Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read, inspired me or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins [GoodReads]
I’ve been taking a lot more photographs over the past couple of weeks after being lucky enough to be able to get a new camera. It’s a Canon G7x Mark II. Here’s one from an afternoon walk on Sunday:
I think I’ll be using it a lot more. I used to take a lot of photographs, but funnily enough I sort of fell out of the habit once I had a phone that could take pictures. It’s funny as although have a phone with a camera built in and therefore mostly always on my person, I seem to take less photographs than I did when I had to carry a camera with me. I’ll be interested to see how that changes.
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read, inspired me or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
Pokemon Go. I’d not heard of those two words until this week, but it seems to be the latest craze sweeping the world. Only just launched in the UK, I think that’s a pretty savy move just before the school summer holidays which start at the end of this week. Anyway I reserve judgement about whether or not it’s a good thing, although I do like the aspect portrayed here, in terms of getting outdoors, and discovering new places, and also on the opportunity to develop peoples fitness, and just being outside, which I think is a good thing. It does however seem to have an all consuming effect on some (now that’s never been used in science fiction before, has it!!), and there are some obvious concerns about being too immersed in the game, and not paying attention to your surroundings or those who are nearby, with warnings from NSPCC and Police.
Currently Reading:
I realise that as I work on this post in the week leading up to when it is posted that sometimes by the time the post goes live, I’ve actually finished some of the books I list, which means that some are “read this week” rather than currently reading. Anyway:
The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman [GoodReads]
DECC Abolished in Government Re-shuffle / Leadsom new Environment Minister. Slightly concerned that DECC has been abolished and the functions now sit in an expanded Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. At the moment though I’d say the proof of the pudding etc. Let’s wait and see what happens when the dust has settled. Similarly having Andrea Leadsom as the new SoS for Environment is another one to watch, although I have to say that one worries me more in some ways. Who knows?
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read, inspired me or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
When I read something like this article in The Guardian, I am increasingly not shocked or surprised. Why? Well put simply, this has been said before, but politician’s and society at large, just aren’t listening, we’re not interested, unless we’re directly affected.
In 2014/15 I worked on flood recovery from the severe winter flooding of 2013/14. The lionsshare of the media attention went to places like the Somerset levels, but the effects were much more widespread than that. The immediate response, and that just after was that this was horrific and should never be allowed to happen again, anywhere. Lots of effort was put into making sure that was the case, and the winter of 2014/15 passed relatively quietly in the areas where I was working, but there was more flooding in Cumbria with storms Desomond and Eva. This might have been on another planet however, as locally things were wound down, people forgot what had happen a mere 12 months before.
Human memory is short and political memories even shorter. It seems we are destined to never learn the lessons of our own history. We won’t put sufficient effort into doing something about this issue, nor we will stop for a moment to consider the effects that continued unrestrained growth is having. We’ll still build on flood plains, not matter how short sighted stupid that is and we don’t even do the simple things, like maintaining watercourse, ditches, streams and banks to even help the existing system cope.
Not surprised that this was sneaked through when attention was elsewhere. Whilst I know that there is a need for some chemical use in certain circumstances, I think the weight of evidence against glyphosate should have led to a different result, and a ban. Can’t help think that the pressure of big business and lobbyists against the ban might have had more influence.
I love that this guy just went ahead and helped a butterfly species, without too much assistance (or interference) from authority.
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read, inspired me or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
Today is exactly 8 years since I signed the first contract on my allotment – here’s to many more.
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read, inspired me or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
I’m a little bit lost for words over the brexit vote at the moment, although you’d be hard pushed to escape the news about it and the speculation about what happens next. It is clear to me however that this is a mistake for the UK, which might rapidly just become England and Wales if Scotland and Northern Ireland choose an alternative route, and that those in charge of the Leave campaign have probably been at the least economical with the truth. One thing is for certain however, we will now end up with a new MP voted for by 150,000 Conservative party members. Obviously in relation to work, I have concerns, as do others about key environmental aspects (UK’s out vote is a ‘red alert’ for the environment) (EU out vote puts UK commitment to Paris climate agreement in doubt) (How can we make Brexit work for the Environment).
This weeks news has pretty much all been referendum, and I didn’t want to end this quick links with the entry above, so here’s something about smart insects to end on rather than dumb UK voters.
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read, inspired me or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
Ace & The Desert Dog
National Geographic story about the above video here.
It tickles me slightly that the new Independence Day movie goes on general release in the UK on the same day as the EU Referendum, someone must have a sense of humour.
