Sep 23, 2026

​I went on a bat walk in Chopwell Woods last night. We saw and heard many bats, but did I manage to get a photo of any? Did I f**k…

​Scanpi and chips for tea, with mushy peas and tartare sauce. Yum!

​I went on a bat walk this evening. Too tired to check if I got any photos, but highly unlikely. We spent some of our time sitting by the river, listening and watching the bats swoop low.

​A member of staff asked me to look after his stuff for a few minutes. His coffee cup made me chuckle. 

​New Ariat boots from America. I’ve been wearing this brand for over 20 years. Shirts, jeans, jacket, they’re fabulous. Thanks Mary Lynn!

​Found this poor chap on the beach today. Been dead a few days, but did the responsible thing, and reported it to the CSIP.

​Hadn’t had these for about 30 years, and they didn’t disappoint. Exactly the same as I remembered. Lush!

​Coming out the other side of a huge cloud of ‘something’ thrown up by a farmer’s tractor in a field alongside this road. I kept windows closed and air flow shut down.

You may resume stroking me immediately.

​A brand new cinema in Bishop Auckland, and a free ticket to The Cycle of Love, thanks to a Facebook advert.

​Me Blue Skye looking totally cute as he dozes on my lap.

​A local bus museum opened its doors today for free. It was lovely to see the old buses of my childhood.

Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden from​Peter Rabbit, in the World of Beatrix Potter at Windermere.

​The dried up beck in Stanley Memorial Park. We desperately need rain.

​Late blooming chicory on our walk this morning. Despite the winds, there was still a bee on every flower.

​Tricksie Treat looking as though she’s at the end of the rainbow. There was no pot of gold under the chair though…

Sep 8, 2006

​Mr Blue Sky, looking over me, while I dozed after my tooth extraction.

​Sandwell Gate, a 14th century remains of Hartlepool’s defense against the Scots.

​At the orchid show in Durham. This has no leaves and insignificant flowers, and is incredibly rare. In the Ghost Orchid family.

​A private home in Scarborough, built with the towers copying the castle behind it.

​A damp walk this morning, since we’ve had rain, but nowhere near enough. The rivers are low, this is the River Deerness.

​I didn’t think I should be attempting any dancing when I looked at my feet…

​We found a sheep praying while we were out on the moors today.

​The ‘top’ crew that I mainly work with. We’re about to be super spun in the Spin Dizzy at our end of summer party.

​Saw this beauty at the Ushaw car show. I used to go in the Ford showroom every day after school, drool over the Capris, and collect the brochures. I ended up owning 5 of them. Best cars ever.

​Ex council houses in Sherburn Hill, looking across towards Belmont.

​Sometimes wonderful things are right under your feet. Spotted while wandering around a nature reserve near home.

​My view of Diggerland from the Ground Shuttle ride.

​Tricksie Treat wondering where her 7pm treats are. It’s 19:02.

​My spider plant babies being guarded by a dinosaur. 

​Had a lovely day in Morpeth, Northumberland, with a couple of friends, and had a stroll round this antique emporium. This is the first place that has resembled the antique stores I lived in VA.

​This herring gull was hit by a car, and left injured by the curb. Cars rushed past without stopping. I took the poor little chap to Wilson’s vets but his legs were too damaged, and they had to put him to sleep. RIP and fly again in a better world, little one.

​It’s a pretty few steps from my gate to my back door.

​Ravensworth Castle, built in the 14th century, and mostly demolished in the 1930’s and 1950’s, due to ground subsidence caused by underground coal mines.

​We had a good drenching at work today, but most of our customers stayed on. It just meant more mud to splash through!

​Very chuffed to see that I got a fab review at work, likely on the Safari Ride.

​Driving the 3CX JCB to the car park at the end of our day at Diggerland.

​I passed about 40 travelers buggies and ponies on the way to meeting a friend this afternoon.

​Paul, on our walk this morning, pushing through the beautiful, but invasive, Himalayan Balsam.

​This group were great fun on the Safari Ride today. We had a lot of laughs and I was amazed that I managed to return them all to the start since we had such a bumpy ride!

​On our walk this morning, we came across a couple of small fields that had suffered wildfires. 

​The cherries in the park next door are ripening wonderfully. I grabbed a handful, and threw a few on the ground for the birds. I’ll get more in the next few days.

Aug 11, 2026

​It’s incredibly dusty at Diggerland. I don’t think my boots and jeans have ever been this grubby!

​My ride today, the Joyrider. Teaching kids under 17 how to drive. A little harrowing at times, but rewarding.

​A short stroll along Easington beach this afternoon.

​Red Lake on Blast Beach.

​An action packed birthday finishing with a sheep shear tournament. 

​This cherry tree is a few feet from my back door. Last year, I missed the cherries, they were gobbled up fast. Today, I managed to scoff a good handful, and will visit daily until they’re all gone.

​Tricksie Treat looking very comfy as we all hang out in the lounge.

​An environmental group with Durham Council at the SSSI quarry near home, are removing the invasive willow herb. They were on their lunch break as I passed through.