Olde Forde House
Olde Forde House was bought in 1978 by Teignbridge District Council who utterly ruined it by building the ugliest modern headquarters building possible in its grounds.
Collapsed sea cave
There’s a strange depression on the coastal walk in the north of Westray. I finally realised what it was. It’s a collapsed …
Wigeon
I love how beautiful Wigeon are close-up. Their patterns and colours are a delight. Many come to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia …
Smew two
The Smew in The Regent’s Park in London are a thrill to get close to, even if they are in shadow: Here’s …
Finally, a Little Owl
It’s been a dream of mine to see a Little Owl again, ever since I looked after a juvenile one when I …
An Arctic Tern with a Lumpfish
Lumpfish grow to be large fish, sometimes washed up on the beaches of Westray. To see them as tiny fish, brought in …
Pumping station
It’s a classic 1960s building, all glass, concrete and strange angles. Inside, the main mechanical workings remain the same with four large pipes served by Archimedes screws which drive the waste water along the course of the river out to the sewerage treatment works on the River Teign.
Signs of life
There are signs of life everywhere on Westray. In this case it’s signs of life from 380 million years ago from species …
Fresh white feathers over turbulent turquoise seas
The rich eggy-yellow heads of Gannets are a constant delight as they sweep past the cliffs of Noup Head. The crisp white …
Fish on parade
The Arctic Terns which breed on Westray come back with a constant procession of fish and then parade them up and down …
Giant nocturnal woodlice
Sea Slaters are giant nocturnal woodlice. They are common in crevices and rock pools and under stones along the coast of Westray. …
Time, slowed
Arctic Terns live their lives in a rush. They’ve got to get their family ready for a journey from pole to pole …
Passmore Edwards Library
The Passmore Edwards Library has a continuous plinth, cornices, triangular and curved window pediments, protruding pilasters and finials, and windows with mullions and transoms.
Watching sky and water
Kingfishers are vulnerable to predators. Apart from cats, rats, stoats, weasels and mink, there’s the threat of death from the air from …
Smew
A trip to London for half a day’s work means I can pack my camera, change out of my suit into outdoors …
Black Guillemot with a beautiful fish
Give Black Guillemots a respectful distance and they carry on their lives as normal, including displaying their fresh catch for all to …
Meandering
It’s not just the River Irk which meanders through Chadderton Hall Park. It’s the path too. Having a simple meander to the …
Cobbles at Park Bridge
As a child I remember walking alongside the cobbled streets of Oldham. Some streets had been roughly covered in tarmac and I …
Austins
Austins was previously a hotel called the Globe Hotel and was the venue for the horribly delayed reception for Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s failed Atmospheric Railway journey to Newton Abbot.
A Common Guillemot’s ramphotheca
The coast of Westray is a great place to see the skeletons of birds. In particular, there are skulls littered across the …
Patience
If patience is a virtue, Kingfishers are very virtuous birds. This one sat watching for ripples and underwater silhouettes for five minutes. …
Kelp! I need somebody
I’ve often wondered what kelp-burning pits looked like on Westray. There was a huge industry here, exporting the ash from burning seaplants …
Near and far
I love to see a Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis. This female is stunning even though she’s far away in the reeds. And she’s …
First flight
I watched an Arctic Tern colony struggle to raise chicks over the last summer. There was plenty of food, although maybe not …
The Saracens Head
I particularly liked the reviews which mentioned, “Wendy’s baps delicious!” and “My partner loved the Proper Job”, which may well confuse any of my readers outside the UK.
Fish from a stranger
What happens when your colony collapses, your numbers are too low and you can’t protect your chicks from predators? What if there’s …
Rochdale Canal
Britain is full of decaying infrastructure. Whether it’s disused railway lines, abandoned after Dr Beeching’s report, or stagnant canals filling slowly with …
It’s Goosanders all the way
I’m having a trip to Stover Country Park in cold weather when I’m delighted to see there are Goosanders on the lake. …
Hartshead Pike
Hartshead Pike is a familiar landmark to anyone from Oldham or Ashton. It’s a monument on top of a hill with commanding …
Nuthackers
This Nuthatch had a lot to say at Stover Country Park. The noise they make is just like an insistent car alarm. …