Sunday 31st March 2024

I'm writing this at 11pm, it's torrential rain out, the sound of which is quite calming actually. Which is what I need as I really can't cope with the thought that tomorrow I'll be 60. Scrapheap time. I enjoyed turning 50, I took five weeks leave, on the actual day I visited London. 55 sort of came and went without comment. But 60 is grim. I'm feeling my age now. This afternoon we walked 6.1 miles along the strawberry line from Congresbury to Nye Lane. Not far, but I struggled and this evening my legs have been so stiff I could hardly move. I'm not old of course but this ageing process is absolutely rubbish, don't let anyone persuade you otherwise. I can't do anything about the clock ticking over to 6-0, but I don't need to like it. The walk was actually nice and we helped an elderly couple find their dog which had run off. We saw it in the fields after speaking to it's owner who had stopped us, and with the help of another lady and her son Memphis was reunited with his owner. I missed the actual reunion but Julie was there and there was lots of tail wagging. I like to think my bellowing of his name brought him back safely. 

11.10pm, signing off now for the last time in my fifties.

Saturday 30th March 2024

 

Easter Saturday doesn't get any more exciting than this. After a very leisurely start watching black and white movies on Talking Pictures, a bacon toastie for breakfast and listening to the jackdaws in the roof space we headed out to buy three patio tomato plants. This involved first filling the car with fuel at Congresbury. It's an architectural gem of a building. The next hour involved a visit to Cleeve Nursery (none available), Middlecombe Nursery (non available) and finally Garden Park (a smorgasbord of availability). Returning home with three plants and three grow-bags of compost, we, or at least Julie, planted up three sacks of potatoes for us. The tomatoes are for one of Julie's clients. The excitement this afternoon involved also washing the greenhouse glass and planting some gladioli corms, mostly as we didn't want to throw them out. The day ended with a food shopping trip to M&S where I bumped into Liz Toogood who works there part time, not seen her for years. Rollercoaster sort of a day then...

Friday 29th March 2024

Dodging showers today on what turned out to be a 7 mile walk. Easter has arrived, or at least Good Friday. Weather wise we are still experiencing sunshine and showers, the latter of which are hefty. Julie suggested a walk today, from Winscombe to Axbridge then around Cheddar reservoir before returning to Winscombe. To be honest I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy walking that far but we set off just after 1pm, coinciding with a hefty rainstorm, accompanied by gusty winds. An hour later we'd reached the reservoir as the sun emerged, handy as there's no shelter. I don't think I've seen the water so high, which in this wind was lapping just like waves at the sea, providing a sound of the seashore as we walked.

Arriving at the Almshouse cafe in Axbridge at 3.20pm, the break from walking was welcome as was the delicious freshly made pea and mint soup I was allowed to try after food serving had ended at 3pm. Back on the road and by 4.40pm we were back to the car, just shy of 7 miles. I enjoyed the walk very much, good then that Julie persuaded me to do it.

Thursday 28th March 2024

 

Change is interesting. I was working in the office today and had to take a second breath when entering it. Less than 24 hours since Kate my boss left the BBC, and her desk looks simply like she has left for the weekend, back next week. But of course she'll not be back, not ever. All that energy now never to return. A couple of colleagues popped in during the day and said something similar, so odd to see Kate's empty desk in 'preservation'. Soon others will make this desk their own and the dust of a past life will blow away, but for the moment it remains there inanimate, awaiting change. Kate hasn't quite left though, as she has left Easter bunnies all through the display cabinet, and chocolate eggs on people's desks. Gone but not forgotten.

Wednesday 27th March 2024

Well aside from being Julie's 65th birthday, today really was an end of an era. This image was sent to our work WhatsApp group at 5pm to record the final time my boss Kate Chaney leaves the BBC Bristol building after 41 years at the BBC. And I missed it as Julie and I were in Lyme Regis celebrating her birthday. Due to various reasons unbeknown to me I said goodbye to Kate last Thursday at her leaving party with after a hug the words 'see you on Monday'. It's a truth in life to always grab those moments as due to my being poorly and Kate too on Monday and Tuesday, this image above will be closure, and I'll probably never talk to her again. And that's a strange thought. L to R Chris, Toby, Polly, Alasdair, Kate, Camellia, Robin, Emma and Maggie.

As an aside at around the time Kate's leaving photo was taken this image of Julie and I on the Cobb was being recorded. There's a webcam on the RNLI station which I log onto now and again, just to get a glimpse of Lyme Regis. Today we'd spent 4 hours here, very nice it was too, freezing though in the hail showers, better in the sun though. But by 4.30 we'd had enough when standing on the Cobb I said shall we try and capture ourselves on the webcam? It's not a great image to be sure but I'm there (in beige) holding my phone attempting to capture the live stream as it comes around to us. Julie is leaning in to see. It's interesting to see both images taken at roughly the same time with a connection through me,  but miles apart. Life is interesting. 

