Monica Lennon MSP, introducing the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: “By advancing the Ecocide Bill, we are making it clear that eco-criminals will not be tolerated here ... It’s a powerful deterrent that puts polluters on notice to clean up their act. www.stopecocide.earth/bn-2025/scot...

My gardening schedule says it’s time to cut back decorative grasses. I was late last year and regretted it (blinked and new shoots were coming up through dead stems). But either way, taking special care is critical. Isn’t he sweet? Especially all in one piece 😊

OTD 2020: Clean Air for Everyone? "Unfortunately, today the government is telling growers in central Thailand to switch from corn to sugarcane. This will increase the smoke by returning us to when sugarcane was the largest source of smoke in Thailand." www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citylife-art...

Saxton has Monday vibes.

The man drove to Brighton (it was hopping!) and back. His aim? Lanes Armoury, known for antique weapons (militaria). He also stopped at the Royal Pavilion. I’d pass on the Armoury but I’d love to see the Pavilion at some point!

Powerful wind last night… yet another chore to add to my never ending to-do list. Do we repurpose or build something new? Decisions … decisions …

Stoke Gabriel, where the man stayed on holiday as a kid. Memories (his, obviously) … the uncle they’d visit would drive around the village in an old Volkswagen, yelling ‘ice cream lickers’ at any invading tourists.

The plan was to head for Plymouth but we went to the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark instead (it was a weather thing).

My solution. Create a place of calm. It's working ...

There’s a scenic walk that goes up and over the top of our property, then down and around to our front door. Handy for pushing away from the phone, for starters. And starting tomorrow, I'm going to be doing more of that (getting out) and less of what I've been doing (scrolling through tragedies).

Here's a practical guide for planning your garden, with links to goal setting advice and seed starting advice. It's been difficult for me to stay focused on anything lately, reading about new horrors every day. I'm trying to remain hopeful and help people garden. open.substack.com/pub/gardenin...

Fun times. But not for long ... OTD 2024: USAinUK (@U.S. Embassy London) posted: An important statement on the latest tea controversy.

That look. I know it, I do.

OTD 2020: A ball of confusion @Arthuristheboy "As of September 2014, all ten ASEAN countries have ratified the haze agreement.:." Translation: Something, something, we, the ASEAN community, don't give a toss, something, something... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASEAN_A...

Maybe tomorrow it won't be too emotionally painful to breathe. Goodnight heathens. I love you and wish us peace.

OTD 2022: Helmut Duerrast @HelmutDuerrast PM10 Smog over Thailand a seasonal phenomena >>> always during winter OTD: PM2.5 on my balcony in Bangkok - 7 years ago, 6 years ago, 5 years ago, 4 years ago (smog chart shared by Helmut).

Judging me (I’m petting Saxton instead of him).

Wouldn’t that be something? If only …

Saxton (doing his best to avoid looking at the camera).

Magnus (sharing the mood of the day).

Sedgwick has my heart.

Great tool for all browsers and operating systems.... Easy to use for almost every user... 😎 justthebrowser.com #freeme #mybrowser #nobloat #nospy

St Martin (French) 6/1/26 - my last Vinny fig! Moro de Caneva 8/1/26 - no, seriously, this is my last Vinny fig! Malta Black, Michurinska Green 10/1/26 - I swear, these are my last Vinny figs! Hative d’Argenteuil 12/1/26 - I mean it this time, this is my last Vinny fig! (figs make me happy) 😊😊😊😊

Thursday already. I feel you Saxton. I really do.

Magnus. Our beautiful girl 💗

I’ve gained a few more followers recently (no idea why), so I’m putting this first attempt at writing about my unusual experiences since I moved to Bangkok in 1989 out there for your reading pleasure (hopefully). open.substack.com/pub/qbarandr...

Potting up new fig cuttings isn’t exactly gardening but is peaceful all the same. And today I have a need for peace. Chicago Hardy, Ischia Black UCD, LSU Champagne, and VDB (Violette de Bordeaux) / Negronne Type.

This is the second winter I’ve kept myself occupied by rooting figs from cuttings. It’s not sustainable as I have no interest in selling cuttings or fig trees. Watercolour is calling me but procrastination is winning! Even though I know all/most motivation tricks…

The majority of Americans oppose: - his invasion of Venezuela - his reckless tariffs - his obsession with Greenland - his alienation of our allies - his trillions in tax cuts for billionaires - his open solicitation of bribes and accolades - his demolition of the East Wing - his $400M+ ballroom …

Brrrrrr. Cold! I only ventured into the sunroom to take photos of that weird circle. The cats followed me in … and Sedgwick being Sedgwick … 😁

My buddy the Robin was standing by. Score!

Squirrels are evil.

There’s snow (?) on the ground but roses are still on bloom. Devon. UK.

Sedgwick’s first dance of 2026. Yay Sedgwick. Saxton can’t dance … not sure what this is? Can’t wait for his next trick (he’s starting to rebel).

Thanks. I needed that :D

OTD 2024: Our resident pheasant stopping by as the sun was shining. A rare event (we called him StormBird for a reason). RIP.

Empty boxes appear around this time of year 😊

Frosty New Year’s morning. Perfect for staying inside. Brrrr!

Darn. Darn. Darn. I’m guessing a fox? The bed is too high for bunnies, plus birds and cats don’t dig like that. Grrrr. I was one day away from resecuring this bed. The latticing will have to do (for now).

When you know you know 💓

Ooooops. Once again, I forgot to top up the songbird feeder. (Apologies for the fuzzy video - the lighting is bad).

After 36 years in Bangkok, I’ve decided to jot down some of the experiences I’ve had around SE Asia during some tumultuous times. Starting an ad agency, opening a nightclub, traveling the region. 7 chapters so far. Give it a read if you have some weekend down time: open.substack.com/pub/qbarandrew

Darn it. The feathers clearly come from a pheasant … but which one? Note: a trail of feathers goes from the pear tree with the pheasant’s bowl, all the way up to the gate in the middle field. Fox? Could be. The neighbour’s cat wouldn’t go that way and wouldn’t a bird of prey fly off with it?

Yum. Mince pies for breakfast 😊

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all ... ho ho ho

Three … two … one … and off she flounces (offended by the vacuum).

I had to look this one up. It was planted year before last, just making an appearance now. Algerian, Winter Iris… nice. Need a gazillion more to brighten the winter.

I could watch the sun setting all day every day … (if only).

When we moved back in ‘22 I bought Dunlop (<£15) for the garden. After the 2nd pair sprung a leak I upgraded to Hunter (£100+). The 1st pair started leaking before the end of the year, the 2nd before a month was up. Fail. Le Chameau are the top recommended boots but what about Aigle?