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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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I can never quite get enough of Kew Gardens..
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Michael Pearce@michaelleepearce.bsky.social |
9 followers 20 following 41 posts
Once upon a time: banker then early modern historian. Always: day dreamer, curious. Favourite question: why? Likes: open minds. Interests: early modern religious and political history, moral philosophy and metaphysics, wandering and pondering.
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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I can never quite get enough of Kew Gardens..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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You are making me feel quite wistful Peter! Have a productive day tomorrow.
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Ah, Norfolk Record Office in Norwich! That takes me back twenty or so years when I spent a very enjoyable week or two on my Samuel Harsnett research there. Also had a pleasant diversionary visit to the cathedral (his former see, of course). Is your visit for Andrewes' research may I ask?
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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And my final nostalgic connection from the 1960s (I promise!): the popularisation of folk music was also something that influenced my young self and this from the film immediately became a favourite.
youtube.com/watch?v=cVVp...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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This pushes connections to extremes but her name reminds me of discovering another Hardy in the 1960s: Thomas. 1968 - my English teacher took us on to see Far From the Madding Crowd. I fell in love with Julie Christie; more importantly I bought the novel and my love affair with literature began.
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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No apologies for posting this.
Francoise Hardy died yesterday and for me growing up in the 1960s this was one of those (many) iconic pieces of music from my early youth..
😢
youtube.com/watch?v=qJVp...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Another favourite is this Templar cross (above the arch) on the main thoroughfare of this walled town. This is part of the “Via Francigena”, traditionally considered to be the pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome and also followed by Crusaders on their way via Puglia to the Holy Land.
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Still relishing our stay in San Gimignano known locally as the Manhattan of Tuscany - can't imagine why! Perhaps the twin towers on one of the main squares contributed, though locals say that they were so named long before the ill fated NY version came along.
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Thank you Peter - that's very helpful. I have in mind one of the sunniest spots in the garden to plant it out in this autumn when I'll certainly follow your advice about plant depth. Hopefully next year I'll be posting a photo of something similarly splendid to your beauty!
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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We've just enjoyed a perfect evening. It's difficult to convey the sense of gratitude we have for being able to enjoy this time, this place - the tranquility, beauty and fusion of man and natural setting is extraordinary. It has to be shared..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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We booked this break back in February not knowing what was around the corner.. Two weeks later my wife went down with a life threatening dose of double pneumonia - with sepsis thrown in. A deeply worrying time. The prospect of this time away gave us something to aim for - and here we are..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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San Gimignano, Tuscany. Our first evening in this special place at what turns out to be a very special time...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Wonderful Peter. What's the secret? We have an otherwise healthy 3-4 year old peony that has resolutely failed to flower in that time. What am I doing wrong? It's in a large pot but will planting out help? I suspect it might not get enough sun but any suggestions very welcome.
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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I hope Michael Gove gets to read this - he'll be furious 🤗. Watch your back Ian - he's a nasty piece of work as you (quite brilliantly) make clear!
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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This is what really good political commentators do... I've long had reluctant respect for Gove whose politics are not to my taste but whose competence and intellect I have to acknowledge. However, without quite knowing why, I've never trusted the man.. ID has nailed my why - thanks. Brilliant 🤗.
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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A few more of today's highlights..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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"I don't want to return to the world outside these Gardens. All I want is to notice the dew on a leaf. The holy busyness of worms in the soil." Tor Udall, A Thousand Paper Birds I really cannot think of anything on this planet that raises my spirits more than a visit to Kew Gardens. I get it Tor..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Breaking news - Snap opinion poll on Me: 100% anybody but the Tories (or Reform..)
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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And how much of those increases will be paid out as 'shareholder' dividends? 😠
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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A thread that expresses with admiral clarity a story that needs to be told: we're being taken as fools. (This is the second time today I've felt minded to praise a GM take on a matter. Have I become a convert? No, they both just happen to ring a bell 🤗)
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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This excellent article paints a picture that is desperately sad, sick and disturbing - George Monbiot does a real service to these kids and our society as whole by highlighting this issue.
Do read it if you can possibly make the time.
😟
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Seems there is a conspiracy to undermine conspiracy theories..
(Good 🤗)
www.bbc.com/news/uk-poli...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Shared by six of you of course.. Well I hope so for your sake!
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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I intend generally to avoid politics on here but somehow posting this is just too good an opportunity to miss 🤗 "New Ipsos poll for the Evening Standard Lab 47% Con 20% LD 9% Green 8% Reform 8% Lowest Tory % ever recorded in an Ipsos poll going back to the start of their regular polling in 1978."
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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I've just been scrolling through my BlueSky timeline and it's just hit me: this is so civilised and the place to be. Long may it remain so - goodbye Twitter (OK Elon, X as you prefer).
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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What a lovely man Michael sounds to have been. Indeed a life well lived. Thanks so much for sharing this..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Well, it's a BlueSky sort of day in Twickenham..🙏
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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A like for your photo, not your mood..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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They are the words of Karl Popper btw..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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There is a distinct lack of tolerance and a great deal too much certainty in the world today - I find it sad that words like this don't get heard enough...😕
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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That is (indeed) the question...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Admittedly a bit tough on the Lib Dems and the Greens...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Both astonishing (but understandable ) and wonderful (said this substantially over the age of 50 person) 🤗🤗🤗 For people under 50 today's YouGov poll is: Lab 60% Con 10% Green 10% LD 9% Reform 5% SNP 3%
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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"I believe in using words, not fists. I believe in my outrage knowing people are living in boxes on the street. I believe in honesty. I believe in a good time. I believe in good food. I believe in sex." A very wise man was Bertrand Russell..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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For no other reasons than this is a new platform (for me) and a new year here are some best memories from 2023..
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Drop something blue from your gallery. (Somehow it seems appropriate to post a blue sky - plus a blue sea and a blue landscape for good measure).
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Absolutely Peter. As a post-grad student at the same college, at the same university, at the same time as he was an undergrad I can vouch for how enriching in every way (for myself, the system and the UK) it was to share the experience with so many overseas students. Words rarely fail me, but...
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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Oh Peter, that was a missed opportunity! He's a real character and I remember some really helpful conversations with him. Mutual encouragement is a must!
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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I've slipped out of the loop of my Early Modern studies (for me Religion and Politics in the late 16th /early 17th centuries). This looks to be essential catch-up reading from one of the greats in my field (despite the lost opportunity for a catchy title!).
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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This thought popped up during my wanderings in COVID lockdowns and has proved both practical and consolatory: 'You can't change the way things are but you can change the way you are with the way things are.'
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Michael Pearce
@michaelleepearce.bsky.social
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My first post here! A new beginning after the increasing toxicity of what used to be called twitter. There'll be more of the things that interest and matter to me and nothing on the things that wind me up. I hope to find others who share my interests, values and ways of viewing the world.
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