May 2016: Fox Cubs, Little Baddow
I took a break from writing to walk in the late afternoon sunshine. I am fortunate to live in a small village surrounded by countryside, including a large expanse of National Trust woodland. After leaving the minor road to take the lane into the woods, I noticed the young fox, above, about twenty metres away, […] more…
October 2014: An Owl Makes an Impression
An owl flew into our bedroom window. We know this from the greasy imprint it left behind. We don’t know when it happened and we assume it was uninjured, as no trace of flesh or feathers was found beneath. Presumably the cats would have left some trace, had they eaten it. Unless, of course, a […] more…
September 2014: Foraging for Mushrooms
In the first weekend of September, I was invited to forage for mushrooms, on the strict condition that I was not to reveal the location. This was readily accepted. I enjoy being out in the countryside and despite owning several books describing fungi, I have not had the confidence to gather them myself. So many varieties […] more…
June 2014: Riffhams, Danbury, Essex
I am fortunate to live a few hundred metres from a footpath crossing the grounds of Riffhams, which offers one of the most attractive garden landscapes in Essex. Three times week it provides me with with the inspiration to keep going on my morning run. The house was built in 1815; Humphrey Repton was called […] more…