John Ruskin

Feb17

I have long loved the art of John Ruskin (1819-1900). I was given a card in the 1970s with a reproduction of one of his watercolours, and I still have it. It’s a study of a peacock breast feather, held in the Collection of the Guild of St George, Museums Sheffield.

John Ruskin. Study of a Peacock’s Breast Feather. 1875, watercolour, 22.3 x 14.7 cm.

This first got me interested in his art, especially his stunning watercolours (click on all pics to make bigger):

John Ruskin. Rocks and Ferns in a Wood at Crossmount. 1847. Perthshire. Pencil, ink, watercolour and bodycolour, 32.3 x 46.5 cm

John Ruskin. Rocks and Ferns in a Wood at Crossmount, Perthshire. 1847, pencil, ink, watercolour and bodycolour, 32.3 x 46.5 cm.

John Ruskin. The Garden of San Miniato near Florence. 1845, watercolour on paper.

John Ruskin. Mountain Rock and Alpine Rose. 1844-1849, pencil, ink, chalk, watercolour and bodycolour, 29.8 x 41.4 cm.

John Ruskin. Part of the Façade, San Michele, Lucca. 1845, pencil and watercolour on pale cream paper, 33 x 23.3 cm.

John Ruskin. The Chateau of Neuchatel at dusk, with Jura mountains beyond. 1866, pencil and watercolour, 13.3 x 21 cm.

John Ruskin. Coast Scene near Dunbar. 1847, pencil and watercolour, 32.5 x 47.5 cm.

John Ruskin. The Casa d’Oro, Venice. 1845, pencil and watercolour, with bodycolour, 33 x 47.6 cm.

John Ruskin. Study of a peacock feather and another feather.

Ruskin was particularly fond of painting peacock feathers. In 1875 he wrote, ‘I’ve to draw a peacock’s breast-feather, and paint as much of it as I can without having heaven to dip my brush in.’

I wanted to get some postcards printed for my Etsy shop – my first attempt at branding – and needed an image. My photography doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny, so in the end I thought I’d just choose an image I love, and that was available for free use. It meant that my postcards wouldn’t reflect what I sell in my shop – probably a huge no-no when it comes to branding, but I’d rather have a lovely picture rather than a crappy one I took of some of my beautiful vintage jewellery. The image I settled on is one Ruskin painted of a kingfisher.

John Ruskin. Kingfisher. 1870-1871, pencil, ink, watercolour and bodycolour, 25.8 × 21.8 cm.

If you would like to know more about John Ruskin – he was so much more than just an artist – his Wikipedia page has much information and many links to more. Also, this blog is an interesting place to start.

Sunday stroll: south-west Wiltshire

Feb14

Today we went for a walk out from our village. Signs of spring are everywhere now, despite the sub-zero temperatures we’ve been having overnight for the past few days. Our neighbour’s bank has its glorious display of Cyclamen coum

The hazel catkins are out and the snowdrops are at their best right now

In one of the gardens walking out of the village is an old shepherd’s hut, with one axle broken. It reminds me of A Shepherd’s Life by W H Hudson, which I must re-read again. It was published in 1910, and in it he describes the life of the shepherds on the south Wiltshire downs over a hundred years ago, when those still living had memories going back to the early 1800s. I especially love it as he mentions our village.

An old shepherd’s hut that has seen better days.

We walked out of the village to the sort of chalk downland on which the shepherds about which Hudson wrote would have tended their flocks

Beautiful fungus on an old hawthorn stump:

A hawthorn clump in the grazing land, giving shelter to the sheep and a haven for the birds. In the foreground you can see molehills with the freshly-turned white chalk lumps in them.

A hawthorn clump in the grazing land, giving shelter to the sheep and a haven for the birds. In the foreground you can see molehills speckled with freshly-turned white chalk lumps.

Lovely old gate furniture.

Periwinkle and dog’s mercury among the beech leaves.

Signs of spring: the first chaffinch song

Feb13

I love the markers of the year’s advance, a series of firsts leading to full-blown spring and glorious summer. One of the earliest markers that spring has truly arrived is when our pond starts roiling with mating frogs. That happened two weekends ago. Today I heard another marker: the first spring song of the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs).

Male chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs). Photo by Gidzy.

We have chaffinches here year-round, but it is only in the spring that they sing this glorious descending song. I associate it with walks in the beech woods with the acid-green leaves bursting out of their buds. It’s not the most exciting of bird songs, but it is one of the most redolent ones for me. It means the sun is on its way back to us.

Gravitational waves – wooo!

Feb11

Congratulations to the scientists at LIGO who just now have announced they have detected gravitational waves, from the merging of a pair of black holes. This is the first time we have had the evidence of what up to now was theorised but not observed. A huge day for science. And Albert was right!

