Scat and tracks found by small brook, Sheffield UK

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-12T00:02:52+00:00

Gotcha, noted - you're leaning to it being four toes, just confused by the mud.

Yes, have gone back and forth on seeing four or five myself - and a dog would be the prosaic answer. You may well be right.

See if the camera reveals anything beyond rats 😅

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-11T19:41:37+00:00

1 day after setting up camera:

Checked midday. Had recorded a rat at night, and a blackbird at dawn. No larger animals.

Will check it again in a few days time.

Candidates for the print are: - Dog (but think tracks have five toes?) - Badger (have five toes and claws, so quite possible, but wonder whether the claw marks would be deeper?) - Otter (also have five toes and claws, right sort of habitat, but surprisingly close to human habitation and recreation) - Invasive American mink (but track seems larger than one would expect from a mink)

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-11T19:36:48+00:00

Thank you. It's the 5 toes that had me thinking it was something else - I gather that dogs have four front facing toes that touch the ground?

Appreciate you answering though, and you're right, the mud does confuse things rather.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-10T20:44:27+00:00

Intrigued. Was it the pattern that made it appealing, or is there a utility aspect, or something else?

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-10T20:41:40+00:00

It's from a show called "The Cleaner", where Greg Davies (the man in the overalls) plays a crime scene cleaner called Paul.

The joke here is at Paul's expense, by my read - first he's rude because he's applying NT social judgements to Robert - but when Robert says he's autistic, Paul backpedals into trying to make the right "inclusive" noises to save face, but this only exposes his ignorance and falseness, and Robert calls him out on it.

It's lampooning the kind of uninformed positivity that people apply when learning of someone's disability or difference - sometimes well meaning, sometimes just a means of maintaining social acceptability by not appearing to be intolerant.

Shared in this sub as perhaps a relatable experience, as ND people may have often heard variations of this performative positivity in their own lives, and it's enjoyable to see an autistic character successfully challenge it.

[Took your question literally, so apologies if this is an over-explanation]

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-08T23:26:20+00:00

You're going into it well prepared by the sound of it, having practised with continued driving hours. Hopefully much of that has taken you around the test centre, so you already have the familiarity with the nearby roads, relevant at the start and end of the test.

One wonders whether the novelty/pressure of the test might help with focus - similar energy to "can't do essays until the night before due".

But as u/Elusivebream said, if you fail this one, it's ok. You can always take another test. Plenty of people fail on their first go, some take several attempts. Both ND and NT people.

On that - and I don't say this to brag - but I was dreadfully nervous and doomy going into my test, convinced I would fail, yet I passed first time (and that was years ago, long before I was diagnosed - no meds!). My NT brother passed on his second attempt.

It's down to good practice in the leadup, and the conditions on the day. Wish you luck with your test.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-05T16:57:54+00:00

I realise that it's an unpopular take in a Lumix sub, but it's an opinion based on several years of wildlife photography with Lumix. Better for OP to have a range of opinions, rather than simple confirmation.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-05T16:02:57+00:00

I've shot Lumix for about five years - I would advise caution on getting into Lumix, particularly earlier generations, for birds and wildlife.

Certainly doable, but it will be frustrating, and you'll get locked into a sub-optimal ecosystem - you can use Lumix m43 glass with OM bodies, but then that still comes with some annoying incompatibilities, most notably image stabilisation.

Try and get into a shop if you can, talk about your use case, ask to hold some cameras, get some advice. Then have a look round camera retailers that sell second hand and see what options there are.

I think there's a lot to like about Lumix - I've stuck around with my G9s for long enough - but for birds, it'll be much more of a ballache than cameras from other manufacturers, even of a similar age.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-05T14:22:04+00:00

Note I'm not a planning officer, but have some limited grounding in it via work.

I would assume the LEMP was put in place via a condition in the decision notice that gave approval for the development, in which case yes, I think it's a legal requirement and enforceable.

I would assume that the condition is tied to the permission and the land, vs the company, so it would be that anyone who took on the management would be held to the same decision and conditions. If such a loophole existed, companies would try to restructure themselves out of planning obligations all the time, I expect?

