Author Archives: Mike

Digging dandelion roots last Friday in the cold and rain, the soil was perceivable warm – at last I can sow my carrot seeds in the garden and make a start on beans, squashes and courgettes in the green house to be planted out later. The temptation, especially when … Continue reading →

Determined not to make the mistake of last year and wait for ‘summer’ to arrive before doing some al fresco cooking and dining, I seized the moment of warmth last night (which with our climate might be all we get) and put some … Continue reading →

I’m not claiming that ground ivy is, or even should be the most popular wild herb, but it certainly deserves more attention than it gets. Over the years I’ve fallen in love with this  creeping plant of the woodland fringe and plan … Continue reading →

Primrose is out. Not only the delicate yellow blooms which punctuate the lane side verges, but also our beautiful, delicate baby daughter. She arrived on good Friday and life has once again been turned upside down and shaken vigorously, in the most fantastic way.   As … Continue reading →

Nothing encourages a man to disseminate his experiences to the world like buying a new rabbit! So here I am adding to my much neglected blog, proud new owner of one very large  British Giant doe. She was going for a song at last Saturday’s poultry/small livestock auction, which on the face … Continue reading →

As with most parts of the country we are still covered in snow and the cold which spreads fans of ice crystals across the thin cottage window panes draws animals from the wood in search of food and shelter. Wood pigeons clatter from the dark leaved ivy each time the … Continue reading →

There is nothing like starting the New Year to bring one’s attention to those things which hitherto have seemed too far in the future to worry about. The new vegetable growing season will be with us before too long, starting with early sowings of tomatoes … Continue reading →

What happened to winter?  I can barely lift a finger outside without stripping off layers of clothes, the dark green hearts of wild arum leaves are unfurling in the woodland, Butterbur stands in full bloom along  the verges and on … Continue reading →

My perseverance has paid off and on only my second visit to the marsh I’ve managed to bag a boar! Not a large one admittedly, but a well grown youngster and like one of last year’s – totally white. Theories are divided as to the presence of white boar in England, … Continue reading →

I feel like a child who has broken up from school! The year’s hedge laying is complete and the final course before Christmas took place last Saturday. Actually I take that back, as I recall that I have salmon to smoke tomorrow, logs to cut … Continue reading →