iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Anyone in Birmingham (UK)? This walking challenge is fun. I’ve never got into gamified walking before but it’s really easy to log if you let it automatically view your phone’s step count data. Try it out for free on the Go Jauntly app on App Store or Play Store. walks.gojauntly.com/challenges/t...

walks.gojauntly.com

This City Moves - Go Jauntly

Join the region-wide steps challenge. Discover local walks, feel good. Grab friends, family & neighbours, everyone’s welcome

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I’m not as active on here as I used to be (going back to full time paid work over the past couple of years has meant less time/space for social media) but nice to see new followers recently through starter packs: UK & EU active travel, Brum, and Women on Bikes. Sums up my social content quite well!

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Shivaji Shiva @shivajishivalaw.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Good to step out for a walking meeting with local councillor Roxanne Green (@brumgreens.bsky.social) and local residents to visit local danger spots and discuss ways to make our streets safer. With an age range from toddler to pensioner and a variety of perspectives, it was fascinating.

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Better Streets for Birmingham @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org · 19/11/2025

Come and join our family cycle ride on Sunday 14 December at 12.30pm, starting in Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park. Free family bike ride on roads and cycle paths. Riders of all abilities welcome. Ride approximately an hour long. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Poster that reads: Family Cycle Ride, Birmingham. Sunday 14 December. Free family bike ride on roads and cycle paths. Riders of all abilities welcome. All children must be accompanied
by a responsible adult. Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, B12 9QH. Meet 12.30pm approx. 1 hour ride. Bike Birmingham, Better Streets for Birmingham, Kidical Mass.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Is it just me/in the West Midlands, or is bus tracking completely broken this weekend? Can’t get real time info on google maps, bustimes.org or bus stops. Disconcerting waiting at a stop without it 😬

bustimes.org

Bus Times

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Finally caught up with the WM Active Travel & Road Safety Commissioners’ chat on @activetravelcaf.bsky.social (I can never make it live, it’s right after work when we’re dealing with tea & kids’ activities) Sounds like they’re up to great things locally. Hoping for change! youtu.be/ftXA6UhTzp8?...

youtu.be

30 Sep 25: Transport for West Midlands

YouTube video by Active Travel Cafe

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Transport modes for Saturday afternoon activities for the kids: last week a party for 8yo son - we used 🚌; this week a Scout Jamboree selection day for 12yo son - we used 🚗 club. Different locations, different circumstances, different best tools for each job. Privileged to have this much choice.

A child looking out of the window on the top deck of the bus.

Two children waiting to get into a white car parked on a field.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

What’s the hardest thing about not owning a car? When we first sold the car, I’d have guessed something like inconvenience or it takes more time to travel. But now, 5 years later, honestly I’d say the mental energy involved having to explain to others why we don’t need their (well intentioned) lift.

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Ross Atkin @rossatkin.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

I made a new thing 🧵 Working with @transportforall.org.uk we have built an even better spreadsheet for analysing streets (actual or being designed) and showing their likely accessibility for different disabled people. It’s free to download and use www.rossatkin.com/wp/?portfoli...

rossatkin.com

Tool for Equitable StreetScapes (TESS) – Ross Atkin Associates

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

We’ve had a busy summer so far, juggling work and spending time with the kids, and we’ve not been on a family holiday yet. Day trips, local trips, parks, Scout camps, staying with grandparents and cousins… and more! No car necessary: all doable by walking, cycling, bus or train.

A blue rucksack, a multi coloured rucksack and a rainbow tote bag on a bus seat.

Three children building a den under a tree.

Three children looking at a statue of a bull that’s been painted for charity.

Three children waiting on a station platform and the train is approaching.

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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

The economic value of buses in England’s Economic Heartland is neatly captured in this new report. Every £1 invested in buses generates an estimated £4.55 in wider economic benefits. Over £2.6bn is spent by bus users in the local area (including in shops & leisure venues).

Infographic summarising economic value of buses in the region.

These include:

£2.6 billion in annual spending by bus passengers in local economies, supporting high streets, shops, and leisure venues.

£580 million in direct, indirect, and induced economic activity from the bus industry.

£951 million in wider social and environmental benefits, including improved health outcomes, reduced congestion, and cleaner air.

Every £1 of public money spent on improving bus services in the region generates as much as £4.55in wider economic benefits.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

I rode into town to join @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org demo marking a year since Bham City Council declared a Road Safety Emergency. We held 2 min silence & 23 white roses to remember those who died on Bham roads this year. I don’t accept any road death as an inevitable fact of life in the city.

