iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Kresen Kernow @kresenkernow.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🚐 Long before modern caravan parks, families were bringing horse-drawn caravans onto Hayle Towans for summer holidays. This 1913 photograph from the Blight family collection shows one of the earliest known holiday caravans on the dunes. 🌊#JourneysExhibition #Hayle

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Crowdfunding appeal has deservedly started for life saver extraordinaire (400 lives!) of the River Exe Thomas Gregory. Just want to mention Dad who, on 14th Sep. 1937 rescued a drowning man from the river. In national press! Mum said he had belonged to a swim club; commendation from Humane Society.

'Clothes gave him away' - Daily Mirror 15th September 1937. Frederick Slack (Dad) dives into the River Exe and rescues a man from drowning.

Frederick Slack (Dad) dives into the River Exe and rescues a man from drowning. Receiving a commendation from the Royal Humane Society on Monday 6th December 1937 for pulling a man from River Exe. Presented by the mayor of Exeter.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

🔗 www.flickr.com/gp/robertsla... 📷-album [Flickr] Concerned to see the old Gaumont Palace Cinema (recently Mecca Bingo), North St, #Exeter shuttered and derelict looking as if its demise is imminent. Much of its Deco interior is intact and would be an unfortunate loss. @bdcmuseum.bsky.social

Photo showing the old Gaumont Palace Cinema (recently Mecca Bingo) closed up and looking derelict. The photo (taken 17 Sep 2026) shows the entrance gate closed and secured. North Street, Exeter

Photo showing the old Gaumont Palace Cinema (recently Mecca Bingo) closed up and looking derelict. The photo (taken 17 Sep 2026) shows the entrance to the main building complex. North Street, Exeter

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Seaside Heritage Network @seasidenetwork.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

We said goodbye to the Grand Hotel this morning then met for a walking tour led by @seasideferry.bsky.social to the Spa, Bathing Bungalows and former South Bay Bathing Pool

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

🔗 www.devonmuseums.net/Agatha-Chris... Ah! That could explain a lot. One of my favourite coasters. Fancy popping around for a drink later? #Torquay #Museum

Coaster showing a skull in the background and a champagne glass containing a drink (best served cold) in the foreground. Caption:'Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie'

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

[Exeter]: Filling station. Months spent desperately trying to keep a litre of fuel under £2. Today can be purchased for a mere £1.99.9. I think their resolve is about to be busted! Never been a better time to be on your 🚴

[Exeter]: Countess Wear filling station 12th September 2026. 1 litre of diesel fuel priced at £1.99.9. Looking ominous for the future of sub-£2 litre of fuel.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

If you feel like donating to the RNLI, here’s a link. I just have. Their minimum donation is £2: I think it might be nice for them to receive a lot of donations this week, even if they’re mostly very modest. Just so they know a lot of people out here appreciate their work. rnli.org/support-us/g...

rnli.org

Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea

Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

🔗 etsc.eu/german-polic... 💬 'German police union calls for 30 km/h urban speed limits' It has just come to my attention that 30 km/h urban speed limit is replacing the previous 50 km/h limit here in Altbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and across this region. #safetyfirst

[Translation from the German]: 'Attention!! Now we have in Altbach a 30 km/h speed limit on Esslinger Street'.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Incentives for people who🚶‍♀️30m/day from NHS England? BMJ @scarlettmcnally.bsky.social "A better system'd reward modal shift 🚗 =>🚶🚲🛴🚌 It'd need changes to infrastructure, but strong evidence shows that active travel improves mental & physical health" #NHS #ActiveTravel www.bmj.com/content/394/...

An image of a "drug" capsule "labelled Physical Activity"
The accompanying text reads Physical activity, the under-rated 'wonder drug' Even small increases in physical activity among those who are the least active can bring great health benefits. As the former chief medical officer noted: "The potential benefits of physical activity to health are huge. If medication existed which had a similar effect, it would be regarded as a wonder drug or miracle cure cure'. - This was from a Public Health England publication

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Just come through the letterbox here in Germany. The government is preparing the population for the worst. I do hope the UK government has its eye on the ball. 🇩🇪 ✔️ 🇬🇧 ❌

