Author Archives: ballsofwool

The fig tree has become a sparrow tree for a while. Alarms spurt up from all the bramble-tangle as I pass.  My presence is an insult to the woodpecker, but gives the choughs something to talk about.  Cowbell answers crowcroak. 

There’s been a long drought in these parts. The valley fields are shorn and parched. Scottish people (bringing rain in their pockets) to the rescue!  Bright spots of green poplars show the mountain springs. A muddy puddle from last night’s … Continue reading →

Norman MacCaig: three, yes, three poems about frogs and toads from his collection One of the Many Days.  Just Because I love frogs too; because toadstones; because the toad under the door reminds me of Roger Deakin’s house*; because my husband is … Continue reading →

270,000 ceramic buttons.  Take me to your leader. There isn’t any other stair quite like it.   Sitting on the dock of the bay 

“May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month. The days are long and humid. The river shrinks and black crows gorge on bright mangoes in still, dustgreen trees. Red bananas ripen. Jackfruits burst.” These are the first lines of The … Continue reading →

It was the night before my 30-year school reunion. I should’ve been on WhatsApp excitedly swapping stories with old friends I haven’t seen for more than a quarter of a century – but I decided to go to Glastonbury to … Continue reading →