Au bord de la rivière

Dés notre arrivée, le héron s’envole indigné.

And the heron flies off, indignant.

You disturbed the peace.

Nous sommes des troubleurs de paix.

Il n’y a pas d’amareyeurs par ici,

Maigre certitude, en ces temps incertains :

Il n’y en aura jamais.

The Girl Who Grew Wings ~ Chapter I

I.

Once upon a time there was a girl who would only feel at peace with the world when she was on the highest roof top of her town.

From there she would sit and watch the hustle below her – people going in and out of shops, old ladies going for yet another cup of coffee with their friend, young people going for yet another takeaway together, toddlers in push chairs, mums looking lonely, builders fixing buildings and… birds.

Days go by…

From the water’s edge

Here is a series of pictures I recently took from the water’s edge in Weirwood Reservoir, which is one of my favourite places around here. It is a big body of water made of the Medway River – even though it is only a stream at that point (the Medway starts around here), there is a dam at one end which keeps the water contained here. Although it is man made, it is such a beautiful place and a great haven for wild life…

Birds from my backyard triptych

I would like to think that I’m a naturalist. But mostly an urban naturalist.

I love observing Nature reclaiming urban areas.

May is gone…

May has vanished in a flash.

She’s disappeared. Gone. Like that.

Nesting birds

Lost in thoughts

The garden still needs cleaning.

What if people think I’m crazy?

Dear friends,

I hope you are well and that you are enjoying Autumn wherever you are.

I’m now getting ready for my next 6 day workshop which will start in exactly a week from now.

My last workshop at Emerson College was in early June. It was the end of Spring, the days were longer and the promises of a hot summer were in the air. The temperature was going up, the natural world was in bloom and all the insects were very busy.

Now it’s Samhain – A time to celebrate the spirits, past and present – Halloween is in only a few days and Autumn is definitely here. The trees have shed their leaves, the insects activity has slowed right down, getting ready for winter. It’s the opposite time of the year.

I love receiving emails from previous workshop attendees. I love reading your stories and how animal communication may have enhanced your connection with the natural world and the animals in your life.

Corvidae

Birds are always in sync. They always arrive and leave at the right time.

Seven years ago, my parents were driving in the French countryside, where they live.

My dad noticed a black shape on the side of the road. As he got nearer, he found himself looking into the eyes of a fledgling crow who was laying there, near a roundabout. She was only a few weeks old and completely on her own, with no parents in sight or earshot.

The Wheel of Time…

I think a lot of people obsess with the weather when they are conversing. I have noticed that writers seem to be obsessed with time.

Here we are, at the end of May.

Boy turned 10 earlier on this month. I still dont understand where that time went…

The thread between Gustav Holst, Sanskrit, Star Wars and Time…

We went to the Royal Albert Hall yesterday. It was the first time I had ventured to this mythical venue.

The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Ravi Shankar… just to drop a few names amongst the many great musicians who have blessed this place by their presence.

The place worked its magic on me, as I discovered a little gem. I discovered Gustav Holst.