N E From jewellery sold in my Etsy shop

Feb11

As I have mentioned before, I have a real soft spot for the work of Niels Erik From, the Danish jeweller (1908—1982). He is considered one of the greats of Danish silver design, and his pieces are very collectable. I always try to have some of his jewellery for sale.

As my previous blog post about him was getting very cluttered, I have pulled out all the items that I have sold. I like to keep a record of his gorgeous pieces that have passed through my shop, and so I’m showing them here.

I have plenty (20 at current count) in my shop for sale at the moment, so do please pop by!

N E From mid 1970s (1974 import mark) modernist necklace in rock crystal and sterling silver with a paperclip link chain. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From modernist amethyst necklace with paperclip chain. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Another view of the NE From amethyst necklace. The cabochon is huge – 21 mm in diameter. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Magnificent NE From modernist amethyst pendant necklace, with silver bars forming the chain. The amethyst is 21 mm in diameter. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Vintage Niels Erik From modernist rose quartz necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details.

Vintage Niels Erik From modernist rose quartz necklace. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From modernist chrysoprase necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst and sterling silver statement necklace, with a 1967 London import mark. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Modernist Baltic amber pendant by Niels Erik From. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) sodalite and sterling silver modernist ring. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Another view of my NE From tigers eye necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From early 1970s modernist necklace in rose quartz and sterling silver. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details.

N E From early 1970s modernist necklace in rose quartz and sterling silver, with a curved bar chain. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From chrysoprase necklace with 1977 London import mark. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Another 1977 NE From chrysoprase modernist necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Rare 1967 NE From amethyst modernist necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst modernist necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Fantastic modernist necklace by Niels Erik From, with small amethyst cabochons set on sterling silver bars, and a solid curved bar link chain. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) nephrite and sterling silver bangle. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photos for details. (NOW SOLD).

Vintage modernist moss agate and sterling silver ring by N E From. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details.

Vintage modernist moss agate and sterling silver ring by N E From. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) modernist tiger’s eye and sterling silver ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From modernist lapis lazuli and sterling silver ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From modernist aventurine ring, with a 1974 London import mark. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver square link bracelet. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Another view of the NE From sterling silver square link bracelet. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From tigers eye and sterling silver modernist ring, with a 1974 London import mark. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From Baltic amber modernist ring. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details.

N E From Baltic amber modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From modernist tiger’s eye ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. This one is UK size O – O 1/2, US size 7 3/4, European size 55 – 55 1/2, and internal diameter of 18 mm. (NOW SOLD).

NE From modernist tiger’s eye ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. This one is UK size L 1/2, US size 6 1/2, European size 52, and has an internal diameter of 17 mm. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver brooch. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From modernist rose quartz and sterling silver ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From rose quartz clip on earrings, set in sterling silver. Click on photo for detail. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz modernist ring, in sterling silver. The ring is UK size H 1/2, US size 4 1/2, European size 46 1/2 and has an internal diameter of 17 mm. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Another NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz modernist ring, in sterling silver. The ring is UK size N, US size 7 1/4, European size 54 and has an internal diameter of 18.5 mm. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From Baltic amber and sterling silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst and sterling silver post earrings for pierced ears. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From modernist rhodochrosite and sterling silver ring, large head size. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From modernist amethyst ring, large head size. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz and sterling silver modernist ring, larger size head 16 mm diameter. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From Baltic amber and sterling silver modernist ring, large head size. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From Baltic amber and sterling silver modernist ring, larger size head 16 mm diameter. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From nephrite and sterling silver modernist ring, small head size. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From moonstone and sterling silver modernist ring, small head size. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) Baltic amber and sterling silver modernist ring, smaller size head 13 mm diameter. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From modernist sterling silver ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From Baltic amber pendant and chain. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst pendant and chain. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From rhodochrosite and sterling silver pendant. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From amethyst and sterling silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From amethyst modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From black onyx and sterling silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From rose quartz ring, with a larger head at 16 mm diameter. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz and sterling silver ring, this one with a smaller head at 13 mm diameter. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) amazonite and sterling silver modernist ring, another of the smaller-headed versions. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Eric From modernist rose quartz clip on earrings. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From rose quartz and sterling silver modernist bracelet. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz modernist bracelet. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From Baltic amber modernist brooch. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From modernist sterling silver brooch. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver calla lily / petal design necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver calla lily / petal bracelet, this one with eight large links (the same size as the links in the necklace). Has a waisted, tapering toggle. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver calla lily / petal bracelet, this one with eight large links (the same size as the links in the necklace). Varies from the bracelet above as it has a square-sectioned bar toggle. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Modernist sterling silver bracelet by Neils Erik From. For sale in my Etsy shop: click photo for details.

