Category Archives: Uncategorized

The start of the rut

Posted on May 20, 2017 by janh1

From now on, the hedgehogs will be rutting. Yes, the concept is ludicrous. The word rutting is associated with hormonal stags locking antlers and battling across precipitous craggy outcrops overlooking outrageously scenic Scottish lochs and bonnie braes. Hedgehogs are cute … Continue reading →

Posted in Countryside, Current Affairs, Hedgehogs, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Soundtracks of a life

Posted on February 23, 2017 by janh1

Last night, I went out into the dark garden and stood listening for hedgehogs. It’s only three days since Spiky Norman returned with his new lady-friend Tigs and I hadn’t seen them – only the evidence of their messy dining … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Cats, Countryside, Current Affairs, frogs, Hedgehogs, Uncategorized, Watery things, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Freedom!

Posted on February 19, 2017 by janh1

So today, Spiky Norman came home. There was no bunting or fanfare, which was just as well because, quite frankly, he displayed not a jot of recognition or gratitude. He remained curled up in a big heavy spiky ball, like … Continue reading →

Posted in Countryside, Current Affairs, Hedgehogs, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Resist

Posted on February 19, 2017 by janh1

If 2016 was a year where your natural order was turned upside down, where nothing is as it seemed, where people you respected turned out to be startlingly and disappointingly different, then read on. If you weren’t much affected by … Continue reading →

Posted in Badgers, Current Affairs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Gone with the wind

Posted on February 5, 2017 by janh1

The forecast for Storm Doris,  Blustery Belinda, Slightly Zephyrine Zoe or whatever her name was, turned out to be a little over-blown. A seafaring cove might have described the wind force in Cheltenham on the day Doris was expected as … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Party on

Posted on February 1, 2017 by janh1

Writing this at 11pm on the 30th of January. All is dark in the garden but I can hear a small chorus of frogs. These are the first frog songs of 2017. They are heralding the Spring. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Countryside, Current Affairs, frogs, Pondlife, Uncategorized, Watery things, Wildlife | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Super Sludge

Posted on February 2, 2016 by janh1

  Sludge must be one of the most mysterious things on earth. That’s the whole thing about sludge, it can be made of anything at all and you haven’t the faintest clue. Sludge is at the bottom of the pond… … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Food, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Happy New Year – belated.

Posted on January 31, 2016 by janh1

Happy New Year to anyone who happens to read this. I’ve been flatlining on readers by the looks of things, probably because my last blog was in October and even the most persistent of readers will probably not keep popping … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Coast, Countryside, Dogs, Seaside, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

‘Ere be cuttlefish.. or maybe not

Posted on August 27, 2015 by janh1

Cuttlefish are incredible. I know that’s a sweeping, meaningless statement but when you’ve met a cuttlefish or two, you do appreciate them. Without being overly anthropomorphic, you can commune with a cuttlefish. This film tells you a LOT about them. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Selfie? You can stick it.

Posted on April 29, 2015 by janh1

We just haven’t got enough photographs of ourselves, have we? You may have albums full of yourself with the family, the dogs, the cats, birthday dinners, Christmas around the Trivial Pursuit board (just kidding ok, no-one, ever took that picture) … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments