Author Archives: Martin

No question mark required here as I’m pretty certain these are Gatekeeper butterflies. Partly from appearance and partly because it is sitting on some wild marjoram (oregano) which is it’s favourite herb! Seen on Walton Common.

Just the start of our plum crop.

I know where I’d rather be…

Another dragonfly, this time recovering on our garden shed wall after emerging from its nymph stage (carapace still to the right of it). I think it’s a Common Clubtail but not sure, hence the question mark. 10th July 2020 UPDATE: … Continue reading →

As far as we can remember, this is the furthest north we’ve been for three months!

The first flush of cherries have come to an end and been stored, frozen or eaten, but there is plenty more to eat our way through. Only a week or two and we’ll see the first tomatoes and chillies. It’s … Continue reading →

Time to blow away the many spiders webs that have been forming on the campervan’s bike rack. We had planned to go to Clatworthy Reservoir, but no dogs allowed, so continued on to Wimbleball Lake, south of the Brendon Hills … Continue reading →

Yesterday I ran with Bristol Hashers, the first time since March, due to quarantine limitations. We ran in groups of six or fewer, keeping two metres apart. Then we all met up in a field afterwards and drank beer. Still … Continue reading →

Miles and Flo brought their new pup, Mabel, to meet Lucy.

This dragonfly was having a rest on a cotton shade in the roof of our greenhouse. I’ll go back later to see if he got out ok. 5:20pm: All clear. And embryonic dragonfly nymphs are “hatching” on nearby flag iris … Continue reading →