Tuesday 26th March 2024

I've not been out for a walk to the village for months. Each year I count the rooks nests in a tree over the road. Over time more trees have been captured by the rook nest- builders. I seem to recall last year there were 33, or 34 nests, today, 43, and it looks like a few are still building. Good to see these corvids doing so well, there's enough doom and gloom in nature to not have a little positivity at times. It's also good to be outside at lunchtime, I spend too long indoors these days.

Monday 25th March 2024

 This image is unrelated to what I've been doing today but it came from my friend George in Northern Ireland. His last lamb was born on Sunday and this image sums up his and his father's work for the last few weeks. I really should go and visit him at the farm, though he'll be over here in July as we get together for a small ex-university reunion, 34 years since we all first met. Today however I was recording with Stephen Moss a friend and ex colleague for Tweet of the Day.  Sadly though Stephen was coming into Bristol I wasn't feeling too well so had to stay at home and chat to him on zoom. It all went off jollily and he seemed pleased. Therefore I'm not sure what these sheep have to do with birds but maybe Sheep Of The Day?

Sunday 24th March 2024

Animals are sensitive. I woke at 4 am not feeling great, and I was right. Definitely a recurrence of my gluten intolerance (though I'm not absolutely sure, my suspicion is stress). Whatever the cause the result is mindbogglingly entertaining and after 3 hours it was all calming down again. But I felt like a wet flannel being wrung out in a mangle. I had to accept defeat and stay in bed. Julie was great supplying me with copious drinks, chocolate and milkshakes to keep me going. No solids though. But for the entire time I was in bed Gingernut slept next to me. He doesn't sleep on this bed normally today then was an honour-for me. I finally got up around 4 pm and staggered downstairs after a nice refreshing shower. Gingernut followed me down but stayed nearby all night until I headed back upstairs at 8.30 am. Such a strange day after the lovely day we'd had on Saturday.

Saturday 23rd March 2024

A day out in Stratford-upon-Avon today. We've not been here since before the pandemic and today we were at the 13.15 performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream by the RSC. I'd booked these tickets on the 22nd June last year, at £77 each. We've been looking forward to being here for nine months, and now here we were. We had time before the show so wandered about, lots going on including a gold William Shakespeare still-life actor, juggler and ladies in Elizabethan dress. All very entertaining. As was the show itself which was unbelievably good, excellent in fact, really loved this 2 hours 40 minutes immersion in the subconscious madness of this play. After which we had an impromptu supper in Vintner a wine bar cafe I used to come to a lot 20-25 years ago. It's great to see it's still going strong and the food is just as delicious. What a lovely day indeed, though odd booking so far ahead, but now it's over, just a memory now.

Friday 22nd March 2024

 

One of the legacy jobs I still do is save centrally any press publicity for Network Radio. Mostly these are what are known as Radio Choice or Pick of the Day. Sometimes articles. I'm never sure how many of my colleagues read these saved press pieces but I enjoy compiling the lists as it keeps me across what's being said. This week Tweet of the Day has been hitting the headlines with the schedule changes on Radio 4 reducing it to a Sunday outing only from April. Weirdly this afternoon Radio 4's Feedback featured Tweet of the Day for the second week running. Not the most exciting image, but the accompanying image of the spreadsheet I update daily is the only way we could find a specific entry.

Thursday 21st March 2024

It was my boss Kate Chaney's leaving party tonight. Initially I didn't want to attend but I did and for once a leaving do that was okay. Speeches by Colin, head of production, Clare, ex head now BBC Studios, Graham head of all BBC radio and finally Kate herself.  The speeches were funny, followed by music and chat. I'm never very good at these events as I  struggle with small talk but I have to say I found tonight very pleasant. On Monday I'll work with Kate for the last time. She leaves on Wednesday after 41 years at the BBC. We've all signed her leaving book.

 

Wednesday 20th March 2020

 

Back in the producer workshop at work today complete with bread buns (or rolls as they're called down south). It's funny working in a window-less room when outside it's spring, and pleasant. I was in here from 10am until nearly 4pm, just emerging for lunch for half an hour blinking at the daylight like a miner just up from their shift. Radio production is nothing if not glamorous at times, but somebody has to do it.

