House martins! Chunkier, darker perhaps less flashy than swallows, but I'm very fond of them. I used to see clouds of them hunting insects over our local Morrisons' roof-but,alas, not for the last 2 years. But here they are, near Prinknash Abbey, diving low for flies after rain!

Long ago, I realised I had moved into a land of orchards... Gloucestershire - and Worcestershire- and Herefordshire! This apple is a Discovery, not a Worcester, but the plate accompanying this early poem did come to me via that cherry capital, Ledbury! Fruitful best wishes!

I'm always delighted when a bookmark falls out of a new book - & especially when it celebrates 40 years of publishing fine poems & poets! Happy Birthday to @poetrybusiness.bsky.social - the Poetry Business!

After welcome rain, creatures rush back to the huge buddleia: the Red Admiral, the Painted Lady, the harmless Hornet Hoverfly, dozens of domestic bees & a queen bumblebee, lurking in shadow. Two Large Whites whirled off in courtship, eluding my lens.. We wish you warmth & nectar!

If you relish music, & live broadcasting, here are two hours of delight. Between wide-ranging recorded music, @genevievetudor.bsky.social catches Shrewsbury Festival's late bustle on BBC Shropshire. And are the live sessions conducted under umbrellas? Yes! But violins & voices stay in perfect tune!

I've read little of Goldsmith's poetry, & no prose. I was enthralled by this radio piece.'The jests of the rich are ever successful' -Goldsmith's insight rather than his trusting Vicar's?The plot tugs hard at the heart despite fairytale elements.The power of the landlord remains a sinister shadow...

If you love food, its lore & history, here's a radio suggestion! The Kitchen Cabinet from Spalding... full of Lincolnshire good humour. Highlights include @dranniegray.bsky.social on sage & its many traditional uses..how I wish I could grow this. And insights into Lithuanian food! A fine concoction!

Radio suggestions! I always admire Natalie Haynes' @nataliehaynes.bsky.social 's classical insights & especially recommend her 'Argonautica', her account of an epic poem I didn't know. It's also an eloquent introduction to Medea, & to all she did for Jason before he rejected her. Highly recommended!

A stunning image... not least because I've always thought of Europa's deceptive bull as an innocently snow-white beast...

Natalie Haynes@nataliehaynes.bsky.social · 5d ago

Thought no one could look depressed while riding on a magic bull? Allow me to correct you

I hope your dinner is not as storm-tossed as the Red Admiral's! Very best butterfly Bank Holiday wishes!

Don't fight duels! Here is the man who built Whittington Court, a fascinating Tudor house near Cheltenham, his unfortunate wife & an older, calmer face, from their church near the Court. House open daily 2-5 till end of 31 Aug - see Whittington Court's website. (Cake, too!)

'I Have a Literal Mind'... 'A teacher says take a seat, I pick up the chair and walk out.' I rediscover the poems of Karl Knights @inadarkwood.bsky.social- frequently funny, & sharply illuminating. 'Kin' is available from the Poetry Business @poetrybusiness.bsky.social

In Whittington Church near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: a 1775 memorial to a 'Servant', John Taylor,praises his 'Fidelity' & his courage in illness 'worthy to be imitated in every Station of Life'.I think John's employer,at nearby Sandywell,was Mary Tracy, a rich widow (who'd lost her son). Unusual?

In Whittington Church, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, you can see the blank faces of 13th century Crusaders, their elegantly crossed ankles, a distant Lady, & two loyal stone lions, perhaps mangled in England's own religious conflict! Near Whittington Court, house open to end 31 Aug-see website!

'She had no more of what later times call individuality than has the rose, her rival... She never really intended ..to be a shepherdess...' 'The Lady of the Lyrics' Wise & witty readings of poetry by Alice Meynell, 'Selected Poems & Essays' ed. by Alex Wong, intro. Laura Mulvey @carcanet.bsky.social

'She had seated herself suddenly upon a place of detachment between earth and air....She had made herself, as it were, light'... Alice Meynell watches 'A Woman in Grey' cycle in the hubbub of Oxford St. Alice Meynell, 'Selected Poems & Essays' ed Alex Wong, intro Laura Mulvey @carcanet.bsky.social

'Bees, humming in the storm, carry their cold Wild honey to cold cells.' Alice Meynell, 'Selected Poems & Essays' edited by Alex Wong, introduced by Laura Mulvey, (her great-granddaughter), @carcanet.bsky.social. Eloquent and piercingly unexpected...

Just reposting this pointed post, since, without their herbs or their 'spells', my 'witches' now find themselves flying into different time zones! Very best wishes to all!

Alison Brackenbury@abrackenbury.bsky.social · 2w ago

Following #worldfolkloreday, a reminder that 'folklore' has stories sharper than pins! For tales of the local 'witch', Betty, from my mother's lifetime, read my non-fiction prose book, 'Village'. Kindle/phone/computer edition FREE today! SEARCH ALISON BRACKENBURY VILLAGE AMAZON.

Whittington Court, near Cheltenham. A small Tudor manor where Elizabeth I 'dyned', with dark oak furniture, treasured china & the art of past owners. A great tithe barn, a fascinating early church...& tea & cake. Highly recommended! Open daily 2-5 till end 31 Aug. Search 'Whittington Court website'

Following #worldfolkloreday, a reminder that 'folklore' has stories sharper than pins! For tales of the local 'witch', Betty, from my mother's lifetime, read my non-fiction prose book, 'Village'. Kindle/phone/computer edition FREE today! SEARCH ALISON BRACKENBURY VILLAGE AMAZON.

Blackbird has had morning bath & eaten a particularly ripe blackberry & now prepares for a nap in the sun... I hope you have a fruitful weekend!

If you're a poetry-lover within striking distance of Stroud, please do come to the new Dobunni Poetry Festival, 15-17 Oct. This could be a marvellous event for the S. West - please buy ticket(s) as soon as you can & any donation, however small, to the crowdfunder would be a huge help! Thank you!

Has anyone else ever (vainly) searched crammed shelves & tottering bookpiles for the excellent book they need to re-read tomorrow- then remember that it was sent as a PDF? By the way, this old photo is unrelated to my post, but I found it by chance. It is the sea. It is wet..

Has anyone else ever (vainly) searched crammed shelves & tottering bookpiles for the excellent book they need to re-read tomorrow- then remember that it was sent as a PDF? By the way, this old photo is unrelated to my post, but I found it by chance. It is the sea. It is wet..

Survival strategy (during week) during necessary trip to town , on the day Cheltenham reached 35 degrees. Earl Grey tea on the Promenade- apologies for shoes, not quite fitting for Edwardian gentility! I wish you a gently cooler weekend! #heatwave

And the Hummingbird Hawk-moth ignores the small matter of an eclipse...

My startled front garden leaves burning sunlight for long shadow... #eclipse

A colander's view of the eclipse! (Shadowed on white card...) #eclipse

Remembering the glimmer of dawn before the heat... My (open) front door and I wish you a cooler evening!