This photograph was taken last weekend in wild bluebell woods in Wiltshire. It was one of those magical and memorable evenings. Memorable because of the atmosphere and the light. There were frequent bursts of the sort of bright piercing sunlight that appears like a surprise from behind the clouds and delights you each time, lighting […]
An evening in the bluebell woods Read More »
Please stick with me, this post is a little longer than usual. (May I suggest a nice cup of tea as you read?) I strongly recommend the new Channel 4 TV features within the evening news program, Green and Pleasant Land. There have been a number of films to date which are examining and looking at
Channel 4 Green and Pleasant Land Read More »
It is the 1st of May. Did you know that today is May Day. And it is my pleasure to talk about and encourage the celebration of this wonderful English day. A day which has its roots deeply embedded in country legend,folklore and English history. The celebration of May Day as a festival goes back to pre-Christian times. A time when people believed
May day – more than meets the eye Read More »
Taking my children to school yesterday I saw the first bluebells of the season in flower in the woods. Ah my heart soared instantly! There is something special about the bluebell which brings smiles to faces and a sort of sigh, to people’s voices and a dreamy eyed look to their faces. There are certain
The first bluebells…hurrah! Read More »
I was hugely excited to be speaking as an inspirational speaker at the Wire (women in rural enterprise) national conference yesterday at Harper Adams University in Shropshire. For those who may not be familiar with Wire, it is a organisation set up to help support and encourage women in rural areas of the UK to create,
Speaking at the Wire National Conference yesterday Read More »
Last week I had a great experience as I was invited to join BBC Radio Wiltshire for two different interviews during English Tourism Week. For the first I traveled to the South West of the county near Tisbury (a beautiful corner) to join Alan, the owner of a country pub I’ve worked with for ten
Our fabulous new rural walking holiday for spring 2013, A Bluebell Trail, has certainly been hitting the headlines recently! A week or so ago, the travel editor of the Mail on Sunday recommended the new break to readers, and yesterday the Guardian included it in their top ten breaks to enjoy in the UK. If
Foot Trails and bluebells hit the headlines Read More »
Did you watch BBC Countryfile last night? It was a special episode to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary and was guest edited by Prince Charles. It’s available to those anywhere in the world via BBC I-player if you missed it. The program has done a fantastic job in raising awareness of rural issues in both
Inspired by BBC Countryfile Read More »
I was out walking in the woods at the weekend when I heard a really awful shrill cry. Thinking it may have been an injured bird I went to walk on. The next set of screams I heard can only be described as blood curdling. I thought it was a dog, injured and in pain
Life in the country Read More »
Last Sunday arrived clear and bright.The sun was out. The day just had the sense of promise about it. Certainly one of the best days we’ve had for a while. I was back in South Wiltshire’s Chalke valley with David to walk with Nigel and Nicki (Foot Trails Trail guides). Even as we drove along
Back in Wiltshire’s Chalke Valley Read More »
How wonderful it is to see the Snowdrops. They carry such a sense of hope in their tiny flowers. And in church yards, hedgerows and English gardens up and down the land, Snowdrops are blooming. They are such a delicate and fragile looking flower which signify the time of year beautifully. Winter is never keen
Arrival of the Snowdrops Read More »
On the news bulletins today is a report initiated by the Hadrians Wall Trust into problems of erosion at the site. This has been caused by huge numbers of people walking at the site and eroding the paths. The problems are exasperated when huge numbers of walkers walk in single file, putting additional pressure on
Challenges of erosion – News report today Read More »