Tuesday 19th March 2024

 

Oh this is exciting. On March 1st I sowed some Nicotina sylvesteis from seeds I'd collected two years ago from plants we grew at home. They're a bothersome plant to germinate as they require heat at 20oC, constant moisture and to be covered with glass, or in my case, cling-film to maintain moisture levels. When they germinate they need somewhere cooler and must have the cover removed immediately. Julie looked today, they're germinating. I looked late on Sunday and there was nothing. It's the most successful germination of these tiny seeds ever. I've now removed them from the airing cupboard and got them safe in my bedroom. Julie loves these, great for moths and butterflies too. It's now up to me to get them mature enough to plant out. That's when the hard work begins.

Monday 18th March 2024

I've recently been involved, on-line with the organisers of the Alliance of Literary Societies. The Richard Jefferies Society is a member but has recently recorded into the shadows after a number of years.  I have to admit I'd not come across this organisation before but they provide an umbrella platform for over 100 societies from the big players like the Thomas Hardy Society to newly formed groups like the Ann Lister Society. I've been asked to write something up, on behalf of the Richard Jefferies Society, for their next newsletter and also a feature for their on-line version. Reading their latest newsletter today this article struck me as interesting. Elsewhere there was a piece on social media, apt as many literary societies now struggle both with attracting  new members and promoting themselves efficiently in social media. It's an interesting time to be involved, it's all change as they say.

Sunday 17th March 2024

Hmmm. I'm not sure this anti-cat mesh is working. It's been a wonderful day weather wise, so much so I sat outdoors reading my new book, September Moon by John Moore which I'd purchased yesterday. I'd only got to page 30 before Treacle, next doors cat, came and joined me. She's naughty, no one said she was allowed on the raised beds. Later she came and slept on Julie, purring away. Treacle that is, not Julie.

 

Saturday 16th March 2024

 I'd never been to Tewkesbury Abbey until today. In truth even though I've driven by many times and visited the Roses Theatre on a handful of occasions until today I'd never walked around the town. It's a very busy town but lovely. A kaleidoscope of architectural styles ranging from haphazard 14th century timber framed building to contemporary. The Abbey though is magnificent. I found myself in the area visiting the grave of John Moore, and locations associated with him. It turned out to be an even better day than I'd hoped, I even met someone who knew Moore. Shame about the traffic though.

Friday 15th March 2024

The image gives the precise time of this photograph 13.49 and 26 seconds today. This is the producer workshop in Bristol and I found myself set up earlier than I needed to be. Mya Bambrick a new presenter for Tweet of the Day was due in the Brighton NCR radio booth at 2pm.  She was on time, not long after taking this I received a phonecall from Sarah in Brighton saying Mya had arrived. By 14.45 we were finished. Three more episodes beautifully presented.

In many ways this could be seem as a beginning and an ending day. Later this afternoon I completed the very last Pres Details, on a system called Proteus,  for the daily repeats of Tweet of the Day, running since 2019 on a rolling seasonal schedule curated by me. On March the 31st the very last of these old Tweets will air, dunnock by John Aitchison. The end of nearly 11 years of this series being on air six days a week. It's not disappearing as I'm making 52 new episodes for Sunday mornings from April 7th. The beginning is nearly here, but now they'll be on air just one day a week.

Thursday 14th March 2024

Modern life is strange. Before technology developed to where it is now, photographs had to be taken on film stock, developed, picked up from the shop and posted to the recipient. It could take over a week before you even saw the photo you'd taken. And it's not that long ago either. Then digital cameras arrived around the Millennium, followed by rudimentary camera phones until we reach today and most camera phones take better images than film cameras like my Olympus OM10. And images of course can now be sent to the recipient in seconds. This image is an example, taken by my friend on Northumberland it's a new bird feeder (in the rain) he'd just made. I like getting these digital snaps, a great way to keep in touch. I guess in the old days you'd not bother taking a photo of a bird feeder, film was quite expensive.

 

Wednesday 13th March 2024

 

I'm starting to get recordings done for the new series of Tweet of the Day. Today it was the turn of Anneka Rice to do five episodes, White Tailed Eagle, Cormorant, Canada goose, Nightingale and Magpie Robin (from her time living in Hong Kong). Sadly we've not met in person and recorded the episodes with Anneka in 70 A in Broadcasting House and me listening in from the Producer Workshop in Bristol. The recording went well, very well in fact, Anneka had written some lovely scripts. It's not easy to do for a 90 second episode. We were done in 45 minutes and the audio received from Steve the London engineer not long after. It is days like this which reminds me why I've stayed so long in the media, just occasionally there are gem days. This was one such day.

