Nostr notes by Bob Downie

For microfossils the book by Armstrong & Brasier came to ...

2026-07-15T12:49:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…tu87
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For microfossils the book by Armstrong & Brasier came to mind. It was a standard student text that I had to use way back, though I see it was updated in 2004 & is now available online. A good place to start.
https://raregeologybooks.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/microfossile_-by-braiser.pdf

We are now in County #Claire & have been walking in ...

2026-06-27T15:35:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…vgpu
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We are now in County #Claire & have been walking in #TheBurren, an area of extensive #limestone pavement & karstification. I don't have enough superlatives! The scenery, the flora & geology are unique. I have been to many places but few tick even half as many boxes.

#Ireland #Geology #Karst

This #Tralee pub looks promising. I could really do with using ...

2026-06-24T13:12:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…dhy2
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This #Tralee pub looks promising. I could really do with using their drinking consultation services to improve my technique 😂.

We are arrived in #Tralee #Ireland where we are going to stop for ...

2026-06-24T13:07:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…4gys
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We are arrived in #Tralee #Ireland where we are going to stop for a few days. I am delighted to see that the tradition of smaller town Irish shops being more than one thing continues with vigour 🙂!

Jim Caball "himself" - selling bikes & garden machinery

Tralee Gas, Cycle & Nursery Supplies- selling bottled gas, bikes & prams.

Now getting the train #Dublin to #Tralee. I love that when you ...

2026-06-23T09:55:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…7kgf
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Now getting the train #Dublin to #Tralee. I love that when you have a seat reservation, Irish Rail puts your name above the seat. There is no argument. "It's my seat!".

Our next surprise was to see on my phone GPS that our ferry to ...

2026-06-23T06:24:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…lxqq
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Our next surprise was to see on my phone GPS that our ferry to #Dublin, the Mannanan was travelling at 61km/hr. So fast! How could this be? Stepping out to the stern revealed all; we are on a massive catarmaran with ginormous engines. Check out the wake!

5:15am and bleary-eyed we are heading for the ferry from the ...

2026-06-23T04:24:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…fnp0
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5:15am and bleary-eyed we are heading for the ferry from the #IsleofMan to #Dublin. I love the absolutely bonkers IOM ferry terminal. Classic mid 1960's concrete architecture.

A nice plant spot on the #IsleofMan is navelwort. It's not a ...

2026-06-22T20:27:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…n783
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A nice plant spot on the #IsleofMan is navelwort. It's not a plant I know from #Scotland but it's very common on rock faces & walls here. #botany

The #Laxey Wheel in operation. It's impressive! #IsleofMan ...

2026-06-22T16:44:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…69yg
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The #Laxey Wheel in operation. It's impressive! #IsleofMan

We visited the #Laxey Wheel, just the biggest waterwheel in the ...

2026-06-22T16:37:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…j7z0
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We visited the #Laxey Wheel, just the biggest waterwheel in the world! I'm afraid my #bicycle wheelbuilder's brain kicked in & I couldn't help but notice the lateral truing was out a bit. Now that would be a big spoke key #cycling. #IsleofMan

If you hadn't gathered, we are on the #IsleofMan for a few ...

2026-06-21T22:00:42Z

If you hadn't gathered, we are on the #IsleofMan for a few days. As well as cracking geology (check out the folds in the picture) birdlife (choughs!) and adventures with #kippers we had a brilliant day's cycling. For the evening's entertainment we managed to blag two of the last tickets to see the #Proclaimers in the magnificent Art Deco Villa Marina Royal Hall. A great day indeed!

And so it goes. I can't say I'm that surprised that there ...

2026-06-16T12:14:33Z

And so it goes.

I can't say I'm that surprised that there is now a massive uncertainty in funding Scotland’s planned cycling infrastructure. However, coming just a few days after Transport Scotland confirmed a £1.94 billion investment to dual the remaining sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness it's kick in the teeth for #ActiveTravel
#Glasgow #cycling #biketoot #Scotland
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/uncertainty-over-proposed-glasgow-cycle-34128219

If the government really wanted to get kids off #socialmedia ...

