iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 17/10/2026

Today's #Iceland adventures: caving in a lava tube and meandering the streets of Reykjavik. No frozen food in sight, but there are plenty of reasons why this mum goes here* *niche UK advertising reference.

A photo of the curved wall inside a lava tube, which is formed when the outside layer of lava cools leaving a hollow in the middle through which lava can run. The ceiling has little stalactites, caused by dripping lava, and the wall has visible layers where the lava level dropped to different levels. The wall is illuminated by torchlight, making it look grey and green; in reality, the basalt lava looks mostly black.

A photo of a sculpture of the skeleton of a viking boat, made out of stainless steel. It stands next to the sea, looking out to the horizon.

A photo of a large church, made of grey concrete. The tower has a sweeping base, so it looks almost like a pyramid. Apparently the shape was inspired by basalt columns.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 16/10/2026

I'm in #Iceland on a school Geography trip. Lots of exciting geography? Tick. A hideously early start? Sadly also tick. At least everyone should sleep well tonight.

A photo of black volcanic rock coastline stretching into a a blue-grey sea. There's a definite swell and a lot of spray under a grey sky: it's picturesque but it doesn't look warm.

A photo of thick white steam rising from a geothermal pool in a rocky landscape that's mostly greens and browns.

A photo of a rift between two tectonic plates, filled with black volcanic sand. It looks like a black river running between rocky vertical cliffs.

A photo from the plane window: the coastline from above, illuminated by the sun which is mostly hidden behind grey clouds. The whole picture is coloured grey and silver, particularly where the sun is reflected in the sea.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

#DofE expedition is looking up! (it's much easier supervising than participating!)

A photo of my coffee, with an amazing latte art cat face, complete with whiskers, ears and a series of mini hearts. It tastes as good as it looks!

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 28/08/2026

Last night, the rain was torrential and the lightning non-stop. Glad it's drier today #storm #lightning

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 14/08/2026

It's watering day. Sometimes I wonder if I have too many house plants. After all, I'm going to have to fight my way through the jungle if I want a cup of tea.

A photo of my kitchen work surface, with a row of plants in pots waiting for a dunk in the sink. There are, to be fair, rather a lot of them.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 11/08/2026

Failed to take a photo of yesterday's experimental baking (bagels). Didn't forget today, though, although there's no other evidence remaining. #baking #bread

A photograph of a cottage loaf - like two round loaves stacked on top of each other. The top is scored with a rudimentary cross in the golden-brown crust.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 05/08/2026

I've spotted a potential issue with the laundry... #CatsOfMastodon

A photo of a tabby/white cat curled up inside the drum of a washing machine.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 05/08/2026

Took delivery of my teacher's planner for next academic year. My campaign to cause stealth exposure to literature continues... #teaching #TeacherLife #pun

A photo of a wire-bound book. The cover is the same layout as an old-fashioned Penguin novel: the top and bottom third are bright orange, while the middle third is beige. On the beige section is the title 'The Lime Of The Ancient Mariner', with the subtitle in smaller print: "Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink"

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 01/08/2026

Spotted this sign pointing in the vague direction of my daughter's concert venue this afternoon. I can only assume there's a jizz band as part of the programme. Play that spunky music!

A photo of a poster: a large orange arrow points left, plus the text "Spermatology Conference 2026"

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 13/07/2026

I've just learned that puffinus puffinus is Latin for the Manx Shearwater NOT the Puffin. Biologists need to sort out their dodgy taxonomy skills! #museum #biology #birds

A photo of part of an information board from a museum. Inside a badly-draw red rectangle (all me own werk) are two items:
14. Puffinus puffinus - Manx Shearwater
15. Fratercula arctica - Puffin

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 20/06/2026

I'm in a lovely little cafe in the Yorkshire Dales, but I'm not sure I agree with all of their posters... #NotACult #ProbablyDefinitelyNotACult

A photo of a framed postcard. The background of the card is a burst of bright colours, and the white text reads "Life's too short for beige"

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 13/06/2026

I crouched down to stroke the little cat, and before I knew it, I was in-cat-pacitated. The burn in my thighs suggests that I need more training! #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

A photo of a black and white cat perched precariously on the lap of a woman who is squatting down . The woman is wearing black trousers and a green jumper. Not seen: facial expression showing the impact on muscles.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 03/06/2026

It's been a tricky few days at work, wrestling coursework out of recalcitrant teenagers, but the end is in sight and even the weather agrees. #joy #rainbow

A photo taken over the cricket pitch at school. Most of the sky is grey cloud, but there's a patch of bright blue on the left hand side, and a double rainbow arching in from the right. Combined with the vibrant green grass of the pitch, it feels pretty optimistic.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 27/05/2026

Ridiculously early to the gig, but at least the air con is working. #PMJ #tour #PostmodernJukebox

A photo of a stage set up for a gig, with music stands, microphones and various musical instruments. The backdrop is a big gold curtain with an art deco design in black.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 23/05/2026

Helpful advice found on this train poster. It strikes me as something from a @girlonthenet story...

