Blues Magic – Missing a Beat

Fanfare / Furrow / 28th February, 2024

Full house at Apex but it felt a little like a village hall gig.
Musicianship was top calibre but only in patches was their full ignition.

Early track, All my Love, the focus was on sheer brilliance of the keyboard player, his Liberace splayed hands moving ferociously up and down on the keys like the detached …More»

The First Cuckoo in Spring

Furrow / 5th May, 2016

Mum text me this morning… “The Cuckoo is singing loud and clear”. I look forward to this message in some shape or form, without fail, every year. Spring has now sprung, it’s official. This yearly migratory message has arrived right about now ever since I can remember.

OK, the Bluebells kick in a touch …More»

A Dental Dual…….

Furrow / 29th December, 2014

I went to the Dentist today.
Twice.
After languishing in ‘a dark place’ for 4 days over the Christmas break, when all was shut –  I was first in when the door cracked open at 8.30.
I waited patiently for 2 hours for an emergency appointment as they let several other ‘routine bookings’ go first.  It …More»

A Spotted Favourite

Furrow / 15th August, 2014

Spotted Flycatchers dancing about in late summer, are a joy to watch, whether darting about or perching on the washing line catching flies. They are intrepid travellers, migrants all the way from Africa and although have undistinguished plumage, they are one of my favourites, especially as for the last 2 years they have nested …More»

A Rapacious Appetite

Furrow / 17th July, 2014

The pitcher plant has been a huge success with a consummate appetite for all flying insects – houseflies and bluebottles are a favourite delicacy.

It has doubled in size since being purchased at Helmingham Hall in May and sent up new shoots to accommodate a feeding frenzy.

It is …More»

A Deluge of Birds

Furrow / 7th June, 2014

Captains Log – Saturday 7th June.

My Saturday morning ritual has just been thrown by the prediction of a months rainfall in a single hour. I generally like to go for an hours river bank wander while little miss Forté is off pony riding, it’s a habitual attempt to right the wrongs of the …More»

A Horse… Chestnut

Furrow / 25th April, 2014

My very Favourite Tree. Why, because as a boy I can remember (from 6 or 7) I would hear the Autumn storms sweep in and be anxious to get out in the morning and scout the ground collecting conkers. I would watch fascinated as bigger boys would hurl large sticks high into the tree …More»

I-SPY with my little eye

Furrow / 17th April, 2014

Do you remember the beloved I-SPY series? Pocket sized travel boredom cures from yesteryear, guaranteed to drive your navigating parents to dispair and only second in effectiveness to Barley Sugars.

I-SPY Birds, Castles, Classic Cars, Wild Flowers, On a Car Journey, Flags, even On the Pavement… I must have had the lot (thanks Mum). …More»