iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 17h

Every dry day now when we can get on the beach in sandals without a coat is to be cherished.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A little treat to myself using my Vinted income, now that I can no longer roam in Wainwright's steps on the fells. I lived v close to the C2C path for 20+ yrs & I used to live 2 mins walk away from his house in Blackburn with the blue plaque. The seller is retiring so this is the last of his stock.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

A successful mooch in the charity shop - a brand new fleece coat for the old boy £6 (a bit big but he needs size XL for his neck & chest) & a good waterproof jacket for me £3, seems like new, no sign of any wear, breathable membrane. We're both kitted out for winter weather now 🌧️❄️

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

0715h pre dawn sky. Sunrise, almost exactly due East, getting rapidly & obviously later & further southward every day. 13C this morning but still warm enough (18C) during the day for sandals. The dread of Xmas & reminder of my lonely lack of connection with others getting stronger every day.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Beach day! Dogs now allowed on again till next Spring. I didn't think the dog would still be around to go on our local beach again. A lovely warm sunny day, just like being on holiday again. We both paddled, the water was lovely, not cold.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Not even October yet & the Xmas lights are up in town 🙄

Pedestrian shopping street with strings of white lights overhead & on trees & rainbow coloured lights wrapped around lamp posts. It's pretty but several months too early

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Tomoro dogs are allowed on the sandy beach again over the winter, so this might be his last slipway run. He used to do this several times but now once is enough & it's a bit of a struggle. But he still enjoys it. #Staffy #olddog #enjoyinglife

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Result! Just bagged a knee length down filled coat, as new, with hood, rated to -15C, for £15 (£18.74 incl del) on Vinted. That'll be my dressing gown for in the van. Bring on winter❄️

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Discovered this today in Aldi. Looks interesting. Could be worth stockpiling it if it's ok.

Tin of beer & cheese soup, with Oktoberfest label

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Beautiful dawn, tho chilly 16C in the flat, the coolest it's been in the flat since March April. I need to reacclimatise to the cold. Sunrise is creeping southward daily. 0700, it's still not quite daylight yet. It's going to be a long winter.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Lovely full moon hanging low above the rooftops at dusk. Looks enormous, is it maybe a Super Moon? In the distance are the hills where I retreat to for peace, away from the madding crowd. I wish I was up there now but I'm grounded due to vehicle problem.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Grounded at the flat bcos of a problem with the van so another Vinted purchase (£2 & del) for the full set of Pink Panther 🩷 films from my childhood to pass the time after I've finished the Jonathan Creek box set.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Been stressed, low & tired so I'm cheering myself up with pizza, chips & pepsi, & a Jonathan Creek box set £2 from Vinted. Nostalgic for the days when phones had curly cords plugged into the wall.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

2 hrs later, after a gentle 20mile drive down country lanes & stopping off at a village shop for milk & a sandwich, I'm parked up high in on the hills, facing due west out to see. Got here in time to see sunset but cloud obscured most of it. It's 12C outside, definitely chilly with a bracing wind.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

After a gentle wander round the small town centre, me & dog are peacefully snoozing in van, 22C with door open, in a sheltered corner of a quiet peaceful town centre car park, no sirens or traffic noise or loud music, just birdsong & the wind rustling leaves. Not a landscape but not a bad view.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It's finally stopped raining after a week of rainy days & stormy weather yesterday. Still v windy but it's mild, not chilly. Had a walk to our local beach for the 1st time in months, it's so much nicer now the tourists have gone. The old boy's happy altho a 15 min walk is enough for him now.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

We probably walked a mile, maybe 1.5miles, in cloudy sunshine, lots of puddles. Really good to be out & active, we've hardly walked at all since getting back from Scotland. I'm going to miss.y dog walks so much when he's gone. He had a lovely time, it's a lovely place & we know it pretty well.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wellies on for the 1st time in about 6 months for a dog walk on the nature reserve, in between showers. It's great for the dog (& me) - flat, v big, v quiet during the day, good tracks & dog can safely be off lead (rare nowadays). Amazingly he's still doing ok, 14 yrs 9mths.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Woke up to this...🌈 Hoping it's a good omen, it seems to be as the rain has stopped, sun is bright in the east & the sky is blue through the roof light in the van.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The car park is interesting too, during construction an ancient grave was discovered, with woollen clothing, dating back to 7thC. I need to research that too, to satisfy my curiosity. 3

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Managed to dodge the rain showers long enough to check out the Victorian Jubilee Tower in a high open spot with lovely views over Morecambe Bay. I could even see the Welsh mountains in the distance last night. 1

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

20c in Trough of Bowland about 6pm. About 18c now with a fresh but warm wind. A bank of cloud overhead (not much of a sunset) & out across the Irish Sea, presumably insulating the warmth in.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#Lancashire is not all grey mill towns packed with back to back terraced houses, it also has truly magical & beautiful spots that most see unless they divert off the beaten track & seek out the wild remote spots. Tonights sunset over Morecambe Bay with inversion fog nestling in the northern hills.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

All packed up ready to finally get away in the van for a night or 2, it's taken a lot of effort, been v fatigued. I've heated a roast beef dinner ready meal in microwave in the flat to take with me in the electric lunchbox. Not going far, only about 10 miles, into the hills. 1

