Category: Nature

Autumn in Madrid

In Valencia in 2016 I saw Joaquín Sorolla‘s pictures for the first time. In March this year I saw more of his work at The Royal Academy in London.

Travels with My Otter

A reader, John Tuffin, recommended Douglas Botting’s biography of Gavin Maxwell when there was an ottery post in August.

What Hoe!

I wonder if I should have bought a property in Chelsea when I started working in London? With a mortgage I expect I could but I am glad I didn’t.

Otter Hunting

“Twilight over meadow and water, the eve-star shining above the hill, and Old Nog the heron crying kra-a-ark! as his slow dark wings carried him down to the estuary.” (First line, Tarka the Otter, Henry Williamson, 1927)

A State of Grace

A friend from America was visiting London recently. I took him to The Grenadier for a Bloody Mary, Ognisko (aka the Polish Hearth Club) for lunch and Opera Holland Park (for Hansel and Gretel). He also was taken by the Judge to the White’s tent at (Royal) Ascot, ticking a 4th box of things he… Continue reading A State of Grace

On The Wing

I planted this wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ in March 2016 and now it is living up to its name with abundant, long tresses of white blossom.