We're driving to Hereford to look at some puppies. The rain is falling in biblical style and has been since leaving home, nearly four hours ago. I call ahead to let the breeder know we're running late. "Oh, is it raining? We've had none here at all," he tells me. The sky clears when we … [Read more...] about What I Really Want On Father’s Day
Gratitude
Defining Catastrophe
Coming home from our morning walk in the park I experienced one of those rare moments in which everything seems aligned and joy clicks into place. It was short-lived. I saw the puddle of water on the kitchen floor first, and then, after my brain had started sifting through the possible ways it … [Read more...] about Defining Catastrophe
A Garden Of Riches
A couple of years ago I was telling my son about an idea I'd had. "I think I'm going to start an Airbnb for gardens." "What do you mean?", he said. "People who don't have gardens could rent space from people who do but can't be bothered to garden them." He pushes out his bottom lip and … [Read more...] about A Garden Of Riches
A Matter Of Nature
It's mental health awareness week and another opportunity for me to grumble to anyone who will listen about why on earth we think there is still a problem with "awareness" and why we can't just do something about it instead. Anyway, the theme this year is nature which is precipitating a deluge of … [Read more...] about A Matter Of Nature
The Return of the Night-Time Economy
My son went back into his office this week for the first time in many months. "Have you got everything?" Peering into his bag, "Rail pass, laptop charger, wallet, I think so." "Passport?" He seemed genuinely excited like he was going on holiday. The children have been sanguine about … [Read more...] about The Return of the Night-Time Economy