John Pollard
@bravelocation.com
Software developer and world-class armchair sports fan. Developer of some iOS apps you've never heard of. Also make music as Black Country Music | He/him
A scene from “The Last of Us” or around the back of old Robbs of Hexham?
September 28, 2026 at 9:07 AM
A scene from “The Last of Us” or around the back of old Robbs of Hexham?
Needing fresh content to test the cross-posting app I’m working on
So here’s a sleepy pie from yesterday 😴🥧
So here’s a sleepy pie from yesterday 😴🥧
September 26, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Needing fresh content to test the cross-posting app I’m working on
So here’s a sleepy pie from yesterday 😴🥧
So here’s a sleepy pie from yesterday 😴🥧
Very bright moon on the way home tonight
And despite my best efforts, I can see the weeds are back in abundance down the side of our house again
#LifeFindsAWay
And despite my best efforts, I can see the weeds are back in abundance down the side of our house again
#LifeFindsAWay
September 23, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Very bright moon on the way home tonight
And despite my best efforts, I can see the weeds are back in abundance down the side of our house again
#LifeFindsAWay
And despite my best efforts, I can see the weeds are back in abundance down the side of our house again
#LifeFindsAWay
Been back at work today after a lovely two week break, so nothing really of interest to say
However I did want to test out posting from the updated #tapestryapp (my favourite social media app by far), so here goes …
However I did want to test out posting from the updated #tapestryapp (my favourite social media app by far), so here goes …
September 21, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Been back at work today after a lovely two week break, so nothing really of interest to say
However I did want to test out posting from the updated #tapestryapp (my favourite social media app by far), so here goes …
However I did want to test out posting from the updated #tapestryapp (my favourite social media app by far), so here goes …
Been trialling having a herb garden in our front yard this summer
Mixed results to be fair, as it’s been maybe too hot this (every?) summer, but against all expectations the chillis came out pretty well 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mixed results to be fair, as it’s been maybe too hot this (every?) summer, but against all expectations the chillis came out pretty well 🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Been trialling having a herb garden in our front yard this summer
Mixed results to be fair, as it’s been maybe too hot this (every?) summer, but against all expectations the chillis came out pretty well 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mixed results to be fair, as it’s been maybe too hot this (every?) summer, but against all expectations the chillis came out pretty well 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Really happy with switching to the new Siri Modular face on my Apple Watch
Having the Smart Stack as the main complication is very nice, especially as it seems to be doing a good job of surfacing relevant widgets most of the time
Having the Smart Stack as the main complication is very nice, especially as it seems to be doing a good job of surfacing relevant widgets most of the time
September 20, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Really happy with switching to the new Siri Modular face on my Apple Watch
Having the Smart Stack as the main complication is very nice, especially as it seems to be doing a good job of surfacing relevant widgets most of the time
Having the Smart Stack as the main complication is very nice, especially as it seems to be doing a good job of surfacing relevant widgets most of the time
Made some big improvements to my Pixagogo TV app - should be live in the next day or so
Looks loads nicer now, and has much improved the logic for loading images when not locally cached (so improves the rotation of which pics are shown)
More about the app here: https://bravelocation.com/pixagogo-…
Looks loads nicer now, and has much improved the logic for loading images when not locally cached (so improves the rotation of which pics are shown)
More about the app here: https://bravelocation.com/pixagogo-…
September 17, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Made some big improvements to my Pixagogo TV app - should be live in the next day or so
Looks loads nicer now, and has much improved the logic for loading images when not locally cached (so improves the rotation of which pics are shown)
More about the app here: https://bravelocation.com/pixagogo-…
Looks loads nicer now, and has much improved the logic for loading images when not locally cached (so improves the rotation of which pics are shown)
More about the app here: https://bravelocation.com/pixagogo-…
Staycation day in Newcastle today
Coffee in One Up on Dean Street, then delicious Spicy Tofu Loaded Fries at Bao Down in Grainger Market
Then finally got to see The Odyssey at The Gate, enjoyed it a lot despite the length
Coffee in One Up on Dean Street, then delicious Spicy Tofu Loaded Fries at Bao Down in Grainger Market
Then finally got to see The Odyssey at The Gate, enjoyed it a lot despite the length
September 16, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Staycation day in Newcastle today
Coffee in One Up on Dean Street, then delicious Spicy Tofu Loaded Fries at Bao Down in Grainger Market
Then finally got to see The Odyssey at The Gate, enjoyed it a lot despite the length
Coffee in One Up on Dean Street, then delicious Spicy Tofu Loaded Fries at Bao Down in Grainger Market
Then finally got to see The Odyssey at The Gate, enjoyed it a lot despite the length
Watching Forever Home on Channel 5, mainly because it was shot in Hexham a while back
Just seen Denise Welch drive past the top of our road (and past Hilary walking home), which is SO exciting 🤣
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39319550/
