iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Out for 5km at 5am, slow but got round - hopefully my back is behaving itself now. Me and this little one stopped and exchanged glances - a lovely encounter.

A fox on some grass near a bush. It is dark, the only light coming from street lamps.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Tonight's tipple... St Peter's IPA #homebrew Bottled in February - definitely improved with age, alas the last bottle.

A pint of beer being held up before the camera. It is a dark beer with a bit of a head on it. One mouthful has already been drunk.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

My marshalling position for parkrun. Not too bad with a view over the lake.

A parkrun marshalling position set up. In the middle of a tarmac path is an orange cone, on the grass verge a yellow "Caution Runners" sign.
Beyond that are reeds and then a part of the lake. On the other side of the lake are trees. It is an overcast morning.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

There are few calamities in life of such little consequence but of such profound personal sense of loss as spilt beer. Alas, dear reader, this is the loss I have just felt.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Out at daybreak for 5k in the park. Thankfully my knees were up at the same time as the rest of me today. It appears that the bar for being a Legend is quite low - 3 "efforts" on a downhill run; getting up there took more effort! Have a good weekend people.

Dawn over the park. There's an orange glow through the silhouette trees, turning pink under the high clouds. In the foreground is grass with a path going off to the left.

A screenshot of a notification from Strava. It reads
You're the new Local Legend in town!
You just claimed the title of Local Legend on School Run Downhill.
Your 3 efforts mean that you've completed the most efforts on this segment over the past 90 days.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Out at dark o'clock this morning #4amclub . Very pleased to see a fox with road sense - it used a pedestrian crossing; the slight downside being that it couldn't reach up to press the button! Went out for 5k, but my knees hadn't got the message so cut it short to 2 miles.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Well, I was hoping to post a photo of tonight's tent beers, but the connection here is so slow it won't upload photos. So, I have Badger "Fursty Ferret" Tower Brewery "Ale To The King" Shepherd Neame "Bishops Finger"

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Reposted by Steve

Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

My pick of the week features local radio from Orkney, bell ringers in Birmingham, books, history, nature, pilgrimage, a man I call "the Piss Wizard", and Archbishop Desmond Tutu's sexy legs. Catch it live on Sunday evening, or at any time by following the link below!

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Out for 5km at 5am. Very quiet, though good to see one other runner out. Then to racing, not running but motor sport. BTCC at Donington Park. Lovely day for it, warm, sunny, and fluffy clouds.

A view over Donington Park racetrack. In the foreground spectators, some with chairs and beach shelters for comfort. Then the racetrack with Touring Cars racing. Beyond is more of the racetrack, and on the horizon the control tower for East Midlands Airport.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

A new venue for a gig tonight. Derby's recently renovated Victorian Market Hall for a free charity fund raising event. A couple of local bands Sons of Jericho Drednaut A good evening.

The band Sons of Jericho on a small stage in Derby Market Hall.

The band Drednaut on a small stage in Derby Market Hall.
Behind them is the balcony of the hall and the vaulted iron and glass ceiling is above.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Upping the distance a bit - 9 miles this morning, first time by the canal in a while. The knees started aching a bit after about 7.5 miles, so I must keep up the exercises. A much more pleasant morning than of late.

Looking at a canal lock from a small bridge directly in front of it. The water level is at its lowest. The grass on the bank is parched brown. There are trees to the left and the towpath on the right. It is an overcast morning.

A view along the canal. In the mid distance is an arched bridge. The bridge and the tree on the left bank are reflected near perfectly in the still water. A tree overhangs from the right hand side.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Up and at 'em for 5km at 5am. Bin men out early too - earlier start because of the heat. A passing hello to one of them who I used to work with.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I've just spent 20 minutes of this clear, warm night sitting in our back garden looking skyward. I was rewarded with the wondrous sight of 4 meteors from the Perseid shower, 3 satellites, and 1 owl passing above. A fine way to end a long day.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

And..... It's beer o'clock.... 🍻🍻 After a long battle with a curtain pole, which I'm pleased to say I won.

3 bottles of beer on a table.
From left to right
Badger Tanglefoot
Abbot Special Reserve
Wye Valley Butty Bach

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Did a steady 10k this morning. Pleased with how it went - no nasty knee niggles - the exercises are working. Next week, try and up the distance (and keep up the exercises).

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

To my untrained eye these look like metal skips, but the signs indicate I may be wrong....

2 skips in the corner of a yard.
The sign next to the left hand one says "Wood Skip", that next to the right hand one says "Plastic Skip".

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I've said it before. No apologies for saying it again. Keep music local. Local venues Local bands Local beer.

A rock band on a stage in the back room of a pub.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I drove through a shower of rain yesterday. It had been so long since we'd had rain that I had to think whether the wiper switch was flick up or down!

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Out for 10k this morning. Careful not to wake the ducks. All peaceful on the river. Never seen cows there before.

A view over the lake. The path to the left has some sleeping ducks on it. A small wooden pontoon in the foreground has some ducks and a gull on it. Trees on the other side of the lake are reflected in the water.

A view along the river. It is flowing towards the camera and then bends to the right of the picture. It is calm with the trees and bushes along the banks reflected in the water.

Three light brown cows, with long horns, on some scrub land. They are the other side of a wooden fence, and under a bridge. Two are laid down, the third is stood amongst some bushes eating.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Out for 10k this morning. That was hard work after about 4 miles. I really must keep up with my knee strengthening exercises. The photos show where my route followed an old canal, some dried up and full of vegetation to the left of path, and then through an old lock.

