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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Roast dinner here. Partly because it was quite chilly, and also because I haven't had one since spring. Worked out very well, but stillva bit of an effort.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Same - except we were on holiday in France last week. It's definitely a lot cooler back home in the UK. It was sad seeing that the crops in French fields have fared even worse than ours, thanks to the hot dry summer. And even the mighty Loire is just a trickle. I hope you're keeping very well too.

A bridge over the Loire River showing the very low water level.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Definitely. Possibly too late to save the fields of maize around us - but at least we might get some grass back.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

It's over 2 months here. We did get 1.2mm 10 days ago according to my rain gauge - but it didn't even wet the soil. I'm seriously worried about the stock and crops in the fields around us - I've no idea how either are keeping going right now.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

That's scary. Maize in the field in front of us. It's still mostly green (I've no idea how, as we've had no rain for 2 months). I worry about the flammability of fields and hedgerows when we get summers like this.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Good morning Mushen. Currently away. Maybe going to have a slightly cooler day(?)

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Yesterday was joyous and meltingly hot in equal measure. Our son Dan's graduation ceremony at Loughborough University - he's Dr Dan now. The fruits of 3 and a half years of hard graft. Great thesis too.

Graduation: my son in his academic gown.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Outdoor theatre evening last night - temperatures just about bearable at Offcote Grange near Ashbourne. Hugely entertaining production of The Three Musketeers by the wonderful #IllyriaTheatre Grear fun! Go see & support if you get chance.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Yes - it's a tragedy. 500+ jobs gone, all those skills & manufacturing technology going with them. Denby's been there over 200 years - a vertically integrated business. I don't know what happened - part energy prices, maybe vulture capital too. It's local to us 😥😥😥

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

We did. Big discounts (still a bit pricey) - I got some dinner plates, pasta bowls, a mug I really liked, & some tapas bowls. Felt like a vulture. It's so sad - especially for everyone who's worked there. Denby is only a few miles away. It's always been an interesting & useful retail outlet.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Away with the family and it's been so 🔥🔥🔥 (tg we paid for AC). Equally hot back in the UK? Finally made it to DLP - not exactly my thing - but definitely worth seeing for the sheer spectacle.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Thursday was a long one (15 hr trip). Over to see the in laws in a very sunny North Norfolk (nice to see the sea). Friday has been a tired one with its round of errands & chores. Derbyshire weather now looking a bit threatening after a remarkably warm day. I hope your Friday has been a good one.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Evening. Beautiful one in Derbyshire. Sunshine, totally blue skies, tad windy. I hope your Wednesday was a good one.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

I do - just about every type. They must be a very good source of energy. I'm off to experiment and see if they help. I hope your Monday wasn't too trying. Raining here - the first we've seen in what feels like an age.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Pretty sure we're not bots, Tony. I hope your Tuesday has been a good one. I finally got out on a short cycle ride (I'll ache tomorrow) and it was fun.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

And as a bloke, this was the most hard-hitting description of the problem (with men) that I've ever seen. Yes, all of us need to do better.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

A real highlight - taking our eldest granddaughter (5) to see this wonderful Panto production in Chesterfield. What a triumph, and she loved it!

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone peace, joy, wisdom, justice, growth & good friendship for the coming year. Granddog Rupert says Hi 🙂

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

This Muntjac had fallen into a swollen Thames. Finally hauled itself onto the bank & collapsed, shivering, exhausted. Never felt anything shiver so much. Held it like this for an hour. It fell asleep for 15-20mins. We put it down & unlike previous attempts, it trotted off looking a lot happier.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Frosty in Derbyshire - and a most amazing sunrise

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

I was outvoted on a hillwalk yesterday (personally I don't mind the bitter driving rain - but I get it's not everyone's cup of tea). A visit to beautiful Hardwick Hall in it's place.

