February flight, flood, light An east wind pushed and pulled at the threads of early February. For days, it flattened waves and suppressed the sea. It was a firm hand denying the impulse of waves to break into mischief. It crea…

An antidote to news of war perhaps. A short post/read on light and the arrival of spring:

notesfromasmallcroftbythesea.wordpress.com/2026/03/01/f...

I loved this piece. Many of us can't reach wild, open landscapes easily, but little spaces around us can be rich. We just need to explore them.

And thank you, Nic, for your lovely words.

I went in search of dinosaurs, bit fungi beguiled me instead. Such colour, form and texture.

Thanks, Nic. It felt very much as if time and space enveloped the wood.

And a lovely piece it is of a place I know well.

If only I lived nearer. I hope the leg is healing well xx

Not my piece, Nic, although there is a link to my Grass of Parnassus piece!

Thanks, Nicola. I walk there daily but never stopped to spend time looking at the chapel walls until now.

Thanks, Nic. There is always something to inspire me in the cemetery.

Thanks, Jen. Many people seem to think that our daily wanderings in the cemetery are a bit strange, but there is always something new to see, and the plants on the chapel walls inspired me.

My tips would be: always read your work out loud, don't be precious about your words, and remember the edited piece will be better. It is hard getting rid of words, but it is usually worth it. Think of editing as polishing your script until it shines.

The postman has just delivered this delicious collection. I was honoured to be invited to submit writing for it, not least because it emphasises the need to protect our bogs. It's fabulous. Thank you to @littletollerbooks.bsky.social for having the wisdom to publish such important writing.

It's a beautiful account of something I've never seen.

I love fallen autumn apples showing us creatures that are out there but we forget. It is thought that 59% of global biodiversity is in soil.

Country diary: Down in the valley we go, journeying back in time | Jennifer Jones Roslin Glen, Edinburgh: Turner and Wordsworth are with us as we go down a precarious path into ancient woodland

My latest Guardian Country Diary piece had me going off piste, swapping Merseyside for Scotland. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

My first mayfly this year seen in North Wales on 24th May. I saw my second on Friday at Musselburgh, Scotland. #DailyNature.

My few days in Scotland were full of wonders. Here Bass Rock stands bright with gannet guano, while on the beach I perused rocks, sands, plants and insects. Fabulous #DailyNature.

Happy publication day to @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social!
'Is A River Alive' is astonishing, necessary and beautiful, and a wonderful, fascinating read. I'm sure it will win accolades for years to come and in doing so, prompt more people into action to help protect the natural world.

I love hearing dialect names for plants. I learnt much about Welsh alternatives for plants on Friday.

It's International Dawn Chorus Day, but I'm not sure our birds got the message. Perhaps the cloud cover stole their desire to sing.

@robgmacfarlane.bsky.social I love being a May Day baby, but it's even nicer when your brother gives you this book. Stunning ... and that's the book, not the fact that my brother bought it for me!

Me too, here in suburban Merseyside.

Country diary: A thriving new orchard in an unlikely place | Jennifer Jones Knowsley, Merseyside: The Meadow Park community orchard started with just five trees, now there are 200 species of cherry, plum, apple, pear, quince and spindle

Often the places I visit to write my Guardian Country Diary pieces impact on me, but none more so than this urban orchard. There was a special spirit to the place & I cannot find the words to convey that fully. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A blackbird has been singing in one of our garden trees all day. It is the most glorious song to accompany you through the day. Not yet seen a swift this year, but this blackbird is uplifting @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

Sunrise over the Irish Sea at Llandudno. Little Orme headland also visible.

With an intense day of writing ahead, what better way to start than with dawn birdwatching. Chough seen and heard as soon as I got out of the car.

King’s ‘incredible sense of curiosity’ praised during visit to soil exhibition Charles also unveiled a plaque in the newly refurbished Salt Stair to mark the visit and the 25th anniversary of Somerset House.

I know that I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing exhibition about soil, but am delighted to discover that someone else did. @chiffchat.bsky.social @clareshawpoet.bsky.social @jopearlceramics.bsky.social

www.thenational.scot/news/nationa...

A wonderful clear, crisp morning. On our early morning cemetery walk we stood transfixed and entranced watching a song thrush sending its glorious tones to the world. It was so close we could see its bill open and close. Then we witnessed one of those special sunrises. Fab way to start the day.

I intend to monitor this, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Thanks, Nic. A disturbing sight to write about.