When Einstein gave lectures at U.S. universities, the recurring question that students asked him most was: – Do you believe in God? And he always answered: – I believe in the God of Spinoza. Baruch de Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher considered one of the great rationalists of 17th century Read more…
Preamble Sitting on a veranda with an Aunt and Uncle and their friends and family, The view from the house is another tropical paradise filled with both the decorative and useful plants. After the informal greetings and acquaintances from days or years gone by, drinks being delivered for the feasting Read more…
Somerset has a diverse range of habitats, one of the best in the country, Shapwick Heath has a little gem for me at least. The sweet track is one I like to visit each year if I can. Your feet may only be few centimetres above the water table and Read more…
Neil Innes (9 December 1944 – 29 December 2019) was an English writer, comedian and musician. He collaborated with Monty Python and played in the Rutles and the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. I was just flipping through some memories and came across some photos I’d taken of Neil at a show a few years before Read more…
Managed to capture this Keeled Skimmer with a pocket camera, which meant getting it about 10-12cm away. So lucky as they would normally fly off with anything so close. I found myself holding my breath as I got the camera closer and closer. The rule I follow it to take Read more…
For thirty years I have had a wildlife garden. Recent neglect had put it into less diverse and later successional state that I would like. However for the last 25 years I have had hedghogs breeding here. I rarely see them due to the undergrowth but see their dropings on Read more…
Finally a trip beyond the house horizon is allowed and it felt so good. Just look to see some of the things there to delight in the hedgerow. Click to enlarge. Braken Such a pest to sum but at the right time. Braken has it’s beauty. Common Vetch Ground-ivy I Read more…
I didn’t get to play a new song this week. Some relaxing of restrictions coincided with a new part for my camera. So first a trip into the garden. For a video of some spring garden highlights look here. Herb-Robert I’m sure many gardeners will just think of this as Read more…
So after being shut in for so long and the travel distance relaxed I took to visiting the local canal for a wildlife fix. Who’d have thought a Stinging Nettle would have such beauty? And here’s a chap whose young will feed on the nettle. Can’t help thinking this is Read more…