A description of the components of lunar libration, which allow us to peek a little way into the lunar far side, including some animations of the various effects.
All posts by Oikofuge
Stable
A festive dissertation on the extensive etymological links of the word “stable”, and a discussion of why some of use think of Jesus as having been born in a stable.
Glen Doll: The Lunkard To Corrie Fee
An illustrated walk report of a traverse of the southern rim of Glen Doll
Philip Ball: Alchemy
A review of Philip Ball’s “Alchemy: An Illustrated History of Elixirs, Experiments, and the Birth of Modern Science”
Eleven Handy Words Meaning “Defeat Utterly”
English is remarkably well-endowed with words that imply utter defeat in a sporting contest. Here are eleven.
The World’s Shortest International Border
How a short stretch of water in the middle of the Zambezi River became a contender for the shortest international border in the world—and why a century passed before anyone knew which countries were involved.
Glen Clova: Braedownie to Loch Brandy
Cathelle Houses (NO 312763, 863m)Boustie Ley (NO 322759, 876m)Benty Roads (NO 330765, 842m)The Snub (NO 335757, 835m) 18 kilometres890m of ascent I’ve recently got into the habit of wandering along the plateau above Glen Clova—see my reports of traverses from Allan’s Hut to the Capel Mounth and my Brandy and Wharral circuit. This one partially … Continue reading Glen Clova: Braedownie to Loch Brandy
Careen
A discussion of the word “careen”, and its differing usage in American and British English—also “career” and “carom”, for which it is sometimes used as a synonym
CCCP 2025: Ullapool
An illustrated series of walk reports from a trip to Ullapool.
Em Dash
If the em dash is an indicator of text generated by AI, then Shakespeare, Swift, Ruskin and Joyce were AIs. (Hint: they almost certainly weren’t.)
Here’s the story of the em dash and its uses.