I usually write about upbeat, countryside matters but this blog post is different. My partner, who is the Conservationist, Naturalist, Raptor Specialist and all-round lovely man, Nigel Middleton, was made redundant from Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve which he co-founded with the film-maker David Cobham over 21 years ago and built up from scratch, alongside aContinue reading “Not so much fun…”
Author Archives: twiggysnorfolknotes
Silent Friends
There are times when it is just lovely to spend times with friends, laughing, chatting, drinking wine. However, just recently I found a different friend. She doesn’t know she is my friend and she certainly doesn’t care – but I know that I am hers. Back in February I was weeding in the garden, tryingContinue reading “Silent Friends”
The return of a friend
Gardening is a hopeful activity. I’m easy prey for the seed catalogues when they arrive, or ‘garden porn’ as my daughter calls them. I sit in the winter gloom, flicking through the pages of ripe plums, vibrant, perfect carrots and tumbling strawberries and I can see them in my garden. It will be exactly like the photos. Exactly.
Living in Nature
When I was younger the idea of camping made my blood run cold. Actually, I thought that everything would be cold. Cold, damp and festooned with flies. I could see myself laying on a a slowly deflating air mattress as it whined its punctured death into the damp earth, whilst around me the nylon tentContinue reading “Living in Nature”
Natural Immersion
“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, “This is what it is to be happy.” Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath had something here. I love the idea that you breathe in the world around you and make it part of you. Being outdoors can do thisContinue reading “Natural Immersion”
Come walking with us!
At last we have whittled down our walks to a few favourites for the beginning of this season, which we think you will enjoy. Please join me and Nigel Middleton (described by Richard Mabey in his book Nature Cure as a ‘bit of shaman’ who could ‘conjure birds out of the air’, Nigel is aContinue reading “Come walking with us!”
Spring with a side of cold
In my Enid Blyton head, spring is a time for skipping through green lanes with banks studded with pin-pricks of colour from primroses and violets that look like tiny fallen stars. Birds would sing in the spring from the hedgerows and the weak sunshine would still kiss your face with warmth. It is hard toContinue reading “Spring with a side of cold”
Life – as we’d rather not know it
There are some years that you wish would just end. This has been one of them. I had such plans to organise walks this year and was so looking forward to meeting everyone again and planning routes – but life had a different plan. I’m sorry for the lack of engagement – but I willContinue reading “Life – as we’d rather not know it”
Go west… but not too west
After vowing never, ever and under no circumstances at all would I move away from the airfield and ‘my’ corner of Norfolk, I’ve done just that. The move happened back in April but many boxes are still unpacked, cupboards in disarray and clothes still in bin bags – but on the plus side a bee-friendlyContinue reading “Go west… but not too west”
Norfolk’s Phoenix
Imagine the scene: it’s a bright, cold, cloudless day. The Norfolk sky is the kind of blue that gladdens the heart after dull winter’s days and, although the air is chill, there is the first hint of warmth in the sun. In front of you is a vibrant green meadow with a shimmering shallow poolContinue reading “Norfolk’s Phoenix”
Norfolk Notes 