June 23rd 2025: I was reluctant to get up, nervous, I am ashamed now to say, of how I would find Kali. He was not in my room, but under a chair. He was already on his own. He had not ask to go out as he did every morning, impatiently barking. I must have… Continue reading Kali – dog death and funeral
Category: 2025
Kali – the first week
This must be a common experience. To wake up, come into consciousness and while in space time split seconds, when space time settles in: the time in my life, ah yes now 67 years on this earth; where I am, ah yes the cabin; the light outside gentle so dawn; the mind turning to the… Continue reading Kali – the first week
Kali – The third biscuit
Returned from seeing Lucy the shepherd, I prepare for bed, a treat of hot chocolate with cream, and dog three biscuits. Ah. Only two dogs now. These small rituals, rehearsed for so many years, altered suddenly, these gentle reminders turn me into a spin of sadness and missing, tears welling. While Kali rests, his flesh,… Continue reading Kali – The third biscuit
Kali of Kaliwoods
Born May 2009, Kali died aged 16 near mid summers day 2025. We buried him in Kaliwoods. Here is a poem written by Jeremy Solnick about that evening: His beginnings were in the Sahara desert, the last big adventure, Romford Road to Timbuktoo, when I came back from that knowing I wanted a dog and… Continue reading Kali of Kaliwoods
Garden woodchip
A load of woodchip arrived from tree surgeon Lawrence. Unfortunately the tipping did not quite work according to plan and a load was left just outside the gates. A call out to the Whatsapp group achieved Virginia and Marion - together we did it, with delightful conversation throughout.
Drawing of hornbeam
Being nailed down by Po was a pleasure today: blackbird singing , cool shade, Bo rocking up to draw brow, and I - with pencil - explored the muscular branches of hornbeam. Kali is there. Under the table. I drew a sketch of him.
STW AGM Suffolk Verges
RNR - Roadside Nature Reserves Grassland not any trees Everyone a CWS or SSSI Managed by Suffolk County Council contractors, various cuts usually September and Feb Relies on volunteers to rake the grass away Partnership with SBIS supported by County 121 in Suffolk (10 for fungi) 90 Parishes have RNR 65% have dedicated wardens to… Continue reading STW AGM Suffolk Verges
Staverton with Suffolk Tree Wardens & Gary Battell
With the Suffolk Tree Wardens, a good turnout, with many who had never visited Staverton before. Ah Staverton virgins. A mid summers day, after a thunderstorm. Some notes from Gary's talk: 3,000 oaks here at Staverton, probably the worlds best Quercus robur woodland. Garry has been here 33 years. Staverton the name: Saxon, the place… Continue reading Staverton with Suffolk Tree Wardens & Gary Battell
No rain – tending Community garden
Returned from Cornwall, and still no rain. Looking down the tubes, I estimate the land has lost around 40% of the trees. 'With just 80.6mm recorded so far for the UK, Spring 2025 is, so far, currently ranking at the driest spring in over a century. The previous record low for the full season was… Continue reading No rain – tending Community garden
Bertie’s send off – literally
A gathering of many, mainly Suffolk moments in Bertie's life, arrived in the wood, some for the the first time like the Trustees of Dementia Carers Fund, and some regulars like Kally and Leslie and the Elders, Esther, Andrew and Wil. Pippa and Bertie's entire family had flown from East and West, north and south… Continue reading Bertie’s send off – literally
Kaliwood 