Author Archives: Martin

With boughs of olive… Why go to all the trouble of transporting a pine tree when we have ample olive branches in our garden. Symbolic of peace and, for those who believe in such things, more appropriate for the Middle … Continue reading →

Very good year; here, just a few examples.

Seen on East Quantoxhead beach, West Somerset.

Near Godshill, east of Fordingbridge, on the Hampshire Avon. Then further downstream to Rockford. Typical New Forest, with roaming, very happy, pigs. And on, to the mouth of the river at Christchurch Harbour. Pot of tea and a Victoria sponge … Continue reading →

A Very Special Day!

… are doing very well this year. This chap was seen sunning himself on the irises in our garden pond. It’s getting colder now so I don’t suppose they’ll be around much longer.

Previously known as The Wild Place, Bristol Zoo has now moved most of its animals from Clifton to a new site North of Bristol. Although not a fan of zoos in general, the animals do have much more room here. … Continue reading →

In the county of Gwynedd in north-west Wales, below Anglesey. We stayed near Aberdaron, which is a pleasant village, not yet completely taken over by tourists, second-home and holiday cottage ownership, i.e. “the English” (Y Saesneg). We were impressed by … Continue reading →

A trip down Memory Lane, walking from Starcross, south of Exeter, north to the Turf Lock pub. The path has been improved since we had to lift our bikes over a number of farm gates.