Monthly Archives: June 2020

Chickens

Posted on 10th June 2020 by Ian

The book said that “coopies” was Devonshire baby-talk for chickens, but the author could not understand why. “It’s Somerset as well,” I said aloud, “and the reason is obvious.” The comment was pointless, the writer had died in 1955. “Coopies,” is … Continue reading →

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Cellulose

Posted on 9th June 2020 by Ian

“Cellulose.” The word leapt out of a conversation. Cellulose? I don’t even know what cellulose is, yet the word conjured a picture of a man driving a van from our village to Langport, our local town. What could cellulose have … Continue reading →

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Bird watching

Posted on 8th June 2020 by Ian

The lockdown has provided moments to watch the birds, and also moments to contemplate the harsh reality of natural life. BBC Television’s Springwatch programme seems to have as much violence as beauty. The magpies and the gulls outside seem to caw … Continue reading →

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The therapeutic quality of rural life

Posted on 7th June 2020 by Ian

The Heart of the Moor, Beatrice Chase’s 1914 novel is set among the Dartmoor landscape where I attended school. Beatrice Chase moved to Dartmoor on the recommendation of her doctor. Her work among the poor in the East End of … Continue reading →

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A quarter

Posted on 6th June 2020 by Ian

“Do you remember when we had the serious lockdown?” The woman talking loudly on her mobile phone was obviously under the impression that the lockdown was over. Perhaps she had been among the twenty per cent of the population who … Continue reading →

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