Environment

Wordless Wednesday: Peckish?

/ David Marsden / 21 Comments

  A Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) wraps a newly caught honeybee.

And Quiet Flows The Spree

/ David Marsden / 38 Comments

I didn't intend to impose my holiday snaps on you.  Indeed for the first day or two of my recent cycling trip to Germany, I didn't even take a photo. But when a bird of prey glided past with a rat the size of a small child in its talons, my shutter finger itched.  And … Continue reading And Quiet Flows The Spree

Bear With Me

/ David Marsden / 27 Comments

I haven't posted for a while.I've been busy with some non-blogging stuff ... and intently studying a wasp nest on the east lawn.Excavation continues and it's getting bigger.  And bigger.  As you might suppose, mowing operations have been diverted.I've been distracted too by the sheer number of butterflies on the new verbena beds.There is a … Continue reading Bear With Me

Big Butterfly Count

/ David Marsden / 18 Comments

The charity Butterfly Conservation is holding its annual Big Butterfly Count - the biggest butterfly survey in the world. Starting today and running until 10th August, this is an easy and fun opportunity to help butterfly and moth conservation in the UK. If you'd like to take part, simply wait for a sunny spell and … Continue reading Big Butterfly Count

Follers Manor

/ David Marsden / 41 Comments

When Geoff and Anne Shaw bought Follers Manor in 2006 it was a mess.  The house was virtually uninhabitable and the grounds an eyesore: a jumble of tussock, weeds and builders' rubble with a large, long-abandoned tennis court as a central feature. Today with the house and gardens rejuvenated it is easier to understand why … Continue reading Follers Manor

Beauty And A Beast

/ David Marsden / 46 Comments

The gardens are generally looking fine. Though frankly if they didn't during June, I might as well give up and get a proper job. But the Kidney Beds are in dire need of a major revamp.  They were cobbled together five years ago with a few sitting tenants, some plants from my garden, gifts from … Continue reading Beauty And A Beast

“I Hate You”

/ David Marsden / 58 Comments

I could not believe my ears.  Had she really just said that?  I'd only known Margaret (the local farmer) for a few hours.  How could she possibly have formed such a robust opinion of me in such a short time? It was the summer of 2008.  I had applied for the post of gardener at … Continue reading “I Hate You”