14th December, 2025: “The Witch of the Waterfall”.
An Introduction.
It’s not often I duplicate posts: at least, not often I use the opening of one post as the opening of another.
Except it’s something I did, last week: when writing my introduction to my reviews of the firsttwo episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea.
And it’s something I’ve repeated with this week’s episodes.
Sue me!
Additionally?
It’s not often I complain about Apple.
For those of you who don’t know, I’m something of a Mac fan: I’m writing this on a 2024 Mac mini, using macOS Tahoe 26.2, and Safari 26.2, to write this post.
I had problems, updating to the new versions, last Thursday: when, after the update to 26.2, my browser would not stay logged into my usual websites, after switching the thing on in the morning.
Then would sign me out when I switched it off.
As you can imagine?
It was very frustrating.
Contacting various people proved little help: including Apple’s community forums.
So?
I contacted Apple’s Support line.
Where an extremely helpful young person managed to diagnose the issue.
All I had to do, it seems, was make a small change to Safari’s preferences: turning off the cross-site tracking option in Safari>Settings>Privacy.
That seems to have solved the problem, for now: although I don’t know what long term issues may happen as a result.
I hope they’re minimal.
But I’m also aware I had that box checked for several years: with no problems.
Why it’s happened with this update?
I don’t know!
~≈🧜🏼♂️≈~
My problems aren’t why you’re here.
You’re possibly here out of curiosity, boredom, or a random social media post.
So, if you’re a newcomer to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, I’ll have to repeat what I’ve said in earlier posts.
In other words, say “Welcome aboard”, tell you I write the Daily Teaser quiz, and about films and TV shows I’ve watched.
One of those shows? Is the Dr Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.
I saw the first episodes, “Homo Aqua”, and “Plastic Apocalypse”, last week, and caught the third episode, “The Deep”, last Sunday.
This post?
Is about the fourth episode, “The Witch of the Waterfall”.
Starting with the first episode, “Homo Aqua”, tomorrow night.
Hopefully?
I’ll have this first review — written and video — done by Tuesday: then have my written and video reviews of the second episode, “Plastic Apocalypse”, done by Thursday, 11th December, 2025.
I’ll be doing the same thing, for episodes three and four, next week: and something very similar for the last episode!
The reason I’m starting a day early … ?
It’s December: and Christmas.
So I’m fitting this posts in-between real life and present wrapping …
In between writing quizzes, jobhunting, worrying about my health, shopping, thinking about Christmas presents, watching deliveries being delivered, wondering where I put my most recent set of stamps …
Which reminds me, I need to get stamps …
At any rate … ?
I have a loose, quiet, evening: and plenty of things I could be watching.
Including the Ralph Bakshi animated fantasy, Wizards.
Considering I caught his version of The Lord of The Rings, many years ago, watching Wizards seemed like a good idea.
So … ?
I’ll be watching it … then telling you about it on Monday night!
I visited the Job Centre, yesterday: as my next scheduled meeting with my work coach — on 29th October — had been cancelled.
I panicked: anything like that carries the potential of a sanction, and a reduction in benefit.
Phoning the place revealed nothing.
So … ?
I actually went into the office, for the first time in months: to ask what on Earth was going on in person … !
Apparently?
It got cancelled, so it could be reassigned to a new, trainee, case officer.
I’ve little problem with that … but … ?
As I said to the administrator who dealt with me, it would have been reassuring if I — alongside others affected by this — were messaged about it.
That way, we know what’s going on, and have something on the record about it: in case of any issues.
Civil servants, eh?
~≈👔≈~
Oh …
Hello … !
It seems Apple have released new devices — a MacBook Pro, iPadPro and Apple Vision — powered with their new M5 chip: rather than the older M4, the chip that’s in my machine.
Has anyone got a few grand going begging … ?
Bar the size of the screen, the new MacBook looks good* …
~≈👔≈~
Oh, did I mention the image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app?
Taking advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT?
The image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app: in a way that took advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT.
Ahem!
I also modified a photo of myself:
Which makes me look like a startled haddock.
Adding a crown really doesn’t help.
Artificial intelligence is obviously onto something.
I’ve paid my council tax for this year: or, at least, had enough help from Brentwood Council’s hardship fund, to cover the cost.
I got a revised, zero, bill in May of this year.
So … ?
Why the council email me, last night: with another revised bill? For £417?
I don’t know.
Understandably, I’m not a happy bunny.
Frankly?
I’m going to have to take documentary proof that the bill’s been settled, today: and that I’m getting Personal Independence Payment, as that also gets a discount.
But … ?
You’d think the council would keep a record of these things.
The idea that those in severe need can opt to have help in ending their lives: with or without the help of a physician, or family member.
There’s been moves to introduce various bills over the years: moves that have had more attention, ever since author Terry Pratchett advocated for the idea, after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater, has introduced a Private Members bill in the House of Commons: that legalises it in the UK.
If you could hit the Like button, I know I’d appreciate it!
I have to admit to a certain amount of pride in Jude: as well as making a video well, and quickly, he showed a certain amount of concern for his ol’ uncle.
And … ?
Certainly knows how to banter, during a game of Armagetron!
Frankly? That’s encouraging me to do what I’ve always done: catch another episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds’ first series: then finishing off my written and video reviews, tomorrow night.
Right Said Fred and Hole in the Ground were a hell of a lot of fun.
There were film appearances, TV appearances, the most Jackanory appearances by any one given performer.
Personally? I remember seeing him as Tom Cambell in Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D, the second Dr Who movie.
I think the man’s biggest legacy? Was providing the narration — and voicing every single character — in The Wombles.
The show was the only one at the time that talked about recycling stuff: at a time when no other show — with the possible exception of Blue Peter — did so.
Legacy doesn’t even start …
~≈♽≈~
Yesterday … ?
I was up early: I had a Zoom meeting to attend, at ten, and wanted to make sure I’d done my usual stuff done, first.
I didn’t notice the yelling from up the road: at around 7:20ish.
There’s always someone having an argument, around here!
I also didn’t consciously notice the emergency ambulance, trauma team, and half a dozen police cars, turning up
Or know about them, until;
Someone asked what was happening on my street’s Facebook group.
At least three people contacted me — through Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — to ask if I was ok, and what on Earth was happening!
Which is me all over!
At any rate? A resident of Torville Court, the block next to mine, had been attacked: and seriously injured.
According to the Essex Live reports? A 28 year old man had been arrested on charges of Actual Bodily Harm, and for assaulting one of the ambulance staff.
From other things I’ve been told? And if the victim is who I think it is? (Which seems likely, from descriptions I’ve been given.)
The victim is said to have all sorts of dodgy dealings.
