Diddley

Four go to Swift’s Hill

Swift’s Hill Bertie: “Gordon Bennett, Bobby! It’s chucking it down; the roads are flooded; you can only see out of one eye and we are driving to Swift’s Hill. One thing is certain. I am not going up that bleedin hill with you. It will ruin my mohair!”

Finding “Serenity”

This little Robin Redbreast is hereby christened ‘Serenity‘. Over twenty four minutes on Holmwood Common he transported Bobby to another world. A world where nothing mattered. No anxiety. No tribulations. No expectations. No exhortations. Nothing but serenity. For twenty four minutes. The time between the first and last photographs.

Lighting a Candle for Diddley (and for Peter)

Lighting a Candle

Review

Bertie: “Cor blimey Bobby, this pandemic seems to be going on forever. ‘Abnormal’ is becoming the norm. At the beginning of the first lockdown, we were immediately conscious of time on our hands. Time for us at Mindfully Bertie (Technical Director Tim might disagree) and time for many of our readers.”

Ashes to Ashes

It was the 15 February 1999. The light was starting to fade across the Severn Estuary. A middle aged couple were sitting alone in a bird hide at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. Watching the scene developing in front of them as wild Ducks, Geese and Swans descended upon the lake…

Dreaming

Bertie: “Gor blimey, Bobby. Wednesday’s story about 2013 and the Samaritans was a bit heavy. Did it upset you writing it?” Bobby: “Not at all Bertie. When I walked over that railway crossing with David, I knew it was an opportunity to put a couple of things straight. And also to close the book on…

Diddley at 60.

Our August season of anniversaries continues with Diddley’s birthday on 19th August. She would have been 70 this year. She left us four days after her birthday, five years ago on 23 August. But this is a celebration of life. Just like last week. Tributes to Diddley are listed at the foot but, for now,…

Cornflower Blue.

Cornflower Blue. Once upon a time there was another Brompton in a box under the bench in the workshop. It didn’t move for nine years! In fact, it was only ever ridden twice. Back in 2010 Bobby had retired, but Diddley was still at work. And she was entitled to buy a bike under the…

Eamonn’s Day Out at Wisley!

Eamonn’s Day Out! Bertie: “Wisley! You must be bleedin joking! It’s taters. Anyway, I thought we agreed that Friday was the one day you rested. You worked all day for the National Trust yesterday. I’m not going.” Bobby: “Fine. I’ll take Eamonn instead!”

The Church, Miserden, Gloucestershire

The Church, Miserden Many books have been written about the poet and author Laurie Lee. Back in the 1990s, a television programme was produced based on interviews with him as he talked about his life. The transcripts of those interviews have come to life and been turned into a book.