Hardwick Hall Derbyshire in sunlight against black clouds.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Yes, they've been identified. And,unsurprisingly, they both have form. From the hellsite:

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

A prosaic day fixing the shower. Pouring outside - otherwise I'd have loved to get outside again. (Photos of last week's walk around Kedleston).

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

It's so good to get outside. Ridiculously mild here yesterday, a high of 16°C and no rain - so also did a short walk around the lovely NT Kedleston Hall. The trees are just glorious. Hope you got the house stuff sorted.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

The Holly Bush Inn, Makeney, Derbyshire. Fabulous ancient inn on the medieval Derby-Chesterfield coach road. Authentic rather than smart, and very popular. It was the last day of their October beer festival. Saturday was sunny so we walked over there & stumbled back (it's an hour or so from home).

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

I hope you have a good journey back. It's very autumnal here now; temperatures have dipped. Getting the odd lovely sunny day - Saturday was perfect for a pub walk.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Sun? Oh yes, I remember that. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

The waterfront buildings of Cadiz old town.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Stunning sunrise. Looks like another beautiful day.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

63 (Daft holiday hat - it was so hot).

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Fabulous Tuesday here - but it started at only 2 degrees. Someone has thrown the Autumn switch and there's no going back.

Golden hour sunlight streaming over a field.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Good morning Mushen. Might get to do the rest of the local scarecrow trail if the weather holds up. There were far more than expected. Hope you get used to the mattress, it usually takes me a while.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Well done, you. I love seeing them. This little geko shared our hotel in southern Spain. (I'm back home now and miserable about it)

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

I remember these feelings very clearly. Do not assume you've escaped though, David, grandparenting hits hard! (And it's also immense fun)

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

I always love your window onto the Thames, Patricia (thank you). All good, just arrived in Jerez, Spain, for a much needed break. I hope you and yours are well too.

Palm tree and red flowers against a clear blue sky.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

That's amazing! It's great when you get something memorable like that at such a great price. The trouble with staying in tourist places is you get a pretty standardised tourist menu.

A menu from a restaurant in Hvar, Croatia.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Made it to Brăc Island off Split in 2023 - beautiful island. Loved visiting stunning Split (the old town is a must see) and Hvar town (below). The ferry journeys were fun too. Definitely want to go back to Croatia and Dubrovnik is top of my list.

Hvar harbour scene with little pleasure boats and old buildings.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

We went to outdoor theatre, and it was really very good - didn't even rain on us - well, only a few spots. (Illyria Theatre - always brilliant).

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Got to love a fair summer evening's sunset..

The sun has just set over a ripe field of wheat.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

We have one, too. Lovely evening here, nice to have it a bit cooler.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

There's quite a celebratory feel at the summit. It's also many degrees cooler than the countryside around and there's a great view towards the Alps.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Heavy downpour. Hit 10.5mm of rain per hour at its peak.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Saw a hornet the size of a small aircraft when were over there a couple of months ago. Not sure what type. Intimidating.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Hope you have a great day, Dawn. We're granddog sitting again today because the daughter has worked commitments.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Went for a decent walk with a view yesterday. First one for a while, so I ache a bit today. It was worth it.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

With the exception of "Rush", most F1 films are pretty clichéd imv. This is no exception, but it's still very entertaining. Clever too how they spliced the story into a recent F1 season.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Went out a long trip today and it was challenging

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Thank you 🙂 Another warm one here today. I shall be doing some more window painting, then might get out for a short bike ride. I hope you have a good Tuesday.

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

@michaelrosenyes.bsky.social Encountered this gem on today's little walk with the grandchildren. Made us all smile. Thank you, Michael.

Michael Rosen's poem "Playground Rules (OK)"

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Mark Breeze @markyb62.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Saw this last night at the lovely Belper Ritz. Great fun, and never a dull moment. The storyline, though, is genuinely concerning, given the stuff going on around the world with authoritarianism and the growth of AI.

Poster for the latest & last Mission Impossible film.

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