Tuesday 12th March 2024

Technically this image was taken late last night but the activity it created took place today. Lee Schofield, senior site manager for the RSPB at Hawswater in the Lake District gave an online talk to the Richard Jefferies Society via Zoom, from which this image was part of his slideshow. This morning I was asked by the Chair of the Society if I'd like to write up this talk for the autumn newsletter. That is a long way off however while the talk was still fresh in my mind I dashed off a 1000 word draft and sent it to Colin. He replied 

"Wow, I go out for a short time this evening and come back to a tremendous write up of yesterday's talk. It would have taken me a long time to do this and not a fraction as good as yours. Many thanks...."

That was a lovely reply to receive. I'll rewrite this draft before submitting it but I enjoyed that very productive half an hour writing on demand so to speak.

Monday 11th March 2024

I was looking for something, actually I was looking for an email today when I stumbled upon this image by accident, it was attached to an email from May 2010. I'd sent it from Inverness in Scotland to Paul the son of dad's longest friend. I'm holding three barn owl chicks I'd just help ring. The bird ringer was Bob Swan, an excellent BTO ornithologist. At the time this image was taken at train,  this nest site in an old barn was believed to be the most northerly barn owl nest in the British Isles. I wonder if that's still the case? What a wonderful experience, and I was being paid to be there.

Sunday 10th March 2024

 

I've spent a lot of time writing today. Currently I write an almost daily paper journal-cum-diary, this year long project blog each day and an ad-hoc nature and outdoors blog which I began in 2007. Today I wrote all three. That's a fair bit of the day spent putting thoughts down on paper (or screen). There was still time though for a coffee and catch up with my friend Rob who collected our old compost bin, and to offload some books. Later to sow some seeds (Nicotiana sylvesteis, Tithonia and honesty, plus lettuce and radish in the glasshouse). To listen to a 1965 radio programme on Kenneth Allsop and finish reading the biography of John Moore. I even got involved with an email chat with Colin the chair of the Richard Jefferies Society with regards the Alliance of Literary Societies.  Thankfully I did make time for a cup of tea and a biscuit too. Just!

Saturday 9th March 2024

This is Julie walking along the sea wall path at Steart Marsh. Today's forecast said rain from around first light. In reality heavy rain only began at 7pm. The morning when we'd messed about was quite bright. By the time this image was taken a light rain shower has occured. Nothing to cause much trouble, just a few spots, though the light was quite dull. I was in the Parrett Hide of the reserve and Julie was walking to the breach. I was birdwatching, Julie out for a walk. As I sat in the hide across the marsh, about 1.5km distant, I could see Julie walking. I took this quick snap to show her later. I like this image, it reminds me of one of those 1960 films about a walking club. The colour isn't perfect by today's standards, but it was shot using a 200x lens with my Canon SX50 bridge camera. It's composition could be what in the industry is know as a transition frame, a generic image to bridge one sequence to another. Next time you watch a film, look out for those transition shots. 

Friday 8th March 2024

 Just before leaving the house today I received my copies of the Richard Jeffery Society Newsletter and Journal. It is always a treat receiving these as they're well edited, informative and allows me to learn more of Jefferies writing.

I had the day off and following a delayed start due to problems on the motorway Julie and I eventually arrived at Catcott. We had a number of highlights while walking along a drive, chiffchaff calling, fieldfare flock still here, a tawny owl hooting during the day, male sparrowhawk and a lovely close up view of a marsh harrier flying. Possibly at the top of today's observations (aside from deer),  was a bittern flying across open water. Beautiful views and Julie's first ever sighting of a bittern.

I was going to write an Instagram posting about this fly by, but decided on a different course. But I had already looked up a reference to bitterns in chapter 12 of  Wild Life In A Southern County by Richard Jefferies, published in 1879,

"Once, some five-and-twenty years ago, a sportsman startled a great bird out of the spot where the streams join, and shot it, thinking it was a heron. But seeing that it was no common heron, he had it examined, and it was found to be a bittern, and as such was carefully preserved. It was the last visit of bitterns to the place; even then they were so rare as not to be recognised: now the progress of agriculture has entirely banished them."

How the fortunes of bitterns have changed, now preserved and conserved, bitterns are making a remarkable comeback, especially within the Somerset Levels wetlands.

Thursday 7th March 2024

Sometimes you just have to. I really fancied a full English this morning. The Carriage cafe at Garden Park opened at 9am. At 9.01 am I had my order in, known as Platform 1. It was a very welcome feast indeed. By 9.35 am I was back home and worked on until after 6pm.  I think a good breakfast really does set one up for the day. Oddly though in years to come I'll look at this image and think to myself 'why photograph a breakfast meal?"

