Monthly Archives: October 2023

It’s that time of the year again when, in most parts of the western world, shops have been stocking up on pumpkins for Halloween. I admit its not a celebration I particularly like but  even so I’ve often wondered why … Continue reading →

Like most gardeners I’m used to discovering that various crops have been attacked by insects. This summer it was particularly that old favourite the flea beetle on brassicas – no broccoli or rocket survived their depredations almost overnight. I don’t … Continue reading →

A family wedding took me to County Durham recently and on the way  we passed The Angel of the North. It is such an extraordinary addition to the landscape that on the way home we did a detour and went to see it close … Continue reading →

. Holdenby in Northamptonshire was one of the greatest houses and gardens of Elizabethan England, in fact of  the whole of 16thc Europe.  Although largely demolished within about 80 years a small  part of the mansion survives  as part of … Continue reading →