Time for a quick breather in Thornley Woods. Our leader, James, on the left, had us climbing so many steps, it was a real workout. Loved it!

 Walking with a group around Lintzford, we passed this house that once belonged to Si King, from The Hairy Bikers. A fabulous fully natured monkey puzzle tree at the front.

 The view from my desk in the attic. Grass and trees and a cool breeze.

 We saw this shepherd’s hut on our walk this morning, and chuckled that someone had written, ‘Dave’s Lunch Box’ on the side of it.

 Bless him with his underbite, Mr Blue Skye gets a messy chin when lapping up liquids. This was after his cat milk, and yes, I wiped his chin for him.

 On our walk today, we came across this gorgeous tree. With pale leaves like rosemary, but soft, and orange berries, I looked it up and discovered it’s a native coastal tree called Sea Buckthorn. The berries are edible but also provide a food for overwintering birds.

 Blast Beach, used as an alien planet scene on Alien 3, when it had been used as a tipping ground for slag waste from the collieries. It has since been cleaned up and is a wonderful beach for exploring.

 My friend, Peter, standing next to Tommy, a steel sculpture in Seaham, made by a local sculptor, Ray Lonsdale.

 A lovely day on a coach trip to Holy Island.

 Tricksie Treat and Mr Blue Skye are co-existing peacefully so far. My hopes of friendship between them could be possible.

 Well, with the summer nearly passed, and I’d yet to create my yearly slushy, so with that in mind, and now being in England, it’s time for a new one! And what a winner! Local plums, with vanilla essence, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, a few blackberries to garnish, and this time, a fuck if shot of brandy! So wish you were here for this one, Spring Daye! The photo was taken indoors this year, it’s a bit nippy outside.

 Today we welcomed Mr Blue Skye into our home. At 15 years old, he deserves a peaceful forever home after his owner passed away. He’s settled in very easily and loves lots of fuss.

19 Aug 2025

 I had to stop and take a photo of this new garage roof. Look at those tiles! 

 A superb evening spent with my brother at local pubs and finishing at The Ship Inn.

 I seem to be doing things right with this spider plant that I’ve had a few weeks. It still looks very happy! 

 A beautiful and huge oak tree, surrounded by Himalayan balsam flowers, on our walk today.

 This guy at The Heart Foundation had a great sense of humour. We loved his seagull with a stolen chip in its beak.

 While we were out walking the fields at Ushaw, we were waved at by this farmer as we stopped to munch on a large patch of blackberries.

 Tricksie Treat keeping an eye on me from her favourite chair in the sunshine.

 This huge coiled dragon statue was in a garden as we walked around Consett. We had no idea what the ‘ball’ represented, but the statue was quite formidable. 

 On our Hamsterley Forest walk. I’m right at the back, although actually at the front of the group.

 On a coach trip to Alnnouth, Northumberland, I found the bench that DCI Vera Stanhope sits at, looking across to Coble Quay.

 After a group walk, I visited Ushaw Historic House’s book shop, buying 3 for me and a walking friend, and then ice cream, eaten in the car, because it was chilly outside!

 A Birthday box of surprises from Sally, bless her xx.

 Hawthorn berries on our walk this morning, then shopping, tea and cake with friends in the afternoon. 

6 Aug 2025

 Greg brought round a fine couple of bottles of red wine for my Birthday. I had to open one, and have a large glass, before the big day.

We walked up from the bottom, Shotley Bridge, to this view from the Derwent Walk in Consett.

Storm Floris with very high winds canceled walks today, and I didn’t want to drive in the gales, so I stayed home and watched Tricksie Treat get stoned on her catnip.

The heather is beginning to g to bloom; it was breathtaking to see. 

I love seeing these cows, not uncommon here. They’re Belted Galloways.

I climbed the local peak, Roseberry Topping, this morning. Fabulous views, and it looks like I had control of the clouds!