Half cloudy and felt a bit threatening all day today, but was finished off by a spectacular sunset.

A rare shot of a badger in the daylight today. Followed by a crow cleaning up after him.

Climbed the Steeple today. There are lovely views but it is not my favourite walk because there is literally no path, and you have to wade through heather the whole way. I am no snowflake in that respect, but I have to admit that I am always on the lookout for adders. I have never […]

I made some nice soda bread today using a Paul Hollywood recipe, but adding Orkney cheddar (I still think that is a contradiction as surely cheddar comes from the Cheddar Gorge in England?), onion and sage. Very tasty and quick to make.

I put together a little “Pirate Day” just for fun. The image above is the skull and bones tablecloth. This was the treasure chest cake.

We have had lots of wildlife in the garden. Just last night there was a pine marten, two badgers and a fox. Also we have two bullfinches back – although all the siskins have vanished.

Quite some water flow at the meeting of the waters today. I’ve swum in that pool in the past, but not in its current state.

Trying to eat the nuts out of the squirrel feeder. Much as I love wildlife, this stag and its harem have played havoc with our garden this year

Yesterday there was a single cherry left on my tree. Today it is gone.

I am not really sure that the two things are entirely compatible. It rather reminds me of the Saki story where a king had to choose between having pigs and flowers in his garden. The little girl was glad he had chosen pigs, but conceded that many people would have gone with the flowers option.