Modernist sterling silver bracelet by Niels Erik From. NOW SOLD.

NE From sterling silver calla lily / petal bracelet, this one with eleven small links. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. NOW SOLD.

Sterling silver pendant by Niels Erik From. Click photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) sterling silver calla lily / petal design brooch, a double sprig with 9 small petals. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver calla lily / petal design brooch, a single sprig with 5 small petals. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Another sterling silver calla lily / petal design brooch by NE From. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver calla lily / petal design dangle clip on earrings. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Clip on sterling silver earrings by Niels Erik From. Click photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver clip on earrings. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From sterling silver modernist bracelet, pendant and earrings. Click on photo for details. (ALL NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver leaf wreath brooch. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery; click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Vintage NE From sterling silver leaves brooch. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) clip on earrings in sterling silver. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) sterling silver leaves brooch. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver scarf ring / slide / clip. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From tiger’s eye and sterling silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From modernist rose quartz ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD)

NE From sterling silver ring. This one is UK size M 1/2, US size 6 3/4 – 7, European size 53, and has an internal diameter of c. 19 mm. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From Baltic amber ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From rose quartz modernist bangle. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details.

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz modernist bangle. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From rose quartz modernist ring. Click on photos for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) chrysoprase and sterling silver ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photos for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst and sterling silver ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From modernist Baltic amber ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From green chalcedony ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From tiger’s eye ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD). NE From sterling silver ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery. Click on photo for details.

NE From sterling silver ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niel Erik From sterling silver ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From solid sterling silver dome ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver modernist dome ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) modernist amethyst and sterling silver adjustable ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From modernist large Baltic amber ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From Baltic amber bangle. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz brooch. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From modernist Baltic amber and sterling silver ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From modernist rose quartz ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From Baltic amber bangle. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Vintage N E From Baltic amber modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From Baltic Amber and sterling silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From Baltic amber ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From chrysoprase and sterling silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From Baltic amber and sterling adjustable silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

1975 NE From sterling silver modernist post ring. London import mark. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From apple green chrysoprase post ring, with a 1972 London import mark. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From turquoise ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photos for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From vintage modernist amethyst ring. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From carnelian and sterling silver modernist ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photos for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From modernist nephrite ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From smoky quartz bypass ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on link for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From modernist Baltic amber ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Sterling silver modernist ring by NE From. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver modernist ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From sterling silver modernist ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver bypass bobble ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From amethyst bypass ring with foiled stones. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From modernist sterling silver pendant and chain. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niles Erik From sterling silver link bracelet. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) sterling silver leaf brooch. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photos for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver brooch. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Early NE From 830 silver ring with the daisy motif. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Niels Erik From Baltic amber daisy necklace. For sale in my Etsy shop: click on photo for details.

Niels Erik From Baltic amber daisy necklace. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From amethyst and sterling silver daisy ring, in his earlier, Skønvirke-inspired style. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Baltic amber and sterling silver ring, by Niels Erik From. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From amber daisy ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Another Baltic amber and sterling silver ring, by Niels Erik From. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Baltic amber and sterling silver ring, by Niels Erik From. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) Baltic amber and sterling silver ring in his ‘daisy’ series. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From rose quartz ring. For sale in my shop: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From chrysoprase daisy ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From sterling silver ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) 830 silver ring, in his ‘daisy’ series. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Vintage N E From sterling silver ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Baltic amber floral pendant by Niels Erik From of Denmark, a 1960s piece in his earlier Skønvirke-inspired style. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From rose quartz pendant. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From amazonite and sterling silver brooch. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz and sterling silver bracelet, in his ‘daisy’ series. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) rose quartz beauties in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery. (ALL NOW SOLD).

Rare NE From (Niels Erik From) 830 silver locket, in his ‘daisy’ series. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Tiny sterling silver daisy stud earrings by Niels Erik From. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From (Niels Erik From) 830 silver leaves bar brooch, part of his ‘daisy’ series. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

N E From vintage sterling silver double daisy ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver double flower ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Vintage N E From single daisy sterling silver ring. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver single daisy ring. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details.

NE From sterling silver daisy pendant and chain. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

NE From sterling silver daisy pendant and chain. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (I have four of these in total – please contact me if you would like to buy more than one). (NOW SOLD).

NE From daisy floral wreath brooch. For sale in my Etsy shop, Inglenookery: click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Small N E From turquoise pendant and chain. Click on photo for details. (NOW SOLD).

Rings that remind me of things: Part 7

Feb2

Part 7 of an occasional series about rings in my Etsy shop that remind me of things.

Ring:

Vintage Swedish green chrysoprase and sterling silver ring, made in 1957. (NOW SOLD).

