📣📣ANNOUNCEMENT!📣📣
Our next read is going to be Swallowdale!
So dry out your cake and watch out for the pike rock, as we dive in to read over the next few weeks. We’ll gather around the campfire (aka Zoom call) to talk about our thoughts/reflections end of June (date TBC).
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Our next read is going to be Swallowdale!
So dry out your cake and watch out for the pike rock, as we dive in to read over the next few weeks. We’ll gather around the campfire (aka Zoom call) to talk about our thoughts/reflections end of June (date TBC).
#SwallowsAndAmazons
May 3, 2026 at 8:08 AM
📣📣ANNOUNCEMENT!📣📣
Our next read is going to be Swallowdale!
So dry out your cake and watch out for the pike rock, as we dive in to read over the next few weeks. We’ll gather around the campfire (aka Zoom call) to talk about our thoughts/reflections end of June (date TBC).
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Our next read is going to be Swallowdale!
So dry out your cake and watch out for the pike rock, as we dive in to read over the next few weeks. We’ll gather around the campfire (aka Zoom call) to talk about our thoughts/reflections end of June (date TBC).
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Three million cheers for @farmerruth.bsky.social for this Coot Club poem!! Thank you so much Ruth 👏👏👏
The Hullabaloos on their cruiser
Think Tom will be the loser
Get under your sail
And you cannot fail
To escape from thr figure-head bruiser
#SwallowsAndAmazons
The Hullabaloos on their cruiser
Think Tom will be the loser
Get under your sail
And you cannot fail
To escape from thr figure-head bruiser
#SwallowsAndAmazons
April 13, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Three million cheers for @farmerruth.bsky.social for this Coot Club poem!! Thank you so much Ruth 👏👏👏
The Hullabaloos on their cruiser
Think Tom will be the loser
Get under your sail
And you cannot fail
To escape from thr figure-head bruiser
#SwallowsAndAmazons
The Hullabaloos on their cruiser
Think Tom will be the loser
Get under your sail
And you cannot fail
To escape from thr figure-head bruiser
#SwallowsAndAmazons
How wonderful… if you post a picture below from Coot Club (any illustration you choose) then our resident poet Ruth may turn one of them into a poem! 📖📸✍️👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#SwallowsAndAmazons
As far as I can think back I haven't done a CC "poem", so if you (or anyone) puts up a random pic from the book, we'll see what happens! No promises!
April 10, 2026 at 8:24 AM
How wonderful… if you post a picture below from Coot Club (any illustration you choose) then our resident poet Ruth may turn one of them into a poem! 📖📸✍️👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📣📣 Ahoy there shipmates! 📣📣
Ahead of our Coot Club chat on Sunday 12th April, 7pm UK time on Zoom, here are some questions to get us thinking…
If you’d like to join us then email winterholidaychat@gmail.com - I will send the zoom link on Saturday
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Ahead of our Coot Club chat on Sunday 12th April, 7pm UK time on Zoom, here are some questions to get us thinking…
If you’d like to join us then email winterholidaychat@gmail.com - I will send the zoom link on Saturday
#SwallowsAndAmazons
April 9, 2026 at 8:02 PM
📣📣 Ahoy there shipmates! 📣📣
Ahead of our Coot Club chat on Sunday 12th April, 7pm UK time on Zoom, here are some questions to get us thinking…
If you’d like to join us then email winterholidaychat@gmail.com - I will send the zoom link on Saturday
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Ahead of our Coot Club chat on Sunday 12th April, 7pm UK time on Zoom, here are some questions to get us thinking…
If you’d like to join us then email winterholidaychat@gmail.com - I will send the zoom link on Saturday
#SwallowsAndAmazons
QUIZ!
‘I was wrong,' said Captain _____.
'He's not mad but ___.
It isn't only ____ he wants.
He wants to take the credit for it.’
1. Fill in the blanks
2. Which book?
3. Who is ‘he’?
Bonus: what colour pyjamas does ‘he’ favour?
Reply below, answers tomorrow!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
‘I was wrong,' said Captain _____.
'He's not mad but ___.
It isn't only ____ he wants.
He wants to take the credit for it.’
1. Fill in the blanks
2. Which book?
3. Who is ‘he’?
Bonus: what colour pyjamas does ‘he’ favour?
