Stephen Byrne
@stephengbyrne.bsky.social
Gardener
at @bluebellcottage.bsky.social & others. Wildlife (ooh, look, geese!). Books (by the yard). Beer (strong, not too many).
at @bluebellcottage.bsky.social & others. Wildlife (ooh, look, geese!). Books (by the yard). Beer (strong, not too many).
When it's too cool for cats...
November 21, 2025 at 9:44 AM
When it's too cool for cats...
Minus five. Hand-hurting cold. The exotic garden has been properly bashed.
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Minus five. Hand-hurting cold. The exotic garden has been properly bashed.
@peteralanross.bsky.social 'Upon a White Horse' is a lovely book, Peter. Julian Cope, Mrs Edith Pretty, and George Mackay Brown. What more could a reader ask... Did you know 'Steeple Chasing' is in this quarter's Slightly Foxed magazine? That's four foxes now.
November 20, 2025 at 10:41 PM
@peteralanross.bsky.social 'Upon a White Horse' is a lovely book, Peter. Julian Cope, Mrs Edith Pretty, and George Mackay Brown. What more could a reader ask... Did you know 'Steeple Chasing' is in this quarter's Slightly Foxed magazine? That's four foxes now.
Minus two, but here she comes...
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Minus two, but here she comes...
Garlic mulched by Number One, The Larch. The Larch.
November 16, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Garlic mulched by Number One, The Larch. The Larch.
Getting ready for the Bullfinches.
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Getting ready for the Bullfinches.
Writer Ronald Blythe was born on this day in 1922. Like Edmund Blunden, who influenced him, he championed John Clare. He was President of the John Clare Society for some thirty-odd years: 'Just as Clare had the power to articulate the life of the fields and common lands with a reality unknown 》
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Writer Ronald Blythe was born on this day in 1922. Like Edmund Blunden, who influenced him, he championed John Clare. He was President of the John Clare Society for some thirty-odd years: 'Just as Clare had the power to articulate the life of the fields and common lands with a reality unknown 》
They're not enjoying the headwind gusting.
November 5, 2025 at 12:56 PM
They're not enjoying the headwind gusting.
Exasperated there isn't enough poetry about ailments of the feet? Fret no more. John Clare goes where others fear to tread, in 'November', from his 'The Shepherd's Calendar'. And joking aside, just how much action does he fit into these four lines...
#Corns
#Corns
November 1, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Exasperated there isn't enough poetry about ailments of the feet? Fret no more. John Clare goes where others fear to tread, in 'November', from his 'The Shepherd's Calendar'. And joking aside, just how much action does he fit into these four lines...
#Corns
#Corns
Poet Edmund Blunden was born on this day in 1896. Perhaps, without him, and fellow Oxford freshman, Alan Porter, John Clare would still lie in obscurity. Twelve year old Blunden discovered Clare via a collection by the writer Arthur Symons. Blunden later took the book with him to the Western Front.
November 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Poet Edmund Blunden was born on this day in 1896. Perhaps, without him, and fellow Oxford freshman, Alan Porter, John Clare would still lie in obscurity. Twelve year old Blunden discovered Clare via a collection by the writer Arthur Symons. Blunden later took the book with him to the Western Front.
October 31, 2025 at 9:38 PM
What's up, asks Bluesky. Sun's up, responds I.
October 30, 2025 at 7:34 AM
What's up, asks Bluesky. Sun's up, responds I.
Thinning the leeks. With Robin assistance.
October 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Thinning the leeks. With Robin assistance.
The fallen Larch needles give the shade a lift.
October 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The fallen Larch needles give the shade a lift.
Some kind of synchronicity...
October 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Some kind of synchronicity...
Looking for something else and came upon this. Thomas Hardy.
October 24, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Looking for something else and came upon this. Thomas Hardy.
Jenny Uglow's book 'A Year With Gilbert White' is beautifully illustrated. She says of Richard Mabey's biography of Gilbert White, "a perfect life, as far as I'm concerned" But I'm only in February and I'm like what if she hadn't just opted for one year... Wow!
October 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Jenny Uglow's book 'A Year With Gilbert White' is beautifully illustrated. She says of Richard Mabey's biography of Gilbert White, "a perfect life, as far as I'm concerned" But I'm only in February and I'm like what if she hadn't just opted for one year... Wow!
'The Secret Commonwealth' seems a lifetime ago...
October 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
'The Secret Commonwealth' seems a lifetime ago...
Ooh, look! It's @dartmoorcollective.org 's 'Flow' zine. It's so very fine it even has a spine. I just escaped relegation with 'Linear' so was hoping to be mid-table this time. Over the Moor with this result.
October 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Ooh, look! It's @dartmoorcollective.org 's 'Flow' zine. It's so very fine it even has a spine. I just escaped relegation with 'Linear' so was hoping to be mid-table this time. Over the Moor with this result.
Musselburgh Lagoons, on the Forth Estuary. Spectacular.
October 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Musselburgh Lagoons, on the Forth Estuary. Spectacular.
@typejunky.bsky.social Nick, this is a wonderful exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. On until April if you're up that way. Free too. So much more than a "daredevil".
October 19, 2025 at 7:21 PM
@typejunky.bsky.social Nick, this is a wonderful exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. On until April if you're up that way. Free too. So much more than a "daredevil".
Great notebook entry. "Heron smelling - had to hold breath when plucking"
#AndyGoldsworthy #FiftyYears
National Galleries of Scotland
#AndyGoldsworthy #FiftyYears
National Galleries of Scotland
October 18, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Great notebook entry. "Heron smelling - had to hold breath when plucking"
#AndyGoldsworthy #FiftyYears
National Galleries of Scotland
#AndyGoldsworthy #FiftyYears
National Galleries of Scotland
Seen better days.
October 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Seen better days.