As it's December and rapidly hurtling towards Christmas, I thought I'd better start preparing to welcome visitors.

As John Masefield wrote: "I must go down to the seas again..." for #FingerpostFriday.

A not-so-thick trunk for #ThickTrunkTuesday - mind you, now I come to think of it, it's not Tuesday either!

For #TidesOutTuesday - en route to Burgh Island, Devon.

Some folk like steam engines/trains, some like art, wildlife and conservation ... some like both - in which case, my book 'David Shepherd: The Artist and His Railways', published by Amberley Books, ought to make the perfect Christmas present! #Art #Heritage #steamrailways #wildlife #conservation.

Copenhagen - the horse ridden by Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo - features (alongside many others) in my latest book, 'The Horse Lover's Miscellany: Wit, Wisdom and Wonders', published by Quiller.

More a milestone than a fingerpost for #FingerPostFriday but - of recent photos - it's the best I've got!

The light and dark of a November afternoon.

"Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate ..." J. R. R. Tolkien

For #FingerpostFriday: seemingly, many roads lead to Santiago de Compostela - including this one, the St James' Way, which passes over the River Itchen at Ovington #Hampshire #CaminodeSantiago.

Vibrant colours at the local garden centre.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning..." #ArmisticeDay.

"Hobson’s warm, witty storytelling makes this far more than a simple collection of facts. It’s a celebration of the horse’s place in our culture ... Beautifully written and full of surprising detail ... [a] delightful ride through the world of horses." Baily's Hunting Directory

"As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean." (Mudeford Quay, Dorset)

Posted for no reason other than the fact that the tree looked stunning in it's autumnal colours set against a wonderfully blue sky!

Good morning - it's a bit of a damp one today!

Mirror image.

Tintern Abbey - as seen from the Devil's Pulpit.

A view from a bridge.

I did a #drawing 4 years ago.

"How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and colour are their last days." John Burroughs: American naturalist and essayist (1837-1921)

A suitably autumnal view of the lake and surroundings at Stourhead, Wiltshire - a National Trust property.

Shades of autumn.

Who said nature isn't perfect?! In my opinion this, from our garden, is as perfect as one could ever wish.

Bobbin the Robin loves a mealworm but when I told him how much they cost, he was shocked. #birds #ukbirds #nature #wildlife

Good morning!

There's something quite satisfying about picking late September tomatoes from the greenhouse...

The light in the lane - a view from a recent early morning walk with the dog.

Over the past couple of years, two books of mine about my late father-in-law - the wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd, have appeared in print and are, according to some, "well worth a read"! #wildlife #painting #artists #steamrailways #conservation

Two book titles of mine published (by www.quillerpublishing.com) last month.

This morning, I thought the sky far more interesting than the view... in fact, it was the view!

If Claude Monet had a camera instead of paintbrushes, I like to think his photographs might have looked something like this one of mine!

Sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows and projecting onto the walls of St Mary’s church, Walberton, West Sussex.

A rather eerie-looking halo around the sun first thing this morning.

I seem to have been going a bit post-Impressionist and Impressionist with my photos recently! The first – of the trunk, branches and underside of a weeping willow – is, I think, somewhat reminiscent of a Van Gogh whilst the second one has more of a Monet look about it!

"I see a red door And I want it painted black No colours anymore I want them to turn black…" 🎤🎸

"If you're not on the list, you are not coming in."

Didn't notice a troll under this bridge - but there again I didn't see any of the Three Billy Goats Gruff going over it either!

Sunrise or sunset? It's actually sunrise from a couple of days ago but had I not have been the one taking the photo, I would have certainly thought sunset!

August 14th: Publication Day! “ … a delightful collection of equestrian curiosities ... fascinating facts, folklore, quotes and anecdotes ... the book covers a wide spectrum of topics, making it a rich and varied read for anyone with a passion for horses.” 'Your Horse' magazine

In and around the cloisters of Salisbury Cathedral.

Some rather smart examples of ironmongery for #AllMetalMonday.

Sometimes I think it would be quite good to return to the days of an immaculate horse and carriage - and to a time when people were almost invariably smartly dressed.

Blue skies and Salisbury cathedral.

I'm probably just being fanciful (you really don't want to know what goes on inside my head!) but to me, these look more like carved columns from ancient Greece or Egypt than they do straw bales in 2025.

For #ThickTrunkTuesday - the Tolpuddle Martyrs tree, Dorset.

The advance copies of my latest book title – The Horse Lover’s Miscellany: Wit, Wisdom and Wonders – have arrived. Published by Quiller - www.quillerpublishing.com - copies go on general sale on August 14th.

A bright and cheery sunflower (complete with pollen-collecting bee) is a good start to Sunday - or any other day for that matter!