​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.

​I walked with a new group this evening at Seaham. They were a fun crowd, one of the laughs was discovering that we were exiting a footpath that should’ve been closed.

​Mr Blue Skye looking very disgruntled, as he just got woken up with a sneezing fit. 20 seconds later, his head was back down, and back to sleep again.

​Over 9 miles walking today, and my hips hurt! Over 7 of them were on this morning’s walk, battling our way through tall grasses and flowers. A lovely walk though!

Jul 11, 2026

​Waking up our little village as our banner follows the brass band down the High St before marching at Durham’s Miners Gala.’

​At the Farne Islands enjoying the wonderful puffins.

​A blistering hot day for our walk at Ushaw Moor today. Here, we had to wade through this dried grassy meadow, but thankfully, a lot of the walk was in shade.

​Thornton Hall Gardens today. Very hot but beautiful blooms.

​I’ve had this for decades but could never use it in the U.S. as eggs have to be refrigerated there. I love having it back as my egg storage now, with a nest of hay at the bottom. 

​Had the beach to myself for a while as I hunted for sea glass. 

​A glorious field of wildflowers 10 minutes from home.

Jul 4, 2026

​The start of the finale at Kynren tonight, An Epic Tale of England. It was fabulous.

​The sun throwing spectrums into my lounge lit up the carpet in a pretty way. 

​Looking through an old gravestone in an abandoned church cemetery on the Scottish border.

Enjoying the view of ​The Newcastle Castle from the pub, during a brief shower.