Bleats and Blogs

As we are told we can start coming out of lock down, I look back on the past 3 months and realise how much I enjoyed it! Yes, I am lucky on the farm with my own space and surrounded by all my animals, who even under normal conditions, represent most of my...

Years ago I established a coral reef in a marine aquarium. It was really hard work but I succeeded in creating a hugely diverse micro-world from which l learnt so much. Of all the residents, my Banghaii Cardinals fascinated me, mainly because of their elaborate...

In the wake of a little rant I had recently in this blog bemoaning the revolting high protein “pasta” that was made of fish from the Pacific, processed in Spain, by a Belgium company, for export to the UK, in non- recyclable containers, I had the pleasure of a...

In the admirable spirit of not wanting to waste food, a well-meaning and dear friend donated to me (for my dogs) some packets of fresh pasta that were surplus to requirements. Great. But as I was about to prepare this meal for Cal and Max, I noticed what it said on...

On 22nd December my landline died. I tried to report the fault online but when the system of the telecoms company, who shall remain nameless, informed me it couldn't recognise my number, alarm bells stared to ring. After spending ages on their website hunting for a...

A common denominator among the wide variety of species living on my farm is that we are all creatures of habit. Consider the bedtime ritual. I switch off all lights downstairs, collect my glass of water and my mobile before pottering upstairs to run my bath. By the...

I maintain that the creation of the Internet and ability to share information electronically, was an innovation of importance on a par with the invention of the engine and industrial revolution. I also believe that it was created with good in mind and the vast...

Penguin Books published Matthew Walker’s tome 'Why We Sleep' in 2017 and when I read it, it terrified me. Eat your heart out Stephen King! In answering the question why we sleep, Walker reveals the long term, irreversible physical and mental damage done to our bodies...

Recently, I came across Joe Navarro, a former FBI Agent and expert on body language. His YouTube videos are fascinating, revealing how humans really communicate. This got me thinking about two things. Firstly, how subtle non-verbal communication is and miraculously,...

I have just finished reading Lindsey Fitzharris’ book ‘The Butchering Art’ (Penguin, 2018). And fascinating it was too, but not for the feint-hearted. It’s a compelling read about the life and medical career of Joseph Lister whose indomitable interest in sepsis...