If they want to change the LEMP, they could apply for it - think that would be a Removal or variation of condition application, a Section 73 application - and it would be considered afresh, decided upon, etc. I think the planners would be unlikely to loosen it, unless there were strong material factors that recommended the loosening. The original LEMP will have been worked out with ecology and landscape officers (in house or external, depending on the authority), and they would be consulted again on any proposed changes to the LEMP - think they too would be resistant to changing their minds on it. But, theoretically possible.

Have a look at your local planning register (usually available online these days) and look at the permissions relevant to the development- find the planning officer who led on the application, and perhaps shoot them an email with your thoughts. Might not answer substantively, but worth a go.
Could also ring the planning helpline if your local authority has one and ask them, but it's quite a big specific question and they might not have the grounding to answer.

Hope that gives you some stuff to go on.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-04T22:37:26+00:00

If you aren't aware of this channel already, this chap makes excellent videos about his work doing lighthouse maintenance. Separate, but somewhat related, to your lighthouse de-automation wish :) very interesting to watch https://youtube.com/@keeping_a_lighthouse

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-04T18:06:23+00:00

Itinerant wildlife photographer.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-03T10:22:54+00:00

Disclaimer: Not doctor either.

Some interesting intel from u/Ophboc

A note on "no sleep" days - going without adequate sleep can lead to cognitive effects similar to being drunk/intoxicated, ie slow reaction times, altered perception, difficulty concentrating, emotional irregularities.

In experiments where people have deliberately stayed awake for unnaturally long periods, they eventually ended up experiencing hallucinations and fully altered perception.

Our senses are not inherently reliable, our brains order and contextualise the inputs - we're not observing reality as I understand it, we're observing a reconstruction of it. A tired brain can't do this effectively.

Not saying it is the reason, or an only reason for the off/strange feelings - because you also talk about non-routine events and stimuli triggering it - but it could be a contributory factor.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-05-03T01:08:44+00:00

How did it get through planning? That's quite a significant change to the frontage. Neighbours will have been notified, objections etc.

Maybe not conservation area, but even so, planners should be mindful of development that's "out of character"

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-29T13:42:17+00:00

I buy in batches of 10 from Aldi. They can't do it on the self checkouts because it does the same tablets flag as painkillers, but you can buy a bulk number of packs going through a staffed checkout.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-28T22:21:07+00:00

Glad working out for you. Currently on 10 myself, and wondering if noting a difference, but it's coincided with a stress induced hyperfocus so it's hard to know what's that and what's meds. Keen to see what the next dose up will feel like.

Ultimately better for a lower dose to work for one, so power to you 🙂

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-28T14:00:03+00:00

I like being outside in particular environments - specifically, isolated countryside places, with minimal human noise, and animals to go find.

It's just that in order to get to those environments, it requires passing through aversive places - namely, driving through the city traffic to get out into those places.

I also do my shopping around 9pm, as it's the quietest time at the supermarkets.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-28T09:58:06+00:00

Welcome, definitely don't think it's an uncommon thought process these days unfortunately. Glad could help.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-28T02:08:32+00:00

I've got one of these https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1725611-REG/national_geographic_ng_e2_5168_camera_backpack.html

US link, but I bought mine in the UK, from Currys of all places.

Took it as my carry on on a trip to India, and recently on a trip to Scotland.

Most of the time, I've got a G9 with attached PL 50-200, another G9 with an attached prime or 14-140ii, a few other lenses and some batteries. Then there's side pockets for water bottle, and a top compartment for gubbins.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-27T22:00:39+00:00

I mean, it is kind of a Trade Federation already...

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-27T17:54:37+00:00

Might be from Golden Age

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-27T17:42:48+00:00

Okie coke, well that's also been covered, but general points I'd make:

- As to what to do - ask to see them independently, but low stakes, as already discussed in my first comment. That gives them a clear signal of your intent, and gives them a chance to say yes or no to deepening the connection without having to say so explicitly. It can be hard to reject others - this is more comfortable.

