New year – new generation

Every year I see the announcement that the excellent Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation are going out on New Years day to look for brown Hair-streak eggs. Every year you have to sign up before the event and I don’t know how likely we are to be able to get up and make it Read more about New year – new generation[…]

Cogges farm Christmas fair

It’s the one I had been waiting for, the Christmas fair at Cogges farm, Witney! If you’ve never visited Cogges it’s a lovely old farmhouse (parts date back to the 13th Century) just outside the historic market town of Witney and the Cotswolds. The house is open from March and as well as looking round Read more about Cogges farm Christmas fair[…]

Butterfly monitoring

This weekend heralded my first attempt at Butterfly Monitoring on the Ardley Quarry reserve. Armed with long trousers, an ID guide, my recording sheet and a Jam with a camera (who was not afraid to use it) we arrived at the reserve mid afternoon on Sunday. I will admit it took me a little while Read more about Butterfly monitoring[…]

Art in action – the finale

We headed to art in action this weekend, I’d never been before and when we heard it was to be the last one the date was put in the calendar and guarded! The first thing that struck me once we got through the entry gate was how big the site was. Art in action is Read more about Art in action – the finale[…]

Time for a hen party…

On Sat we headed to Witney for my hen party (only 3 weeks till our wedding & I confess it has gone really quickly). We were booked in at the Pottery place to do Mosaic or pottery painting (whilst drinking bubbles and nibbling cheese straws) before heading for a few drinks and dinner at The Read more about Time for a hen party…[…]

And here we are at artweeks

After what seems like months of build up this weekend signaled the end of the wait and the beginning of my first time exhibiting as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks. I joined 17 other artists in exhibiting over the weekend at Appleton Village Hall. Should we have a look around? My friend & the finest sculptural Read more about And here we are at artweeks[…]

Wychwood forest fair

Today was the nicest day we have had for ages, which made our trip to the Wychwood forest fair even better! There were a myriad of delights but the main thing that lured us there was our favourite puppetry company Hand to Mouth theatre were performing the most excellent Piggery Jokery, so clearly we had Read more about Wychwood forest fair[…]

A visit to Tiggywinkles

This weekend in a trip that has been long overdue I set off with Trish to visit St Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital. Primarily known for being a hedgehog hospital the site also takes in and rehabilitates all species of birds (including lots of the beautiful local red kites), badgers, roe deer, foxes, waterfowl, bats (oh and did Read more about A visit to Tiggywinkles[…]

Green & gorgeous (flower farm) and sculptural setting (Bothy Vineyard) with Sian

I first met Sian when I was running late for work one day, the reason I was late is that I had forgotten some houseplants I had promised one of my colleagues and so had run back to get them and ended up on a later bus than usual. Although this in the short term Read more about Green & gorgeous (flower farm) and sculptural setting (Bothy Vineyard) with Sian[…]