A bit of light relief from everything - the ‘Traitors India‘ on bbciPlayer is absolutely brilliant. Possibly the best one so far.

Grass is growing tall and the Queen Anne’s Lace is just flowering. Not as tidy as some might like, but over the years, I’ve seen so many fledglings use the stalks for perches, and the grass for cover. Mowing can wait.

In other news - I made a peach. Needle felted, of course, with a stiffly curled paper leaf, and letter pressed tag. #needlefelt

Just listening to my first cuckoo of the year - amazing!

c.org/mbtP6FNsNH #Shropshire

Wes Streeting is planning a Cass review for neurodivergency. We are the latest group targeted for public punishment in Labour's vain quest for rightwing support. Lives will be ruined and lives will be lost if they get their way. Please sign this petition. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/75...

SCRATCH MOSS is published five weeks tomorrow. I go in for cancer surgery not long before so I fully expect a sympathy vote and when I come out of hospital the book will be number one in the charts. Pre-order now to make sure of your part in this heartwarming tale. www.canelo.co/books/scratc...

Please take a look at this. Pledges have slowed but it’s going to be incredible.

Excellent remake of the Inspector Lynely series just landed on the BBC iPlayer, perfect winter viewing.

A little trio of my needle felt animals, Albert the dog, Ginger the Fox and Marzipan the Elephant, all off on a big adventure to one of my collectors in East Asia. I’m very happy that they are staying together, as friends. #needlefelting

Episode one of Samuel Barnett’s Unknown — our weekly bonkers investigative podcast — is available to listen to NOW!

I’d never heard of the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels before moving to Devon. Went to see it one year, it’s a spectacular, slightly worrying and potentially dangerous sight! This year it is being streamed live on the BBC iPlayer 😊👇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Trip to Shrewsbury thechesterblog.com/2025/11/04/t...

Lovely day for a ten mile cycle around Shropshire’s country lanes, bumping into the Wrekin around every corner. Mood is much improved. Legs ache, but it was worth it.

It's that time of year again...... theheartwoodinstitute.bandcamp.com/album/rituals

It’s taken an entire day, but I have a lovely new blog post up, a little wander through Shrewsbury, highlighting some of the history and background to just a few of the centuries old buildings. Any historical mistakes my own! allaroundus.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-to...

We're delighted that Georgia Mann chose the Magnificat for her #Radio3 Essential Classics Album of the Week segment yesterday. It's "holy/holey" in all senses (Laurie had to reconstruct a lot of missing notes), and it was lovely to hear so much chant! Can't wait to hear what she will feature today.

Travel News: The A49 is CLOSED in both directions between Church Stretton and the A5 near Shrewsbury due to a serious collision. Emergency services are in attendance. Due to the nature of the incident the road is likely to be closed into the night. Thank you to Colin for making us aware.

Stout-hearted little Albert and Ginger the dancing fox gaze up at the last golden leaf of their tree, waiting for it to fall and for winter to begin.

Great to have some of our music featured in this love letter to West Midlands Sound Lore by @noisenarrative.bsky.social out tomorrow morning at 10am on NTS alongside @waysideandwoodland.bsky.social www.nts.live/shows/roots-... It’s West Midlands Autumn after all - are you in???

Autumn church visit and finding a hidden garden in my latest blog post. allaroundus.blogspot.com/2025/09/a-we...

Yesterday’s sky, rain heading towards Shrewsbury from the west.

A dull, dry evening and a view of the distant Wrekin across the wheat field. #shropshire

Nice view from English Bridge this lunchtime. #shrewsbury #shropshire

This afternoon’s work, finishing off a little running fox. I somehow managed to sew and needle felt despite the heat - but I’m all in now. 🥵

Out earlier for a much needed cycle, before it gets too hot. Spotted a dragonfly who flew in front of me for a while, and a young kite being chased off by crows. #shropshire #cycling

Re-stock alert! A small batch of the pro-CDr version of the debut The Balloonist album, with the iconic 'View-Master' disc design and lush booklet, will be going up in the shop tomorrow. Plus, 3 copies of the 'Coastal Studies' postcard set! digital.waysideandwoodland.com/album/the-ba...

Nice cool, breezy morning for a quick hour of bimbling around the lanes. #activetravel #shrewsburymoves #cycling

‘Marzipan’, my little needle felted elephant, standing between two lollipop trees which are from my last needle felt pattern book.

Copies of Eric's 'A Further Guide to the Lore of Plenty Wenlock' have now arrived, ahead of the official publication date on Monday 2nd June. 36 full colour pages of local myth, legend and hyperbole. plentywenlockpress.bigcartel.com #book #guidebook #lore #border #borderlife #madeinshropshire

Out on the bike again, blogged with lovely views of Shropshire from the top of a hill. allaroundus.blogspot.com/2025/05/up-l...

Finished my first watercolour painting of the year - it’s a big one at 50x50cm (20x20 inches). The working title is ‘Lucifer and the Angels’. The subtitle is included in the alt-text. #watercolour #magicrealism #watercolor

We're launching The Bee magazine today because the UK publishing and writing industries have a bit of a class problem.

Listening to two blackbirds having a song battle - not sure which is winning but I’m backing my own garden bird.

Updated my blog while waiting for the local election results to trickle in - not as exciting, but may lower your blood pressure and bring some small joy. allaroundus.blogspot.com/2025/05/ther...

Lovely slow summer storm moving over central Shropshire right now.

Heard a cuckoo at 8.30 this morning, the first for a few years. And lovely to hear this from the town that will always be home to me.

The most glorious day for a leisurely 8 mile pootle round the lanes, with the all watchful Wrekin round every corner. How I love my Shrewsbury Moves bike! #shropshire

Out on my Shrewsbury Moves bike again, this time for a quick sketching outing at the church at Pitchford Hall. Glorious weather!

I started my blog in 2005 and it’s almost 20 years old, spanning nearly a third of my entire life. I’m posting more regularly now, as an alternative to social media, so do have a look if you fancy a gentle read and nice pictures. #blogging #shropshire allaroundus.blogspot.com/2025/04/coun...

Absolutely disgusting from the Labour Party. Unless we drop dead, we ALL will be disabled at some point in our lives. Please sign this open letter from disability rights organisations opposing the cuts. www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/th...

From this morning’s cycle, my lovely ‘Shrewsbury Moves’ bike parked up with the Wrekin looming at the back. Nine miles all round, which is nine miles more than I could have managed this time last year; also the best kind of anxiety relief.

Just for today, we've dropped Wildly's debut album to £8. Grab a bargain... plentywenlockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wildly

Today’s little four mile cycle ride in gorgeous weather, with the Wrekin popping up round every corner.

Shrewsbury Seed Swap St Mary’s 8th March

First short journey out on my new Shrewsbury Moves e-bike. Managed to work out the gears and digital gubbins and it’s brilliant - I sailed up the hills and my knackered knees were very grateful for pedal assist! Now I’ve just got to brave going into town.

Some pretty nasty things happening over in the land of my birth. If, instead, you'd rather bathe your ears in something more wholesome (and certainly less evil), could I recommend IaLoLC? I've made it 'pay what you like' for the next few days. plentywenlockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/in-a-l...

Making stumpy little needle felted mice with huge ears tonight.

Just heard the magnificent swishing sound of five swans flying low over the garden.

The lovely Moon and Venus above the farm next door as the sunset fades.