iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Lovely to see so many friends, old and new, at work today! 😊

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Not only banned from hypocausts, but hamster ownership... 🤣🤣🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

But the Newark one had a certain Dutchman called Bernard De Gomme involved in its construction, so hardly surprising... Torcs, forts and minimal Romans - I'm truly in the right archaeological place! ❤️

A cannon sculpture in the top of the fort.

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Honestly, it's a beauty - I'm not used to diamond bastions that actually work for enfilading fire - in the Caribbean they just added diamonds on the corners without apparently having any understanding why... 🤣.

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Anyway, Queen's Sconce - a gorgeous diamond bastioned fortlet - built in 1644 during the English Civil War.

Standing on top of one of the bastions of the sconce.

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Newark Important Fact #5 Queen's Sconce Last time I was here, I didn't get a chance to explore as there were loads of folks running about with pikes and firing guns (including Barak - an incredible replica, short barrel, demi-culverin)... #Archaeology 🏺 #Newark

An aerial shot of the Sconce- a diamond bastioned fort.

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Yeah, I'm running away - it worked!! 🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Oh I'm sorry you were having a sad day. I hope it's stayed improved. Xx

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Notice you don't have the sound on... 🤣🤣🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Good good! I'd expect nowt less, Toby! 😉🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

... don't forget the torc, folks. Last chance! 🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

This Newark firm of solicitors is crying out to have a local nickname... 🤣

A sign for a Newark solicitor with the scans of justice - they're called Payne and Gamage... the firm is crying out to be known as Pain and Damage...

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

You can report it as fraud on Amazon as well as leaving reviews...

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Yeah... don't... I live very close to an Odinist chapel too... 🥴🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Yes!! 🙂 I love that there's a violin school and makers here! ❤️

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Newark Important Fact #4 Newark has a castle which is currently undergoing a fabulous restoration as part of a lottery funded project... ... you'd expect nothing less for the place where King John had a fatal case of diarrhoea back in 1216... 🥴

Newark Castle with the River Trent running beneath the castle walls.

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This is utterly brilliant and lovely, but I would expect nowt less from my hugely talented friend... sooooo inspired! ❤️ #Archaeology 🏺

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Congratulations... I think... 🫂

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Hah! Yeah... not *that* civil war! 🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Yup, a sconce. This one's called the Queen's Sconce. There was also the King's Sconce, but they built over that !!

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Newark Important Fact #3 Newark has a fort!! Not just any old fort, a sconce (a small defensive fort). Built in 1640s as part of Civil War defences. So, yes, if you know about me (I've got a PhD in 17th & 18th century fortifications), a town with fortifications AND a torc are a pretty good fit! 🤣

Queen's Sconce in Newark. A diamond bastioned earthwork fort.

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Oh it certainly depresses me!! 🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The loft room is going... I need it as my calm place!!

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Ooo nooooooo... it's grim. The fireplace i can deal with but the loft room? Nooooooo

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Newark Important Fact #2: Not everything in Newark is bright orange, but if you looked at my house you'd have thought it was... The room colour is definitely going... the fireplace, despite my hating it initially, is growing on me...

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This is a hugely deserved honour, because it's a wonderful book (...and not just because there's torcs in it!! 😝). Congratulations Duncan... author of a fabulous archaeo-travelogue through time and space! ❤️ #Archaeology 🏺

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Oh don't. The toaster hasn't surfaced yet and I'm struggling!! 🤣

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I have a choice... once I un-bury them and get them checked! ❤️

A pot belly stove, hidden in packed boxes

A GORGEOUS Victorian tiled and marble fireplace buried in boxes.

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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yes, but they're often tiny and dry. The hot summers the last few years mean they're getting more at home!!

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