2026-06-16T06:55:27Z

If the government really wanted to get kids off #socialmedia it's pretty easy. Rather than ban the <16's I would :

1. ban algorithmic feeds on social media
2. ban advertising on social media.

Bit like #Mastodon really. Social interaction is ready and waiting for everyone but you have to work at it a bit.

IMHO most kids would likely give up and go do something else.

I have just looked at the Met Office #UK temperature anomaly maps ...

2026-06-15T21:44:30Z

I have just looked at the Met Office #UK temperature anomaly maps and they are perturbing. If compared against the 30 year period 1961-90 there is a crazy >1.5°C relative warming in most months and most places, >3.5°C in the S of England for April-May.

The relative warming doesn't seem quite so extreme when compared to a 1991-2020 baseline but even so most of the UK shows very elevated warming, esp the SE.

I'm sure that this is all fine.
#climate #climatechange #environment

A timely safety reminder from Natalie Horberg 🤔 #roadsafety ...

2026-06-15T07:36:24Z

A timely safety reminder from Natalie Horberg 🤔

#roadsafety #drivinglaw

Nostr event nevent1qqsqk5ls56nrlvg30dwawvkqfr373qwgq9kjmlxh5yr9y8aacz7kxlczyqkprlldgvrelrrspapn8w87frzkuapf4xkzwe2qk6y3cmvt5mh5g9aky0w

2026-06-07T11:09:02Z

#silentsunday

I use GPS when cycling so that I can easily follow a route ...

2026-06-03T21:45:51Z

I use GPS when cycling so that I can easily follow a route without getting lost. Conversely, many of my cycling buddies use GPS so they can record where they have been & upload to Strava.

Am I the odd one out? How do you mainly use your GPS? #cycling #biketoot #BikeTooter

Hi @npub12he…x05u Today I have one for you! My brother recently ...

2026-05-26T08:18:40Z

Hi Paolo Viscardi (npub12he…x05u) Today I have one for you! My brother recently came across these vertebrae on the beach near the Heads of Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland. Given that the spinal column was incomplete he thought that the total length of the animal was in excess of 4m. I think I know what it is but what do you think?

Whenever I say i've been cycling in this place someone always ...

2026-04-24T08:17:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…e5mt
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Whenever I say i've been cycling in this place someone always mentions that the riding is easy 'cause of the flatness. Perhaps, but when you have battered 100km fully laden into a fierce headwind different opinions are possible 🙂.

Those windmills were built for a reason, wind!

The #Labour Party calling a byelection win by a left-leaning ...

2026-02-27T13:02:08Z

The #Labour Party calling a byelection win by a left-leaning progressive party "very disappointing" tells you all you need to know about them. #ukpolitics #gortonanddenton #greenparty

https://mastodon.scot/@geomannie/115662890086937552

2025-12-04T19:48:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…hgjx
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https://mastodon.scot/@geomannie/115662890086937552

What happens when you go to base 11?

2025-11-13T09:13:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…tn2k
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What happens when you go to base 11?

#Scotland says fuck that! ...

2025-10-21T14:54:39Z

#Scotland says fuck that!
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/prince-andrew-virginia-giuffre-epstein-exile-scotland-castle-mey-b2849138.html

It's important to never believe the verbal assurances of a ...

2025-09-29T07:29:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…f863
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It's important to never believe the verbal assurances of a politician. Only believe the text as written.

In his 1842 tour of the #USA Charles Dickens was appalled by the ...

2025-09-17T16:12:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…8aqc
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In his 1842 tour of the #USA Charles Dickens was appalled by the abuse and mutilation of slaves. In his travelogue "American Notes" he documented typical newspaper adverts of the time. I attach a selection. I can't think of anything more vile than the cruelty of such violence and mutilation, other than the #Trump Gov trying to suppress the knowledge that this was deemed acceptable behaviour. #slavery #SlaveryHistory

I have just found this video which shows it beautifully. ...