Reply below, answers tomorrow!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
April 5, 2026 at 7:22 AM
QUIZ!
‘I was wrong,' said Captain _____.
'He's not mad but ___.
It isn't only ____ he wants.
He wants to take the credit for it.’
1. Fill in the blanks
2. Which book?
3. Who is ‘he’?
Bonus: what colour pyjamas does ‘he’ favour?
Reply below, answers tomorrow!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
‘I was wrong,' said Captain _____.
'He's not mad but ___.
It isn't only ____ he wants.
He wants to take the credit for it.’
1. Fill in the blanks
2. Which book?
3. Who is ‘he’?
Bonus: what colour pyjamas does ‘he’ favour?
Reply below, answers tomorrow!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
(And also yes, I didn’t really think the email address through when I was setting it up!!)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#SwallowsAndAmazons
April 3, 2026 at 7:48 AM
(And also yes, I didn’t really think the email address through when I was setting it up!!)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📣⛵️ A reminder … in four weeks we will be convening via Zoom for our Coot Club book chat, and you are warmly invited!⛵️📣
So … settle down with your favourite rations and (re)read the book over the coming weeks.
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (info/link to follow)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
So … settle down with your favourite rations and (re)read the book over the coming weeks.
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (info/link to follow)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
March 15, 2026 at 8:17 PM
📣⛵️ A reminder … in four weeks we will be convening via Zoom for our Coot Club book chat, and you are warmly invited!⛵️📣
So … settle down with your favourite rations and (re)read the book over the coming weeks.
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (info/link to follow)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
So … settle down with your favourite rations and (re)read the book over the coming weeks.
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (info/link to follow)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
The Ship's Baby changes from "fat Vicky" to Bridget. A girl who asserts herself, and knows her self well.
"I knew I was old enough to be a human sacrifice"
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
"I knew I was old enough to be a human sacrifice"
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
March 8, 2026 at 3:06 PM
The Ship's Baby changes from "fat Vicky" to Bridget. A girl who asserts herself, and knows her self well.
"I knew I was old enough to be a human sacrifice"
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
"I knew I was old enough to be a human sacrifice"
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
It’s #InternationalWomensDay so let’s celebrate Arthur Ransome’s strong female characters…
Share some of your favourites below … they could be main or side characters, sympathetic (like Mother) or less so (like the GA!)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Share some of your favourites below … they could be main or side characters, sympathetic (like Mother) or less so (like the GA!)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
March 8, 2026 at 9:13 AM
It’s #InternationalWomensDay so let’s celebrate Arthur Ransome’s strong female characters…
Share some of your favourites below … they could be main or side characters, sympathetic (like Mother) or less so (like the GA!)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Share some of your favourites below … they could be main or side characters, sympathetic (like Mother) or less so (like the GA!)
#SwallowsAndAmazons
See 45 down…
I think there’s an error with this crossword … neither ‘Swallows’ nor ‘Walkers’ fits 🤔
#SwallowsAndAmazons
I think there’s an error with this crossword … neither ‘Swallows’ nor ‘Walkers’ fits 🤔
#SwallowsAndAmazons
March 8, 2026 at 8:50 AM
See 45 down…
I think there’s an error with this crossword … neither ‘Swallows’ nor ‘Walkers’ fits 🤔
#SwallowsAndAmazons
I think there’s an error with this crossword … neither ‘Swallows’ nor ‘Walkers’ fits 🤔
#SwallowsAndAmazons
It’s #WorldBookDay today, and thousands of children will be dressing up as their favourite characters.
Which Arthur Ransome character would you choose to be? What would your costume be?
Dot with her pigtails?
Nancy or Peggy with their red caps?
Dick with his pocket book?
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Which Arthur Ransome character would you choose to be? What would your costume be?
Dot with her pigtails?
Nancy or Peggy with their red caps?
Dick with his pocket book?
#SwallowsAndAmazons
March 5, 2026 at 7:52 AM
It’s #WorldBookDay today, and thousands of children will be dressing up as their favourite characters.
Which Arthur Ransome character would you choose to be? What would your costume be?
Dot with her pigtails?
Nancy or Peggy with their red caps?
Dick with his pocket book?
