Lucy B

Tech. Cycling. Nature.

Mostly posting wildlife photos.

Based in Manchester, UK

Blog: https://linuxlucy.dev
GitHub: https://github.com/lucyb
Instagram: https://instagram.com/linuxlucy

Last Notes

2026-07-15 12:36:49 CEST

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good reminders, thank you!
My GP is basically as close as my pharmacy and I've always found it easy to sign up for a flu jab there. It's also a good opportunity for the nurse to do a mini health check - I've had an extra vaccine for pneumonia, height, weight and blood pressure checks when I've visited.
You can also just book a double appointment and combine it with something else as well.
Also, there's some evidence that flu vaccines reduce your risk of dementia, so well worth it.

2026-04-04 10:30:55 CEST

Does anyone have any suggestions for UK towns that are okay for cycling? 🚴
I'm getting fed up of consistently bad cycling experiences around Manchester. I've had two incidents that really needed reporting to the police in the last month and could really do with living somewhere that has less drama.

2026-03-03 10:15:43 CET

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I've been in this situation and from what I remember, they talked me through installing W3W. It was a complete pain. I could've immediately given them the lat/long from Google maps, but they refused anything but W3W.

2026-02-22 19:04:50 CET

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based on my experience canvassing for the Greens over the last month, and living in the constituency, I am 100% convinced that Labour are going after the Green vote. They're happy to split the vote if it means the Greens don't win.

2026-02-19 13:23:11 CET

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the internal Green polling data shows that they are way ahead of Labour. It's too close to call between Reform and Greens, although the betting shops are behind Greens.
Labour aren't fighting to win, they're fighting to stop the Greens. I don't have evidence, but I have been canvassing with Labour party members who've joined up with the Greens because they're frustrated and desperate to stop Reform (unlike the rest of Labour)

2026-02-13 14:29:10 CET

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TBF, the Labour candidate has already enacted her plan to improve air pollution on the A57, when she was Manchester Council’s Transport and Environment lead. She widened the road during COVID (against the wishes of locals), thereby increasing traffic and air pollution... Oh, and increasing deaths/injuries.

2026-01-31 18:25:04 CET

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speaking as a Denton resident, thank you for coming over! I couldn't make it today, but was over in Longsight yesterday to see the announcement and to do some leafleting.
We can totally do this! 💚

2025-12-14 21:40:28 CET

It's turning into a bad flu year for humans in the Northern hemisphere and it's turning out to be a bad year for bird flu too, at least locally.
The influx of winter migrants has brought with it plenty of sick birds, especially Canada geese, who've been spreading it around my local area.
Recently, our resident mute swans and their 5 cygnets became ill with (suspected) bird flu. It has a high mortality rate and we were all worried.
#Birds #Nature #Wildlife #UKWildlife #HPAI #BirdFlu
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2025-11-22 18:11:13 CET

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thanks, this is the sort of thing I was looking for. I was put off by the really bad trustpilot reviews of Dell Refurbished and so was hoping someone with lots of experience with them might respond with information.

2025-10-04 21:27:04 CEST

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I'm heading off to the Isle of Man on Monday, where I'm hoping to relearn the art of enjoying doing nothing after some busy months. Your posts have been useful inspiration.
Really glad that you're enjoying the evening. That does sound fun 😊

2025-09-27 11:23:18 CEST

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Juvenile grey heron.
He's trying hard to be a great hunter, but is sticking with smaller prey just for now and isn't too bothered by humans.
I love that you see the small differences with the adult above in this photo. The youngsters always seem slightly messier.
September 2025. Stockport UK.
#birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
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2025-08-01 16:39:05 CEST

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Shetland plants.
I'm not much of a plant person, but our tour guide pointed out several rare/interesting species while we were out looking for wildlife.
In no particular order:
1. Oyster plant, on a beach.
2. Lesser twayblade, on a peaty moor.
3. Northern marsh orchid.
4. Sundew, probably round-leaved.
#shetland #shetlandflowers
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2025-07-16 22:45:15 CEST

Last month, I spent a week in Shetland. It was full of stunning scenery, amazing bird life and lovely walks. It was also incredibly windy, wet and cold most of the time, as you'd expect.
There are almost no birds of prey and no native land mammals except the occasional vagrant bat. Shops were few and far between. The weather controlled when and where you could travel. Rare bird sightings were discussed while waiting for the bus. Overall, it was a remarkably different part of the UK.
#shetland
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2025-06-15 21:23:18 CEST

The Great Skua, or bonxie.
I first saw a bonxie in 2021 on Mull. I'd never heard a tour guide swear before, but he stopped mid-sentence, "oh no", and got out his scope. "Oh fuck.." This majestic sea bird should have been out to sea, harassing puffins and stealing a free meal off a gannet. But this one was sat on a rock and barely alive. It was dying of HPAI, or bird flu.
June 2025. Shetland, UK.
#Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #UKWildlife
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2024-06-24 21:46:03 CEST

Inclusive Cycling 🚴🧑‍🦽🧑‍🦼
Cyclists get a lot of hate in the UK and one of the arguments that is currently being used against us is that cycling is only for fit, white, able-bodied and middle class individuals. Well, that's not true and a number of cycling groups are actively working to ensure people from all backgrounds are included.
Cycling UK have a scheme where folks can try out (with experts) or borrow adapted cycles or standard ebikes for up to a month.
https://www.cyclinguk.org/inclusive-cycling-experience
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