A photo of a white rectangular poster on the train, which reads "Quiet zone. Please do not use mobile phones or make unnecessary noise" to which someone has written "when you're cumming" after the printed text.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 11/04/2026

I suspect this sign has a back-story...!

Photo of a hand-painted sign on a house. The sign reads "CAR TRANSPORTER DRIVER DO NOT HIT THIS HOUSE"

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 11/04/2026

My DofE expedition has started well. #map

A photo of an OS map. There are lots of orange contours, representing steep ground, a few dotted footpath lines, and a place named "Lord Hereford's Knob (or Twmpa)

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 07/04/2026

Today's baking: less slumpy. Paying attention when weighing the water clearly helps.

A photo of a fougasse - a loaf of bread shaped vaguely like a leaf skeleton, with splits in it so you can see the wire cooling rack and wooden work surface underneath. The surface is light brown and flecked with flour; it looks quite rustic and would be described in an up-market bakery as "artisinal".

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 03/04/2026

Happy Easter Buns Are Risen* *theology isn't my strong point #baking #HotCrossBuns

A photograph of some golden-brown hot cross buns cooling on a wire rack standing on a wooden kitchen surface. The buns are shiny, with a white cross on top of each one. There are fifteen (3 rows of 5 buns). Although most of them are conforming to the circular shape expected of buns, the three at the front right are making a bid for freedom and are definitely elongated.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

It's the half-term holiday and I have a metric fuck-tonne of coursework to mark this week. Monday was to be an "Up and at 'em" day. Before I even made it out of bed, it turns out that the little cat has other plans. Ho hum.

A photo of a small black and white cat sitting in loaf mode. She's on my lap, which you can't see as it's covered by a blue and grey duvet.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 29/01/2026

I like the optimism of this box of melty chocolate balls, but I strongly suspect there won't be any left by the end of this late-night essay marking session. #teaching #TeacherLife

A photo of the lid of a box of chocolates. The box is red, and white writing reads "Lindor. You choose the moment, we'll provide the bliss". In smaller writing underneath, it says "resealable pack".

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 25/01/2026

The kettle has just broken. Desperate times call for desperate measures... #tea

A photo of our hob, with a black saucepan heating water over a glowing red ring. A white mug and a teabag stand waiting next to the hob.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 21/01/2026

New shiny shoes! (mental note: pack blister plasters in my work bag for tomorrow)

A photo of my feet in a pair of black patent leather Dr Martens shoes, with traditional yellow stitching round the welt. You can also see the ankles of my baggy, blue cotton trousers.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 18/01/2026

The cat decided to "help" me re-lace my boots. Who wants aglets, anyway?! #CatsOfMastodon

A photo taken from above. On the right hand side of the picture is a green doc marten boot with rainbow laces, being held between my thighs for lacing. On the left is a tabby and white cat, holding one of the laces in his mouth and paws.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 01/01/2026

Love it when a road sign suggests you're on the right route, regardless of where you actually want to go.

A photo taken through the windscreen of the car, showing a green rectangular road sign, saying A168 The NORTH The SOUTH. The dual-carriageway road stretches ahead into the distance under a grey winter sky.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 25/12/2025

So much for Christmas - boxing day has started early here. #CatsOfMastodon

A photo of a tabby cat curled up in a box, taken from above. He pretty much fills the entire box.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 23/12/2025

Christmas is all about giving, so I gave blood last week and it's been used today. Happy Christmas, mystery recipient! #NHSBloodDonation #TheBestPresent

A screenshot of a text message: Thank you so much for donating on 16/12/2025. Your donation has now been issued to Northumbria Emergency Hospital. Every donation counts.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 13/12/2025

Just been for Vietnamese cookery lesson - my belly is full, my fingers smell lovely, and my head is full of travel plans. Happy Saturday, everyone!

A photo taken from above a brown cooking pot, containing two seared chicken breasts in a brown sauce, ready for braising. There are three keffir lime leaves and a red chili on top, as aromatics for the cooking.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 22/11/2025

Current view from the office (#orchestra II for Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis). Think I'm developing vertigo!

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 19/11/2025

Live near #Nottingham? Free on Saturday evening? Come to the #orchestra concert I'm playing in! It'll be great!

A flier for an orchestra concert called "A voyage of discovery and fate" being held in Albert Hall Nottingham at 7.30pm. Repertoire includes Mahler's 1st symphony and Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 18/10/2025

Operation Christmas Cake Phase 1 underway. Featuring a metric fuck-tonne of dried fruit and a gallon of booze. Hurrah!