Although I agree with the comments made by scientists in this report, I’m afraid that things are probably a lot worse, and that the opportunity to really make a difference is past.
I said on this blog before that there are many politicians (including a few that I’ve had the misfortune to have to work with) who are in it for personal benefit.
Jo Cox, was one of the exceptions, someone who was truly a public servant, this messed up world, feels like a poorer place now.
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
A look inside a Bumblebee nest with Dave Goulson:
I’m a fan of chickens and dream of having some of my own one day, so I was interested to read what Bill Gates (of Microsoft fame) is up to. You can read about it here, and (if you follow the instructions), he’ll donate a flock of chickens to someone that needs them.
Currently Reading (travelling a lot on buses this week has got my list back down):
Neil Gaimen – The View From the Cheap Seats [Amazon UKUSCA]
Roger Deakin – Waterlog [Amazon UKUSCA] – (Rereading)
This Grist article got me thinking about neighborliness, as well as local distinctiveness. I think I’ve been lucky with having mostly good neighbours where I’ve lived. Some better than others, but compared to stories I’ve been told or read, all generally far better than some. Of course it’s a two-way street, and being neighbourly means just that. You have to be neighbourly.
Local distinctiveness is something else, but in a way related to some of the sentiment in the article. I think the “progress” that I see means that a lot of things that make an area distinct from somewhere else are fast disappearing and we are ending up with cloned areas, where if you were dropped into them blindfolded it would be difficult to tell one from another. I’ve been doing a lot of travelling on buses this week, and therefore had a lot of time to look out of the window and watch the world go by. I’ve seen things that have stood out as being different, but in most cases these are all in areas that have been around for a long time, and not those that are newly built. I feel like perhaps these should be captured for posterity or at least memory. The local newspaper often has a section in it which looks back on old photographs and events that happened in the area many years ago. I wonder if in another 50 years there will be the same amount of material as the tendency is for these to be captured digitally and although (at least in theory these are easier to preserve), are they also more likely to be lost? Accidentally deleted, or destroyed when a hard drive fails? I don’t know, but a physical thing, a “printed” photograph say, feels more permanent somehow.
I’ve also really been enjoying walking about the local area this last week, the street trees have reached their peak, and people’s gardens are starting to display their summer finery.
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
Every once in a while YouTube turns up a real gem on it’s homepage when I go there. This is one of those gems. Please note that the way the chainsaw is used from around the 3 min mark is extremely dangerous. I used to do a lot of chainsaw work and this is something that I wouldn’t recommend unless you really know what you’re doing and are experienced with a saw.
This article from High Country News, goes back three years and looks at the work of a group of scientists trying to understand what causes trees to die. An interesting read, although on the long side for the internet, it was originally published in the journal.
The weather has been a little crazy in the last week or so. Despite having hot and sunny weather only a week ago, this week it has moved to being more overcast with rain at times. The forecast is for it to be sunny again by the weekend, with hot weather to come from the south. Whilst I can easily adapt, although I’ve been trying to tough it out and keep my shorts on rather than resort to long trousers again, other species find it less easy. As our climate continues to change this is likely to to be a recurring theme, and many more species including us humans will struggle to cope.
I seem to have a few books on the go this week, not quite sure how it happened but there are 5 of them:
Neil Gaimen The View From the Cheap Seats [Amazon UKUSCA]
Jon Katz – Running to the Mountain [Amazon UKUSCA]
Charles Stross – The Rhesus Chart [Amazon UKUSCA] (finished)
Peter James – Love You Dead [Amazon UKUSCA] (finished yesterday)
I can obviously only read one at a time but I’m enjoying them all, and I think it’s a pretty interesting summary of my tastes when it comes to books. Everything from natural history through crime and into science fiction. I expect at least a few of these will run into next week.
Someone recently asked me about installing water butts (rain barrels), unfortunately I can’t remember who it was and whether it was online or “in real life”, anyway I came across this video the other day which gives a good “How-To”. Unfortunately I can’t embed it because the author has disabled that function on YouTube, nevertheless it’s a good video, if you’re the person who asked me this is for you.
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
So the first permission for fracking shale gas has been granted in North Yorkshire. I don’t think this is the right way to go for a sustainable future energy supply, I think the costs and potential risks are just too great for the reward on offer, and I’m not alone in that thinking. I think the costs involved could be better spent on true low carbon solutions rather than the frequently touted “bridge” to low carbon that promoters of shale gas trot out. There’s one thing for sure however, the progress of this recently permitted operation will be scrutinised very closely, to see what the longer term prospects for shale gas in the UK really are, the true impacts on the community and environment, and the general safety record in the UK of an industry that has had a slightly dubious one in other parts of the world.
