A smudge of red has been visible from The Old Forge for over a week. As I worked in the garden, it drew my eye. The following morning, I decided to go for a closer look. I associate field or common poppies (Papaver rhoeas - should you care), with field margins but this huge expanse … Continue reading Poppies On The Downs
Nature
Wordless Wednesday: A Robin’s Story
The Fox And The Crow
We feed crows. We don't go out much, so we feed crows. Any scraps that used to go to the chickens now go to the crows. They are generally grateful but sometimes our offerings aren't quite to their liking. Stale bread, for example, is patiently collected, bit by bit, until a good bill full is … Continue reading The Fox And The Crow
A Postcard From Poland
I got bemused looks when I told people I was going to Poland. "On business?" "No, on holiday." "Oh." (Bemused look). See what I mean? But the unease I felt at this reaction evaporated on arrival. I loved Poland. OK, so the weather helped. All warm, spring sun and clear, blue skies lighting up what … Continue reading A Postcard From Poland
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast … In Winter
Only it wasn't winter. It was March, almost Easter, and a time, I'd supposed, of primrose lined paths, sparkling sunshine and hosts of nodding daffodils. But in Northern England this year, March was decidedly still very much winter. Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk is an almost 200-mile path from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast … Continue reading Wainwright’s Coast to Coast … In Winter
Little Owl
I disturbed a bird the other day. I was walking through the garden of the Old Forge and something broke cover. Though I managed to get a hurried snap of it in flight, it was gone too quickly for me to see what it might be. It was only later, alerted by the scolding call … Continue reading Little Owl
Birdwatching
I don't get a great variety of birds in my garden. Plenty of herring gulls, and a family of charismatic crows. Hardly exciting stuff, though we do get ... ... green woodpeckers too. They are regular visitors, feeding mostly on the ants that live in our dry, chalky soil. But in comparison to the Priory, … Continue reading Birdwatching
The Anxious Gardener 