Category: Notes from the sticks

WHEN we lived in the south London suburbs, at this time of year there were fungi all over the place – puffballs, fly agaric (the pretty but toxic red toadstools … Continue readingDestroying angels and funeral bells

WE had a biblical deluge overnight on Thursday, and by Friday morning the Ribble was at least eight feet higher than the day before, well over its banks in several … Continue readingRise of the mighty Ribble

FOR no particular reason, this week I thought we would celebrate clouds. We all know the usual formations but I have found a few stills and videos of less common … Continue readingOutlook cloudy

ON the train to London last week (please don’t go there unless you really have no alternative) I passed this scene in Hertfordshire: Here is the house in close-up (I … Continue readingLost world of the Ovaltineys

ONE of the many joys of our bird feeder is a visit from a flock of long-tailed tits (Aegithalos caudatus). You usually hear them before you see them with their … Continue readingCaring, sharing long-tailed tits

MY husband Alan, who walks a lot further every day than I do, says there are more nettles than usual this year. In fact the miracle is that the country … Continue readingGrasping the nettle

A COMMON sight in this area of the Ribble Valley is groups of teenagers weighed down with backpacks gathered round a map and looking puzzled. They have come from Waddow … Continue readingWhat price the great outdoors?

IN the ten years or so we have lived in Lancashire I don’t recall seeing any house martins locally, but this year there are many. I know of at least … Continue readingA full house of martins

I’M not sure why, but last week’s column (about cricket, motor racing and sheep) prompted reader ‘Mozzy’ to comment: ‘I’ve lived in my London house, small garden a long time. … Continue readingHow green is our compost?

Today I am handing over the first part of the column to my husband Alan. ONE of my many walks with our yellow Labrador Teddy takes me along the Ribble … Continue readingA tree and six stumps