Growing pains
Seeds come in various sizes, from the dust of foxgloves and grit of brassicas to the desiccated sponges of beetroot. All are shells containing new life. Some need to be frozen…
Fra Filippo Speaks
After yesterday's exciting news, that a publisher in Russia is looking with interest at Knights of the Grail and, potentially, all my novels, Fra Filippo is elbowing everyone aside. Today is his day.…
Vernal Equinox
It’s a misty, dank day, this 20th March. We’ve enjoyed high pressure for over a week, and for many days that has meant cold air and bright sun, but now…
Subtle Maps
It's too easy to think of blogging as singing in the shower in an empty house, but every now and again you pull back the curtain and find you have…
An aged John Ruskin receiving visit at Brantwood from William Holman Hunt
How to see
2015 has, for me, been the year of John Ruskin. It was the year of four trips to Lake Coniston, two of them holidays in a cottage which is completely…