A toast at the 'turning of the year'!

And a few more images of those last rays of 2017 seen across the Somerset countryside:

Concerning the whales - New Huffington Post Blog!

I have recently authored a new article on the Huffington Post building on comments made by Sir David Attenborough on Blue Planet II: 

"Blue Planet Praises Whaling Moratorium But The Whales Are Not Saved Yet."

Here is an excerpt: 

"Above all, it’s essential to understand that the ban on whaling is not set in stone for all time. At every meeting of the International Whaling Commission, the pro-whaling nations attack the commercial whaling ban.... The major part of the moratorium’s success is in its enduring maintenance in the face of such onslaught."

The full article is HERE.

And THIS LINK leads to all the Huffington Post articles that I have authored. 

Two sleeps 'til Christmas

Birds At Winter Nightfall 

Around the house the flakes fly faster,
And all the berries now are gone
From holly and cotoneaster
Around the house. The flakes fly!--faster
Shutting indoors that crumb-outcaster
We used to see upon the lawn
Around the house. The flakes fly faster,
And all the berries now are gone!

Thomas Hardy

Sunset on the canal on one of the shortest days.

Countdown to Christmas - Bradford on Avon

I took a little walk around Bradford on Avon this evening. The River Avon is flowing fast through this old market town and the Christmas lights were pretty, so here are some photos.

Holy Trinity Church

Church Street

Town Bridge and Lock Up

Bridge Street from the other side of the river.

Christmas is comimg!

"Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat
Please to put a penny in the old man’s hat;
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you!"

Traditional Christmas poem.

Poor old geese.... and I am not sure you would get any thanks for a penny any more, and half pennies no longer exist. 

But Christmas goes on. Here are some images to help get you into the festive mood. 

Floodlit Bath Abbey complete with Christmas tree, a big moon and throngs attending the Christmas market.

Bath Abbey - north face with a fringe of Christmas market stalls

Abbey square in daylight, the Pump Rooms where you can take Bath waters to the right.

And also some views of the Limpley Valley as Autumn turns to Winter.

The Sky mirror of the Dunedas basin - the turning point just before the canal crosses the River Avon. 

The Avon from the aquaduct

Chaffinch and berries

And some birds in silhouette:

Kingfisher hidden in the winter willow