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Ben Vrackie
The secluded Loch a’ Choire, with the 841m high Corbett, Ben Vrackie, serving as a picturesque backdrop. Ben Vrackie — the ‘speckled hill’. Loch a’ Choire is in fact a reservoir, first shown on OS maps in the 1920s. The rationale behind its damming remains elusive; I suspect a potential motive might be centred on…
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St Abb’s Head
This is St Abb’s Head, a rugged headland in the Scottish Borders, renowned for its bustling seabird sanctuary, boasting a population of over 60,000 winged residents. Among its craggy stacks, guillemots and razorbills establish their nests, while the majestic kittiwakes favour the towering cliff faces. Yet, amidst this natural spectacle, I later discovered a historical…
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Beyond Rabbits, Lies Plastic—The Cost of Trees Guards
Wandering through Newton Wood on this beautiful morning, I felt the long-awaited arrival of spring. Sunlight gently filtered through the canopy, illuminating the lush greenery of wild garlic blanketing the woodland floor. Ascending further, I passed through an azure sea of bluebells, heralding the season alongside the blooming rowan and holly. On Roseberry Common, this…
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A Little Bit of Bread and no Cheese
The song of the yellowhammer resonates with a quaint charm, often likened to ‘a little bit of bread and no cheese,’ a delightful call immortalised by Enid Blyton in her tales and verses. Males serenade the countryside with their melodies during spring and summer, adorning our open spaces. Resembling a canary in appearance, the males…
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Tripsdale Head — from Monastic Grange to 17th Century Shieling
This morning I had the chance to visit Tripsdale Head in the North York Moors, an area I’ve often admired from afar at Low Cable Stones — visible in the photograph on the skyline. It looked an inviting spot oozing with history amidst its lush pastures. Tripsdale rises on a gentle slope on the moorland…
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A Giant’s Tantrum — The Making of Blakey Topping
Legend has it that Blakey Topping, that iconic North York Moors hill, isn’t just a natural wonder — it’s the epic handiwork of a grumpy giant! Volunteering with the National Trust, I’ve been helping repair fences around the north end, right where the legend begins. The story goes that Wade, a giant with a temper…
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Rapeseed Transforms the Vale of Cleveland
The expansive fields of rapeseed, ablaze with its yellow flowers, command this view of the vale of Cleveland from Battersby Moor, presenting a picturesque mosaic of greens and yellows. Rapeseed, grown for its oil, a staple in cooking, fuel, and other products, graces landscapes worldwide, transforming into a breathtaking spectacle during its bloom. Easby Moor,…
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The Silent Standoff — An Unexpected Thrill of a Roe Deer Encounter
I lack the patience for birding or hiding for hours in wait of a fleeting glimpse of wildlife. However, stumbling upon the sight of a bird or creature feels like a rare privilege. Such was the case this morning when I spotted a yearling roe buck. Or rather, he spotted me. We engaged in a…
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Sleddale
The secluded valley of Sleddale, derived from the old English term ‘slaed’ for a wide flat valley, is enclosed by the moors. The farmstead, once part of the lands belonging to Gisborough Priory and formerly Sleddale Close, stands isolated amidst the heather. While historical records indicate its enclosure during the priory’s ownership, there’s scant evidence…
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Dandelions: Underappreciated but crucial for bees and insects
Ah, springtime in Britain—a vibrant tapestry of flowers, from the delicate snowdrops to the cheerful daffodils to the stunning bluebells. But amidst this floral symphony, there’s one unsung hero—the humble dandelion. Have you noticed how they transform roadside verges into seas of yellow, only to later sprinkle the landscape with their delicate ‘clock’ seedheads? It’s…
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