Category: Notes from the sticks

IN these achingly politically correct times, it seems hard to imagine a proudly men-only dance group capering through the streets with their faces blacked up, exchanging jokes and insults with … Continue readingBacup, land of the Nutters

IT’S funny how sometimes the least remarked and least glamorous things remind you afresh of how utterly amazing the world is. The stream at the back of our house is … Continue readingIn praise of algae

IT’S been quiet in our village since work stopped on building sites in our market town of Clitheroe. The daily procession of low-loaders carrying heavy plant, concrete mixer trucks and … Continue readingHow green was my valley

THIS week we saw the year’s first brood of mallard ducklings on the stream at the back of our house on their way to the Ribble about half a mile … Continue readingOh no, it’s duckling time

THERE is nothing like the call of the curlew. Perhaps it’s more evocative than any other sound of the uplands in spring. However it is heard less frequently these days … Continue readingCurlews calling

LAST week I wrote that spring had not arrived in Lancashire. This week we have had some lovely sunshine but it is close to or below freezing at night, so … Continue readingThe great nectar robbery

AT THIS time of year it can seem as if spring will never arrive in Lancashire. Night-time temperatures are forecast to be around 2 or 3 degrees C until the … Continue readingSpring unsprung

WE ARE very fortunate to have eels in our stream. The bank on our side was reconstructed some years ago with massive boulders brought in by crane, and at one point … Continue readingWell Eeled

Notes from the sticks: Maladjusted mallards WE always have some mallards hanging around on our stream and on the bank, usually a pair or two, sometimes 20 or 30. Of course … Continue readingMaladjusted mallards

I HAVE been told that when I was four or five years old I was pushing a toy pram around when a neighbour asked to see my doll. Apparently she … Continue readingThe wonderful world of worms