"Back in My Day..."
The summer of 1976 — the season Baby Boomers will cling to until the final jug of lukewarm Robinsons squash evaporates off a scorched patio. For those unfamiliar, 1976 was the year it got hot in Britain. Not real hot by modern standards, but hot enough for a few shirtless dads to mow the light brown lawn while “You to Me Are Everything” by The Real Thing warbled from a transistor radio. A time so beloved it’s been ...
Picture the scene. You’re an angler. You’ve lovingly and regularly caught a 50lb carp named Barry for half a decade. Barry’s more than a fish—he’s a legend, a slippery mirror carp with a fan base and a gut a barstool bullshitter would envy. Then, one frosty morning, you find poor Barry half-eaten on the bank, looking like he's been on the wrong end of a knife fight with a furry torpedo.
Enter the otter, Britain’s aquatic comeback ...
March in the UK is a time of change. The days grow longer, the first daffodils shake off their winter weariness, and the air carries that unmistakable scent of spring. But for Britain’s birdlife, March is more than just a seasonal shift—it’s a departure lounge and arrival gate rolled into one.
As we bid farewell to some winter visitors, we throw open the doors to a fresh wave of summer migrants (coming over ‘ere, eating our seeds). ...
Every morning, as I sip my coffee and pretend I have control over my day, a miniature ecosystem battle unfolds in my garden. It might just look like a handful of birds squabbling over my well-stocked nut feeder, but after a bit of investigation, in reality, these feathery freeloaders are working tirelessly to keep nature in balance.
Blue Tits, Robins and Blackbirds
Take the blue tits, for example. These tiny daredevils spend half their ...
With everything going on in the world—bad news popping up like weeds—I’ve realised I desperately need moments of peace. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s important to stay informed about current affairs, but sometimes my brain feels like it’s running on fumes, and I need a break from the misery of it all. That’s where Gone Fishing, with Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer, comes in for me—it’s the perfect way to switch off and ...
