is looking to the left of the camera and is pouting.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Still buzzing from Friday's Ethics of Medical Photography Network meeting at V&A. Such good chats and so exciting to see the Royal Photographic Society collection!
Colour photograph taken from high up and looking across an open pale stone courtyard to some redbrick and pale stone buildings. There is a blue cloudy sky above.A series of cardboard boards labelled 'artist and photographer', 'facts and figures' and 'portfolio' outlining the role of the medical photographer.A close up of a teaching board showing footprints and a study set up for studying walking gait.A colour photo of antique cameras on shelves.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Absolutely brilliant night seeing Shaboozey at KOKO! Also, KOKO is just such a stunning building
Colour photo looking over the heads of a crowd facing a stage. On the stage a man with dreadlocks is singing in front of neon cowboy-themed signs.Colour photo of a a staircase and corner of KOKO. There is a glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling, the walls are painted a rich deep red, and the walls are detailed with gold.Colour photo looking up at the boxes at KOKO. The photo shows the dark rich red of the painting, the glass chandeliers and metal balcony barriers.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Away for a stag weekend, bell ringing, in Littlehampton
Close up of an embroidery on a grey shirt with a gold bell and the text ‘Harry’s stag, Ryan rings his bell”
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
I first saw The Wombats at the Biv in Lincoln when I was about 14. Seeing them last night, eighteen years later, still gave me the same joy
Colour photograph showing a stage scene. A man is playing a guitar and singing into a microphone and the drummer is visible. Both are illuminated in blue light.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
I’ve started setting aside one day a month to wrap/repackage collections. These anatomical atlases have each been cleaned and given bespoke wraps and are ready to be re-shelved! #Archives
A silver trolley with three levels, laden with multiple books wrapped in blue paper which are tied with wrapping tape and have labels. On the bottom level there is a brown cardboard box and some loose images which are in plastic folders. In the background is a wooden floor and a white wall with a hanging display of postcards for sale
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
A still from Toast of London where the character Toast points and says "you can fuck that sky high". The still shows a white man with a blonde streak in his brown hair, wearing a black suit, with a moustache, looking to the right of the screen.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Won £1000 at the pub quiz last night because I knew the three enclaved countries. Smarty pants 💅
A white woman wearing tortoiseshell glasses and a red cardigan holds wads of cash in her hands. She's sitting at a table which also has cash on it. She looks very happy.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
My friend made one of these as a halloween costume last year!
A man stands in the middle of a room wearing a fish costume made of bubble wrap on his upper half. He wears jeans on his lower half.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Lunchtime trip to the Barbican Music Library to see the emo retrospective - I'm Not Okay. Quite jarring seeing the phone I had as a teenager in a museum display but I am just radiating nostalgia right now 🤘🎸
A glass museum display case filled with CD cases, posters, old digital cameras, 2000's era mobile phones, a pink Nintendo DS, and a selection of iPods.A close up of a museum display case showing magazine articles and front covers of the band My Chemical Romance.A wall mounted museum display case filled with paper concert tickets. Poster for the exhibition in the window of the library.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
I saw it and couldn’t stop myself
A photo of The Graphic, a brightly coloured (with reds and greens) and very decorative cover. In computer generated text over the top - SUPER and ULTRA MODERN MAGAZINE. To make it look like the title reads Super Graphic Ultra Modern Magazine
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
A screengrab from The Simpsons showing Homer Simpson (a bald yellow man), shirtless and wearing denim shorts, riding on a green lawnmower with a placard taped to the front which reads 'Jigglin' for Justice'.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
My latest embroidery project 🌲🌳
An embroidery hoop, resting against a brick wall, depicting an aerial view of a farm with fields and woodland.An embroidery hoop, resting against a watering can, depicting an aerial view of a farm with fields and woodland.An embroidery hoop, resting against some books on a shelf, depicting an aerial view of a farm with fields and woodland.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Things I love - fancy jumpers, this lad, and cheese soufflés 🐚🪻
A couple pose, giggling, in front of a log burner and xmas tree. There is also a log basket next to them, and a MERRY CHRISTMAS banner hangs above the fire
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Visited West Wales and walked around Dinas Head Peninsular, stopping by at Cwm-yr-Eglwys 🌧️
A group of people in hiking clothes stand on a grassy cliff, a grey sea is visible behind them A coast line of brown shrubbery and rocky outcrops. The sea is a green/blue colour and flat.A view across a grassy space to the remains of a church bell tower, a beach is visible behind it and several grave stones in front  A waterfall tumbles down some rocks next to a white house, onto a stony beach.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Started Xmas in the Forest of Dean with the in-laws. Beautiful walks and pints and pints of Butty Bach 🌲🌲
A muddy two-wheel track going through tall pine forest.
A muddy two-wheel track going through tall pine forest.
A tree with large green mossy roots going into leafy ground. The tree doesn’t have any leaves.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 29/12/2024
I prefer to remember him beatified in fondant and ginger bread
A xmas cake decorated with fondant, depicting the murder of Thomas Beckett. A wall with stained glass window is made from ginger bread and goes part way round the cake. There is a portion of grey fondant for the stone flood and a figure is made of fondant with a yellow cloak and xmas hat. The figure kneels at an alter.A xmas cake decorated with fondant, depicting the murder of Thomas Beckett. A wall with stained glass window is made from ginger bread and goes part way round the cake. There is a portion of grey fondant for the stone flood and a figure is made of fondant with a yellow cloak and xmas hat. The figure kneels at an alter, with a sword stuck in his back and blood splatter.
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Stopping off for tea at CDMX tacos 🌮
Two bottles of Victoria beer with brown glass and yellow labels sitting on a white tiled surface Two paper plates with two tacos each and two bottles of beer, set on a white tiled surface
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Ginny Dawe-Woodings @helloginnybatty.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Today's mood
A still from the film 'Death of Stalin', where Zhukov says "I mean, I'm smiling--but I am really fucking furious!"
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