Martin's Mag.

After rebuilding the last of our garden terraces (replacing the original, now rotting, wooden posts) we left some rubble in an old Ikea bag (top right) which was quickly snapped up by a family of slow worms. It’s like a jungle out there!

Having lived, as a teenager, in Southend-on-Sea, Barry Island, west of Cardiff, holds few surprises. I had forgotten, though, what a nice beach Barry has. Yes, probably better than Southend! Very many dogs, having a lovely day out with the family, and all the humans seemed to be having a good time, too.

Pictures mostly by Sal.

Short break on the south coast.

…on a lake on nearby nature reserve. A Swan protects his family from nosey photographers.

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 East where it all started.

Very good year; here, just a few examples.

Seen on East Quantoxhead beach, West Somerset.