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

🔗📖 www.goodreads.com/en/book/show... Interesting! What it's like to watch your country descend into political hegemony & yet there's consensual silence in The Things We Never Say An immensely topical thread to this novel I hadn't expected. Truths we never say often arise because we refuse face them

goodreads.com

The Things We Never Say

Artie Dam is living a double life. He spends his days t…

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Pascale Aebischer (she/her) @pascaleexeter.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Who's not signed this petition yet? Please help us out! The official line is that this is not targeting Arts and Humanities. So why are 85% of cuts in these subjects? #DefendExeterUni c.org/DTcBbvqxn6

c.org

Sign the Petition

Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

BBCR4: "you're interviewing me because all the other parties aren't standing..... Are they running scared from old Binny?  Or do they think that Nigel's running a cunning stunt? And I pronounce that carefully at 8:55 in the morning" 😂#BinForTheWin www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGOm...

youtube.com

Count Binface: I'll take on Farage in by-election | BBC Radio 4 Today

YouTube video by BBC Politics

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

FARAGE’S CLACTON HEADACHE: will Count Binface be only other by-election candidate? youtu.be/3A-OnbGYRwI

youtu.be

FARAGE’S CLACTON HEADACHE: will Count Binface be only other by-election candidate?

YouTube video by Channel 4 News

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Game on, Nige.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Guy Venables @guyvenables.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

One of my cartoons for Tuesday's Metro

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

I know AI gets a lot of knocks (often deservedly) but sometimes it hits the proverbial nail just as expected. I feel this was such a case. Exeter's traffic woes summed up in a nutshell. Perhaps V.2 will also produce answers but if it does those are unlikely to be welcome.

Google search: 'Exeter traffic'. Resultant AI response - main factors: Geographic Bottlenecks; Historical Road Layout; Commuter Influx; Inadequate Public Transport; Roadworks and Incidents

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... What!? I get that this is primarily targeting a group that is extremely inactive & walking is the most likely take-up. However, this totally & unnecessarily dismisses cycling as an active & healthy option which is a serious slight & flaw. ❌ @exetercycling.bsky.social

bbc.co.uk

NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day

The "marathon a month" scheme, developed with former Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster, will launch early next year.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Exeter (New Hampshire!) in the news again Declaration of Independence, 1 of 11 copies printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, July 1776, discovered in The National Archives in Kew. Soon to go on display in 'Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763–1783' exhibition

bbc.co.uk

Rare copy of US Declaration of Independence found by volunteer in UK archives

The newly discovered copy is one of only 11 of its kind in the world.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy quits TwitterX. This should be the first of many.

Lisa Nandy MP • @lisanandy
X.com
I've decided to leave this platform and my
Department will too.
A platform originally designed for free speech and expression now favours abuse and misinformation over meaningful debate.
It isn't healthy for our democracy or our communities and I don't want to support it.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

🧵1:This gives me the creeps every time I see it. I immediately think of Gagool as in a telling by my English teacher (yes, that long ago). He would put on a wicked eerie nightmarish voice that really spooked us kids. 📷 From one of my trips to (AC) RAMM last week (🧵2 for desc) @rammuseum.bsky.social

Ndungu costume, Royal Albert Memorial Museum

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

A good day for a trip to the seaside. 📷1: Railway poster showing view of harbour from Rock Walk, Torquay. 📷2: Abbey Gardens, Torquay, with Rock Walk in the distance. #NationalSeasideDay

Old 'Travel by Train' [British Railways] railway poster showing Torquay Harbour from the Rock Walk. A couple are seen taking in the splendid view.

View of Abbey Gardens, Torquay, stocked with various plants including many Torquay Palms. The Rock Walk is seen in the distance.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

🔗 bygones.co.uk First visit & very enjoyable. Scale/diversity of the collection phenomenal. Themed rooms (see 'Expore') and many displays. Presentations are eye-catching and atmospheric. Many everyday items recognised. Penny arcade games. Will hold most appeal to those of a certain age (that's me!).

[Bygones, St Marychurch/Babbacombe]: A bathroom, one of numerous themed rooms on display.

[Bygones, St Marychurch/Babbacombe]: The nursery, one of numerous themed rooms on display.

[Bygones, St Marychurch/Babbacombe]: General provisions shown on numerous shelves.

[Bygones, St Marychurch/Babbacombe]: An old claw arcade game in which operator attempts to grab a prize.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

A cool item for a hot day from my visit to (air conditioned) #RAMM, #Exeter, yesterday. This wine glass is so beautiful it caught my eye. I read the item description (see Alt) and that raised a smile. Perhaps the original phrasing for final frontier exploration 🖖 @rammuseum.bsky.social

Item description: Wine Glass - About 1750 - Made in England

The bowl is engraved with an inscription which probably translates to 'I will go more boldly', with rose and thistle sprays and a portrait of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The decoration supports the exiled Stuart monarchy. Glasses with Jacobite emblems and inscriptions were made long after Charles Stuart was defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Along with almost all of my colleagues in history, this afternoon I got an email telling me that I am at risk of redundancy. It looks like the University of Exeter sent this email to the vast majority of people in Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty. Bit hard to breath right now.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

🔗 dartmoortrust.org/archive/reco... Most interested to see this beautifully restored Gypsy caravan at the Teignmouth Folk Festival yesterday. We're an early caravanning family (📷🔗) from as early as 1871. Apparently families Orchards & Smalls were big names in Devon. This a lovingly crafted treasure.

