The Gulls are Back

 According to this source, Weston-super-Mare is the nearest beach to Hereford at just over 50 miles. However, tidal waters are closer at around 25 miles away according to this source.Figure 1: Hereford to Lydney (the harbour is a further mile away)Originally, the gulls follow the water highway...

Spuds, Murphys and Taters

 The humble potato has a long and rich history stretching back 7000 - 10,000 years to its origins in South America. In that time it has picked up a few nicknames: e.g. Spuds, Murphys and Taters. There seems to be some dispute regarding the etymology of the word 'spud' being variously described...

Winterbourne House & Gardens

Mary had a heart transplant in 2003 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The 21st March was one of her biannual visits for the MOT checkup. One of the original surgeons (Mr Majid Mukadam), who operated on Mary twenty years ago, was there to tell her she was good to go.As the journey time...

Why the 25th of March 2024 Just Turned into a Special Day

 Well, apart from the fact that March 25th is Tolkien Reading Day! And, if you are lucky enough to live in the USA, you may get to see a lunar eclipse.Closer to home, the first flower, ever, on any of my three plum trees ...Photo 1: First Ever Plum Flower!!... appeared on March 25th 2024....

St Patrick's Day 2024

We visited the Festival of Artist Blacksmithing (Ferrous²⁴) on Sunday the 17th March (St Patrick's Day) as Mary had some spare time before the small folk band she is in (Hops & Hares) did a 2-hour gig at The Jam Factory.Ferrous has become an annual event in Hereford. This year there were 14 venues...

Wild Daffodils and the First Bluebell?

 From mid-March to the end of the month*, it is wild daffodil time in this part of England - aka the Golden Triangle.Photo 1: Betty Dawes Wood (18/3/24)* Note: Dates may change with global warmingOn a lovely sunny day, we ventured to our neighbouring county, Gloucestershire, to see the displays...

Start of the Tulip Season??

"I must have flowers. always and always" - Claude MonetPhoto 1: Snowdrops by MaryWe often associate certain flowers with certain months of the year according to their flowering season. For instance, most people will think of snowdrops in January (Photo 1 & 2).Photo 2: Snowdrops at The Weir GardenThe...