I was asked whether it felt like a consolation prize. In truth, a part of me wasn’t looking forward to the holiday, but I pondered the question. It didn’t really feel like a consolation prize at all – I was just so bloody anxious about the flight! You see, about a week before I’m dueContinue reading “Brief tales from Antigua & Barbuda”
Tag Archives: Nature
Our Little Nuthatch
Before I start, I feel I should give readers a trigger warning as this post comments on pregnancy loss, miscarriage and baby loss, which may be upsetting. … I haven’t posted for quite a while. There’s been quite a lot going on and there’s no easy way to talk about these sorts of topics soContinue reading “Our Little Nuthatch”
Ol’ Dead Eye
Who, do you ask, is ‘Ol’ dead eye’? Well let me tell you. You see, ‘Ol’ dead eye’ is not a new piece of mine. On the contrary. It’s actually quite an old item. I’m not entirely sure how old, but I reckon 10-12 years old. That means I was probably still an adult whenContinue reading “Ol’ Dead Eye”
Wildlife Log 2023
Monday 18th November, 7:51am Meadow: The first thing I noticed in the meadow today was the sky. It was so purple. When my brain caught up with me, I then heard the reassuring sounds of blue tits, sparrows and blackbirds. Some crows flew over, followed by fieldfares chattering away. A starling near the river pretendedContinue reading “Wildlife Log 2023”
Dec the Halls
I’m very late writing this. Very, very late. Inexcusably late. So late that I wondered whether I should even go ahead. But then the year wouldn’t be complete and I wouldn’t be able to deal with that – it isn’t neat! So here’s the final round-up from 2022. A round-up of the final month. AContinue reading “Dec the Halls”
November.
No random titles this month. Just a simple ‘November’. Because, this month, I tried to make things simple again. I took a short break to try and reset. I have felt some tricky feelings brewing throughout 2022 and I knew I was starting to find things overwhelming and difficult. I’m sure I’m not the onlyContinue reading “November.”
Odd-tober
There’s no two ways about it. October was odd. Now, what am I referring to exactly. I could be talking about the weather – it was such a warm month – or I could be talking about UK politics. September certainly feels like a long time ago in respect of the latter. Just for theContinue reading “Odd-tober”
“No luck catchin’ them swans then?”
“It’s just the one swan actually.” Hot Fuzz (2007) This blog has been a long time coming. I’ve been meaning to write those exact lines at the top of this post for absolutely ages. And I’ve been chuckling about it for months, wondering what my family will think when they eventually read it. Like manyContinue reading ““No luck catchin’ them swans then?””
“LarryBird’sMullet”
I’m not even sure where to start. The wonderful sights and sounds. The sea air. The wind (oh my gosh the wind!) and the rain. The birds and beasts. The wonder of this Scottish island. Perhaps I should start with a title explanation, for I’m talking about the beautiful Isle of Mull which I wasContinue reading ““LarryBird’sMullet””
“Bring me lots of beer, bring me lots of beer”
Last year, Lucy Lapwing introduced me to the world of birdsong and, more importantly, the techniques you can use to remember different tunes. Hence, blue tits became ‘tea lily lily lily’ and great tits ‘tea-cher tea-cher’. The difference between collared doves (coll-ared-dove, coll-ared-dove) and wood pigeons (wood-pige-on-PIGEON; wood-pige-on-PIGEON) apparent. Left to its own devices, thisContinue reading ““Bring me lots of beer, bring me lots of beer””
Ramblings of a (very!) amateur artist 