David Weir

I was very fortunate to be able to go on a short hike up Ben Vrackie with a colleague last Sunday.

The top was in clag and despite the rain and stormy winds forecast for later in the day, the tourist path was very busy (with many people wearing jeans 🙃)...

Lots of blaeberries, lingonberries, crowberries and (further down) raspberries, but despite finding a few averin (cloudberry) leaves we didn't find any berries. I've never had luck at actually finding cloudberries in Scotland, I think they must set berries very rarely.

Also I rarely come home to Scotland in summer, and the thing which always hits me is the heady scent and deep purples of the heather.

But: "To one who loves the hills at every season, the blossoming is not the best of the heather. The best of it is simply its being there - the feel of it under the feet." – Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain.

#Hiking #Scotland #SilentSunday #BenVrackie

An aurora strong enough to be seen over all of Glasgow’s light pollution.

Why do these things always happen when I have early starts? 🥲

#aurora #glasgow

I’ve taken several little videos of hills and mountains from my train trip so far but I figure most people don’t really want to see a view of, say, Tinto capped with a dod of mist, because it’s just another rounded hill in the Scottish Southern Uplands (albeit the highest in South Lanarkshire). But I like it, and judging by the size of the Bronze Age cairn at the top, it meant something to our ancestors too.

#Scotland #SouthLanarkshire #trains

@mods@tech.lgbt I'm wondering if there will be any public statement about the reasons for blocking dair-community.social? The transparency and openness concerning moderation and blocking decisions on this server is something I value highly. I don't like it when I have to figure things out from third party posts.

In the kitchen of Nottingham's Cripps Centre for Astronomy and Particle Theory they have this huge poster, which is frankly awesome and I want my own for Helsinki.

The artwork is by Pete McPartlan: http://www.petemcpartlan.co.uk/

What's even more awesome is the fact people have added heippalaput to it.

#physics #astronomy #cosmology

Don't be alarmed, it's just Nottingham outside.

(from yesterday's adventure)

#trains

A very early start to make a day trip to Nottingham for work. But I have tea and my woollen socks so all is well!

Love the unicorn! 🦄

#TrainSocks

I'm on the return leg of my day trip from Glasgow to Nottingham and there's a very tight connection in Crewe. Also, my train has been running late since we just after we left Nottingham. Not a stress-free experience so far.... 😅