Author Archives: Martin

There has been some bad flooding in other parts of the country and the ground here has been sodden for what seems like weeks. Storm Christoph added to the problems last night. Although no serious difficulties in our area, this … Continue reading →

A cold, cloudy, windy day in January. How about a swim? In the sea? Sally snapped this hardy group by the pier in Clevedon. From the same club that were pictured in the BBC1 television ident, by photographer, Martin Parr.

We’re not supposed to drive, at least not out of our local area, for anything other than a limited number of reasons, which doesn’t really include exercise. Our nearest walks, the Lake Grounds, Portishead Marina and Portbury Nature Reserve, are … Continue reading →

We’ve put a few new bird feeders in the garden. Word quickly gets around… Fortunately, there were some more conventional punters, including a greater-spotted woodpecker and many blue tits…

Another new tradition started? Lots of people (socially-distanced, mostly) gathered on the beach (some fires lit) and above the pier next to the marina entrance. Fiona and Paul brought cans of G&T and Scotch and ginger.

Sally said this picture of the Walton Common volunteer party looked like a record album cover from the ‘seventies. We have had several, without exception unflattering, suggestions for possible titles. Picture Mike T.

Between Weston-Super-Mare and Kewstoke.

Birnbeck pier (technically a bridge to an island) at the north end of Weston-Super-Mare has declined over the years and is now dangerous. It has been in various private ownerships for decades and the council has recently decided to compulsorily … Continue reading →