Birmingham city council house with Victoria Square in front. A blue cargo bike with placards and a few people hanging around. Three placards say No More Deaths between them.

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Better Streets for Birmingham @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org · 21/07/2025

Join us on Friday 1st August to mark one year of Birmingham's road safety emergency. Meet in Victoria Square at 5pm for a 5.30pm start. Stay around for the monthly Circle the City ride.

One year of Birmingham's Road Safety Emergency!

Last July, Birmingham City Council declared a road safety emergency. Better Streets for Birmingham is marking the first anniversary of the Road Safety Emergency with a gathering in Victoria Square, Birmingham on Friday 1st August, followed by the regular monthly Circle the City ride.

Join us to honour those whose lives have been lost or seriously affected by road violence and to continue our calls for action to make Birmingham's roads safer for everyone.

Meeting at Victoria Square, Birmingham City Centre on Friday 1st August 5pm for 5.30pm start, followed by Circle the City ride at 6pm.

Support the campaign for safer streets: betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/join-us

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Next weekend we need to get the 14yo to Scout camp, the 12yo to a different Scout camp, & the twins to swim lessons all at the same time. This is not a lack of car issue, as people often assume. This is just we can’t be in several places at once. Good job the 14yo can get himself places by train.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Out of office on! Birthday 🎉 weekend, followed by 2 days off paid work, to spend time with the kids on days out. Starting with a podcast that I’ve been looking forward to, and can’t wait to read the upcoming book! Thanks @podstreetsahead.bsky.social @modacitylife.com shows.acast.com/streets-ahea...

podcasts.apple.com

Women Changing Cities

Podcast Episode · Streets Ahead · 21/07/2025 · 40m

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Gone up to £15, but still excellent value for 6 of us to get to Coventry and back in a day, using any train or bus (or tram, but not useful) in the nNetwork WM area. Handily we came home with the 14yo: when we drop them all there, we don’t come back with a child, so it’d be invalid on the way home.

A family daytime ticket for 20th July 2025. It’s valid on any train, bus or tram in the West Midlands nNetwork area.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

End of an era today: last Beavers ever and last infant school run for me (dad will do it for the next couple of days before end of term). Not sure how my youngest kids got so big?! At least we don’t have all the year 6 things this year to add to all the end of term fun and games.

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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

New @ippr.org report out today Transport isn’t working for low-income households Reducing car dependence is essential for providing greater access to opportunity, cutting transport costs and reducing the harms caused by car-dominated places Read how the UK government can achieve this👇

ippr.org

The transport challenge for low-income households | IPPR

Transport policy can make a material difference to people’s finances, especially those struggling to make ends meet. It can also help people better access

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Shivaji Shiva @shivajishivalaw.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

'Ethan Akotiah, 22, who lives off Stratford Road, said: "It's terrible, it's getting worse and worse. My nan was in a collision and so was my mom. It's constant ... I fear for my family's life."' @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

birminghammail.co.uk

'I fear for my family's life' - city road protest as road safety 'getting worse'

Drivers sounded their horns and gave the thumbs up as camopaigners demanded action at crash blackspot

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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Fewer cars --> Safer streets In London, Low Traffic Neighborhoods saw a 35% drop in all traffic injuries and a 37% drop in deaths/serious injuries. injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/earl...

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Swim lessons were cancelled (again) so we decided to go for a splash time swim, as an activity to cool down for all of us 💦 & to give the twins some practice whilst lessons are off. Easy to get the bus, no worries about a parking space. Even better one day if the A38 cycle route ever gets extended!

A bus group day ticket in front of a bus seat. Two children sitting on the front top deck seat of the bus looking out the window onto a major road.

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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Latest study to conclude that providing children more & diverse opportunities to be active is a good idea. “These findings highlight the importance of both active mobility and physical activity for enhancing children's well-being…” Regular cycling found to be particularly beneficial for wellbeing.

sciencedirect.com

Children's active mobility, physical activity and well-being

Globally, children are experiencing declining rates of physical activity, which is mirrored by a reduction in active mobility. While physical activity…

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Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Dammit kids, get off your screens and go outside!!! Just kidding, stay inside and stop bothering the neighbourhood and drivers by playing on your street

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I had a trip to London today for the launch of a research report I’ve been involved in. Great to be in Parliament to talk about this important work. Most importantly we heard from some of the disabled people who had taken part in the research. These are the voices who planners need to listen to.

