# dorset — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 8 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover dorset. Page: Feed: --- ## [Sherborne House £15m Restoration Wins Prestigious Award](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/sherborne-house-15m-restoration-wins-prestigious-award/) _2026-08-20 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ One of Dorset’s most iconic buildings has landed a prestigious architectural award. Sherborne House is a Grade I listed Georgian mansion that has been sensitively restored and adapted into a new cultural destination known as The Sherborne. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) named it winner of the refurbishment and revitalisation project category at \[…\] ## [Bridport Vintage Market hands over £1,000 boost for grow community garden](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/bridport-vintage-market/) _2026-08-19 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ Bridport Vintage Market has donated £1,000 to help the community grow fresh food. Edible Bridport, a Bridport Food Matters project, works with volunteers, schools and community groups to transform neglected public green spaces into productive fruit, vegetable and herb gardens that are free for everyone to enjoy. As well as providing fresh, seasonal produce, the \[…\] ## [Treasury minister tours JP Morgan site](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91864/) _2026-08-18 · Emily Moore · (untitled)_ A Treasury minister has visited Bournemouth as JP Morgan moves ahead with its Chaseside expansion. Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby joined Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes for a tour of the company’s campus before visiting Tuckton Tea Gardens. She met young people working at Chaseside and heard how they are learning about financial services and artificial intelligence as part of their career… ## [Petition calls for two BCP leaders to go](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91860/) _2026-08-18 · Emily Moore · (untitled)_ A petition is calling for two senior BCP Council figures to resign from their positions. It calls for council leader Millie Earl and chief executive Aidan Dunn to step down, claiming residents, communities and businesses feel ignored by the authority. Those behind it criticise the council leadership for not holding an open public meeting and raise concerns about town centres, spending decisions… ## [No contractor found for Bournemouth Pier repairs](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91848/) _2026-08-18 · Amy Woodward · (untitled)_ Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is rethinking its plans for Bournemouth Pier repairs after failing to secure a contractor. The council had allocated nearly ten million pounds to restore the pier, but no suitable bids were received, highlighting the project's complexity and rising costs. As a result, the timeline has shifted, with completion now expected by early twenty twenty-eight,… ## [Police helping to guide parents online](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91846/) _2026-08-18 · Shaun Moore · (untitled)_ Dorset Police have released a new guide to help parents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole manage social media controls for children. The guide offers practical advice for families, encouraging open conversations about online safety and providing step-by-step instructions for various platforms. It also points parents to further support if needed, aiming to help adults understand the digital… ## [Christmas lights to return to Bournemouth](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91842/) _2026-08-18 · Amy Woodward · (untitled)_ Bournemouth town council has approved nearly sixty thousand pounds to bring Christmas lights back to four neighbourhoods. The new funding will see festive displays in Charminster, Kinson, Winton, and Moordown, after last year’s lights were cancelled due to budget cuts. Councillors described the plan as a pilot project, with eighty columns of blue and white lights to be installed, and some raised… ## [Residents claim developer has left site unfinished and dangerous](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/residents-claim-developer-has-left-site-unfinished-and-dangerous/) _2026-08-18 · Miranda Robertson · The West Dorset Magazine_ Residents of a new housing estate on the edge of Charminster say Wyatt Homes has left the site unfinished, unsightly, and dangerous – yet they are expected to stump up £400 a year for its maintenance. The Charminster Farm development – four phases plus projected fifth and sixth phases – plus another plan by Bellway \[…\] ## [Ice creams sold every 12 seconds in BCP](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91824/) _2026-08-18 · Roy Martin · (untitled)_ Nearly thirty thousand ice creams and lollies were sold along the BCP coastline in just four days. BCP Council recorded twenty eight thousand, eight hundred and seventy four sales at its seafront kiosks during a period that included A Level results day. That works out at roughly one ice cream or lolly every twelve seconds, as residents and visitors spent time beside the sea during sunny weather.