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Ha! £5 well spent in the charity shop on a new hat (literally looks unworn) & a book to go with it 🍄 £2 & £3 respectively.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

We had a lovely sunrise up north too this morning. The colours were amazing, my phone couldn't do them justice. Your scenery is much more picturesque than where I live.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Morning ORCs, woken by bladder at 0530, been watching a beautiful sunrise. Hoping to get away in van today till Mon. The farmer Ex is being v pushy so I'm avoiding.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Morning ORCs, it's been a while since I posted a sunrise photo but here it is in the north east over the rooftops. It's been 2 full days of unloading, cleaning, dealing with emails & paperwork etc but I'm hoping to get back on the road today/tomoro as it's v hard & tiring with dog in flat.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Feels strange being in my bed. It's too damn hot & stuffy. But it does mean that me & the dog can snuggle up together which is a very rare treat for us both as the bunk in the van is too narrow & I don't have a sofa. But snuggling up with the dog is going to generate even more heat. 1

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Hopefully this secures their future for years to come, not just for the legal action. Heart-warming to see how much support they've had.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Feeling a bit better having demolish this...

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

One last Scottish meal 😁 Looks like dog food but it tastes surprisingly good And £1.49 so bargain price. Shame you can't get it in England. I'll just have to pop back up to Scotland again soon 😂

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Gutted. Back on home turf, a lovely evening & I planned to stay in a fave haunt which is usually quiet & peaceful. Not been here since May. Got here to find this new sign ☹️ So I'm moving on as I don't want any probs but dunno where to go now, nowhere else suitable within about 15miles.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Didn't know what to do with myself this aft so I drove over to near the fells where I used to live for 20 yrs till 2yrs ago & parked up thinking about life. Pics of the view, the village where I used to live is hidden in the view. 1

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Just lovely to be sitting in the van basking in warm sunshine, looking out at this, reflecting on what we've done, where we've been over the past 4weeks. Having a lazy morning, only 1 hour drive later. The road is still pretty quiet, just occasional vehicles & the layby is set back off the road.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This morning's view, same view as 27 mornings ago, when the adventure was yet to unfold. A sad day, heading back to face difficult decisions & impossible situations tomoro. But we still have today & we'll have a lazy morning & then maybe a nosy round Gretna before crossing back into England.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Just arrived at tonights park up, 27 days since we were last here on the 1st night of the trip. It was a glorious day last time but today the lovely hills are hidden in a blanket of cloud & rain. Despite rain all day today, it's been one of the best days of the whole adventure.

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

And a phone box! And a Victorian post box 😍 It's just like life used to be 40 yrs ago in my youth!

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Lovely little cafe on the harbour front. Salmon & cream cheese bagel with a hot chocolate. Open all year round so I'm going to be coming back here possibly later this year, what a grand spot❤️

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

And a pub! Next to the car park. But they don't do coffee to take away. But have given me directions to a cafe 1 min walk away...

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Aha, 2 mins walk from where I've been parked! Wish I'd checked Google maps for nearby toilets earlier!

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

We're risking it. It's still dry, it's only a 20 min flat walk. Feet & sandals can be washed in sea & will dry when driving. Hopefully only part of the dog which will be wet is legs🤞 Altho he's just fallen off the causeway 🙄😂

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

So this morning's adventure was to walk out along a short causeway at low tide to a small uninhabited island. But rain has stopped play. I don't mind rain but in a small van, wet clothing, wet dog, wet floor, wet towels etc is not good. And there'd probably be mud too. 1

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

And another car has just pulled up next to the white car effectively blocking it in. I saw a woman get out of the white car then get back in but no one in driver's seat but windows are misted. There's movement but the rear windows are blacked out. No one in the other car. 3

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I just watched a white car manoeuvring back & forth v close to my van to fit themselves exactly into the gap behind me. Despite the rest of the car park being almost empty. I thought they were going to hit me at one point. I would now struggle to get my rear doors open. Why?! WTF?!! 😡🤬 2

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Unbefuckinglievable🤬 Almost empty big car park. Rainy day. Little coastal village. I initially parked up in the corner on arrival last night but pulled forward a bit clear of the trees in hope of getting some solar this morning. You can just see tip of my bonnet on the right. 1

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Only slight problem is I'm parked under trees which means 1. Loud plops of rain on the van roof from the trees 2. Solar panel in shade in the morning So I'm considering relocating from my usual corner spot to somewhere more open in the car park but I don't really like being out in the open. 3

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I guess I'm also pretty close to the airport as I'm under the landing flight path of the planes I was watching circling to land last night from the other side of the Forth. They're coming in low above me every 3-5 mins so I hope the wind changes & they switch runways at some point overnight! 2

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Parked up for the night & managed to get in one last sea view through the trees. I'm about 100m from the beach & have an interesting adventure planned for tomorrow morn before heading to Rosslyn. More will be revealed tomorrow as I don't want to reveal my exact location while I'm still here. 1

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JayEsstoo @js2.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

At Queensferry, a very pretty little town, cobbled roads, some nice eateries. And the bridges - the Forth Rail bridge (red), & the Forth Road Bridge (currently closed for repairs) with the Queensferry Crossing behind it. And nothing much else visible due to the misty clag & lashing rain. 1

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