A photo of a jam kettle (basically a very, very large metal saucepan) on the stove top. It is pretty much full to the brim with raisins, currants, mixed peel and cherries, which are shiny from the mix of spirits and spices heating gently at the bottom of the pan.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2025

DofE expedition so far: wet and windy; occasional sun #camping

A photo of a campsite, with some small(ish) green tents and a row of green trees. There's a rainbow across the grey cloudy sky.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2025

Just getting ready for my first DofE expedition of the academic year. Arse.

A screen grab of the weather forecast, which shows 90% chance of heavy rain. It was ever thus for DofE expeditions.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2025

If it's #MusiciansDay, then it must be my one-year anniversary of joining what has become lovingly known as "fancy-pants orchestra", which has pushed me well outside my comfort zone and brought so much joy I can't begin to describe. If you're in/near #Nottingham […] [Original post on beige.party]

A poster for the Nottingham Symphony Orchestra's concert on 22nd November. The poster includes a painting of a steam train pulling red carriages, which is travelling along the seafront under a steep cliff with a castle on the top. The heading reads "A voyage of discovery and fate", and the repertoire includes Mahler's 1st symphony, which is an absolute banger.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 13/09/2025

For all that today's heavy rain showers are annoying, the grass is grateful and the sky is pretty.

Photo of a rainbow arching over a bright green sports field. The sky is deep blue, but the clouds are grey.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 20/08/2025

Just taken delivery of my teacher's planner for the coming year*. I'm going to have a quiet giggle every time I see it. * previous titles included 'War And Peas' and 'Tequila Mockingbird' #TeacherLife #education #teaching

A photo of a spiral bound book. The cover is a pastiche of an old Penguin Classic: a broad orange band cover the top and bottom third of the cover, while the beige middle band bears the title "One Hundred Beers Of Solitude".

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 29/07/2025

On holiday with the family. I've had worse views. #Whitby #Yorkshire #sea

A photo of a view between two houses looking out over rooftops towards the harbour mouth and on to the sea. The sea looks a deep blue colour (unbelievably for the UK!), reflecting the blue sky above. It's a nice contrast with the terracotta tiles on the rooftops - the colours are almost an imitation of Italian scenery.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 20/07/2025

It seems that transport in the bustling metropolis of Derby is bang-up-to-date #steam #train

A photograph of a large, shiny green steam engine and tender waiting at a station platform. Dark grey smoke billows from the chimney. A small group of onlookers stand on the platform, marvelling at the engineering on show, and who can blame them?!

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 16/07/2025

I'm going to Bucharest with work on Sunday. Looks like I've got company... #CatsOfMastodon

A photo of a tabby and white cat helpfully sitting in a suitcase that's lying open on a bed. A couple of piles of clothes are beyond it, waiting to be packed.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 13/07/2025

@phocks I think your picture is a match for the sign I saw at our local museum (my kids insisted I took a picture to send to their dad). Maturity all round!

Photo of an old-fashioned, rectangular white sign that reads FIRE COCK in big red letters.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2025

My daughter finished her GCSE exams today. Looks like the recycling team are going to be busy... (I still have all my GCSE folders, 30+ years later, so I feel very conflicted about this!)

A photo of a kitchen table with a fairly small pile of colourful exercise books and a mahoosive stack of A4 paper

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 02/06/2025

Turns out that my shonky grasp of French has let me down somewhat at this evening's #orchestra rehearsal. Apparently this is not about chickens that dance on their cocks. Whoops.

Photo of music entitled "Ballet des Poussins dans leurs Coques"

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 31/05/2025

Today's #bread, to go with baked camembert for lunch. That'll do.

Photo of a fougasse on a cooling rack, ready to eat. It's roughly oval shaped, but with random splits, so it's almost like the leaf of a Swiss-cheese plant with irregular holes.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 15/04/2025

Nice view from the office this morning... #cricket

A photograph of a cricket match in progress, under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 11/04/2025

I appear to be have exploded my cinnamon rolls. Whoops. #baking

A photo of a tray of 9 baked cinnamon rolls, which are definitely not conforming to the neat spirals I was hoping for. They still look tasty, to be fair.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 06/04/2025

I decided that I wasn't brave enough to re-pot the ancient aspidistra just yet, but DID upgrade a few other plants to larger homes. Sadly, every time I look at the jaunty angle of this re-homed cactus, my mind sinks straight into the gutter. Whoops. #plants #houseplants #cactus

Photo of a long green cactus, planted in a pot. Whilst the base is vertical, the cactus itself is leaning slightly so it looks like a massive (spiky) erection. Out of shot: a pair of giggling teenagers.

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 01/04/2025

Top quality graffiti spotted in the wilds of the Peak District!

A photo of a brick wall with various bits of graffiti, the most prominent of which simply reads "The Writing".

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Mint Spies @mintspies.beige.party.ap.brid.gy · 02/03/2025

Why yes, my Sunday afternoon mock exam marking is going remarkably smoothly. How did you know?

A photo of a tabby cat sitting on a pile of open exam papers that need to be marked.

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