Thing:

The eyes of a jumping spider. Photo by Opoterser.

So far I have had rings that remind me of an Iron Age hillfort, an alien spaceship, a cream horn, a radio telescope, Noah’s Ark, and an octopus tentacle.

Hmmm. Maybe I should get out more ….

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2016

Jan31

Every year, on the last weekend in January, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) asks the British public to take part in the largest wildlife survey in the world: The Big Garden Birdwatch. We are asked to sit and watch our gardens for an hour, and to count what species and numbers of birds we see during that time. The results help the scientists at the RSPB to get an idea of the health of our bird populations.

Chap and I do this every year. Normally we do it at the same time, with one of us watching the front of the cottage (where our small garden is) and the other watching our tiny back yard. This year we’re doing it slightly differently: I did my stint yesterday, and Chap is doing his today as I type.

Our kitchen has a window that looks out over the back yard. There is a bird feeder with sunflower seeds hanging about a metre from the window, and we have a ‘borrowed landscape’ of our neighbours’ garden, with its shrubs and trees and fat balls in a feeder. I have to admit that I probably slightly skewed the results yesterday: we were sitting at the kitchen table when Chap glanced up and saw a goldcrest (Regulus regulus), creeping about and poking for bugs among the white mossy froth of the woolly aphids that live on the old apple tree. We haven’t seen a goldcrest in the garden for years. At that point I said ‘I’m starting the Bird Watch right now’.

Female goldcrest (Regulus Regulus). Photo by Missy Osborn.

It’s always a very zen time, just taking an hour to do nothing other than watch the wildlife around us. I watched two robins (Erithacus rubecula) having a noisy territorial dispute, with lots of chest puffing and chasing each other, and the occasional physical spat. They were so wrapped up in their fighting that they didn’t notice the third robin who crept in and had a good feed while they were scrapping.

Robin (Erithracus rubecula). Photo by Ramin Nakisa.

A pair of blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) visited the sunflower feeder too, separately, but I hope they are a breeding pair.

Male blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). Photo by Spacebirdy.

Female blackcap. Photo by Stefan Berndtsson.

Female blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). Photo by Stefan Berndtsson.

The fat ball feeder attracted a gang of noisy house sparrows (Passer domesticus),

Male house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Photo by Lip Kee Yap.

whereas the sunflower seed feeder was preferred by the even bigger gangs of goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) – our most common garden bird here.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). Photo by Ómar Runólfsson.

Last year’s results are impressive: over half a million people took part, counting a total of 8,546,845 birds in total.

There is still time to take part: the survey runs til midnight.

RSPB website

Sunday stroll: Portland Bill

Jan24

Today we went for a walk at Portland Bill, the most southerly point on the Isle of Portland. The Isle of Portland is a strange place, hanging off the bottom of Chesil Beach like a stony teardrop. The island is an outcrop of Jurassic limestone which has been valued as a building stone for centuries. If you know the Tower of London: that’s Portland Stone. And St Paul’s Cathedral. And Buckingham Palace. And the United Nations headquarters building in New York City. And the Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand. I could go on …

The Isle of Portland seen from Ringstead Bay on a sunny summer's day. To the right of the photo is Weymouth.

The Isle of Portland seen from Ringstead Bay on a sunny summer’s day in 2012. To the right of the photo is Wyke Regis, near Weymouth. Chesil Beach – a narrow spit of land, or tombolo – joins the two.

Quarrying has created a weird and atmospheric landscape on the island, with worked-out quarries and others that are still in use, and piles of discarded, sub-standard stone and workings piled in heaps and dumped over the edges of the high cliffs.

At the southerly end of the island is Portland Bill, with its two lighthouses to warn ships of the rocks and the deadly currents – the Race – where the water of the English Channel churns around the tip of the island in a furious boiling wash of water. Pulpit Rock is all that remains of a stone arch that was cut away by quarrymen.

Portland Bill lighthouse, and the other lighthouse (once the home of Marie Stopes) visible in the mid distance.

The Trinity House Obelisk, a daymarker to warn shipping off the coast during the day. All the land in the foreground is made ground, waste dumped by the quarrymen in centuries past.

Pulpit Rock.

It was a mild and windy day, and we scrambled down to a sea ledge to have a look at the stone and the seascape better.

Fossiliferous limestone exposed on the ledge by Pulpit Rock.

Dumped rejected stone near Pulpit Rock. The black dot on the water is a cormorant - we watched it repeatedly dive for food.

Dumped, rejected stone on a waste heap near Pulpit Rock. The black dot on the water is a cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) – we watched it repeatedly dive for food.

Earlier in the day we had been in Weymouth looking for jewellery goodies for my Etsy shop, and met this fellow in the car park: