Haddon Hall
When Deanna was here at Christmas, we did some sightseeing and one of the places we went was Haddon Hall. It was used in the filming of The Princess Bride, which is probably what brought it to our attention. We went for a "candlelight tour" and dinner. Approaching it at night, with the walls lit up, was very impressive. You cross a bridge over the River Wye on your way to the Hall, and that only adds to the atmosphere. Here's a quick video:
Approaching Haddon Hall
Pirates of Penzance at the ENO
About a month ago we went to the London Coliseum to watch the English National Opera perform Pirates of Penzance. Of course they don't allow photos or videos to be taken during the performance, only during curtain calls. We got the tickets at a discount because of our National Rail railcard. Still expensive, but worth it! A very good performance (but my favorite is still Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt, and Rex Smith at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park in 1980). We will go back to the ENO.
Spring biking sportives
Tomorrow I’m participating in the Verulam Cycling Club’s annual Reliability Ride. VCC is based in St. Albans, the next town south of Harpenden. It seems like almost every town in the UK has a cycling club, and a lot of of them have spring rides like this one. They are called “sportives” which is a which is a term new to me, and the idea is to help people people get in shape for the summer racing season. I plan to do at least two more of these this spring to help me get ready for chase the Sun.
There are two routes tomorrow. The long route is 66 miles, and the short route is 41 miles. I plan on doing the longer route.
Verulam Reliability Ride
VERULAM RELIABILITY RIDESunday 23rd February 2025 Photos from last year: See here.Two classic routes:The long route is 105km (66 miles) with 1,371 meters (4,062ft) of ascent, whilst the short route is 66km...verulamcc.org.uk
Training for Chase the Sun
I'm training for Chase the Sun, following the 4-month training schedule below. But it seems to me that this schedule is a bit light on the actual biking. It describes a weekly schedule. Initially each week has one day on a stationary bike and 2 days on a real bike. Eventually it goes to one day on a stationary bike and 3 days on a real bike. Why not more days on a real bike? Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Dirk
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A climate ad that reached millions
Science Moms’ Super Bowl ad, why extreme heat worsens diabetes, & three S’s of climate actionKatharine Hayhoe (Talking Climate)
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There will more opportunities to volunteer with Green Shores; saltmarsh restoration planting dates will be released soon for the Tay and Eden Estuaries
#NatureScot #NatureRestorationFund #saltmarsh #volunteering #EcosystemRestoration
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Great to have them helping bulk up the plants.
#Saltmarsh #SaltmarshRestoration #NatureScot #NatureRestorationFund
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✅ Good news: Major companies like IKEA are doubling down on climate action—not just because it’s good for the planet, but because it’s good for business.
❌ Bad news: In the U.S., key climate and science initiatives have been paused or cancelled, putting critical research and solutions at risk.
💡 A surprising what-do-to: Feeling guilty about your personal climate footprint? Don't! Instead, think bigger. Guilt can lead to paralysis—and now more than ever, we need action that drives change.
As always, please use this info to start conversations this week! talkingclimate.ca/p/melting-ic…
Melting ice & frozen grants
Businesses step up, U.S. science stalls, and why guilt isn’t the answerKatharine Hayhoe (Talking Climate)
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arte.tv/en/videos/112297-000-A…
How Ikea Plunders the Planet - Watch the full documentary | ARTE in English
Behind its wholesome and eco-friendly image, the Swedish furniture giant - the world's biggest consumer of wood - has some highly unscrupulous practices.ARTE
More reflections of our recent trip to Dornoch Firth to monitor the effects of the fencing on saltmarsh restoration.
more info in the alt text
#Saltmarsh #NatureScot #NatureRestorationFund #SaltmarshRestoration
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The U.S. administration is rolling back critical climate initiatives, pulling out of the Paris Agreement, pausing wind farm permits, and reversing EV incentives—all while doubling down on fossil fuels.
But the rest of the world isn’t waiting; and you don't have to, either. From record clean energy investments to rapid battery innovation, global progress is accelerating and experts say the clean energy revolution is unstoppable.
This week’s newsletter dives into the challenges and opportunities we face—and how individuals can make a difference when we act together.
There's never been a better week to start a conversation with what you learn here ⬇️
talkingclimate.ca/p/no-one-per…
No one person can halt global climate progress
U.S. climate action falters, but the world marches on - and so can youKatharine Hayhoe (Talking Climate)
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My reading list
Field work recently took us up to the beautiful Dornoch Firth.
Fencing is now in place to extend protection to existing saltmarsh and areas to be planted.
The Dornoch site was the original site to trial fencing as a successful method to support saltmarsh plantings establish and prevent further erosion of vulnerable sites.
#Saltmarsh #NatureScot #NatureRestorationFund
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Reflections on a salt pan on a saltmarsh last week.
These small pools form on saltmarsh and remain filled with water after the tide is out.
#saltmarsh #NatureScot #NatureRestorationFund #reflection
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Negative news gets the clicks and shares: but it can also leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless. That’s why, every week, I share good news too. Like what? Like how hundreds of cities around the world--including the most recent, Chicago--are now powering all their municipal buildings with renewables.
Want to stay inspired and be encouraged to take action? Ditch doom-scrolling and try hope-scrolling: following people, organizations, and stories that share progress and ideas for a better future. My latest newsletter is packed with resources that will brighten your feed.
Check them out, and share!
talkingclimate.ca/p/would-you-…
Would you click if I said the world was ending?
Chicago’s solar energy shift, why bad news sells, and how to green your online feedKatharine Hayhoe (Talking Climate)
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I read Blue Machine by Helen Czerski
The full title is Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes Our World. This is a fascinating book about how the ocean works. Temperature, density, salt content—all play a part in determining what lives where, the weather, and much more. The ocean has a huge influence on human life, though this is not widely recognized. Years ago, I heard Jacques Cousteau say that human civilization could not survive the death of the oceans. This book provides more background on that statement. Highly recommended.
Author Helen Czerski has videos on YouTube which are worth watching. This one is a high-level summary of the book: youtube.com/watch?v=hNUcwcO6AS…
- YouTube
Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.www.youtube.com
I read The High House by Jessie Greengrass
I’ll give this three, or maybe 3 1/2, out of five. The novel is my first foray into climate fiction. No date is given for the events in this novel, but it must be in the near future. Narrated by 3 children rising to adulthood, it chronicles the events leading to their taking shelter from the ravages of climate change in the High House of the title, and of the love expressed by the adults raising them in preparing them and the house for what is to come.
I read Awe by Dacher Keltner
The full title is Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
Being a Christian Scientist, there was a lot in the book I didn't agree with, but what I did agree with is summarized by these two quotes, particularly the second one:
It also merits considering what was not mentioned in stories of awe from around the world. Money didn't figure into awe, except in a couple of instances in which people had been cheated out of life savings. No one mentioned their laptop, Facebook, Apple Watch, or smartphone. Nor did anyone mention ccanonsumer pur-chases, like their new Nikes, Tesla, Gucci bag, or Montblane pen.
Pg 18
In fact, it is hard to imagine a single thing you do that is better for your body and mind than finding awe outdoors.
Pg 128
Lany
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