… ## [Poole set for Seafood and Sounds return](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91820/) _2026-08-18 · Roy Martin · (untitled)_ Seafood and Sounds returns to Poole next month with 2 days of music, food and activities. The festival takes place across Poole Quay, the Old Town, High Street and several other locations. More than 60 independent traders will join seafood stalls, cookery demonstrations and 40 music acts performing each day across 9 different spaces. Families can enjoy entertainment, an Oyster Trail and circus… ## [AI publishing with human taste (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/aDayFSaiEwWH) _2026-08-18 · **Sponsored**_ Convert AI research into blogs, podcasts, and newsletters with optional human review. ## [17/08/26 - Sedgley Ale Trail](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/170826-sedgley-ale-trail.html) _2026-08-17 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Monday Lunchtime Ticking Never the best day for visiting pubs, but I don't do too badly in Sedgley. I was here on the trail of a Victorian Widow (read on , if interested) but in the back of my mind, I knew there was another Sedgley item on my Google Calendar To Do List. Nine available but as stated, it's Monday. Wallet and liver will be safe. 2. The Beacon Hotel The first I reach, on my approach… ## [17/08/26 - On the Trail of...... Eliza Tinsley](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/170826-on-trail-of-eliza-tinsley.html) _2026-08-17 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ West Midlands' Widow The latest West Midlands History Podcast concentrates on Victorian widows. The central argument is that widowhood was not simply a story of female tragedy and poverty. Although many widows faced extreme hardship, the death of a husband could also fundamentally change a woman's position. In a society where married women were often financially and legally subordinate to their… ## [Poole Civic Centre sale talks still ongoing](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91814/) _2026-08-17 · Amy Woodward · (untitled)_ Talks are ongoing to allow Poole Town Council to use part of the former Poole Civic Centre. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is discussing retaining a section of the Grade-II listed building, which has been empty since twenty twenty-two. The sale of the building is expected to deliver annual savings and help protect frontline services. The town council hopes to use the retained area for… ## [Fernhill residents lend a hand at farm](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91811/) _2026-08-17 · Roy Martin · (untitled)_ Fernhill residents spent a day helping at High Mead Farm, their chosen charity this year. The group from the Longham dementia care home explored the gardens, met the animals and relaxed over packed lunches before helping with work around the farm. Residents planted radish, spinach and mixed salad leaf seeds, while the animals prompted memories of pets, gardening and experiences from earlier in… ## [Boscombe’s Urban Reef joins Boathouse Group](https://news.bournemouthone.com/91805/) _2026-08-17 · Emily Moore · (untitled)_ Urban Reef has joined the Boathouse Group as its latest coastal venue on the coastline. It now sits alongside The Boathouse, Sobo Beach and Beach House Cafe, with its new owners planning to retain the established team while developing the venue. The menu has been refreshed around fresh produce from local suppliers, with small plates, seafood, chicken, lobster, wood fired pizzas and desserts among… ## [Dorset art: Mum-of-2 turns stroke recovery into radiant paintings](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/dorset-art-lucy-warren/) _2026-08-17 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ A Dorset artist who survived a stroke and life-changing surgery is hoping to inspire others through a new exhibition of her artwork launching today in Poundbury. Lucy Warren, mum of two young children, was born and brought up in West Dorset and went to Thomas Hardye School and Weymouth College. “I studied art A-level at \[…\] ## [Meet the 2 young volunteers unearthing Portland Museum’s fascinating secrets](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/portland-museum-volunteers/) _2026-08-16 