Looking along an old canal route. The towpath is on the left. The old canal, now dried up and full of vegetation to the right. Trees line the opposite bank. It is a bright, sunny morning.

An old canal route where there once was a lock. The canal is completely filled in with a tarmac path running through the old lock. Some of the stonework from the lock is visible to the left. To the right, in the middle distance are some houses.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

5km at 5am this morning. First post holiday run - went better than expected following the excesses of last week. Also helped by much kinder (ie- cooler) weather.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Cherry... Being... Cherry. 💤💤💤

A Chihuahua, asleep on a folded white blanket. Her head is hanging over the side, her tongue out. Oblivious to the world and totally relaxed.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Looks like there's a horse flying over our house just now.

A photo of a white, wispy cloud against a bright blue sky. The cloud has the appearance of a galloping horse.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Holiday run*. 5k along the beach. First experience of beach running. It's ok here when the tide's out as there's a stretch of firm sand, but it's hard work over the gravel and shingle bits. *Holiday runs are definitely more of the jog, plod, walk variety.

A view over The Wash from Snettisham beach. The tide is out, mud flats stretch towards the horizon and the sky is pale blue.

A view along the beach just above the waterline at Snettisham beach. The tide is out, mudflats to the left of the photo, with a section of firm sand running off into the distance. To the right of the photo the rest of the beach is shingle and gravel. The sky is pale blue.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Tonight's tent supper - scones by candlelight; with jam, alas no cream. Hopefully @whimsicalmuse.bsky.social will approve.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Last night's local brews (it was too dark in our tent for a decent photo). All very nice.

Three empty beer bottles on a table.
Moon Gazer Skipper
Tindall Brewery Solar Flare
Humpty Dumpty Brewery Norfolk Nectar

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Sat in our tent at just after midnight. Beer is being taken, cheese and crackers for supper. An owl hoots - we now know it's not raining...... Because.... it's...... Not..... Too wet to woo!! 😉😂

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Yay! At last I can post to #TidesOutTuesday Here's a view over The Wash from Snettisham beach - part of the only stretch of the East Coast of England where you can watch the sun set from the beach.

A view from Snettisham beach, Norfolk. The tide is out with mudflats reflecting the setting sun. The sun is partially hidden by high clouds.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Holiday run. Out this morning 4.5 miles past fields of ripening crops, some wild flowers, and the tide out over The Wash.

Crops (wheat?) ripening in a field. Hedges and low trees in the distance and a pale, morning sky.

A group of various wild flowers at the edge of a field of ripening crops, with hedges and trees in the distance.

A view over The Wash from Snettisham. There are some low bushes in the foreground, some beach, and the mudflats as the tide is out.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

And it is done. Some very welcome rain too - especially the longer shower when I was about mile 8. A big thanks to all of the volunteers, marshalls, and supporters for making it happen. Can anyone read Braille?

The 2026 Derby "Ramathon" half marathon medal. It is on a wooden surface. The ribbon is blue with 2026 Ramathon text. The medal is rectangular, blue and silver, with 2026 Ramathon on it.

The reverse of the Ramathon medal with raised Braille text along the bottom.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

A good turnout getting ready for the Derby half marathon #ramathon Thankfully a cooler morning than of recent days.

Runners getting ready at the start of the Derby half marathon, with the back of the cathedral by the start line.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Fathers' Day prezzy! Never too old for Lego.

The box of a Lego set to build a model of Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

And relax, it's beer o'clock. 🍻🍻

3 bottles of beer on a table. Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Wainwright Gold, and Badger Golden Champion.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Very welcome rain during this morning's 9 miles. For some reason I found it very hard work today - very sluggish, glad to get back home.

A view along the canal. Trees overhang the opposite bank. The canal bends to the right. Grey skies and rain.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

5km at 5am. More weed smokers out than usual for the hour.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Cherry enjoying the afternoon sun.

Cherry the chihuahua resting on a wooden step in sunshine.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Out for #Alvaston parkrun First run since last week's tumble, still a little sore in parts. Taking it steady.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

I have a theory that when products such as biscuits, cake, doughnuts, are in packs of a prime number, the intention is that they are not to be shared.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Started the day all keen setting off for 5k. About 1k in, slipped, tripped, stumbled, whatever it was went from vertical to horizontal quickly. Got up, quick check, everything still moved, a few cuts on my hand so carried on. The rest of the run went well. Starting to feel some stiff bits now.....

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Set my alarm early Saturday morning. 10 mile run planned; woke up an hour after alarm time; 10k was revised plan; got out of the door (eventually) with 10k in my head, started running - other descriptions available - very soon decided 5k would be enough....

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

6.5 miles for 65 years earlier this morning. Warm out 🥵🥵 thankfully a bit cooler by the lake and river. Mum was awake but babies were still asleep - let sleeping ducks lie! My thought of staying in my birthday suit after showering were vetoed. 😉😂

An early morning view over the lake. It is calm and still, with near perfect reflections of the trees on the water. Two swans are on the lake.

A mother duck sitting on the lakeside next to her nine ducklings. Mum is awake, the ducklings asleep.

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Steve @just-a-driver.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Freshly baked Eccles Cakes, now available for home delivery via trebuchet (aim not guaranteed - beer has been taken).

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