[Teignmouth - Folk Fesival]: Restored Gypsy caravan on display. Transported on a trailer towed by a car.

[Teignmouth - Folk Fesival]: Restored Gypsy caravan on display. View of the interior showing seating, ornamental fireplace, skylight and bedroom. Every inch of space fully utilised.

[Teignmouth - Folk Fesival]: Restored Gypsy caravan on display. History of restoration. Initial purchase price £50.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Just out of interest, as I am no longer there, did they announce the new social media rules on X? Because that would be… absurd.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

🔗 www.co-wheels.org.uk/exeter Looks interesting! Possibly a replacement for the Co Cars service that collapsed (+ Co Bikes) into administration July 2023. As a non-car owner I was a regular user of the excellent Co Cars service over a number of years. Hopeful this may prove a comparable service.

Co Wheels car: MG3 hybrid car club electric family hatchback. Car parked in Posloe Road, Exeter, spotted Friday 12th June 2026. 💬:'One of the greenest car share fleets in the UK, more than a third of our fleet is electric'.

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

National Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 13/06/2026

A colourful new arrival 🦋 This striking Scarlet Tiger Moth was spotted in Clumber Park this week and is believed to be the first recorded sighting for the park. The species was only first recorded in Nottinghamshire in 2015, making this a particularly exciting find for the team. 📷 Gareth Jones

A black moth on someones finger tips. The moth has light yellow markings

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

🔗 upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co... Happy #Devon Day (that caught me off guard). Image is St Petroc from Bodmin who is commemorated in the C of E on 4th June. Could be a Devon Closewool sneaking a peep. 🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 'All you need know'

Detail of stained glass window at Bodmin showing St Petroc

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Reposted by Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲

Alice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Yesterday I witnessed something extraordinary: the author Sarah Wynn-Williams sitting silent on a stage at @hayfestival.bsky.social. And she got a standing ovation. I hope the attempt to censor her backfires magnificently. I have just ordered her book. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

theguardian.com

Meta legal action forces Facebook whistleblower to sit in silence at Hay festival

Sarah Wynn-Williams did not speak during event after lawyers warned of possible sanctions from tech firm

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

🔗 www.goodreads.com/book/show/21... All the makings of an unanswerable question. Novel I'm currently reading (🔗⬆️ ) makes mention of the Snow Gum from Australia & upon querying pics returned reminded me of this striking encounter of mine (Coryton Cove) from 2008. Could this be from Australia?

[📷: Coryton Cove, Dawlish, Devon - 10 Mar 2008]: driftwood on the beach, a large tree trunk with roots. Striped coloured markings. Possibly Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum) from Australia?

[📷: Coryton Cove, Dawlish, Devon - 10 Mar 2008]: driftwood on the beach, a large tree trunk with roots & me. Striped coloured markings. Possibly Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum) from Australia?

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 🧬 DNA identifies 3 sailors on the ill-fated Franklin expedition, ship HMS Erebus the wreck of which was discovered in 2014:- 🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-u... My first awareness of story from reading the novel The Ministry of Time:- 🔗 www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...

bbc.co.uk

HMS Erebus sailors identified as new Pembroke Dock exhibit to open

The remains of sailors who died on an Arctic expedition are identified by researchers.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

🔗 x.com/MattCartooni... From the 'other side'. I wouldn't normally do this but this is so good although I do acknowledge this reference to an advertising slogan from a time long past possibly will be wasted on anyone not around in the 1960s. Sadly we live in a far more cynical age today.

Matt cartoon posted in the Telegraph newspaper 23rd May 2026. 'Russian Oil - Put a tyrant in your tank'. A comic reference to the 1960s Esso advertising campaign 'Put a tiger in your tank'.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 💬 BBC: 'Alarming-looking' caterpillar webs in park 'harmless' 📷 Mine today - 🌳Belle Isle Park in #Exeter 👻 Spooky!

Thick white caterpillar webs covering fences and trees in Belle Isle Park in #Exeter. View of fencing and tree branches covered with webs.