A selfie of me wearing sunglasses. I’m standing on a bridge over the river Thames. In the background is the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben.

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Shivaji Shiva @shivajishivalaw.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Who doesn’t love a local featival? See you there. ‘Don't drive to CoCoMAD - there is NO parking. It's a local festival for local people or those prepared to cycle, walk or use public transport.’ cotteridgepark.org.uk/cocomad-info

cotteridgepark.org.uk

CoCoMAD visitors' info — Friends of Cotteridge Park

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Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

A parenting win.

prioritizing youth mobility is prioritizing adult relaxing

Coffee cup image

When kids can walk/roll safely and independently to school, you can enjoy some peaceful time to yourself.

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Cllr Emily Kerr 💚 @emilykerr36.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Bit baffled by this fake news in the commons today that floating bus stops are a completely new thing (various MPs saying they first appeared in 2013). Here's one on the Marston Road Cycle track, which dates from the 1930s. Many bus stops there from pre-2013. Look outside London lads!

Marston Road bus stop, where you have to cross a cycle lane / shared path to get to the bus stop.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... I couldn’t make it to see the film yesterday due to work and family commitments this week. Looks like people thought it was a great film, and I hope I can see it another time. Such an important topic to draw attention to so families affected are not forgotten.

bbc.co.uk

Birmingham dangerous driving documentary made due to 'fear'

Sarah Chaundler says she still sees people using their mobile phones while behind the wheel.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Our nearest CoWheels car club vehicle now has a higher bonnet than the previous one (a Toyota Auris estate, which was vandalised recently so they’ve replaced it). Great to have access to a car at all, but concerning that driving this new one is riskier.

A map of Bournville with details of a car to hire by the hour at the bottom. The car is an SUV with CoWheels branding.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

This is a blast from the past! They’re 8 now, and really don’t like sitting together on the back of this bike. One of them doesn’t like not being the rider in control. They ride their own bikes on this piece of cycle infra now, and we’d like more of it please, to enable their freedom & independence.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

If you’re local to Birmingham UK, this looks like an interesting film 🎥 flatpackfestival.org.uk/event/flatpa... Sadly I probably can’t make it as we have loads on that week in evenings. I know the film maker and I’m sure she’s done a great job on this subject.

flatpackfestival.org.uk

Flatpack Monthly: City of Cars

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

We’ve hit that time of year when there’s loads of things going on at weekends; it’s summer and near end of school year. Work is also really busy for me. So I’ve not posted on here for a while. Here’s my late lunchtime trip to get some fruit and veg locally. Saw another longtail cargo bike as I left.

A blue longtail cargo bike locked to a Sheffield stand. It’s underneath a tree, and over the road there are some shops.

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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Report available here: www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/... Many important recommendations in this, including the central one of a new national play strategy. Strongly support this call for more child-friendly neighbourhoods.

Child-friendly neighbourhoods as part of reviving a culture which embraces play and childhood independence and which gives parents confidence to allow their children to play again. This includes reducing the speed and volume of traffic where children play, live, and learn. It should become easier for parents and communities to organise safe play in their streets, and there should be a national ban on ‘No Ball Games’ signs. There should be greater use of play streets, play rangers, play buses, mobile play stations, and toy libraries to bring play to more communities and families, with a focus on children living with disadvantage.

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Cllr Anna Railton 🌹 @annarailton.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Cyclists! Your cycle route has ended! Please now cease to exist! 🤪

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Kirsten de Vos 🚶🏻‍♀️💚🚲🍃 @kirstendevos.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

This afternoon I met camera shy Rachel who told me she pops these on cars blocking the pavement. She’s in her 80s, has never driven and doesn’t use the internet. We need a pavement parking ban now! @liliangreenwood.bsky.social #PavementsforPeople #SaferStreetsforAll #footways 💚

A handwritten note with words ‘Pavements are for Pedestrians’

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

So glad we have a teen who gets himself a lot of places under his own steam rather than relying on us for lifts. It’s good for his independence (he’s really savvy on his own with maps, travel apps, directions and navigating transport options) and he gets exercise built naturally into his day.

A young person on a bike with purple panniers riding up a road which is tree lined.

