In 1979, with my best friend Colin, I cycled from Hook of Holland across the Netherlands and into Germany. We carried on pedalling to the Rhine near Koblenz and continued south along the river, past Mainz to Worms; where we camped for one night before heading for home via Luxembourg, Brussels and the port of Zeebrugge. In … Continue reading The Rhine Cycle Route: Mainz to Cologne
Win A Copy Of The ‘RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening’
The new, updated edition of the 'RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening' is released on 1st September... and I have one copy up for grabs. Here's a little about Chris Baines' book from the publisher, Frances Lincoln: Wildlife has become a mainstream issue for gardeners and the public since this best-selling book was first published as … Continue reading Win A Copy Of The ‘RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening’
A Garden Tour: The Old Forge
I don't feature The Old Forge very often but not because it isn't worthy: it's simply that The Priory is the main star of my blog and a jealous one too. Nevertheless, in late July on my regular Tuesday visit, I took some snaps and thought I'd give you a short - if incomplete - … Continue reading A Garden Tour: The Old Forge
A Pumpkin In My Compost
I've taken an obvious break from blogging recently but I wanted to quickly show you a pumpkin plant because ... well, have a look. It's content, isn't it? I didn't have space in the veg beds so rather than throw away six gift plants, I planted them in a compost bin. I watered on first … Continue reading A Pumpkin In My Compost
The Bedraggled Kestrel
Old, dilapidated and long overdue for renovation, The Priory garage and workshop is a magnet to birds seeking a home. Robins, blackbirds and wrens hop through holes in the rotten doors or missing window panes, to build a nest and raise chicks. A family of robins left in the past few days and I miss … Continue reading The Bedraggled Kestrel
Wildflowers On The South Downs
I'm not terribly fond of petrol mowers at the best of times but when they break-down repeatedly, I think them insufferable. If only they would listen to reason and I could patiently explain how simple their duties really are. At least a faulty mower induced forced-stop to mowing at The Old Forge gave me a … Continue reading Wildflowers On The South Downs
Birdsong And What To Do About It
In a previous post, I mentioned how the midday hoot of a tawny owl - and my thwarted attempts to see him - had driven me nuts. But that was nothing ... nothing ... compared to the song of a certain bird which has sent me doolally. This unidentified bird sings a simple refrain, over and … Continue reading Birdsong And What To Do About It
The Anxious Gardener 