My country diary
As far as possible, this site tells stories from across rural Britain, from walks in Cornwall to crofters in Scotland. But this is my rural diary – the things I've seen, the places, people, plants and stories that catch my eye.
So, as I travel, there could be thoughts (and pictures) from anywhere, but they are most likely to be from my own part of this special country.
Love is in the air….
Finally, we have some spring sunshine, and the geese have returned to find a place to raise their young.
Our first daffodil of 2026
First the white of snowdrops. Then the purple of the crocuses. Now the first splash of yellow.
Is this the greatest sign of spring?
Snowdrop? Too early. A hopeful glint in winter. Crocuses? Daffodils? Maybe. But I think not.
Loving the lichen
Vibrant and weird, almost like a creature reaching out across to the next branch – lichen always makes me smile.
The first snowdrop of the year
Ever more green shoots are poking through – the daffs are now 5 or 6 inches tall. But among them all, this tiny white pearl has appeared – our first snowdrop of 2026.
How many birds can you fit on one feeder?
It's always a joy watching our feathered friends on the feeders – and we seem to have more than ever just now.
A cold morning as frost really begins to bite
From leaves to sleepers, everything this morning was white. Water bowls for the chickens were frozen, water troughs for the sheep covered with a translucent slab.