Just seen Denise Welch drive past the top of our road (and past Hilary walking home), which is SO exciting 🤣
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39319550/
www.imdb.com
www.imdb.com
September 15, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Watching Forever Home on Channel 5, mainly because it was shot in Hexham a while back
Just seen Denise Welch drive past the top of our road (and past Hilary walking home), which is SO exciting 🤣
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39319550/
Just seen Denise Welch drive past the top of our road (and past Hilary walking home), which is SO exciting 🤣
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39319550/
Started the long run through updating all my apps to support iOS/MacOS/tvOS 27
I’d put it off this year as not much exciting to add
Mostly so far fixing new warnings the updated compiler has found, and potentially supporting the new massive widget size, but frankly a bit bored already 😴
I’d put it off this year as not much exciting to add
Mostly so far fixing new warnings the updated compiler has found, and potentially supporting the new massive widget size, but frankly a bit bored already 😴
September 15, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Started the long run through updating all my apps to support iOS/MacOS/tvOS 27
I’d put it off this year as not much exciting to add
Mostly so far fixing new warnings the updated compiler has found, and potentially supporting the new massive widget size, but frankly a bit bored already 😴
I’d put it off this year as not much exciting to add
Mostly so far fixing new warnings the updated compiler has found, and potentially supporting the new massive widget size, but frankly a bit bored already 😴
Went to Northumberlandia for the first time in about 15 years. Somehow kinda less impressive now the grass has grown
Then had a delicious brunch at Gran Caffe Lollo in Morpeth, and a walk along the river on an unseasonably sunny day 😎
Then had a delicious brunch at Gran Caffe Lollo in Morpeth, and a walk along the river on an unseasonably sunny day 😎
September 14, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Went to Northumberlandia for the first time in about 15 years. Somehow kinda less impressive now the grass has grown
Then had a delicious brunch at Gran Caffe Lollo in Morpeth, and a walk along the river on an unseasonably sunny day 😎
Then had a delicious brunch at Gran Caffe Lollo in Morpeth, and a walk along the river on an unseasonably sunny day 😎
What the image says 🤓
September 14, 2026 at 8:23 AM
What the image says 🤓
Glorious weather for the #GreatNorthRun today
We headed to the other side of the Tyne to Whitley Bay, and the lowest tide I’ve ever seen there
Also coffee and cake at Dil & The Bear inside the #WhitleyBay Metro station
We headed to the other side of the Tyne to Whitley Bay, and the lowest tide I’ve ever seen there
Also coffee and cake at Dil & The Bear inside the #WhitleyBay Metro station
September 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Glorious weather for the #GreatNorthRun today
We headed to the other side of the Tyne to Whitley Bay, and the lowest tide I’ve ever seen there
Also coffee and cake at Dil & The Bear inside the #WhitleyBay Metro station
We headed to the other side of the Tyne to Whitley Bay, and the lowest tide I’ve ever seen there
Also coffee and cake at Dil & The Bear inside the #WhitleyBay Metro station
So I’m working on an app (probably just for myself!) that makes it easy to share Mastodon posts on BlueSky and other places
So if you are seeing this on BlueSky and it’s all gone badly wrong that’s the reason!
So if you are seeing this on BlueSky and it’s all gone badly wrong that’s the reason!
September 12, 2026 at 2:18 PM
So I’m working on an app (probably just for myself!) that makes it easy to share Mastodon posts on BlueSky and other places
So if you are seeing this on BlueSky and it’s all gone badly wrong that’s the reason!
So if you are seeing this on BlueSky and it’s all gone badly wrong that’s the reason!
Staycation Day 7 - mostly keeping out of the rain, but I did manage to haggle with Virgin Media to cut our broadband costs by £40 per month 🎉
Mostly due to BT finally rolling out full fibre in Hexham rather than because of my negotiating skills, but I’ll take the win
Mostly due to BT finally rolling out full fibre in Hexham rather than because of my negotiating skills, but I’ll take the win
September 10, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Staycation Day 7 - mostly keeping out of the rain, but I did manage to haggle with Virgin Media to cut our broadband costs by £40 per month 🎉
Mostly due to BT finally rolling out full fibre in Hexham rather than because of my negotiating skills, but I’ll take the win
Mostly due to BT finally rolling out full fibre in Hexham rather than because of my negotiating skills, but I’ll take the win
If you are having trouble with the fixtures in the iOS Yeltzland app, try updating it in the App Store
Had to fix some issues semi-related to the spam issues the website has been having recently
I _think_ the Android version is fine (let me know if it isn't)
Had to fix some issues semi-related to the spam issues the website has been having recently
I _think_ the Android version is fine (let me know if it isn't)
September 10, 2026 at 8:46 AM
If you are having trouble with the fixtures in the iOS Yeltzland app, try updating it in the App Store
Had to fix some issues semi-related to the spam issues the website has been having recently
I _think_ the Android version is fine (let me know if it isn't)
Had to fix some issues semi-related to the spam issues the website has been having recently
I _think_ the Android version is fine (let me know if it isn't)
Staycation day 4 (day 3 was a day of rest!)
A brief trip to Edinburgh, and visiting a few Outlander filming locations on the way up (Midhope Castle aka Lallybroch and Blackness Castle aka Fort William)
Then a rare chance to get some food via Uber Eats (don’t get such modern things in Hexham!)