Wednesday 6th March 2024

I've enjoyed today. Another gloriously sunny day in the West Country. At lunchtime I headed to a recently opened cafe I discovered a while back. They just do drinks and a few cakes, in a minimalistic setting. Today it was full of students. Hot chocolate ordered I sat down and relaxed, admiring the daffodils on the table. The assistant brought my drink over apologising that she'd tried to do a swan for me on the top but it had gone badly. I looked, then said it's a perfect abstract swan. She thanked me and headed off. I have to say I liked what she created.

Hot chocolate consumed I returned to work, but not before yet another purchase at the Oxfam bookshop nearby. £2.99 secured me this rare book. Eric Hosking was a renowned photographer and ecologist who discovered so much about bird behaviour. His methods outlined in this book, published in 1955, would be frowned upon today. However as a historical stepping off points in history it reveals fascinating research and observation.

Tuesday 5th March 2024

What a wonderful day. In the morning I had a very uplifting recording session with Megan McCubbin, who was recording some Tweet of the Day's from her home in the north Scotland. That morning she'd seen a pine marten in her garden, the sixth time since she'd lived there. I'm quite jealous. Then at lunchtime the sun was strong enough to lift the garden temperature to some dizzying heights and so allowed  me to sit outside for a hour or so. I love this time of year, the first warm days since Christmas herald in birdsong and the buzz of insects, though these two seven spot ladybirds were not buzzing much! The garden is about to erupt, daffodils in full swing, with every piece of emergent foliage looking pristine and wonderful. We'd been to the vets at 9am with Gingernut for his annual boosters, he then spent the day on the shed roof keeping warm but while I was out at lunchtime taking in the sun Treacle the neighbours cat decided my legs were a perfect resting spot. I don't mind at all.

Monday 4th March 2024

Just an everyday day. I'd been to work in Bristol, I'd filled the car up with fuel on the way home and after a lovely bubble and squeak meal, using our own cabbages from the raised bed, I settled down to relax. It was while watching some bubblegum for the mind TV, Car S.O.S, that I realised I'd not taken a photo today for this blog. So as Tim and Fuzz were hurling a track car Ford Mondeo around Silverstone, I grabbed a quick image off the television. Not everything in my life is wild and exciting, in fact, very little of it is to be true. A normal life, lived.

Sunday 3rd March 2024

It is sometimes the small wins that please me. I wanted some smart plant labels for the snowdrop collection I'm nurturing. That sounds way too grand for the seven pots of my snowdrop collection. I looked into buying black labels however they're all very expensive, for what they are. A brainwave caught me then, why not make my own, we've oodles of black acrylic paint and a white marker pen anyway. Armed with this exciting thought, the adventure began. I bought an 2400mm length of 20cmwide wood from Proper Job in Worle - a magnificent £1.39. From this I made 12 x 20cm long labels, which came to about 12p each. Mind you, a little bit like watching Wheeler Dealers, I didn't cost in the financial cost of my hourly rate while sawing, painting and messing about. If I had maybe each label would cost £30. I'm pleased though and this morning added the lettering. I'm biased of course but I think these look very tidy. It seems a shame to use them now...

Saturday 2nd March 2024

Extraordinary to think now we're in March snow fell overnight. Not at home but north of Bristol. As we drove to Clevedon the rain turned a little more sleaty and arriving at Hill Road in the town the car thermometer was flicking between 2 and 3 degrees. Even the short walk up to The Books on the Hill it was bitter and wet. Julie had a book to collect, Sleepless (the creativity of insomnia). It's the first time I've visited their new larger premises, they've been here a month or so. Much more room, and as I was to discover a small cafe, just teas and coffees at the moment (something to do with the drains prevents hot chocolate), and a few cakes. But it was lovely sitting there sipping coffee in this independent bookshop doing so well. Home via Pullens Bakery, for a snack, with the rain increasing making the motorway dreadful to drive along. Definitely a day to batten down the hatches and stay indoors.

 

Friday 1st March 2024

Fifty cans of Fish-4-Cats. At the back of the house in the old farm buildings is a pet store called the Independent Pet Supplies. Kelly who runs it used to work for Canagan, and therefore her wet cat food supplies are only of Canagan. Gingernut only likes Canagan if it comes without chicken, and most of their varieties include... chicken. Honestly!!

However another brand Fish-4-Cats do many more varieties without chicken. He likes those but they're difficult to find locally. So every month or so I ask Kelly to order me a bulk order of Fish-4-Cats even though she doesn't stock that brand. Today I picked up five outers containing ten tins each. £69. It should keep him going for a few days. No one said taking a stray cat in would be cheap...but he's worth it.