Category Archives: Countryside

Waymarkers

When do you think a regular activity becomes a tradition? This is our second year in Devon, Wren’s first Christmas, and Finch’s first Christmas that makes any sense to him. I think it’s a lovely phase in the life of … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Family and friends, Illustration, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Waymarkers

Wreath-making

The river returned quickly to its normal level after Storm Angus and this week has been full of bright frosty days. Little Owl loved riding her bike through crispy cold leaves on the way to school this morning. They made … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Family and friends, Growing things | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Wreath-making

Life lessons

Sunday morning was bright and clear. We put on our boots and headed up into the hills behind our house. In a meadow high above the city we sipped scalding hot chocolate out of flasks and munched on satsumas. Below … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Family and friends, Illustration, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Life lessons

Warm days

We are back from a wonderful week in Wales. My mind is filled with delicious images: the particular smell of the sea from the deck of a boat, the sounds of wading birds far out across the estuary early on a … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Family and friends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Warm days

Hosting a hedgehog

In the meadow by the river, cow parsley flower heads dance like a sea of white saucers over a table cloth of golden grasses. Along the river banks hogweed umbrellas are drying out and dying back, giving room for other … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Illustration, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hosting a hedgehog

Kites!

At the weekend we made it along to St Annes Kite Festival in Lancashire. We went a couple of years ago and this year was even better. So many more kites! It was really wonderful. The sun shone, the breeze … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Family and friends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Kites!

School’s out!

School broke up on Thursday. The summer holidays are officially here. Finch, Little Owl and I found a shady spot in the garden, lay on our backs in the grass and turned our toes up to the bright blue sky. … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on School’s out!

Summer flowers

July is a wonderful month for flowers. I love it, cycling along by the river of an evening. I can hardly keep my eyes on the path I’m so busy spotting old friends; comfrey, meadowsweet, red campion, common mallow, cow … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Illustration, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Summer flowers

#30DaysWild

How are you getting on with your 30 Days Wild? For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, 30 Days Wild is a campaign run by the Wildlife Trusts to get everyone doing something wild for each … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Illustration, Wildlife | Comments Off on #30DaysWild

Waiting

Phew – Storm Imogen has just swept by! It feels like it hasn’t stopped raining this winter. Yet, there are signs of returning life. Daffodils are out in my pots at the front of the house and the birds are … Continue reading

Posted in Countryside, Illustration | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Waiting