2025-08-30T11:00:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…vaxs
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I have just found this video which shows it beautifully.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2bA5cJ45bJ0

He is a fantastic sculptor. I came across this wonderful statue ...

2025-08-30T10:47:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…xfcv
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He is a fantastic sculptor. I came across this wonderful statue by #AntonyGormley at Saddell Bay on the Kintyre Peninsula. I had no idea it was there and discovering the combination of the artistry and location was quite an experience.

Hi #bee folks, I recently found a hive of wild bees on #Bute ...

2025-08-03T07:19:21Z

Hi #bee folks, I recently found a hive of wild bees on #Bute #Scotland. To me they look very dark and I was wondering if they are the native race of British Black Bees. Can anyone confirm/comment from my picture? Thanks. #beekeeping

Not really surprised. Being on your bike is so stimulating. ...

2025-06-15T21:33:04Z

Not really surprised. Being on your bike is so stimulating.
"cyclists had a 19 percent lower risk of all-cause dementia, a 22 percent lower risk of Alzheimer's, a 40 percent lower risk of young-onset dementia (before the age of 65), and a 17 percent lower risk of late-onset dementia."

#cycling #biketoot #Alzheimers
https://www.sciencealert.com/cycling-linked-to-lower-risk-of-dementia-study-of-half-a-million-finds

For sure, I have persuaded most of my large family network to use ...

2024-12-22T08:41:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…wwzx
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For sure, I have persuaded most of my large family network to use #Signal but everyone else uses Instagram

There are 3 easy things you can do to stop targeted advertising ...

2024-12-22T08:38:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…t4m6
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There are 3 easy things you can do to stop targeted advertising #Adblocker #Adblocker #Adblocker

Actually there are quite a few more things you can do but they can get difficult, including using a script blocker(s) and eschewing the use of Google & Meta products. The fact that I won't share my contacts list with Meta means I can't use Instagram. This makes me a social outcast.

Health benefits of pedestrian and cyclist commuting: evidence ...

2024-12-18T09:36:11Z

Health benefits of pedestrian and cyclist commuting: evidence from the Scottish Longitudinal Study

If ever you doubted that #cycling was good for you, doubt no longer!

#biketoot #biketooter #Scotland

https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e001295

Pennan! The red conglomeratic rocks are a bit of a giveaway.

2024-12-03T17:34:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…uxmz
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Pennan! The red conglomeratic rocks are a bit of a giveaway.

Nice to see #Paolozzi 's studio again. I'm a huge fan. I ...

2024-11-23T08:52:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…uv46
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Nice to see #Paolozzi 's studio again. I'm a huge fan. I own a print but best of all I managed to acquire a fair few of his geometric badge/brooches when they were still cheap to buy. I'm in love with them!

With the sad news about #JaneyGodley, the following link is for a ...

2024-11-02T17:37:24Z

With the sad news about #JaneyGodley, the following link is for a lovely interview with her chatting to James O'Brien. Listening to it emphasises the loss. #JaneyGodleyRIP
https://dax.captivate.fm/3d0249c5-885c-44e3-ae58-1427f4717714/b84d5cb2-b038-4d1d-b7ea-a3f3c2d76159.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=95158cfb-f74f-4f9c-8f47-00bd976ab01d&aw_0_1st.episodeid=4b8d5fe7-2226-4d6a-ab45-5867375095da

Lord Walney’s influential position as a so-called independent ...

2024-10-20T08:09:56Z

Lord Walney’s influential position as a so-called independent government adviser has been utterly compromised by his conflicts of interest. Agree? Add your name here.
#GoodLawProject
https://goodlawproject.org/petition/remove-the-governments-protest-adviser/

I've only tried self sealing tubes and they were a dead loss, ...

2024-10-12T15:26:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…04hl
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I've only tried self sealing tubes and they were a dead loss, spraying the frame with sealant and the tyre still went flat. I'm not minded to try tubeless (yet).

That is my understanding too, Marathon+ is the most puncture ...

2024-10-12T15:15:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…2j40
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That is my understanding too, Marathon+ is the most puncture proof tyre in the World. In #Glasgow, however, it's broken glass on the streets and at this time of year, thorns from hedge cutting ☹️ in the countryside. I guess nothing will withstand these dual onslaughts.

"Get Marathon Plus's" they said, "that way you ...

2024-10-12T13:29:48Z

"Get Marathon Plus's" they said, "that way you won't get punctures".

Meanwhile, in the real world.

#biketoot #cycling

Indeed. Before you can store carbon you need a source of carbon. ...

2024-10-11T11:37:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…uzjh
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Indeed. Before you can store carbon you need a source of carbon. Last night's talk indicated that the Gov's CCS plans included the import of gas from Norway with the intention of stripping the carbon to make hydrogen. Same old, same old.

I went to a talk at Glasgow Geological Society last night about ...

2024-10-11T10:53:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…cr4v
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I went to a talk at Glasgow Geological Society last night about CCS. IMHO, CCS yes/maybe, but a lot seems predicated on reusing old oil field infrastructure. CO2 is not the same as oilfield fluids and can be corrosive. Strikes me that putting a potentially corrosive fluid into decades old (neglected?) infrastructure could have many unforeseen consequences.

The #Pathe film archive is an amazing resource. For example ...

2024-10-08T08:53:13Z

The #Pathe film archive is an amazing resource. For example search for #Glasgow you get these amazing nuggets of film reportage, a lot of focus on royalty and football mind.
https://www.britishpathe.com/search/?searchQuery=Glasgow%20&page=1

I went down to have a look at the new #cycle - #pedestrian ...

2024-09-13T20:36:33Z

I went down to have a look at the new #cycle - #pedestrian Govan-Partick Bridge in #Glasgow. To say I am blown away is an understatement. The bridge is wide and invites people to cross from the Riverside Museum to a newly created/modernised civic space in #Govan. People were so excited about it that complete strangers were stopping to chat with me. I think this is one of the best infrastructure projects I've seen in my lifetime in Glasgow. A few pictures.

Is this government for us or against us? What is the point of ...

2024-08-22T12:50:44Z

Is this government for us or against us?

What is the point of #Labour #Brexit

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/22/uk-ministers-rule-out-joining-eu-youth-free-movement-scheme

It's's definitely a hard wax

2024-08-18T17:58:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…mt8m
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It's's definitely a hard wax

Right shape, wrong substance

2024-08-18T16:35:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…pejn
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Right shape, wrong substance

A quick quiz for geoscientists & chemists. This old bottle ...

2024-08-18T16:28:50Z

A quick quiz for geoscientists & chemists. This old bottle holding maybe 100ml is made of hard wax and the label has crumbled. What did it contain and what is the use of the contents in a geological context?

#geology #earthscience #chemistry

Formal opening date of the Govan - Partick Bridge, Friday, 6 ...

2024-08-15T20:32:27Z

Formal opening date of the Govan - Partick Bridge, Friday, 6 September! It will take a mile out of one of my frequent journeys! #Glasgow #Cycling
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/10119/Formal-opening-date-of-the-Govan-Partick-Bridge

I can get fed up with #US companies that use US street furniture ...

2024-08-12T23:38:09Z

I can get fed up with #US companies that use US street furniture in CAPTCHA's That is a very specific view of the world. In response I present my #American friends with a CAPTCHA based on what a UK fire hydrant looks like.

Only in the #Highlands of #Scotland ! #Clachtoll ...

2023-07-07T15:18:41Z

Only in the #Highlands of #Scotland ! #Clachtoll