Ok it's only apple blossom but it brings a proper feel good factor. Spring is here again at last 🍎🌸🍏

EasyJet passengers describe new EU border controls 'nightmare' Airlines warn of further disruption due to the introduction of a new EU digital border control system.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This echoes recent experience in France with huge queues at passport control and our flight leaving behind schedule as a result. This new system might work eventually with automatic machines but manually it seems rather unwieldy and cumbersome.

Bit of excitement here this morning in Odiham with an unexploded grenade without its pin being pulled out of the Basingstoke Canal by someone magnet fishing! Safely detonated by the Army in a nearby field

Thanks to a cancelled flight the chance be amble around the centre of Bordeaux this afternoon. Lovely setting with the Gardens and City Hall among the highlights

Stunning Spring weather here in Limousin with successive days of temperatures up to 26C and cloudless skies. Glorious

Just watched a glorious old episode of TSW's "Secrets of the Coast" on @rewindtv.bsky.social . Returning Cornish Peregrine Falcons, isolated Heath Fritillary butterflies & a very young King Charles all starring. They don't make em like that anymore, sadly.

Large tortoiseshell butterfly confirmed no longer extinct in UK Early spring sightings show colourful insect is a resident species for first time in decades, says conservation charity

As a lad I remember going to Norfolk with my Dad to meet great entomologist Rafe Eley. We discussed the sad decline of the Large Tortoiseshell butterfly which had been common but had disappeared in the early 60s. But now it seems to be back. Truly, happy days!
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Couple of years ago came across an avocet in central Aldershot. Turned out it had hidden puncture injuries consistent with being attacked in flight (assumed by a bird of prey). Nursed back to health at a Wildlife Rescue.

Impressive new interior at Bel & Dragon in Cookham. An old coaching inn steeped in history, the interior features have been preserved and enhanced with great skill in this recent renovation.

Seems a world away now but catching up with the details of the momentous 2024 General Election. Comprehensive analysis thanks to @psurridge.bsky.social @timbale.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social et al

Could just agree to sell Greenland and then employ our local solicitor to do the paperwork and searches...then say the chain fell through after 6 months or so.

Very entertaining footy match this afternoon (via A406), well done both teams, cracking 2nd half ended @hendonfc.bsky.social 2-4 AFCPortchester

Let's be careful out there

From the other site. But says it all. Thank you everyone who keeps non league going! @nonleaguevolunteers.co.uk

Cold night out on the South Coast for @afctotton.bsky.social 1-1 @chippenhamtown.com in the National South. About right on the balance of play

It's a busy morning in many hospitality venues around the country and in Odiham it's Merry Christmas from the hard working staff at Bel & the Dragon 🎄⛄️🎄

Lovely carol service at All Saints Church, Crondall this evening. Beautiful singing from the choir! Thank you to all involved.

It's the middle of December and we have an active bumblebee nest in the compost heap! Clearly collecting pollen. In and out every 30 secs or so @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social @greenhampshire.bsky.social

Would echo this. Parcels left at wrong locations and even under bushes in our lane. On the plus side though a couple of things delivered correctly to us recently, one very late in the evening!

Desperately sad news that Robin Smith has passed. One of my cricketing heroes, a stalwart for my county Hampshire and my country. RIP great man

Rewarding morning in Cliddesden talking to residents alongside @emmawright111.bsky.social & @jonisdavies.bsky.social . Basingstoke Hospital, the challenges of development and speeding through the village just some of the topics discussed @alexkbrewer.bsky.social

Very very disappointing. This government's disregard for even the simplest things to help nature is quite shocking.

Let's hope this gains momentum. The government seems reluctant to take nature and the environment seriously

The changes to insect populations & behaviours, even in my short lifetime, are staggering. It's nearly November but there are numerous Red Admirals still feeding on this bank of asters. Assume some will stay and others will eventually head South. It's an extraordinary change.

Very pleased to be presented with a new apple variety today, this tasty #HowdensWonder 🍎 Both a cooker and an eater, it stores unusually well. Nice and sharp on the taste buds too

Very surprising that this has not had more national media attention.

Out canvassing and delivering in sunny Farnham with new LibDem councillor Tony Fairclough this morning. Always good to be out talking to voters!

Front cover of the European Butterfly Red List, showing Polyommatus humedasae. The report can be downloaded at https://www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?name=red-list-butterflies-2025

The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...

Utterly appalling disregard for nature. Not a clue, sadly.