​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.

​Driving the Safari Ride at my part time job through the school holidays.

​I saw the new Capri today, what a horror. I had 5 of the originals, and this revival model has zero similarities to the original Capri. Probably why there’s so few on the road…

​Julie and Malcolm admiring a boat flower bed, which resembled a bath to me, on our morning walk in Hexham.

​We desperately need rain here. All the fields and grass verges are yellow. Such a contrast from this time last year.

​An evening stroll on the beach, but looking forward sea glass was difficult with the low sun, but this beauty was just sitting on top of the sand.

​Down at Blackhall Rocks, checking more for nurdles than sea glass. Thankfully, I didn’t see any.

​I put in a complaint at a council meeting about the horrible broken fencing seen as people entered the village. Apparently others complained too, and today the new fence was completed. So much nicer!

​My new job at Diggerland is down there; you can see some diggers among the trees.

​The waves were thrashing on the beach today as it was so windy. A lovely example of lightning rock in the foreground.

​A pretty house in Esh Winning on our walk today.

We have 2 new residents in the village. These chickens have been here a couple of weeks and hang out in the park. They seem very happy.

​One of the two wooden owl statues guarding Esh village on our walk this morning. Looking down on Langley Park.

​I found a chunk of specular hematite, incredibly sparkly and heavy. Usually, it would be flaky, but mine has been tumbled smooth by the sea. A nice find!

​When meeting the walking group at Seaham this evening, we spotted these two plebeian non-entities enjoying their meal, from a disposable BBQ placed on a wooden table, with tinder dry grass all around, on a windy evening. Absolutely brain dead…

​Mannequins at Chillingham Castle looking a little sinister…

​Mr Blue Skye enjoying some of my banana lolly.

​The hardest walk for a lot of us in the group today, climbing 4 miles up for this view of High Cup Nick in The Pennines.

​Got these two 80 year old salt glazed chimney pots today for a song. They will be planted up in the spring.

Jul 15, 2026

​I forgot to post this when I got home yesterday, as I was caught up with England’s football game. I did a later than usual walk on Horden beach, and saw this father teaching his son some fishing skills.

​Our walking group this morning, out in the fields with blazing heat and golden wheat.