I have a lot of sympathy for the views stated by Chris Packham regarding nature reserves. They are an important resource, but I really think we are at risk of neglecting what is right in front of many of us in favour of growth, consumerism and selfishness. I love my local “patch”, it’s not the most rich area in terms of biodiversity, but I love it for what it is. I often wonder though whether it will outlive me or whether I’ll see it’s decline or decimation in my life time because of other pressures. As a species we seem to be on a course of self-destruction one way or another, and we seem to be intent on taking everything else on this planet with us. If we have to rely on a small patchwork of nature reserves to get our “natural fix”, it’s likely that the patchwork will be unsustainable, and then the developers will move in to those areas too. We cannot keep taking without giving a return, our account is too much in debt.
The Week In Wildlife – In Pictures doesn’t really need much commentary from me, as it’s here every week, although I particularly liked the money spider pic.
Currently reading: “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer [Amazon UK / US / CA]
Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read or just sparked my interest in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.
This week I’m going to try something a little new, and give a little background to why I’ve included the link, and maybe cover some of the other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. A bit more newsletter style than just a list of links for you to click. (I’d appreciate any feedback, good or bad)!
My garden birdlist has reached a new record of 25 species in a year, I suspect that this is because I’m around more during the day than I have been before and therefore see more, particularly as my “office” looks out over the garden, something I have yet to see though is this new arrival to UK shores (assuming it’s not one that’s escaped from it’s falconer) Spectacular bearded vulture spotted for first time in UK [The Guardian].
I posted a couple of videos by Dave Goulson last week, he’s written a couple of books [Amazon link], but he’s made me much more aware of the plight of bees and other insects. I’m not sure though whether we have a problem with hive thefts in the UK, like the ones reported here Sticky fingers: The rise of the bee thieves [The Guardian]. Dave Goulson has also posted another video this week:
I regularly read “The Last Word on Nothing” website, this post, Environmentalism Lost set me thinking though about whether it really is too late to save our planet though. I damn if I’m going to stop trying in my own way though. Although I’m not going to get started on what I really think about politicians and governments that just don’t give a 5h1t and aren’t prepared to lead, even where that might mean doing the right thing for everyone.
I also like this list on Michelle Cushatt’s website. There’s no rocket science involved in some of the things you can do to help someone who really needs it, but sometimes it helps to have a few ideas!
I’m not particularly in favour of nuclear power, but I’ve posted quite a few links in the past about the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. I’ve even questioned whether it would go ahead if the UK votes to leave the EU. So interesting to read that President Hollande of France is all for it! Although I wonder if he sees it as a way of getting energy without having to build a new plant in France (via the UK-France inter-connector)? It works both ways after all! Also interesting to see that there is now a rival bid to build a plant in Wales [The Guardian].
It’s the time of year when I see carpets of Wych Elm leaves and their “fruits” lying on the path in the woods. This reminds me of the loss of our English Elms from the 1970’s to 1990’s – the two are different species and although the Wych elm can be infected by Dutch Elm disease it is a little resistant, and the trees in the woods where I walk are quite young.
That said we are seeing many different pest species spreading, including new infections to other species, such as Ash die back, but I was disappointed to read [The Guardian] that pest eradication is being cited as a reason to clear fell in Europe’s last primeval forest, Białowieża. There’s something that doesn’t quite ring true, it almost seeming like an excuse to make money (£124m) from an environmental issue. If a targeted felling was being proposed, i.e. only those species infected or vulnerable, whilst still regrettable it would make more sense. This may after all be the only way to tackle Ash die back in the UK, but clear felling and removing all trees is just plain wrong, and hints at corruption.
I’ve just come in from the potting shed and have filled the last two troughs out there with soil, and planted some more sweet pepper plants and tomato plants, and then on looking through my emails I saw this guide [Gardeners World] on how to look after your tomatoes.
I post The Week In Wildlife – In Pictures [The Guardian] every week. It is one of my weekly highlights and there are always some amazing pictures. I don’t think it really needs much more of an introduction or explanation than that.
I sometimes feel like I have a target painted on my back, as I frequently find myself on the receiving end of bird poo – looks like I’m not the only unlucky one [Last Word on Nothing Blog].
Usually have an egg for breakfast? Check out this one that one of my friends David’s hens laid. Enough for breakfast and lunch.
I hope you liked this new version of Quick Links – if you have any feedback for me, either good or bad, then do please leave me a comment. Thanks for reading!
Electronic Scrapbook 