Worked for nature and landscape conservation for 40 years, mostly on Exmoor, but now retired. A passion for countryside, wildlife, music and cooking good food!
What the heck is going on? This is in
@Tesco
in Minehead tonight, and the same last night! No tomatoes, no peppers, no cucumbers, and no bananas! The same situation in
@LidlGB
. Is this one of the benefits of bloody
#Brexit
- taking back control??
"We've known about this for nearly 30 years and yet water companies still insist on paying out billions to shareholders and have not invested in the infrastructure to deal with this."
#TorySewageParty
#TurdReich
Vicars Close, Wells is thought to be the oldest surviving, purely residential street with original buildings in Europe. Construction began in 1348! Despite the rain yesterday, it was a beautiful sight!
Saddened to see this ancient hedge flailed so hard, and the verge, where Early Purple orchids and Primroses grow, damaged by tractor tyres. Hopefully, it will recover by Spring.
For nearly the last 18 years, this wonderful, kind, gentle and trusting dog, Meg, has always been there. Now, after this last walk and stick game on Opinan beach at midday, she is no longer. Life feels very empty right now...
I hope my images of Minehead beach this morning might have helped in a small way to cause a
#UTurn
in the Government policy on sewage release into the rivers and sea. Huge thanks to all the Twitter people who have spoken out about this appalling environmental abuse.
After a somewhat traumatic journey this morning from
@DogsTrust
at Ilfracombe to her new home with us, involving rather a lot of throwing up (!), Lou has settled in really well - very inquisitive and full of fun!
A request to fell 2 protected pear trees in 'Pear Tree Close', Much Dewchurch, Herefordshire, as they attract wasps, has been supported by the parish council.
An application to fell the trees has been submitted to Herefordshire Council
Gosh, I took the photo of empty shelves in Tesco yesterday, without realising the Twitter storm that would ensue. For the record, I was not there to buy tomatoes or peppers, but needed garlic, parsley, wine and milk. I do buy seasonally and locally when I can, but not everything!
Last night of the Proms! Forget the jingoistic twaddle! Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending" played by the brilliant Nicola Benedetti is so beautiful.
Considering Lou didn't know how to play when we adopted her from the
@DogsTrust
just 3 weeks ago, she is learning very quickly! The ball (apple) doesn't last long though - after a few throws, she eats the whole thing!
#Exmoor
#SundayMotivation
🐶🐶🐾🐾🍏🍎
@RedRiverCroft
It is dreadful, Annie. I think that since the Tories voted against the Lords amendment, water companies are freely dumping sewage without a care!
Having worked on the very special
#Holnicote
Estate for the last 32 years and nearly 40 years with
@nationaltrust
, it's time to hang up my boots!! I shall soon be changing my profile but, in the meantime, I wish all you amazing people in Twitterdom a very
#HappyChristmas
Meet Lou, postal worker! I left her for 20 mins and she kindly collected the letters, sorted them, opened them and recycled the junk mail! At least, that's what she intended to do...
#SaturdayMorning
#Exmoor
An amazing sight in the garden at 8.30 this morning as I watched a pipistrelle (I think) circling the lawn and catching winter gnats. Suddenly, a male sparrowhawk zoomed in and grabbed the bat but, after a brief tussle, the bat escaped its grip and flew under the trees! Wow!
@RedRiverCroft
As others have said, Annie, a black-headed bunting! All the way from Asia! Wow! I can hear the birders heading for your croft already! X
I took this in the wonderful Horner Wood yesterday, to illustrate the ancient, twisted oaks, but I'm afraid that it rather resembles the opening scene of a poorly-directed horror film!
#HorrorMovies
Today was my official retirement 'do' after working for
@nationaltrust
@NTSouthWest
for the last 40 years, 32 of them on the wonderful Holnicote Estate. I forgot to take any photos so a huge thank you to all friends and colleagues who managed to get to
#Exmoor
and celebrate!
So excited to be giving Lou a happy life - her journey from Ireland to North Devon in just a week has left her a bit confused and uncertain, but we will give her a long, fun-filled and loving life! She will never replace Meg but she will certainly complement her!
Last night I heard that I'd past my Grade 2 piano exam. It's no big deal, I know, but l was such a bag of nerves in the exam that I thought I'd fail completely! As they say, it's never too late to start something new! Now where are those Grade 3 pieces? 🎹🎶
On the edge of the thunder cell crossing
#Exmoor
just now, lucky to spot these lovely mammatus clouds. Very ephemeral though and soon disappeared.
#Thunderstorms
#TuesdayTreat
Overnight Plymouth’s Conservative council chopped down nearly 100 trees in the city centre. It’s a scene of environmental devastation and utter council vandalism. I’m appalled at the actions of the Tory Council. Sad day for our city.
#plymouth
#ArmadaWay
A negative image of the tonight's starlings shows their incredible synchronised flight, like a bird stencil repeated across the sky! What an uplifting sight to start the
#weekend
#bird
#FridayMotivation
This is so terribly sad! We are a mile from the sea and 90 miles from the nearest gannet colony on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, yet this gannet is clearly suffering from bird flu and probably dying in Tree Meadow. I tried to report it to
@DefraGovUK
but the office is only 9-6!
#Torridon
stag with cabbage leaf fascinator! Today at Beinn Eighe car park - this poor stag is unlikely to survive the winter as it has resorted to pestering walkers for food! I managed to remove the leaf, which was quickly eaten!!
@JoLangb
Everyone is in the sitting room, watching 'The Miniaturist' but I decided to have a peaceful hour! Sat in front of the log fire, glass of whisky in hand, sorting through old photos - bliss! A very happy
#BoxingDay
to anyone who's listening!
A magical ring of beech trees at Three Combes Foot. In all the time that I have lived on
#Exmoor
, I have never been here before! I shall return....
#SaturdayMorning