Thick white caterpillar webs covering fences and trees in Belle Isle Park in #Exeter. View of tree branches covered with webs.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

🔗 gregory.co.uk/our-history Begun in 1919 by Archie with just a horse & cart, today a company with £50m+ annual turnover, operating out of Cullompton. And it's all in the family (but very distantly)! Common ancestors are my 5*great-grandparents. Superb to find museum of old company vehicles exists.🚛

[Gregory's haulage web site]: 'We are fortunate enough that three of our brands - Gregory Distribution, Hayton Coulthard, and Pollocks - have retained heritage vehicles which are painstakingly maintained to document our history. These vehicles are often found at vintage shows and rallies throughout the summer months.'

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

For #ArtDeco Day here is a stylish sun burst window on a domestic house in #Exeter The city is noticeably rather timid when it comes to Art Deco but there is a smattering to be found here and there.

Sun burst window of domestic house in Exeter complete with wispy clouds

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... "Don't mention the war!" (now entrenched in British psyche) Que? 🇪🇸

Headline of The Independent newspaper 28/04/2026: 'King Charle's tricky task with Trump: don't mention the war ... (Iran, Falklands or Ukraine)'. Clearly a Fawlty Towers quotation.

Image of Basil Fawlty (TV character played by John Cleese) standing in front of the entrance to his hotel Fawlty Towers, in #Torquay.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

BBC News - report today - 'Higher prices could last for eight months after Iran war ...' ** 🥛 milk 🥛 ** ? (see 📷) Leave that with me, I need to give it some thought as currently failing to see what role 🐄 are playing in this war.

BBC News - report today - 'Higher prices could last for eight months after Iran war, minister says' - extract: '... the cost of other crops and milk increasing in the next three to six months' - milk?

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Stagecoach zero emissions single-decker electric bus seen in Exeter, today. 'Greener cleaner travel' the bus proclaims. Travelled on an electric double-decker in Torquay last week. Good to see public transport at the forefront of this transport revolution. Fuel security a major bonus.

Stagecoach zero emissions single-decker electric bus seen in Sidwell Street, Exeter, today.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Interesting: 'Forbidden from painting'. I'm aware D.H. Lawrence was accused of spying and signaling German submarines by locals and authorities during WWI whilst living at Zennor but he did have a German wife, Freda, which would have heightened suspicions. Resulted in their forced expulsion

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

The Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) in the grounds of Exeter University looking splendid this afternoon. It benefits from a superb valley location to set it off. Not to be sniffed at. 😬

Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) in the grounds of Exeter University - whole tree view

Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) in the grounds of Exeter University - close-up of single bloom

Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) in the grounds of Exeter University - numerous handkerchiefs

Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) in the grounds of Exeter University - oblique light sets blooms alight

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

📷:27/02/2026 Exminster, near Swan's Nest, road sign reads 'Road Closed'. It is to vehicles due tree having collapsed taking with it part of the lane. It remains passable on 🚶&🚴‍♂️. Flooding has abated Map Coordinates:- 50.677566,-3.474834 @exetercycling.bsky.social #cycling #cyclist #cyclinglife #bike

Lane out of Exminster, passing Swan's Nest, approaching Exeter Canal. Tree has collapsed taking with it part of lane. Closed to vehicles but remains passable 🚶&🚴‍♂️. Flood waters have subsided.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

📣An exhibition currently running at Exeter Custom House. Presents historic photos with a particular focus on Exeter Quay and surroundings. Collection started by Peter Thomas now being expanded and preserved by South West Heritage Centre. An interpretation video provides background. Recommended.

"The Isca Photogaphic Collection: The Living Archive of Exeter's Waterfront" - Introductory poster with historic image of the Exeter Quay area.

Historic aerial photograph of Exeter Quay and its surroundings.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 'How winter storms are rapidly reshaping our coastline' [Featured: Torcross & Slapton] 💬"This is going to become increasingly common," Masselink says of the erosion seen at Torcross and Slapton beaches. Worryingly much of our UK coastline under threat from erosion.

bbc.co.uk

How winter storms are reshaping the Devon and Cornwall coastline

Why the coastline is eroding fast - after Storm Ingrid strips beaches in height by as much as 2m (6.6ft) and exposes homes.

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Robert Slack (UK) 🧬🌲 @ukrobertslack.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 💨Teignmouth taking a battering from Storm Ingrid. Sadly outer portions of the pier lost. Also, new railway storm defences being pushed to the limit and in part failing.

bbc.co.uk

Pier washes away and railway sea wall crumbles as storm lashes South West

Part of a historic pier washes away and a sea wall next to a railway line crumbles as Storm Ingrid lashes Devon and Cornwall.

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