Category Archives: Days out

An altogether better place

Posted on August 9, 2020 by

You Were Gone by Tim Weaver is perhaps one of the most intriguing books I have read this year. It was lent to me by a distant neighbour in Altofts, near Wakefield. Having now finished this book and duly returned … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, soil management | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Hackfall

Posted on August 2, 2020 by

I don’t always read my emails. There are so many that the majority reach the bin before they are opened. Then occasionally there is one which I’m glad I took the trouble to look at. One such the other day … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, forest garden | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Both sides of the border

Posted on July 26, 2020 by

This last week, we had a few days away, staying in Berwick-upon-Tweed. The original focus of the holiday had been to visit Bamburgh Castle after hearing about the recent finding of Viking remains and artefacts there. However, this turned out … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, Days out, soil management | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Someone has a sense of humour!

Posted on July 24, 2020 by

On Tuesday, I returned to my birthplace. Well, not the hospital or a part of Stockton-on-Tees that I had ever been to before but RSBP Saltholme. We were on our way up to Northumberland for a short break and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Fulford

Posted on July 13, 2020 by

Every year during the first week of July, the International Medieval Conference is held at the University of Leeds. This year, because of the pandemic, it was virtual, which meant that I could attend a few of the sessions. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Field and Flower

Posted on June 23, 2020 by

On Sunday, we drove out to a place called Altofts to collect some books that a kind gentleman had offered me on Nextdoor, an app which connects neighbours (who sign up). Altofts isn’t actually next door, however, so in order … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening, Good for the environment | Tagged , | 17 Comments

‘Be kind. Be compassionate. Have patience.’

Posted on June 18, 2020 by

How have you been doing for exercise recently? At my end, things have been decidedly poor. A couple of weeks ago, I therefore realised I had to take myself in hand and find ways to incorporate more walking into my … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

“Thanks for supporting an indie“

Posted on June 6, 2020 by

With libraries being closed and not set to open any time soon (presumably because they don’t create much revenue rather than because it’s harder to have social distancing in comparison with a clothes shop!), I’d been considering my options. Ordinarily, … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Good for the environment, Reading | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Fairburn Ings in summer

Posted on June 1, 2020 by

Years ago, a friend invited me to have a look round Fairburn Ings, an RSPB site just over the border in North Yorkshire. At that point, I was suffering from a major depression and it didn’t clock with me where … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Agar flakes

Posted on May 30, 2020 by

I’ve had another first experience today. Earlier in the year, I made rhubarb jelly out of juice left over from stewing a few stalks. This was a success which I wanted to repeat – but since lockdown I’ve not been … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, In the kitchen | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments