Welcome to our little home on the net. We are Steve & Rosemary and live in Buckinghamshire, UK. This is a blog of our life, sometimes interesting, but mainly boring. It is very picture orientated as Steve loves to take pictures, especially of wildlife. Sometimes he has his arm twisted by Rosemary and takes the odd snap of a weed.
MK Gallery: Andy Warhol: Portrait of America
14th April 2025
A trip to Milton Keynes and the MK Gallery to see the Andy Warhol Portrait of America Exhibition. The exhibition was run in conjunction with the Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Despite being bombarded with emails and asked to book tickets, we ventuured forth in the hope of gaining entry without pre-booking. The gallery was not at all busy, and there were plenty of Andy Warhol paintings and drawings, from the early years up until his untimely death. Some images were provocative, the electric chair featured quite a few times. I enjoyed this exhibition far more than our visit in 2024 to see Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour. I could imagine wallpapering the sitting room with the image of the pink cow head on a yellow background. Although it must be produced for the exhibition, R is lucky I have not found any of it for sale.
As it usual on these days out, we ate in the cafe, where the same chef as last time was on duty.
Camsoc Ephemera visit
9th April 2025
The Berks & Oxon Cambridge Society recently organised a visit to the University of Reading’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication to explore its fascinating Ephemera collection. You might be wondering, what exactly is ephemera? Simply put, these are items that weren’t initially intended for long-term keeping but have been, through chance or deliberate action, collected and preserved. (The term itself comes from the Greek word ephēmeros, meaning “lasting only a day,” highlighting their transient nature. Interestingly, the word “ephemera” functions as both a singular and plural noun.) Think of everyday items like concert tickets, advertising leaflets, or even old postcards – these can all be considered ephemera.,although there is some disagreement over whether postcards are ephemera or not.
The exhibition we were shown was based around a theme of entertainment, showcasing remarkable collections from the 17th and 18th centuries, including advertising posters for various events, shows and sales. The department is located in a series of functional brick buildings dating back to the 1940s, constructed during World War II. While these buildings were initially slated for demolition and redevelopment, they are now undergoing a process of gradual refurbishment.
Our tour also included a visit to an area where a collection of historical printing presses is maintained, so showing a tangible connection to the methods used to create some of the ephemera we had seen.
The visit sparked an interesting discussion about the fate of modern ephemera in our increasingly digital and seemingly disposable world. It certainly raises questions about what future generations will collect and how the ephemeral items of our time will be preserved and understood. Of course, we were all faced with the problem of what to do with the printed car park passes & visitor labels we’d been given. Preserve or throw??
Oh and Reading Council sent me a nice picture of my car driving along one of their streets. Shame they wanted £35 for the picture.
Looking for Foxes #12 and Badgers
14th April 2025
The recent weeks have felt noticeably quieter on the animal front, which is why the video updates have been on hold.
However, the grey squirrel still provides some entertainment with its acrobatic dashes up and down the tree, culminating in a daring branch-assisted crossing of the pond.
Our regular visitor, the Grey Heron, continues its foraging trips between our pond and the neighbours’. While I’ve only observed it catching frogs, I did hear a report of one elsewhere preying on the protected Great Crested Newt.
Adding a much-missed face to the local wildlife, a badger made an appearance, initially by the pond and then on the lawn a few days later.
Finally, the Moorhens are still active on the pond and seem to have successfully displaced the ducks, a change from their peaceful coexistence in the previous video.
Coton Manor Gardens
10th April 2025
On yet another bright and sunny spring day, we ventured north to explore Coton Manor Gardens, while meeting up with friends. This was a new destination for all of us. The spring day turned into a surprisingly warm one, making it particularly lovely to relax outside in the courtyard while enjoying coffee, then lunch, and then tea.
We all arrived a little before the scheduled opening time of 11:30 am and met up as we queued at the entrance, eager to begin our exploration. Our first order of business was a visit to the café for coffee and some tempting cakes. We found a table in the sun-drenched courtyard.
We soon discovered that the gardens are privately owned and meticulously cared for. During our visit, we spotted the owner, Susie Pasley-Tyler, diligently tending to her plants. One member of our group, perhaps mistaking her dedication for something else, made the slight faux pas of asking if she was a volunteer helper. The polite and direct reply came, “No, I’m the owner.”
We wandered into the gardens themselves. Laid out on a picturesque hillside, they feature a network of ponds and flowing rills. The water originates from a natural spring. Remarkably, this natural water source is consistently reliable, having continued to flow even during the severe drought of 1975/1976.
Beyond the tranquil ponds, waterfalls, and flowing water features, the gardens are also home to an array of animals including birds. A couple of endearing Kunekune pigs basked contentedly in the warm sunshine before eventually seeking the cool shade of their sty as the day grew warmer. Various duck species, including Mallards, elegant Tufted Ducks, and the more exotic Fulvous Whistling Duck, make their home within the garden’s boundaries. On the lowest pond, there was a small flock of flamingos adding a splash of vibrant colour to the scene.
For R, a particular highlight was discovering a large and flourishing patch of Cowslips, her favourite wildflower. She noted with a touch of disappointment that the Cowslips in our garden weren’t faring as well this year, perhaps a consequence of the preceding wet winter followed by the current dry spring.
Returning to the café for lunch, we enjoyed an excellent meal that was served promptly and efficiently. Then we took a further leisurely walk around the garden, revisiting some of our favourite areas and finding new spots to relax and soak up the afternoon sun. The gardens became pleasantly quieter as the afternoon progressed.
Two areas of the gardens were not yet open, indicating it was still a little early in the season. These were the bluebell woods, which we were informed should open later in April, and the wild flower meadows situated at the bottom of the garden. For those who anticipate multiple visits throughout the year, there is a special season ticket available, which proves to be a worthwhile investment for three or more visits.
The car park is located on the opposite side of the road from the Manor house and gardens. The adjacent fields by the car park are currently planted with elephant grass, a crop grown for biofuel production. Given its brown and dry appearance, I would assume it was awaiting harvesting.
Cambridge Chemistry Laboratory
22nd March 2025
I received an invitation to an open day at the Chemistry Laboratory of Cambridge University. The event commenced with a demonstration led by Professor Peter Wothers. While his demonstrations are typically known for their explosive nature, featuring loud bangs from igniting gases, this particular session adopted a more relaxed approach. It showcased naturally occurring elements and how these everyday substances and compounds can be transformed into explosives.
The demonstrations were fascinating. For instance, we learned that elemental iron is not found naturally on the Earth’s surface, except in some meteorites, due to its high reactivity in our oxygen-rich atmosphere. Professor Wothers then poured iron filings, prepared under an inert gas, onto the floor. They immediately ignited, emitting red and white sparks as they burned.
We also witnessed the manufacture of gunpowder from naturally occurring elements and compounds and observed nitrogen triiodide detonating upon the slightest touch. (This is an explosive I made while I was a Cambridge, and distributed over the floor of the late night bar, as well as in keyholes of student rooms.) The demonstration concluded with an explosion of nitroglycerine, all potentially derived from naturally occurring compounds and elements.
Following the demonstration, we had lunch in a space overlooking the laboratory entrance. Several labs were hosting experiments specifically designed to pique children’s interest in chemistry. These rooms were exceptionally noisy, prompting our swift departure.
Afterwards, R visited Bodies in the Bookshop and left with several books. The very obliging shop owner is now collecting several crime novels set in Cambridge for her. He has contacted her on a few occasions since, and we plan to return to Cambridge in June to collect the books.
Our visit concluded with coffee at Espresso Lane, a somewhat quirky, tiny coffee shop located next door. Interestingly, the former residence of the Cambridge executioner is situated on the same street.
R’s Big Day at The Nut Tree Inn
21st March 2025
To celebrate another milestone birthday, we headed out for lunch to The Nut Tree Inn in Murcott, a one star Michelin restaurant. For lunch they offer a tasting menu, R chose the vegetarian, while I went for the meat option. Most of the courses are the same in the two options, just changing three. There were six courses, plus an additional, optional cheese course. The waitress asked if we wanted a cheese course, and also suggested having one and sharing it. We further opted to have cheese before the desert.
Unfortunately, because I was driving, I could not have the wine pairings, so opted for a pint of beer. R had a glass of wine.
The meal was excellent, as was the waitress. She was helpful and explained the courses to us. The day was excellent, as was the sun.
Vegetarian Menu
Nut Tree breads
Grant Harrington butter, Ampersand dairy, Bicester
Mushroom veloute
white truffle oil
Ricotta agnolotti
preserved lemon, mint, pine nutsm asparagus, amaretto broth
Twice baked Old Winchester cheese soufle
grain mustard sauce
Roast celeriac barley “risotto”
violet artichoke, ceps, gran kinara, truffle oil
Shared Cheese course
selection of Artisan cheese – may be taken before or after desert
Chocolate egg
chocolate mousse, salted caramet, almond chantilly
Passionfruit souffle
passionfruit sorbet, coconut rum custard
Meat Menu
Nut Tree breads
Grant Harrington butter, Ampersand dairy, Bicester
Mushroom veloute
white truffle oil
Panfried pigs head and black pudding terrine
piccalili, crispy quail egg
Fillet of Cornish Turbot
herb puree, asparagus & caviar “blanquette”, poultry jus
Fillet of beef from Aubrey Allen (cooked Medium Rare)
seared foie gras, cep, roast celeriac puree, Madeira sauce
Shared Cheese course
selection of Artisan cheese – may be taken before or after desert
Chocolate egg
chocolate mousse, salted caramet, almond chantilly
Passionfruit souffle
passionfruit sorbet, coconut rum custard
Looking for Foxes 11
15th March 2025
The preceding fortnight has been characterised by predominantly dry conditions and clear skies. While for a few days we experienced warmer temperatures, the majority of the period was marked by cold weather, with the pond occasionally freezing over.
A variety of avian species graced the area. A blackbird was observed foraging amongst the leaf litter, while a muntjac deer made a solitary appearance, browsing on the grass near the pond. A collared dove was also sighted at the water’s edge. A fox visited the vicinity on several occasions, sometimes venturing close to the camera and at other times traversing the pond’s perimeter beneath the overhanging vegetation. During one such visit, the fox startled a moorhen, which promptly sought refuge in the pond. A jay was also noted as an occasional visitor.
The relationship between the mallards and moorhens has shown signs of improvement compared to the previous years, when the mallards were consistently driven off. While minor skirmishes still occur, the mallards have managed to maintain their presence.
A male pheasant, likely an escapee from a nearby shoot, continues to inhabit the area. The exact origin of the pheasant remains uncertain, as there are currently no active shoots within a significant radius.
Finally, the rabbit population has flourished, providing a vital food source for the various carnivores that roam the region.
Camping at Fforest Fields
10th March 2025
The weather in the UK had been dry for well over a week, and it was predicted to remain dry for at least another week, though a little cool with frosts at night. So, we decided to take our first camping trip of the year in our VW T5. We packed the thick duvet. Of course, as soon as we had booked, mysterious snowflakes appeared in the forecast. We set off quite early, hoping to have Sunday lunch somewhere. Our preferred pub, the Hundred House Inn, appeared to be closed, having shut at the end of November after a recent renovation. It appears to be on the market for £525,000. So, we selected another pub, the Fforest Inn, but alas, we hadn’t booked and there was no room. We drove up to Penybont and tried the Severn Arms Hotel. Here, we were able to eat and had a Welsh Sunday lunch. The turkey and beef were carved from generous joints. There were excellent Yorkshire Puddings and masses of vegetables. Perhaps too many?? It was a good Sunday lunch.
We headed to the Fforest Fields campsite to check in. Nobody was there; we just had to go to Reception to write down the pitch number against our booking details. The shop on site had plenty of basics, all paid for through an honesty box. There were a few campers, who disappeared during the week, leaving only us and one other. On Thursday, a few more started to arrive for the weekend. Despite the lack of campers, the shower block was open and was delightfully warm (underfloor heating!) at any time of the day.
Tradition dictates a bottle of fizzy wine on our first night, but we were both too full of Sunday lunch. We did comply with the traditional walk up to the Lookout. Bit misty.
The campsite-come-farm crew were always there in the morning, having coffee and preparing for the day’s work ahead, which appeared to be quarrying and rebuilding some of the roads and paths.
Most days we managed breakfast and lunch outside. But it was cold, with very frosty mornings (yes, we even used the diesel heater) when ice accumulated on the awning. During our stay, we went for walks into the village and above the campsite. I did several 10km walks and explored several paths and tracks I had not done before. On one particular day, the red kites and buzzards were very much in evidence. We even found the Medieval Fforest Wood Castle, an ancient ditched motte castle-type monument in the wood above the campsite. We had never known of its existence; someone must have recently placed it on Google Maps, where R spotted it.
The main boating lake was quite bare around the edges, before the vegetation grows up. There were quite a few coots and mallards, plus a pair of swans. The swans proceeded to build a nest, and one was sitting on it on the final day. Coots had possession of the smaller lake, near the yurts, where we watched them chase off a pair of Canada Geese.
On our last night, I was up early in the morning, just before 5 am, to view a partial lunar eclipse. Unfortunately, the clouds came in quickly, so there was little time to see it. One of the campsite/farm workers had done a lot better with his eclipse viewings than I did.
Police Dog Hogan at The Stables
7th March 2025
On a whim, R and I booked tickets to The Stables in Milton Keynes. We were going to see and listen to a band with the rather distinctive name of ‘Police Dog Hogan’. The initial draw was that we both read the Saturday Guardian and were familiar with the column by the American writer, Tim Dowling (second from the left). Tim Dowling, in addition to his writing, is a musician who plays the banjo and guitar. He tends to downplay his musical contributions in his articles, to the point where one might wonder if he’d even bother to show up. This, however, is far from the truth; he plays a significant role in the band’s performances.
We made a day of our outing to Milton Keynes, first stopping at IKEA for their complimentary coffee, then navigating the labyrinthine maze-like layout of the shop, before finally, stocking up on my beloved pickled herrings.
At The Stables, we had booked a pre-show supper, the first such offering in many years. We were, in essence, the guinea pigs for this revived dining experience, and as a gesture of appreciation, we were each offered a glass of prosecco. We accepted! Rudenot to have, we thought. The supper consisted of pizza, preceded by a starter and followed by a dessert, all accompanied by a drink. I opted for a pint of ‘Side Pocket for a Toad’, brewed by the Tring Brewery Company, while Rosemary chose a glass of white wine. The food was simple, hearty, and the pizzas were generously sized. The starters, in particular, were excellent, we never got to the desserts.
The show, while not completely sold out, was thoroughly enjoyable. During the interval, I managed to purchase a vinyl record and received a complimentary tea towel for subscribing to their email list. As for Tim Dowling, he performed admirably, taking a much more prominent role in the performance than his Guardian column might suggest. Police Dog Hogan are known for their blend of folk, country, and rock, often referred to as “urban bluegrass,” and their live performance was energetic and engaging.
It was a good evening out.
Looking for Foxes 10
26th February 2025
In the continuing drama of the pond:
A couple of mallard ducks came to visit. They did not stay long, probably chased off by the moorhens.
The moorhens were around for most of the week, swimming and walking across the grass.
A fox paid us several visits during the week. Looking for a mate?
There was a fabulous display by the grey heron, who also caught a frog and devoured it in front of the camera.
A jay came around one day, and worked its way through the leaves looking for food.
A couple of male pheasants walked past the pond. One behind the other, escapees from a shoot, perhaps.
Rabbits were much in evidence, dashing from one side of the pond to the other.
Some crows took the opportunity of a frozen pond to practise their ice skating.
One grey squirrel was seen in the trees, fat after feeding on our bird feeders.
The starlings have been in evidence on the field, and did appear for a short while in front of the cameras.
Unfortunately one of the cameras had the incorrect date set. Time, Month and Day were correct, but the year was 2024, whereas it should have been 2025.
Timeline
00:00 Mallard Ducks
00:24 Fox
01:09 Grey Heron
02:30 Grey Heron & Frog
06:28 Jay
07:43 Moorhen
08:57 Pheasant
09:31 Rabbit
09:55 Crows `
10:37 Squirrel
10:45 Starlings