Category Archives: The environment

Prunus and sakura

Posted on May 15, 2018 by jingsandthings

It’s cherry blossom time again. Although many of the trees whose blossoms we now enjoy in gardens and parks originate in Japan, we do have our own cherry trees, amongst which is the wild cherry or gean as it is … Continue reading →

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Flowers, succulents and croaks

Posted on April 12, 2017 by jingsandthings

As spring arrives in the garden in our part of Scotland in this pre-Easter week, and flowers and shrubs blaze out in sunny yellows, joyous pinks and creamy whites, I think back to our visit a few weeks ago to … Continue reading →

Posted in Places of interest, The environment | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walking where lava flowed

Posted on December 20, 2016 by jingsandthings

São Vicente is a village on the north coast of Madeira, at the end of the valley that was the birthplace of the island. We were keen to take our grandchildren to walk where lava once flowed, so organized Ricardo … Continue reading →

Posted in Dorothy Bruce, Places of interest, The environment | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

November 1st

Posted on November 1, 2016 by jingsandthings

Here comes winter. The clock has changed and we’re in the count-down to Christmas, though many shops have been sneaking festive fare into their displays for the past month and more. But with Halloween over, and a free run until … Continue reading →

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Spring fashions

Posted on May 23, 2016 by jingsandthings

Last weekend the trees around us suddenly dressed themselves in their new finery. Our exposed situation means that it’s mainly hardy natives that grow well. And while some cheeky chaps from other parts of the world survive, and bloom and … Continue reading →

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Lion and lamb

Posted on March 14, 2016 by jingsandthings

March, named after the Roman god Mars, god of war and guardian of agriculture, seems aptly named. He came second in importance to Jupiter and, not surprisingly, most of the festivals associated with him were held in the month of … Continue reading →

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Exhilarating

Posted on January 19, 2016 by jingsandthings

The boat was a Turkish gulet, twenty-three metres in length, called Bonita da Madeira, made from rich coloured woods and stainless steel, with masts that soared towards the sky. At the stern, we lounged on blue plastic covered mattresses formed … Continue reading →

Posted in Dorothy Bruce, Events of interest, Places of interest, The environment | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

The big journey

Posted on October 27, 2014 by jingsandthings

Spring forward, fall back. In the early hours of Sunday morning the clock went back, gaining us an additional hour that day as we exited British Summer Time and head into autumn and winter. This time of year makes me … Continue reading →

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Within faded red brick walls

Posted on August 11, 2014 by jingsandthings

The athletes have packed up their medals and memorabilia and gone home. The venues have been stripped of the furniture and trappings of the event, and the people of Glasgow are returning to a life less normal by the recounting … Continue reading →

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Seaweed — another strand

Posted on June 5, 2014 by jingsandthings

  Thank you to Dina for sending me a link to a video on mechanical seaweed harvesting off the west coast of Norway and the damage that is causing to the seabed. Whilst watching it I noticed this video which … Continue reading →

Posted in The environment, The Seaweed Cage, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 Comments