Exmoor money

Exmoor tree
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips

I always knew Exmoor was a special place. Not many people go there. They think south Devon has all the attractions but Exmoor is subtle. You have to drink in the beauties slowly to really appreciate them. Whether it’s the wild lanes with trees bent over in the wind or the [...]

Norfolk marshes

Skeins of Brent Geese
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips

There aren’t many places in England that feel like a real wilderness but I have found somewhere that feels as remote as the Central Kalahari of Botswana. Less than two hundred miles from London but there are no motorways here. The North coast of Norfolk is a desolate [...]

RSPB Titchwell

A flock of Golden Plover
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
The RSPB reserve of Titchwell is on the North Coast of Norfolk. There are a series of inland lakes from the sea which are great feeding grounds for a variety of birds. From the hides we saw plenty of wideon and flocks of lapwings and Golden Plover. [...]

Snowdonia

Rainbow
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips

What makes a good view? I often hear people say -”That’s a lovely view”, when all they are looking at is some agricultural fields. Does any view of the countryside make a good view. Maybe if you have lived all your life in the city it may be so but I think [...]

Thursday walk at the Warburg Reserve

Sunset
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips

In the morning it was the coldest day of the year or felt like it. I wanted to just stay in bed and read my book in the warm but I had no excuse not to go to work so I dragged myself up and made some tea. Outside it was sleeting [...]

Meditation

winter trees
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips

A friend remarked recently on the idea of Buddhist, changing your mind which got me thinking about meditation in general. Years ago I learnt to do Transcendental Meditation. I have lapsed in its use and don’t use it regularly but I do find it useful every so often to calm my [...]

Thursday walk

winter trees
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips

It was raining and there were dark clouds swirling outside but time for a walk. I set off up the hill and surprised a sparrowhawk on the ground. It flew off and perched on a post for a while. I could see its yellow claws. There were many red kites around [...]

Walking in Autumn at the Warburg Reserve

Thursday walk
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
This wild place is in the depths of the Oxfordshire countryside near Henley. I parked at Maidensgrove common and walked down into the wooded valley to discover its autumn charms.
It had snowed in the Chilterns just the day before. An unexpected downfall that froze over making it treacherous to drive [...]

The Black Venus, Challacombe, Devon

River Barle on Exmoor
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
A delightful pub on Exmoor and ideally placed if you go walking up to Pinkery Pond. I went with D&J on a wet wintry night but there was a warm cosy welcome inside and we were soon drinking some ale and looking at the blackboard menu being careful not [...]

A walk along the gorges of Galamus to the Monastery of St Anthony.

Monastery of St Anthony
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
It’s not a long walk but spectacular and most of the time in shade. The afternoon has the best light for photography. Start by parking in the large carpark at the southern end of the gorge. The parking is free and there is even a free bus waiting [...]