A brief trip to Edinburgh, and visiting a few Outlander filming locations on the way up (Midhope Castle aka Lallybroch and Blackness Castle aka Fort William)
Then a rare chance to get some food via Uber Eats (don’t get such modern things in Hexham!)
September 7, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Staycation day 4 (day 3 was a day of rest!)
A brief trip to Edinburgh, and visiting a few Outlander filming locations on the way up (Midhope Castle aka Lallybroch and Blackness Castle aka Fort William)
Then a rare chance to get some food via Uber Eats (don’t get such modern things in Hexham!)
A brief trip to Edinburgh, and visiting a few Outlander filming locations on the way up (Midhope Castle aka Lallybroch and Blackness Castle aka Fort William)
Then a rare chance to get some food via Uber Eats (don’t get such modern things in Hexham!)
Staycation day 2 - early kickoff match day at SJP
Looking out for Adrian today, who was dressed for all weathers!
Mixed performance, just about deserved the draw despite an awful referee, and great to catch up with friends over a few beers in the toon after the game
Looking out for Adrian today, who was dressed for all weathers!
Mixed performance, just about deserved the draw despite an awful referee, and great to catch up with friends over a few beers in the toon after the game
September 5, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Staycation day 2 - early kickoff match day at SJP
Looking out for Adrian today, who was dressed for all weathers!
Mixed performance, just about deserved the draw despite an awful referee, and great to catch up with friends over a few beers in the toon after the game
Looking out for Adrian today, who was dressed for all weathers!
Mixed performance, just about deserved the draw despite an awful referee, and great to catch up with friends over a few beers in the toon after the game
Excellent article about Morgan Rogers and his upbringing in Halesowen in The Athletic today
#halesowen
www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
#halesowen
www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
The rise and rise of Morgan Rogers, the £117m footballer who never forgot his roots (Gift Article)
The coaches who guided the most expensive British footballer ever through his first steps in the sport reveal what makes him special
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Excellent article about Morgan Rogers and his upbringing in Halesowen in The Athletic today
#halesowen
www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
#halesowen
www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
First day of our staycation, and a very blustery drive across the moors to the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle 💨💨💨
Went to the Vivienne Westwood exhibition to get some ideas for my winter wardrobe
Went to the Vivienne Westwood exhibition to get some ideas for my winter wardrobe
September 4, 2026 at 1:24 PM
First day of our staycation, and a very blustery drive across the moors to the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle 💨💨💨
Went to the Vivienne Westwood exhibition to get some ideas for my winter wardrobe
Went to the Vivienne Westwood exhibition to get some ideas for my winter wardrobe
More Peter Rabbit spotting in Newcastle, this time in Ouseburn and along The Tyne
Some spectacular skies today
Some spectacular skies today
August 31, 2026 at 3:32 PM
More Peter Rabbit spotting in Newcastle, this time in Ouseburn and along The Tyne
Some spectacular skies today
Some spectacular skies today
Beginner’s error made by me on LinkedIn
Was trying to see if anyone I knew had Ruby on Rails experience and was looking for a few weeks work
Now being spammed by all sorts of randoms despite me clearly saying I would only recommend people I know
Forgot it’s not actually a network any more ☹️
Was trying to see if anyone I knew had Ruby on Rails experience and was looking for a few weeks work
Now being spammed by all sorts of randoms despite me clearly saying I would only recommend people I know
Forgot it’s not actually a network any more ☹️
August 25, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Beginner’s error made by me on LinkedIn
Was trying to see if anyone I knew had Ruby on Rails experience and was looking for a few weeks work
Now being spammed by all sorts of randoms despite me clearly saying I would only recommend people I know
Forgot it’s not actually a network any more ☹️
Was trying to see if anyone I knew had Ruby on Rails experience and was looking for a few weeks work
Now being spammed by all sorts of randoms despite me clearly saying I would only recommend people I know
Forgot it’s not actually a network any more ☹️
First Match Day of a new era (for me as well)
I was one the unbelievably lucky 250 members (out of 50000 applicants) who won the season ticket ballot at Newcastle in the summer 🥳
Big game today as well against Liverpool 🤞⚫️⚪️ #nufc
I was one the unbelievably lucky 250 members (out of 50000 applicants) who won the season ticket ballot at Newcastle in the summer 🥳
Big game today as well against Liverpool 🤞⚫️⚪️ #nufc
August 23, 2026 at 12:17 PM
First Match Day of a new era (for me as well)
I was one the unbelievably lucky 250 members (out of 50000 applicants) who won the season ticket ballot at Newcastle in the summer 🥳
Big game today as well against Liverpool 🤞⚫️⚪️ #nufc
I was one the unbelievably lucky 250 members (out of 50000 applicants) who won the season ticket ballot at Newcastle in the summer 🥳
Big game today as well against Liverpool 🤞⚫️⚪️ #nufc
Some snaps from yesterday’s day trip to Dumfries
August 23, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Some snaps from yesterday’s day trip to Dumfries