Tiny strawberries like this burst with flavor. I left this for the snail.

Pretty, eh? It came from the Himalayas, and has settled well in England.

At Heysham is the pretty and ancient village church of Saint Peter. Parts of the building go back to the eighth century at least. It's full of rare Anglo-Saxon stonework.

I caught sight of this on my way from Saint Patrick's Chapel which is even older.

Grilled beef tomato with a sprinkling of herbs and garlic, with local bacon. Damson ketchup and Dijon mustard.

I love breakfast!

Having shot this in Raw, it was possible to throw almost everything that Snapseed 4 has to offer to produce this version.

Shot and edited and uploaded, all with the same device. It's not great photography, but it's fun and satisfies my need to photograph at least one thing every day, being part of my daily journal.

Decked out with their new silk ribbons. HTT everyone

I spotted this completely superfluous but delightful wood-carving in the window frame of a disused shop today. There's another one on the other frame for symmetry.

The chrysanthemum used to appear as an exotic symbol of joy and optimism. For some reason I seldom see one these days =]

With an otter about, 'dad' swan checks out everything that moves.

Until I looked this up in a 'big book of Clematis' I hadn't realized there are so many varieties. All the characteristics indicate that this is a 'Broughton star' but, whatever it is, it's pretty, cascading over the wall.

A radio quietly burbling in the background can provide important companionship.

This camera is a deluxe version of the Brownie Six-20 Model E and was manufactured in England by Kodak Limited from 1955 to 1957.

Seen in an antique shop window.

Japanese anemone in the Quakers' garden.

Daffodils with The Midland Hotel in the background.

My favorite erstwhile apprentice baker is now working as a roofer, restoring historic buildings. "AI won't replace this job and everyone has a roof," he said.

Carrots

Red onion

Garlic

Oil

salt and pepper

Mendi spices

Parsley

Coconut milk

Chicken stock

make the base

then add carrots

cook 5 mins

then add stock

boil then simmer

blend

then add coconut milk

garnish with parsley

30 mins start to finish

Never cooked this before. Some recipes suggested trimming, stripping, and general faffing about. I took my more direct approach; cut cleanly in half. Drizzle with olive oil and roast for a few minutes (15), flipping after 7 minutes.

[youtu.be/p-gt2emNfcI?si=q0tTzmplC0A-Yz4J SONG]

Despite being overshadowed by big trees and the castle walls, this tree persists.

went to art class today. draw anything with eyes shut. I did my ginger plant from memory. then paint it with your eyes open. only 3 primary colors available. I had sun fun !

acrylic with bristle round brush on paper. lines done in pencil and vivid marker.

Virginia creeper changes into its autumnal crimson mantle.

The National Trust maintains a walking trail around Heysham Headland.

Yet another tulip picture. This one is mine. Our pictures unite us as people lucky enough to have time to look at things around us; different points of view also emerge. As a general once told us on parade, "You're unique, just like everybody else."

Dessert at our work Christmas lunch

Scrambled eggs, Bury black pudding, Lancashire Halloumi, toast, and Sriracha mayo.

More than enough here for two.

Some people say they experience a certain kind of healing energy when standing here. These are early mediaeval rock-cut tombs at Heysham. It's thought they were used as reliquaries to hold the bones of the saints. The stone covers and bones are long gone.

This shop took me back to my childhood in an instant. Dolly pegs, wooden backed bristle scrubbing brushes, and proper soap, among other delights. And almost no plastic to be seen.

In a niche in the village wall at Heysham can be found one of two Holy Wells. This one has been restored but appears to have run dry. Offerings can be placed in a slot in the 4 1/2 inch howitzer shell case that has been let into the wall.

You'd think the bin men were on strike. Not so. Recent changes to how and when garbage is collected across the country have been disastrous. This is just one example.

The accepted wisdom concerning pelargonium flowers is to pinch them out when they are over. But they are still too good for the compost bin, so here are some in this little hand-cut crystal vase that I picked up from a charity shop.

Apparently, crystal glass doesn't mesh with the current predilection for a kind of pseudo-scandi minimalism; just as well I'm not a 'dedicated follower of fashion'!

youtu.be/TQAR-nx4w88?is=pc-dYRm_GrTZb6ts

It took some savage cropping to get this how I wanted. Dalton Square has a number of these ornate and rather lovely lanterns.

Lit by electricity now.

April lockdown

from my back garden

In the foreground is the derelict coal-fired Williamson Power Station; on the horizon are the Heysham nuclear power stations and in the middle distance stands a solitary wind turbine.

Seen from Lancaster Castle.

A cloud bank to the north prepares to roll across the bay.

It's letter-writing time, so it's best to make sure everything is ready. before I begin.

Walking along the river embankment, no cars to disrupt a clear evening.

This shrub has thrived in a front garden. It's now as tall as the house in front of which it stands.