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ By Viviane Horne Last week Portland Museum ran its annual archaeology festival, so this month we have two young volunteers’ stories. Penelope Bentham was born in Lewisham, London. Her mum was a musician and her dad is a retired GP. Her grandfather was Robert Bentham, a geologist who worked on Ellesmere Island, Canada, with Ernest \[…\] ## [Unsung heroes transform disabled people’s lives with free gadgets and gizmos](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/free-disabled-adaptations-dorset/) _2026-08-15 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ Little miracles are happening across West Dorset. Engineers are quietly transforming disabled people’s lives, one bespoke invention at a time. Working for free, they help children mount and ride horses by adapting wheeled ramps. They make special gloves, so a man with a brain injury can hold a golf club. Another can play guitar again, \[…\] ## [Dorchester’s incredible social housing legacy revealed as 14 new almshouses planned](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/property/social-housing-dorchester/) _2026-08-14 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ Did you know Dorchester was ahead of its time in social housing? It seems unlikely, doesn’t it? Yet the largely affluent county town was one of the first places to provide almshouses for people who couldn’t afford market rents. In 1613, a great fire destroyed 75 homes in the town, which was then the richest \[…\] ## [Norchester: developers reveal community plans as Thomas Hardy Society urges residents to object](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/norchester-thomas-hardy-society-object/) _2026-08-13 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ ‘Norchester’ developers have shed more light on how their plans will enhance community and protect nature. The North Dorchester Consortium, a partnership between Grainger Plc and Wyatt Homes, wants to build up to 3,750 homes to create the North Dorchester Garden Community (NDGC), nicknamed ‘Norchester’ by locals. The planning application for the first phase – \[…\] ## [Hire AI-Powered Freelancers Fast (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/2gqcISFt7gUg) _2026-08-13 · **Sponsored**_ Browse and hire skilled professionals using AI tools — free to post, free to apply. ## [English Sheds Are Rubbish, Ridiculously Expensive... or Recycled](https://alexhallatt.substack.com/p/english-sheds-are-rubbish-ridiculously) _2026-08-13 · Alex Hallatt's Illustrated Epistle_ The cheaper, but much more time-consuming, way to get a shed that will survive the English winters. ## [12/08/26 - Rail Trail - The Hawthorns to The Jewellery Quarter](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/120826-rail-trail-hawthorns-to.html) _2026-08-12 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ The Winston Green Island A simple walk from my "Home of Football" and into the City outskirts at the Jewellery Quarter. The Birmingham Canal providing a green-ish corridor through an urban landscape. Graffiti, some of it excellent, rubbish and the most unusual hobo. Living in a tent at a bridge, with a pontoon harbour made of milk bottles to protect his canoe. He is friends to the geese. Today's… ## [Metal detectors: the remarkable 4,000-year-old gold treasure uncovered in Tarrant Valley](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/metal-detectors-in-dorset/) _2026-08-12 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ Every year, ancient objects turn up in Dorset’s fields, gardens and riverbanks, brought to light by metal detectors, dog walkers and gardeners. It falls to Ciorstaidh Hayward-Trevarthen, Dorset Council’s finds liaison officer and her assistant Nancy Grace to work out what they are. They are county custodians for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, a recording project \[…\] ## [Weldmar Hospicecare launches 4 exhilarating new fundraising challenges](https://westdorsetmag.co.uk/news/weldmar-hospicecare-challenges/) _2026-08-11 · Emily Quance · The West Dorset Magazine_ Weldmar Hospicecare has launched four spectacular new fundraising challenges for 2027. Supporters can climb Mount Snowdon under the stars, hike through Cambodian villages and jungles, cycle to the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel in France, or take part in the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge. All sponsorship raised by participants will go directly towards providing specialist care for adults \[…\] ## [11/08/26 - The Thatched Tavern, Honeybourne](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/110826-thatched-tavern-honeybourne.html) _2026-08-11 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Comparing Ancient Worcestershire