Can you believe it's been over six years since Jim and I cycled along the Rhine from Mainz to Cologne? Why, we were practically children. Just one of countless castles on the Rhine, summer 2016 On that occasion it was the sheer number and variety of castles that stick in my mind. And on the … Continue reading The Romantic Road: Cycling Across Bavaria
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A Postcard from The Lake District
Once Upon a Time - in early May of last year - I spent a week in The Lake District with Jim and his parents. I started writing a post about our trip several months ago but grew increasingly distracted as Covid settled amongst us and my world shifted. Like you, I'm still pretty distracted … Continue reading A Postcard from The Lake District
The Green Woodpecker And The Magpie
I'm very fortunate that my study window looks out over the canal. It's a grand view if an awfully distracting one. My eyes lift from my laptop all too easily as people walk, cycle, jog or paddle past my window; or a mute swan glides about on still water. Moorhens aren't so good at gliding. … Continue reading The Green Woodpecker And The Magpie
A Postcard From Marseille
We had to get away. There was only so long we could bear living in our squalid new house. However excited we were at finally moving to Gloucestershire and living on the canal, our new home was undeniably squalid. Moving-in day last August was all sorts of emotional. We unlocked the front door to our … Continue reading A Postcard From Marseille
The Sparrowhawk
Jim picked me up from work at The Old Forge yesterday and, as I loaded my tools into the car, told me that he'd almost driven over a sparrowhawk crouched on the lane leading up to the house. Luckily, he had braked in time and the bird flew away, as did an injured pigeon it … Continue reading The Sparrowhawk
An End To March
I'm taking a short break from 'The Anxious Gardener' but meanwhile, and after months of winter drear, it seems a shame not to share some images from the last days of March. Daffodils aren't around for long but The Priory's brief show is hearty. I'm so used to their regular, faithful appearance that I don't … Continue reading An End To March
A Frosty Pause
After my last doleful post, winter got her act together. For a couple of days last week the rain stopped, the skies cleared, temperatures plummeted, mud froze, and, at long last, it was shiveringly cold. Not on a Siberian or Alaskan scale but at -5°C, Sussex was cold. My first chore on arriving at work … Continue reading A Frosty Pause
The Anxious Gardener 