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Which Arthur Ransome character would you choose to be? What would your costume be?
Dot with her pigtails?
Nancy or Peggy with their red caps?
Dick with his pocket book?
#SwallowsAndAmazons
March 1, 2026 at 8:47 AM
⛵️Today you are able to join any scene, from any of the Arthur Ransome books.⛵️
Which would choose, and why?
Making hats in the Fram?
Sliding down the knickerbockerbreaker in Swallowdale?
Sailing with Tom Dudgeon?
Share your thoughts below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Which would choose, and why?
Making hats in the Fram?
Sliding down the knickerbockerbreaker in Swallowdale?
Sailing with Tom Dudgeon?
Share your thoughts below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
February 28, 2026 at 9:19 AM
⛵️Today you are able to join any scene, from any of the Arthur Ransome books.⛵️
Which would choose, and why?
Making hats in the Fram?
Sliding down the knickerbockerbreaker in Swallowdale?
Sailing with Tom Dudgeon?
Share your thoughts below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Which would choose, and why?
Making hats in the Fram?
Sliding down the knickerbockerbreaker in Swallowdale?
Sailing with Tom Dudgeon?
Share your thoughts below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
A quick jaunt to Ambleside to go on an expedition to find the North Pole. Maybe I'll try signalling to Mars tonight.
#ArthurRansome
#WinterHoliday
#SwallowsandAmazons
#TheLakeDistrict
#Ambleside
#ArthurRansome
#WinterHoliday
#SwallowsandAmazons
#TheLakeDistrict
#Ambleside
February 14, 2026 at 2:02 PM
A quick jaunt to Ambleside to go on an expedition to find the North Pole. Maybe I'll try signalling to Mars tonight.
#ArthurRansome
#WinterHoliday
#SwallowsandAmazons
#TheLakeDistrict
#Ambleside
#ArthurRansome
#WinterHoliday
#SwallowsandAmazons
#TheLakeDistrict
#Ambleside
Not Coots, but did think that Tom and the Death and Glories would have enjoyed seeing these Brent geese today
#CootClub
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#CootClub
#SwallowsAndAmazons
February 13, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Not Coots, but did think that Tom and the Death and Glories would have enjoyed seeing these Brent geese today
#CootClub
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#CootClub
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Our next read is Coot Club!
If you’d like to join us, we will be meeting on Zoom 7pm UK time, Sun 12th April, to chat about it.
Do you have a favourite copy? Share your pics below 👇 📕 📸
#SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bto.org/learn/about-...
If you’d like to join us, we will be meeting on Zoom 7pm UK time, Sun 12th April, to chat about it.
Do you have a favourite copy? Share your pics below 👇 📕 📸
#SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bto.org/learn/about-...
Coot | BTO
This resident waterbird is widely distributed across Britain & Ireland, though absent from upland areas and much of western England and Wales.Largely herbivorous in its diet, the Coot is a bottom feed...
www.bto.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Our next read is Coot Club!
If you’d like to join us, we will be meeting on Zoom 7pm UK time, Sun 12th April, to chat about it.
Do you have a favourite copy? Share your pics below 👇 📕 📸
#SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bto.org/learn/about-...
If you’d like to join us, we will be meeting on Zoom 7pm UK time, Sun 12th April, to chat about it.
Do you have a favourite copy? Share your pics below 👇 📕 📸
#SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bto.org/learn/about-...
❄️ HUGE thanks to all who attended our Winter Holiday chat. It was a genuine pleasure to meet, connect, and explore this book together ❄️ … so much so, we’re doing it again!
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (link to follow)
What? COOT CLUB
So get reading/listening…
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (link to follow)
What? COOT CLUB
So get reading/listening…
#SwallowsAndAmazons
February 8, 2026 at 10:29 PM
❄️ HUGE thanks to all who attended our Winter Holiday chat. It was a genuine pleasure to meet, connect, and explore this book together ❄️ … so much so, we’re doing it again!
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (link to follow)
What? COOT CLUB
So get reading/listening…
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 12th Apr, 7pm UK time
Where? Zoom (link to follow)
What? COOT CLUB
So get reading/listening…
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📣📣 One week to go until our Winter Holiday chat! 📣📣
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
February 1, 2026 at 9:06 AM
📣📣 One week to go until our Winter Holiday chat! 📣📣
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
There’s still time to (re) read the book if you’d like to join us.
I’ll be posting the zoom link later in the week, along with some prompt questions to get us thinking.
It will all be very relaxed and pressure free!
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Who'll be doing the #BigGardenBirdwatch this weekend?
And how many of these do you think you'll cross off? 😁👇
And how many of these do you think you'll cross off? 😁👇
January 23, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Scroll down in this article to look at the Pin Mill photograph… I wonder if there are any mastodon footprints anywhere nearby …
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Northern Lights illuminate UK skies in hues of pink and green
The phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis is the result of solar eruptions sending particles that interact with the Earth's atmosphere.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Scroll down in this article to look at the Pin Mill photograph… I wonder if there are any mastodon footprints anywhere nearby …
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#SecretWater #SwallowsAndAmazons
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It’s a dark, wet day… let’s brighten it up by sharing our favourite Arthur Ransome copies.
📚Which is your favourite copy?
📚Is it paperback or hardback?
📚When/where did you get it?
📚What is it that you particularly like about it?
Reply below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📚Which is your favourite copy?
📚Is it paperback or hardback?
📚When/where did you get it?
📚What is it that you particularly like about it?
Reply below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
January 13, 2026 at 9:11 AM
It’s a dark, wet day… let’s brighten it up by sharing our favourite Arthur Ransome copies.
📚Which is your favourite copy?
📚Is it paperback or hardback?
📚When/where did you get it?
📚What is it that you particularly like about it?
Reply below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📚Which is your favourite copy?
📚Is it paperback or hardback?
📚When/where did you get it?
📚What is it that you particularly like about it?
Reply below! 👇
#SwallowsAndAmazons
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
January 10, 2026 at 8:52 AM
📣❄️ You are warmly invited to our Winter Holiday chat! ❄️📣
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
When? Sun 8th Feb, 7.00pm UK time
Where? Zoom - link nearer time
What? A relaxed chat about Winter Holiday. I’ll share a few questions beforehand to help us.
Important Prep: cosy reading, nice rations, Susanish tea 🫖🍫
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Winter Holiday chat on Zoom!
Suggestions:
❄️ we (re)read the book this month
❄️ we convene for a warm & gentle chat about it online for an hour or so
❄️ poss dates: Sat 31/1, Sun 1/2, Sat 7/2, Sun 8/2 - time TBC
If you’re interested, pls reply with preferred date in comments
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Suggestions:
❄️ we (re)read the book this month
❄️ we convene for a warm & gentle chat about it online for an hour or so
❄️ poss dates: Sat 31/1, Sun 1/2, Sat 7/2, Sun 8/2 - time TBC
If you’re interested, pls reply with preferred date in comments
#SwallowsAndAmazons
January 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Winter Holiday chat on Zoom!
Suggestions:
❄️ we (re)read the book this month
❄️ we convene for a warm & gentle chat about it online for an hour or so
❄️ poss dates: Sat 31/1, Sun 1/2, Sat 7/2, Sun 8/2 - time TBC
If you’re interested, pls reply with preferred date in comments
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Suggestions:
❄️ we (re)read the book this month
❄️ we convene for a warm & gentle chat about it online for an hour or so
❄️ poss dates: Sat 31/1, Sun 1/2, Sat 7/2, Sun 8/2 - time TBC
If you’re interested, pls reply with preferred date in comments
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Fair winds and following seas to all for 2026… wishing everyone a year ahead full of good things ⛵️
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#SwallowsAndAmazons
December 31, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Fair winds and following seas to all for 2026… wishing everyone a year ahead full of good things ⛵️
#SwallowsAndAmazons
#SwallowsAndAmazons
Hello friends, I’m sorry for the radio silence, it’s been (is) a difficult time hence the lack of quizzes/advent calendar this year. I hope to start again in the new year, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your recent Ransome reads, thoughts, moments… or just say hello! #SwallowsAndAmazons
December 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Hello friends, I’m sorry for the radio silence, it’s been (is) a difficult time hence the lack of quizzes/advent calendar this year. I hope to start again in the new year, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your recent Ransome reads, thoughts, moments… or just say hello! #SwallowsAndAmazons