A Christmas Sunrise Surprise
Spectacular sunrises and sunsets often leave us elated: even more so in times as emotional as today. philip explains some of the science behind our memorable experiences. It was still early and I was...
View ArticleAn early summer’s day at Powerstock Common
The minor road that climbs past the Spyway Inn near Askerswell was quiet that day, a welcome relief from the seemingly endless traffic clogging the A35. Eventually, though, Eggardon Hill came into...
View ArticleWoodbury Castle
A glimpse of ancient history in East Devon by Philip Strange The Pebblebed Heaths in East Devon constitute the largest block of lowland heath in the county. Named for the underlying pebble-rich...
View ArticleThe Holly and the Ivy
Christmas is nearly upon us and some tunes will be heard more than others. But do we know the origins of the songs we sing?Philip Strange has been looking into the history of one that lingers long...
View ArticleMahonia: A shrub for Winter colour and so much more
If, like me, you enjoy looking at flowers, then winter can be a pretty dismal time. The plants that give colour to the autumn such as asters and sedums have long since faded and there’s a gap of...
View ArticleSighting Seals along the Dorset, Devon Coast
A glistening black head suddenly broke through the surface of the water a metre or two offshore. A long, dark, shadowy shape was also just visible and we realised that this was a seal. We watched,...
View ArticleSpring Flowers at Cogden Beach
It was an unexpectedly bright morning in the first week of May and I had come to one of my favourite places, Cogden in west Dorset. I stood in the car park for a few moments enjoying the gentle warmth...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When the Moon came to Exeter Cathedral
It was a rare, cloud-free evening in mid-February earlier this year and I had stopped to gaze up at the sky, by now a deepening dark blue. Although the sun had set nearly an hour previously, vestiges...
View ArticleThe Magic and Myth of Hares
Philip Strange tells how an unexpected road closure led to a surprising encounter with three hares. The minor road headed roughly northwards, climbing gradually across chalk downland towards Ansty...
View ArticleWhere there’s mud there’s birds
Philip Strange goes searching for avocets on the mudflats around the estuary of the river Exe in East Devon. As it approaches the sea, the river Exe swells into an impressive estuary about eight miles...
View Article