The great outdoors |
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TREKKING IN NEPAL A SALUTE TO THE VERY OLD FROM THE OLD: Before the Bearded One intervenes, I would like to report what it was like welcoming the Veteran Cars to Brighton on Sunday November 4, 2001. THE VALLEY Round the pleasant town of Petworth the farming methods leave much to be desired as regards wildlife. THE RIVERSIDE There was time, not so long ago, when the meadows that were along the side of our river were a scene of natural activity - especially in the spring. BRIGHTON IN WINTER I wandered along the deserted seafront and thought of the summer which had just passed. EXPERIENCE OF A STABLE GROOM "I can do it," I thought to myself. "I'm just not used to it any more." ALL QUIET ON THE COLDEAN FRONT It is a dull spring Sunday afternoon and I am in my sitting room working on some phonology exercises for my university course. HAMISH Hamish is a gorgeous chestnut horse, of medium size and about sixteen years old, officially a Welsh Cob, he is not cob-like to look at, but really elegant. He has a flaxen mane and tail. On a superb day last spring, I went on Highdown Hill, near Worthing, with him. I remember how bright green the grass was then. UP, UP AND AWAY An enthralling account of a hot air balloon flight my son, Richard, and I took in 1998. Backlit against the rapidly burnishing purple hue of dawn, the black silhouette of heavy oaks stood like overweight dancers, swaying politely, prompted by the gentle north westerly breeze. COAL My father was in business as a coal merchant and contractor in the days when everyone depended on coal for heating and cooking. We had two lovely horses, Boxer and Jack. Boxer for the coal cart and Jack for contract work, which at that time was chiefly for carting blue boulders from the beach for transport, as they were used for many things, china especially. We dealt direct to the collierys and the factories use to call each month for orders. AN EVERGREEN MEMORY Some 50 years back, yet still the memories remain evergreen. My sweetheart and I had just become engaged. We were both medical students. One of the common bonds between us was our love of animals. "One day", my beloved would say longingly, "One day, a dog will become part of our family life". MORNING GLORY I was awakened by the cry of the sea gull although we are four miles away from the sea. This usually means a sign of rough weather but today the skies are clear and the sun well risen. My dog Rusty is beginning to demand his early walk and I can feel the urge to rise and begin the new day when a walk in the woods it is so peaceful. A VERY SPECIAL LADY I suppose the 'urban fox' is a pretty common phenomenon by now, but we have one around here which is like no other. I think we are privileged to have her living among us on this estate. And live among us she certainly does, but I wonder for how much longer. The problem is she has become too well known for her own good. She is a most 'unfoxy' fox.
© Copyright 2001 Newsquest Media Group - A Gannett Company |
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