Saturday involved much less walking but travel further afield to a sidería: which offered as much cider as you could drink! (Plus classic sidería food and plenty of it). The trip also included a visit to the historic town of Hernani and views of more of the region's mountains!

There was much to be enjoyed - especially the work of Ruth Osawa - and much to be derided: which is as it should be in a modern art gallery!

My Friday adventures were in Bilbao, taking in the Guggenheim, the Casco Viejo and even (watching) a game of jai alai.

On the Wednesday, I climbed an actual mountain (definitions vary): Pagasarri. As was becoming traditional, the footpath on the planned route (and multiple alternatives) was closed but thanks to the OS map app a way was found and the peak achieved!

On the Tuesday I took a rather damp walk from the flat to Arminza. A significant chunk of the path was closed by erosion, so some vibe routing was required: this really made one pine for the OS Map app...

Last week I was in Plentzia, on the Bay of Biscay, and a tube ride from downtown Bilbao. It was a very pleasant place to stay and I enjoyed many adventures, of which more will follow...

Yesterday I walked a chunk of the Itchen Way from near the source of the river to Shawford. Less direct views of the river before Winchester than hoped but almost compensated for by the river 'on fire' when departing the pub rather closer to home...

On Friday I went for my annual visit to the Rothschilds: or at least their garden at Exbury. It's not cheap to enter but it never disappoints when it comes to plant-based spectacle!

Last weekend, I visited the Isle of Purbeck in rather better weather than forecast and enjoyed some fine geomorphology, a pint at the Square and Compass and saw my first swifts of the year: an excellent day out!

One cuckoo is never enough, so on Friday - as part of a Tetrapak recycling and greengrocer visiting mission - I strolled around Fishlake Meadows Nature Reserve. Lots of cuckoo action and another warbler to add to my rally (garden)...

A double Rail to Ramble on Wednesday through the very well-heeled Surrey countryside from Godalming to Haslemere. Heard my first cuckoo of the year near Buss's Common: sumer is icumen in...

Last Friday I walked along the Itchen Navigation from Winchester to Southampton. The weather was glorious, I was serenaded by at least four species of warbler and saw multiple goslings...

Inspired by last month's SAS lecture I went to Highdown Hill near Worthing to look for signs of archaeology and archaeologists. I found both along with fine views and a very fine garden...

Saturday by electric bus to Perth for an afternoon of Scottish Colourists, neon unicorns, more splendid views from Kinnoull Hill and a red squirrel just below the summit!

The weather in Glasgow on Friday was very on-brand but didn't stop me from fitting in two gigs and a visit to the Burrell Collection...

On Thursday I took a stroll from Peebles along the River Tweed and up to enjoy the amazing views from the hillfort(s) of Cademuir Hill: the weather was unexpectedly kind!

On Monday I strolled from Milford to Lymington to check out any new arrivals from the south. I saw my first ever whitethroats and first linnets, avocets and terns of 2026: the year turns!

I'm on a train heading at speed to Edinburgh and can't help feeling LNER over-ordered their Christmas stationery. My menu is still Winter branded and my placemat speaks for itself...

I don't remember these tulips from last year, or buying them over the winter, but they are splendid and I am willing to forgive their lack of backstory and potentially demonic origins...

My memory of my childhood may be somewhat sketchy but I'm sure I can remember leaves existing prior to 1978...

At the risk of this becoming a bluebell stan account, yesterday I took a stroll through the Dutton Estate from Hinton Ampner. Joan's Acre Wood has the most bluebells I have ever seen in one place, and we mostly had them to ourselves!

Apples are far from the only reason to have an apple tree...

On Wednesday, or 'the summer ' as I'm calling it, I followed in the footsteps of St Swithun. My walk took in steam, glorious Hampshire countryside, a connection between Jane Austen and Cisco Systems and my first swallows of the year...

Today I took the train to Haslemere and then ascended Black Down to visit the Temple of the Winds. The Down is stunning and views breathtaking: the temple was surprisingly wind-free...

