I’ve always loved forget-me-nots. I can’t remember when I first heard their bittersweet name but their tiny blue flowers – and occasional pink or purple variation – always stand out in a cluster of ‘weeds’. The folklore behind forget-me-nots is unsurprisingly poignant. Once worn to represent fidelity when separated from a partner, one myth says … Continue reading
The more I learn about dandelions (and similar yellow flowers), the more impressed I am by them. I once saw them as a weed. Then I learned the young leaves are tasty in salad, and pollinators love them. But it was when I started taking photos that they transformed into something magical. Through the long … Continue reading
As the new year starts, it’s time to go wassailing. Traditionally carried out on 12th Night (5th January or 17th January, depending on the calendar used), the word wassailing originates from the toast ‘Waes hael’, meaning good health. It involves toasting apple trees with a libation of cider, and pieces of bread. Some people make … Continue reading
As the year darkens, the skies are filled with fireworks. However, bonfire night aside, there are plenty more myths and traditions linked to November. November 11th used to be a day of feasting for Martinmas, or St Martin’s Day. It marked the time when the wheat had all been planted and animals had been slaughtered. … Continue reading
Autumn is a time of harvest. If you’re based in Loughborough, celebrate nature’s abundance at the Glorious Gluts Autumn Fair on Saturday 14th October. Taking place from 10am – 2pm at Fearon Hall, Glorious Gluts is a celebration of all things autumn. Find out more about cooking, storing and swapping your garden gluts, with food demonstrations … Continue reading
Tomorrow is the first day of autumn, for those who measure it astronomically. Those who prefer a meteorological approach took 1st September as the first day of autumn. And many people who read nature to track the seasons have been muttering about autumn coming early. (If you like the idea of tracking the seasons using … Continue reading
As summer turns to autumn, the likelihood of rain grows – and with rain, comes rainbows. I’m a fan of rainbows. Each week, I take photographs of #rainbowblooms to share on Twitter on Sundays. I still have fond memories of the rainbow I saw in the Isle of Wight. It wasn’t just the beauty of … Continue reading