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Birmingham's Road Safety Emergency @brumroadsafety.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

It’s been 290 days since Birmingham City Council declared a road safety emergency.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Today our cargo bike got used to take one of our 7 year olds to a party about 7 miles away. High (for Birmingham) quality separated cycle infrastructure enabled this trip. If it had been at Goals Dudley rather than Perry Barr, we would’ve used public transport instead, despite being 2 miles closer.

A blue cargo bike locked up outside a school, where it ended up after the trip to Perry Barr and back.

A map of Birmigham, showing a blue line from roughly north to south.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Not been travelling for work for a while. Just waiting for a little while in Birmingham New St before heading down to London on the train for our away day. Looking forward to catching up with colleagues.

A book in the foreground. A bench with two people on and a departure board in the background.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Our cargo bike was in for service for a few days at our local (Bosch dealer) bike shop. I had time during my lunch break today to pick it up, and already put it to good use this evening for swim club. Not normally here on Tuesdays but this week we’ve juggled things around for various reasons.

Blue cargo bike outside a bike shop with green door with the name on: Venture Bikes

Metal benches and table with blue cargo bike locked to fence in the background.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Cycle infrastructure designed for 8-80 year olds (although these two are 7 and three quarters - very important that 3/4 is!) Lovely ride to Cannon Hill Park and back this morning, made possible by @a38cycleway.bsky.social Not in view: the 12yo who rode there and back solo, also enabled by the infra.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

We took the train to a Beavers outdoor activity day and back yesterday. Several people wound their window down to offer us a lift back. I sensed pity when I politely declined - no car seats/travel sickness meds with us were the main issue, but also this is our choice, no need to feel sorry for us 😊

Two children in scouted uniform standing on a platform as a train is arriving.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

I was sorry to miss this due to work and family commitments. Great to see my MP engaging with constituents so positively on the matter of safer and easier ways for everyone to move around our local area.

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Better Streets for Birmingham @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org · 27/04/2025

Our next #KidicalMass cycle ride is 2 weeks today on Sunday 11th May. Meet outside MAC Birmingham at 10.45 for an 11am start. All ages are welcome and no one will be left behind 😊

KIDICAL MASS BIRMINGHAM
WHEN: SUNDAY 11TH MAY
WHERE: MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE
MEET: 10.45 AM
DEPART: 11.00 AM
FINISH AT THE FOREST GARDEN
OR THE MAC
ALL AGES WELCOME | LED RIDE | SLOW PACE

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

At the dental hospital for an orthodontic appointment. The easiest, cheapest and quickest way for us to get here and back (I need to be on time) is by bike, as there is cycle infrastructure most of the way door to door.

View from a window on the first floor. Grassy courtyard below. Trees and the top of a red brick clock tower at the university in the distance.

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Shivaji Shiva @shivajishivalaw.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

It was great to ride with a mixed group in a laidback and sociable family friendly ride around leafy Bournville. Chris plans to repeat this KH Critical Mass (Bournville) ride. Why not join us next time?

A varied group at KH Critical Mass Bournville ride. A sociable family friendly ride around leafy Bournville.

Why not join us next time?

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Lighter evenings are perfect for impromptu rides to the park after work. Made possible by a mostly off-road route between home and the park.

Two children riding bikes quite far ahead of me on a path with grass and vegetation either side.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Last week I went Interrailing with my older 2 children to Italy. We stayed in Rome and did a day trip to Herculaneum. It took 2 days to get there and 2 to get back. The train travel was lovely and relaxing, the views through the Alps were so stunning, photos can’t capture it. I highly recommend!

photo collage of different train station signs with two young people looking at them.

photo collage of different train station signs with two young people looking at them. Also one of snow capped mountains and a train in front of mountains.

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Transport for All @transportforall.org.uk · 22/04/2025

This Earth Day - a reminder: 71% of disabled people want to use more sustainable modes of transport, but face needless barriers such as overcrowding, missing announcements and a lack of lifts. Public transport must be accessible, so we can all make choices about how to travel.

71% of disabled people want to use more sustainable modes of transport but face barriers to this. The numbers 71% are written in thick black tape on a bright orange banner, with orange arrows pointing to the figures.

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Ruth Cumming @ruthcumming.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

At 4:45pm I finished work. At 4:50pm I knew that our twins are going out with friends in their car tomorrow. At 4:55pm I realised we didn’t have any travel sickness tablets left for tomorrow. By 5:10pm I have some. How? Because I live in one of those awful 15 minute cities, I walked to the pharmacy.

A pack of Kwells travel sickness tablets on a wooden table.

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