Pubs It's a matter of days before the new edition of the Good Beer Guide is replaced. Where does time go? My usual commitment is to ensure that my home county, Worcestershire remains "greened". There are two entries to tick. Today, it is Honeybourne. Technically two villages - Church Honeybourne and Cow Honeybourne. Until 1958, one was in Worcestershire and one was… ## [08/08/26 - King Alfred's Tower and the Stourhead Estate](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/080826-king-alfreds-tower-and-stourhead.html) _2026-08-08 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Great Estate Our host has left a series of George (the dog we are sitting) favourite walks. King Alfred's Tower recommended for the shade provided by Penselwood, an ancient forest. Early and out for free National Trust Parking. How lovely! Usually the most expensive in the land. It's forest rides, ancient earthworks and hillforts until we reach Stourhead - a country estate, for which we were… ## [Now is the time to Come Together for Bridport Arts Centre](https://www.bridport-arts.com/news/now-is-the-time-to-come-together-for-bridport-arts-centre/) _2026-08-07 · Ziggy Gray · Bridport Arts_ Bridport Arts Centre has launched a major fundraising campaign to secure its historic home and bring the building into community ownership. We have until 18 December. Now we’re asking everyone who loves BAC, Bridport and what this place brings to the town to come together and help make it happen. There are moments when a ... Read more » The post Now is the time to Come Together for Bridport Arts… ## [07/08/26 - Digby's Tap, Sherborne](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/070826-digbys-tap-sherborne.html) _2026-08-07 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ The Host Knows Our latest dog-sit brings us to Cucklington. It's quite possible over the three-day weekend that we may be able to do a walk in three different counties. We start in Dorset. During the introductions and our host listens to my planned walks at Castle Cary and Bruton. I can tell he is unimpressed and ask him where we should go. Shaftesbury is mentioned, but we have recreated bread… ## [Scratchy (and Other) Bottoms in Dorset](https://alexhallatt.substack.com/p/scratchy-and-other-bottoms-in-dorset) _2026-08-06 · Alex Hallatt's Illustrated Epistle_ Warning: contains mild cartoon nudity. And something much naughtier. ## [05/08/26 - Geocaching in Inkberrow](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/050826-geocaching-in-inkberrow.html) _2026-08-05 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Drinking with the Archers..... How Much! Inkberrow, Worcestershire, is connected to the county town by an infrequent bus service. Running only sporadically, it means that once I'm there, I'm stuck for a while. Fortunately, there are two pubs in which to while away the time. The bull seems to have been an animal of particular importance to past landlords, featuring in the names of both of them. The… ## [AI publishing with human taste (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/gilulRS5RZvZ) _2026-08-05 · **Sponsored**_ Convert AI research into blogs, podcasts, and newsletters with optional human review. ## [04/08/26 - The Teme Valley at Eardiston](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/08/040826-teme-valley-at-eardiston.html) _2026-08-04 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ New Cicerone Guide Klaxon I do like the Cicerone Day Walks Guides. Always interesting, always on the right side of challenging. And my home county has a new 2026 release. Saves me having to think too hard Having the car, I decide on Walk 2. The Teme Valley. I ask AI what to look for in the hamlets of Eardiston, Stanford Bridge, Orleton, Eastham and Lindridge. It replies, "There is nothing of… ## [30/07/26 - Lammas in Halesowen](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/300726-lammas-in-halesown.html) _2026-07-30 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Early Harvest I may be two days early for Lammas, but the strange weather makes a mockery of the calendar. All the conditions for a pilgrimage walk seem to have fallen into place. The farmers are already bringing in the harvest, and I find an oak beneath which to eat my ham sandwich. I have neither loaf nor companions to complete the ritual as tradition prescribes. August brings Lughnasadh (or… ## [How Village Shops Beat Supermarkets](https://alexhallatt.substack.com/p/what-the-village-shop-has-that-you) _2026-07-30 · Alex Hallatt's Illustrated Epistle_ Village shops are a lifeline, and it isn't just about what they sell. ## [I Wrote This on Ólafr's Day, or the Saint in Runes](https://norseandviking.blogspot.com/2026/07/i-wrote-this-on-olafrs-day-or-saint-in.html) _2026-07-29 · Viqueen · Norse and Viking Ramblings_ Door from Rauland church with runic inscription on the upper iron fitting. Photo J. Jesch 2023. Today is the feast day of the holy King Ólafr Haraldsson, who died on this day in 1030 at the battle of Stiklestad and subsequently became both Saint Ólafr and rex perpetuus Norvegiae 'eternal king of Norway'. As a widely-known figure, he not unnaturally appears in quite a few runic inscriptions, in… ## [27/06/26 - Perry Barr, Witton and Aston - a Birmingham AZ City Walk](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/spaghetti-stadiums-and-dead-centres-if.html) _2026-07-27 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Spaghetti, Stadiums and Dead Centres If you take nothing else from this blog, take this. Do not stop in Perry Barr Square, waiting to get a signal on your GPS. You will be left wondering why extras from The Walking Dead need spare change. This walk from the AZ Series is primarily concerned with stadiums. The Alexander Stadium was re-developed for the Commonwealth Games. The Greyhound Stadium… ## [26/07/26 - The Fox and Hounds, Lulsley](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/260726-fox-and-hounds-lulsley.html) _2026-07-26 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Hanging On Mrs M demands a Sunday lunch, I tell her to find the pub and I will plot a route to work up an appetite. The Fox and Hounds in Lulsley comes up with great reviews. I know the pub, just off the Worcestershire Way, but in the back of my mind, I remember reading it was up for sale. True enough, a Worcester News article from 2025 detailing how there cannot be a viable business and planning… ## [24/07/26 - The London Spiral Summary](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/240726-london-spiral-summary.html) _2026-07-24 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Around and around in circles for 5 years So what's a man to do when he has walked the Capital Ring , the London Loop and the London Country Way ? Each of these Long Distance Paths are circular, in ever more distant circles around the Capital. How about a Spiral walk that starts at Kings Cross and gets further and further out till you are dumped at Gravesend? There are two sources available -… ## [24/07/26 - London Spiral - Stage 26 - Farningham Road to Gravesend](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/240726-london-spiral-stage-26.html) _2026-07-24 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ 5 Years That's exactly how long ago - to the day - it is since I set out from King's Cross on the London Spiral. 26 day walks later, having crossed the Thames by bridge, boat, underneath and cable car. I've reached the end of the track. Although some variations cross the water again to Tilbury. But there be monsters. I've walked out of Gravesend on the London Countryway , and I was right to not… ## [23/07/26 - A Bromley Pub Crawl](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/230726-bromley-pub-crawl.html) _2026-07-23 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ The Modern High Street Overnighting in Bromley, as I go through the final knockings of the London Spiral Walk. Civilisation (ha!) and a Bar Trek route that offered a couple of Good Beer Guide pubs, made it a tempting base. Easy Crawling The town is quite pretty. A more or less pedestrianised high street. Some interesting architecture in the old shop frontages. A lovely park just away from the main… ## [23/07/26 - London Spiral Stage 25 - Knockholt to Farningham Road](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/230726-london-spiral-stage-25-knockholt.html) _2026-07-23 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Penultimate Pleasure The final two days on the London Spiral act as a metaphor for the whole route. Today, it's lovely countryside walking on great paths. Tomorrow, the grim descent into Gravesend. The route has never been a 100% success but I am not a quitter. The other good things about these final throes - single digit walking. From Knockholt station, two pubs are instantly possible but even I… ## [What's Next After Two Years of Cartooning in the Age of AI (Issue #42)](https://alexhallatt.substack.com/p/whats-next-after-two-years-of-cartooning) _2026-07-23 · Alex Hallatt · Alex Hallatt's Illustrated Epistle_ I had decided to wrap up this segment of my newsletter before I discovered the last one would be number 42. Fans of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will know why that is appropriate. ## [21/07/26 - St Michael's Boundary Walk, Tenbury Wells](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/210726-st-michaels-boundary-walk.html) _2026-07-21 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ 12 Miles of Nothingness The idea for this walk