Saturday 31 May 2008

Puffin Quest 2: hanging on for dear life?

I had another look at my puffin pictures from Bempton Cliffs, and couldn't resist this one.

Oysters?

On our recent visit to Whitby, we drove along the coast to Sandsend. It was beginning to get dark, but I took this photograph as a souvenir of the beach. Lewis Carroll supposedly found his inspiration for 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' during a stroll along the foreshore. Does anyone know the source for this supposition? We missed the Roman Signal Station at Goldsborough, just a little further north: we must explore this on a future occasion.

Friday 30 May 2008

Golden Valley: Literary Lewis Link

We drove along Golden Valley, thinking of C.S. Lewis. Imagine our surprise - and delight - when we visited Vowchurch, only to discover that Skeffington Hume Dodgson (1836-1919), brother of Lewis Carroll had been the incumbent.

Hay Fever

We have just returned from a visit to the Hay Festival. We thoroughly enjoyed Michael Wood on India, but have rarely waded through so much mud!

Thursday 29 May 2008

Frets off Flamborough

I fulfilled a long ambition to see puffins in their natural habitat. Britain was basking in a heatwave, but it was a cool 12 degrees centigrade on Bempton Cliffs. We were shrouded in mist; but were told that thanks to what seemed adverse weather conditions, the puffins - well, a few at any rate - had been driven off the sea. Their amber feet were amazing!

Petra Kenney Poets, 9 May 2008


Here I am, enjoying my day in London at the Petra Kenney Awards Ceremony. The photo shows the prize winners and judges at Canada House, Trafalgar Square.