Sam GK Watson

Dual national - Londoner by birth, now a Sydneysider and loving the outdoor life Down Under. Sport, history and mundane trivia enthusiast. Teacher. IC member

[The Observer @ObserverUK]

Former England captain @Phil_Vickery has a lifetime of good memories playing rugby. With 73 England caps and a World Cup title, Vickery says he would do it all again in a heartbeat. That’s despite the 50-year-old living with a long-term brain injury. He has probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head impacts. He’s one of hundreds of players suing rugby’s governing bodies over what the players argue is a failure to protect athletes.

Read the full interview with @bencoles_ here: https://t.co/UlyPqe5Nbh

This interview is also part of The Observer's Slow Newscast, "Hard Knocks and Foul Play", which investigates how sport's medical advice is shaped which is available to listen to on Tuesday.

[Gurkha Brigade Association @Gurkha_Brigade]

The world has lost a man who redefined what is possible. Nirmal Purja, or Nims, was a bright light of inspiration to countless people. In the Brigade of Gurkhas we are proud to call him one of our own. But his achievements belong to none of us, because it was he himself who showed us that the easy path is not the one that leads to achievement. He died on Broad Peak in Pakistan in a tragic accident that also took the lives of others from around the world, all mountaineers united in the spirit of challenge and human endeavour. We mourn them all. But we also celebrate remarkable lives, and none more so than that of Nims. A soldier, a Gurkha, a mountaineer, a husband, a father, a son and a brother. You have shown us a path - we must rise to your example. Rest in peace Nims.

Major General Gez Strickland (Colonel Commandant the Brigade of Gurkhas).

#NirmalPurja #Mountaineer #Avalanche #Nepal #Gurkha #Soldier #Nims

[Seven Summit Treks 🇳🇵 @sst8848]

🏔️ 💔 🇵🇰 🇳🇵

This is a moment I deeply wish none of us ever had to face.

Yesterday morning, a large avalanche struck Broad Peak between Camp II and Camp III, sweeping away ten climbers. As of this moment, nine of the ten climbers have been traced.

Three members of our team were also caught in the avalanche. It is with profound sorrow that I share the heartbreaking news that the body of our team member, Nadhira Al Harthy, a renowned Omani climber, was recovered near Base Camp and has been brought to Skardu. Her guides, Gyalu Sherpa and Nawang Thindu Sherpa, have also been located at approximately 5,900 meters.

As soon as we received news of the disaster, we immediately activated every possible rescue effort. Ground rescue teams were deployed, and we worked closely with the Pakistani authorities to coordinate helicopter-supported search operations. Despite these tireless efforts, we have received no positive outcome. The hope we held onto has now faded, and we are left mourning an immeasurable and irreversible loss.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of all those affected by this tragedy. May the departed souls rest in eternal peace, and may their families find the strength and courage to endure this unimaginable grief.

Om Mani Padme Hum 🙏

Seven Summit Treks 🇳🇵

[Everest Today @EverestToday]

His style may always be debated. Mountaineering has always debated oxygen, support, speed, risk and purity. But his impact cannot be debated. Nims showed that several eight-thousanders could be climbed not over many years, but within a single month. Young climbers and ordinary dreamers began to believe that they, too, could attempt what once appeared impossible. https://t.co/72WAImSIck

[Paul English @PaulEnglishhack]

Listen to these people, out on the street, singing a song about hope and still having time, in echo of the man who gave them it and whose loss yesterday would give anyone cause to question either.

If anyone knows the power of song abd music in shock and grief it’s Dubliners.

[Sam GK Watson @samgkwatson]

@petehill854 I visited last week. It was brilliant.

[Eric Idle @EricIdle]

I’m very sad Bill Oddie has gone.
He was sick for some time and I wrote to him. He auditioned me for The Pembroke Revue in 1963 and I stepped into his roles for The Edinburgh Festival when the Cambridge Footlights went to the West End. We watched England win the World Cup together at Wembley in ‘66. He was a very fine songwriter and I learned a lot from him. He came to France and is in my book. We even had Chelsea Season Tickets together.
I miss him.

[Sam GK Watson @samgkwatson]

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting the redeveloped @AWMemorial, with the impressive G for George being the highlight. 89 missions flown with no operational casualties. I could spend days here, highly recommend when Down Under. @WeHaveWaysPod @almurray @James1940

[Slumdog_Chillionaire @SlumRNA_Dog]

“You know what the best part of my day is? It's for about ten seconds from when I sail up to the island to when I get to your cave. Because I think maybe I'll get up there and I'll knock on the door and you won't be there... I don't know much, but I know that."

[Slumdog_Chillionaire @SlumRNA_Dog]

My boy Odysseus here, he’s wicked smaht

[Madman Films @MadmanFilms]

Moe mai rā Uncle Hec 🕊️❤️

We wanted to share this moment of Sam speaking so passionately about what Hunt for the Wilderpeople meant to him at the 10th anniversary screening earlier this year. You’ll always be skuxx to us.

[Anthony Albanese @AlboMP]

Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts.

Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.

He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.

[Sam GK Watson @samgkwatson]

@petarbphoto Brilliant aviation museum and active historic aircraft in Temora!

[France Rugby @FranceRugby]

🥹 « Put*** je suis un joueur de l’équipe de France » 🇫🇷

International numéro 1232, bienvenue Tom Staniforth 🧢

#XVdeFrance

[Grace @graceyldn]

Reposting this on his 100th birthday

[Lynsey Parker @LynseyJParker]

Vintage Thomas tableware from the era when breakfast came with railway banter and absolutely no mercy.

[Ladytron Fan Account @Lady_FanAccount]

"Hurt" is not an original by Johnny Cash. The song was written by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) in 1994 for the album The Downward Spiral. Rick Rubin had to insist several times on Cash recording his version, at first Johnny found the idea completely insane because the original version is industrial and noisy. At 71, already very ill, almost blind and with trembling hands, Cash completely transformed the band.

The iconic video, directed by Mark Romanek, was filmed at the House of Cash (his own museum). June Carter Cash appears looking at him fondly, the video was shot in February 2003, a few months before she died (May) and Johnny himself (September).

Trent Reznor was so moved that he declared, "This song is not mine anymore." It is considered one of the best covers of all time.

[Sam GK Watson @samgkwatson]

@1940Andy Enjoy the rest of your trip, there are plenty of great aviation locations around, including many here in NSW. Hunter Warbirds in Scone is particularly good. They do aviation heritage well in this part of the world. And obviously at the AWM where you look to be heading. Cheers.