Remember remember in the dark of November... where did we leave the box of matches for lighting the log burner?! Home from our mini-honeymoon week in Somerset and glorious north Exmoor, and autumn has fully matured. In fact, it’s starting to feel a little wintery already! (If you’re not feeling quite ready for winter yet, …
Preparing for Winter
(There is something special about the world, when everyone else is asleep. I am writing this in a stolen hour at 3am. I have the coming day off, so I can nap later when the day gets crowded. For now, it's just me, and the quiet tip-tapping of keys.) Winter is coming, and I am …
The Many Faces of All Hallows
The candles are lit, an extra place is laid at the table, and a carved grotesque sits on the windowsill to spook would-be mischief makers. Somewhere behind the cloud cover, it is full moon. As night falls, Samhain (pronounced 'sow-ane') is here! This year, I've had little time to prepare for the Samhain or All-Hallows-Eve …
Public Service Announcement
This, is your annual reminder - Don't light up, and don't let go! In autumn we blaze against the shortening daylight by sparking lights of our own. The raking of leaves, pruning of trees and general tidying up of gardens is a perfect excuse for a bonfire; on all Hallows Eve we fight our fear …
October
Search Pinterest with the word 'October' and it wont be long at all before you come across the quote, attributed to Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery's character Anne of Green Gables: "I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.". And Anne my dear, I couldn't agree more! Autumn is certainly …
From little acorns…
Happy Autumn Equinox, and welcome to Seed Gathering Season! This annual campaign organised by The Tree Council, is hoped to inspire people across the country to plant and nurture tree seedlings, to help safeguard the future of our woodlands and tree-scapes. You can find out more at: https://treecouncil.org.uk/take-action/seasonal-campaigns/seed-gathering-season/ The campaign runs from September 23rd, to …
Pots of promises – planting for joy in the darkest months
Autumn is the time to plant bulbs for spring blooms, but have any of you tried forcing bulbs for indoor displays before? (Not sure I like the term forcing; encouraging perhaps?!)I stumbled across these adorable little terracotta pots the other day and simply had to get some. Then of course I had to think of …
Continue reading "Pots of promises – planting for joy in the darkest months"
September
Notable Dates 1st - Start of Meteorological Autumn2nd - Full Moon Triggers 'Spring' Tides4th - National Fish and Chip Day6th - National Read a Book day11th - The (Rescheduled) Great British 'Spring' Clean18th - Great British Beach Clean22nd - Mabon; 'Pagan' Harvest Festival of Fruit22nd - Autumnal Equinox, Start of Astrological Autumn Here in Sussex, …
National Allotments Week 2020 (Gallery)
'Growing for Health and Wellbeing' National Allotments Week 2020 - Late Spring and Summer, a Pictorial Celebration!
Best ever picnic cake
I've always been a fan of the stay-cation. Maybe it's all the Famous Five books I read as a child, or simply my love of my local downland landscapes and magical wealden woods, but there’s few things that get me more excited than packing a picnic of tasty goodies and heading out for a walk …
