​King Charles III and Queen Camilla enjoying the 250 years independence celebrations at Front Royal Gazebo. Would’ve loved to have been there, but I watched it live online.

​My sea glass caught my eye this evening. Usually just pale greens and whites, the sun threw a spectrum, which turned the glass into beautiful hues. 10 minutes later, the sun beam had moved on.

​I saw this man working up the tower on my way to work this afternoon. I sure hope he was improving the satellite signal as my internet is rubbish.

​The road at the top of our village. Almost every grassy verge around here is blanketed with dandelions. The flowers are huge, it’s a lovely sight.

​So much beautiful gorse on our walk this morning at Leadgate.

Apr 25, 2026

​The Flames played so well tonight that I forgot all about taking a photo, but I did get one of this chap at the rubbish tip this morning, when I went to drop off a load of garden waste.

​Not my photo, but I saw this today, and it struck a chord.

​A very proud mum and her new calf on our Ushaw walk this morning.

​An amazing feat of engineering, The Falkirk Wheel, in Scotland.

​The sun is blazing through my front window, and it’s lovely to see all the trees with leaves again.

​A relaxing reading day today, and Mr Blue Skye would often look round at me, while on my lap, as if to say, “You alright, Mum?”.

​Walking along the banks of the River Tyne with a group today. Spot the blue heron.

​Crossing rocks that resembled volcanic lava today, to reach a rarely visited beach.

​My first 8 mile walk in decades, with Andy and a new group, around the Beamish area. Quite proud of this!

​Tricksie Treat devouring her tea with gusto. Chopped beef with shredded chicken in gravy.

​This is the dried mushroom, jelly ears. Eaten widely by Chinese cultures, but not in Europe. I had a chew and it was awful.

​A 5 miler today with Andy & Dave, starting only 10 minutes from home. Very pretty scenery.

​Looking out to the wind farm from Wrenslark Beach near Hartlepool.

​Some cows we met on our walk today, looking like they’ve just recorded their first heavy rock album.

​I like this brick train bridge and foot tunnel at the top end of Cornforth.

​The Deepdale Aqueduct in Barnard Castle, built in 1898, to carry water pipes, and is now also a footbridge.

​Some nosey little people checking out my scone and jam.

​Just water in a pint glass.

​Saw this on the back of a neighbour’s car, and it made me chuckle. Only fans of The Fast Show will get it.

​My first proper walk today after 5.5 weeks of school followed by a heavy cold. With Judith, for 5 miles, around the Watergate Forest Park area.

​I spent a couple of hours glass hunting on the beach today, along with Mark and his pug, Meatball, who I’d met a few weeks ago. It was lovely to get some fresh air and chat with a new friend. My haul was quite impressive too.

​Some of the eggs on my Easter tree in the dining room.

​At Tesco’s, while grabbing an Easter egg and some hot cross buns for the weekend, I spotted this little chap on the toiletries shelf. I wondered what prompted him to be abandoned there.

​My glass Easter egg; I haven’t treated myself to a chocolate one yet.

​Daffodils and forsythia at Trimdon church.