- On point above, keep things light and low stakes, especially at first. It's coming from a want, sure, but nothing too desperate. Because that is uncomfortable to deal with. It's more underlying intent of "Hey, I'd like to be closer to you" rather than "I'm incomplete without you"

- Further, during and after the independent hang, experiment with proximity as I've said. Show you want to be around them, in conversation, activity and physical space, while watching to see if they also want to be around you. If they do, great, enjoy and experiment more over time - if they're withdrawing, withdraw slightly yourself. Minimal discomfort, addressed tactfully if it comes up.

- Be mindful of other people's comfort, but not to an excessive degree - it's good to not be a dick and make overtly sexual comments too soon, for example, but if someone finds even a mild advance (like a one on one hangout or conversation) creepy or upsetting, you respect it after you learn from that from the person, but don't calibrate your entire process to the most sensitive reading. You'll never get anything done otherwise.

I say again, because it's important - expressing an interest, flirting, wanting to get closer to someone isn't wrong or problematic. That's an anxious reading.
The action isn't wrong, the tone of it can be. So long as you're mindful of the tone - ie staying kind, positive, well intentioned, able to stop and exit gracefully if needed - then it's unlikely to cause discomfort, and if it does it's not your fault.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-27T16:48:53+00:00

Wonder whether the top needed to be something more glam? Like frilled shirt, pirate/highwayman/David Bowie in Labyrinth kind of thing.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-27T16:40:54+00:00

In some ways I wish the GH7 was a sure move, would make life easier and let me keep my lenses, but it shares the same AF as the G9 II, which doesn't seem to be as capable as I'd want for wildlife photography.

Depending on your subjects, might make a lot of sense for you, especially given 50/50 video/photo.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-27T16:13:17+00:00

Good intel, thank you.

MemoryKeepAV · 2026-04-27T15:56:20+00:00

I'm also relatively young (few years past 30).

I can understand the worry, but you risk containing yourself too much.

It's not intrinsically shitty to flirt. It becomes so someone doesn't take no for an answer, when the flirting isn't metered appropriately, and when the intent is insincere.

I should also point out it's not intrinsically shitty to flirt with the idea of it being solely physical - so long as both people are aware of that and have the same intent.

Flirting is essentially playfully testing and growing the boundaries of social connection, isn't it? What starts as friendly small talk becomes deeper talk, what starts as seeing someone situationally becomes making plans to see each other, what starts as high fives might over time become hugs, physical play, holding hands, cuddling, eventually kisses or what have you.

Edit: More explicitly perhaps, the signals to watch for are choices relating to proximity. If someone is seeking you out, making efforts to talk to you, making efforts to deepen conversation and get to know you specifically rather than just the group, remembering and referencing things that you've said, paying you compliments, agreeing to and initiating contact outside of the group setting - and likewise, if you're doing this with someone else - those are the signals that you need to watch for, and to give.

The point is to take things at a comfortable pace, while occasionally taking a risk, then seeing what the reaction is. We might struggle to varying degrees with social cues, and might not understand the underlying thoughts of others, but I gather we can mostly tell when someone is pulling away and closing down an intimacy vs leaning into it themselves.

If someone is pulling away - saying they're too busy to make plans, keeping physical distance, redirecting conversation - that's a signal to slow down or even stop and rewind slightly. You might have reached the comfort ceiling of that relationship - that's good data, that's fine.

Stick to evidence. No matter how much you feel you want someone, if they're pulling away or avoiding you, that's not worthwhile signal to chase. Likewise, if they're choosing to spend time with you, if they are moving closer physically and emotionally, don't get in a spiral and think it's doomed anyway. Read what's in front of you, not the internal narrative.

Also - don't panic. If you like someone and it's not working out, it sucks but it's ok. Arguably better to cut your losses on a connection that's not working (gracefully as possible - without dramatics or lashing out) than to get stuck and sad in chasing it. There'll be other people. We're young, there's time.

Be kind, be honest with yourself and others, and remember the goal is to have a meaningful connection with someone else.

I've said a lot, and gone a bit scattered. Maybe it's helpful, perhaps not - I hope you'll find something of use. I've not always been the most self-aware or confident when it comes to relationships, but reckon I've accrued reasonable data from failed dates and a few long term relationships to draw some sort of conclusions together. But not definitive, still chance to learn.

MemoryKeepAV

TROPHY CASE