came from the "Boundary Walk" for the Beltane Pilgrimage . AI based research managed to find 8 out of the potential 29 Boundary walks. A tick-list was formed. Rare access to the car, meant I could head off to Tenbury Wells for a route that I approached with justified trepidation. In this part of the world, the paths are usually in chronic condition. A… ## [20/07/26 - Wychbury Hill](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/200726-wychbury-hill.html) _2026-07-20 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Temples and Yew Trees There was simply too much inspiration in section 2 of Jonathan Meades Travels with Pevsner. The main topic was Georgian Pershore but how could I ignore "the most momentous building in Worcestershire". This is the Temple of Theseus. Built in 1758 by Lord Lyttleton, so he could look out over the Malvern Hills. It is the first example of neo-classical architecture in Europe.… ## [17/07/26 - Rail Trail - Tewkesbury to Pershore](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/170726-rail-trail-tewkesbury-to-pershore.html) _2026-07-17 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Pevsner's Pershore The second part of Jonathan Meades Travels with Pevsner details Pershore. A perfectly intact Georgian town. A Walk Midlands Rail Trail from WalkMidlands has been on the to-do list for a while. Time to knock this off, and investigate Toyah-town with eyes afresh. After a couple of city walks, it's good to be in the countryside again, even if this falls at the boring end of the… ## [16/07/26 - Stanley Park to Stanley Docks, Liverpool](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/160726-stanley-park-to-stanley-docks.html) _2026-07-16 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Football Crazy The day after the night before. That old familiar England supporter feeling. We were so close, yet nowhere near. Even my Gareth Southgate-hating mate was admitting he may have been hasty. Only one thing could cheer me up. More football. Admittedly, I'd booked the rail tickets before consulting the wall chart. The traditional "knocked out of a major tournament" whisky may have been a… ## [Dorset Always Had Dinosaurs, But it Didn't Used to Make a Fuss About Them](https://alexhallatt.substack.com/p/dorset-always-had-dinosaurs-but-it) _2026-07-16 · Alex Hallatt's Illustrated Epistle_ In my childhood, wild swimming was swimming and we swam at the coast. Not the Jurassic Coast. ## [14/07/26 - Rail Trail - Smethwick Galton Bridge to The Hawthorns](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/140726-rail-trail-smethwick-galton.html) _2026-07-15 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Quadruple Inspiration to Find "Sand Well" A lot going on for a simple walk between two West Midlands Railway Stations. History West Midlands Podcasts My monthly listen is the opening podcast about the Black Country, focusing on the post WWII glory years. Full employment, workers rights, massive house building. Setting the boomers up for a life of good luck unavailable to the future generations.… ## [Erling's Home](https://norseandviking.blogspot.com/2026/07/erlings-home.html) _2026-07-11 · Viqueen · Norse and Viking Ramblings_ Photo of Bryne by Rune Sattler CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org One of the most famous footballers today is the still very young Erling Braut Haaland, born in Leeds, but firmly rooted in his home town of Bryne, south of Stavanger, in the Jæren region of southwest Norway. Today's lecture is about his surname. Like many Norwegians, Erling's surname derives from what was originally a… ## [The Norwegians Row the Snake](https://norseandviking.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-norwegians-row-snake.html) _2026-07-11 · Viqueen · Norse and Viking Ramblings_ Illustration by Wilhelm Wetlesen for Harald Hardrådes saga, Heimskringla 1899-edition : «Kvinner frå Nidaros står og ser på at skipet vert drive fram med sytti årer.» Well, tonight is when it happens - Norway meets England in the World Cup. I have already pointed out in a previous blogpost that Erling Braut Haaland's namesake, the eleventh-century Erlingr Skjalgsson, said, before a battle, that… ## [10/07/26 - Uplyme to Lyme Regis](https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/07/100726-uplyme-to-lyme-regis.html) _2026-07-10 · Mappiman · Mappiman's Real Ale Walks_ Borderland I am guessing the river Lim marks the boundary of Dorset and Devon. Not that there is any condiment faux pas to be made regarding baked goods. Being 100% honest, I wasn't necessarily up for this walk. We had completed an hour with the dog before the heatwave really struck home and the thought of going on a march in the midday sun was only appealing to mad dogs. Yet Mrs M was right. She…