On Thursday, I had a stroll through Crab Wood: no crabs but oodles of bluebells, more than a few wood anemones and at least one tree creeper doing its thing...

'How am I spending my St Patrick's evening?' you ask. In a never-ending Zoom committee meeting: every boy's dream...

Arriving in Lewes a little early I decided to nip up Malling Down. Rather a steep climb but well worth it for the views and major earthworks which may have been ancient or caused by Canadian bombers during WW2...

A lovely visit to Testwood Lakes this morning. No sign of sand martins, yet, but lots to enjoy including long-tailed tits being adorable, lapwings showing off and hearing my first chiffchaff of the year!

A pint of red successfully swapped for a brace of Mint Clubs...

While in Oxford I visited the History of Science Museum for the first time. I need to return with more time, a bigger rucksack and a diversion. Yesterday, I had to scamper the short distance to the Holywell Music Room to see Ensemble Molière uncover some hidden gems of the French baroque...

Yesterday, I returned to Oxford for various forms of fun: visiting old haunts, museums and more..

On Saturday, after extensive refurbishment, the Southampton City Art Gallery reopened: how could I resist? I hadn't realised how much I'd missed it, so here are a few highlights I don't remember seeing before...

The sun lasted until Wednesday and so I took my bike out into the Forest which looked typically glorious once the mist lifted...

Last Monday I went to Harold Hillier to enquire after the progress of Spring. The answer was encouraging...

I've just realised I spent the dying seconds of my 50s and the start of my 60s brushing my teeth. Less an indication of my commitment to dental hygiene and more of my failure to honour arbitrary milestones...

Time to find out if Bel Canto does sound like double Dutch...

A long planned ride from Southbourne to Chichester via the Chidham and Bosham peninsulars. NCN2 is not at its finest but navigable, though the tide was very high and parts of my planned route were under a few feet of water. Not sure if this was unusual or a daily occurrence...

While at Corfe Castle, I took the opportunity - ending at the end of the month - to enjoy the King's View: well worth doing, I felt positively monarchical!

On Saturday it didn't rain! Having overcome my shock I headed to the Isle of Purbeck on train and Brompton for a steam train, a castle, a hill, a heath a massive chunk of cake, a high cocoa hot chocolate and a pint: an excellent, if exhausting, day out!

A Broadwood piano in the foyer can mean only one thing: the Artistic Temperaments festival weekend is back!

Managed to take in the snowdrops (and more), Pamphill church (and diary for a tub of rhubarb ice cream) and the multivallate glory of Bradbury Rings without being rained on and even seeing the sun and some blue skies!

Yesterday I took my wellies on a walk around Brockenhurst: they were much needed as was the walk! I also picked up some victuals from the butchers and the greengrocers and enjoyed lunch from the Bakehouse...

Tonight's venue for The Canticle of the Sun: I figured it was the only way I was going to get a good look at the sun. I also hope the concert might encourage the sun to break through the clouds and rain...

A fun day trip, by electric coach, to stormy Dundee...

An ex-DC Thomson Intertype machine with a key especially for me! It is unclear why later keyboards lacked this essential feature but I shall be campaigning for the return of the 'ff' key...

Doesn't matter how often I come here, the view as I exit Edinburgh Waverley is always magical...

LNER seem to be increasing the time provided to cross London, which means I can sit in the Harrison for a pint (and a half) until I'm notified of my platform and the stroll in a leisurely manner to my train. Also finally found the optimal route from the Victoria line to KGX: result!

Some mid afternoon guitar picking from Claude Bourbon; well, I've enjoyed his biscuits for many years and it seemed only right to return the favour...

Realised I had failed to mention the joy I had on Monday lunchtime seeing Queen Colobus in action. Four people who I used to see regularly in a variety of local bands returning in glory from that London. Fair brought a tear to my eye about how lucky I am...

Escaping from the wet and windy weather to Vienna thanks to the WNO Orchestra. So much closer and less pretentious than the Musikverein, this gig has become a real highlight of January...