I love this time of year: the vibrant cocktail of Hebridean weather, woolly socks and snuggly snoods, candles and a glowing stove on dark afternoons, the gutsy flavours of Northern European peasant food, the indulgent aromas of spices and intense sweetness of dried fruit. I particularly enjoy Advent, I like the concept of looking forwards,
Island Life
Grey days, red flannel shirts and stripey socks
According to the Celtic calendar this is the time of Great Darkness; the short, cold days of November and December when hunger stalks the land and death awaits. It is not quite that bad on the islands on the edge of the world but there are times when strong magic is needed to award off
Gardener, Botanist, Citizen Scientist?
Most gardeners are good botanists and when interrogated will often reveal a profound knowledge of garden ecology and the wildlife that inhabits their garden and beyond. Many of us take part in all kinds of surveys from garden birds to butterflies and have unbeknowingly been secretly recruited as “citizen scientists”. We have all been citizen
Wordless Wednesday – Vintage Harvest
Lions on the beach
Reeling into the wind, staggering along the beachlike ancient mariners tossed onto a distant shore,our progress erratic as storm tossed debris.As dark squalls spin across the horizonheads withdraw, sheltering in gore-tex carapaces.Eyes narrowed by reflected diamond lightsalt stinging tears funnell down furrowed cheeks.Cries of wonder are carried beyond the wind,Lions on the beach!Maroon manes tangled