by Caspar Bowes

This seemingly innocent, Scanda-wegian-looking landscape hides a ghastly plagueThe common Scottish midge is capable of causing at least as much misery as any other animal on earth. Many's the time I've been fishing and would have happily accepted a crocodile emerging from the river's depths and clam…

The pulpit-like rock from which one can - should one be so inclined - launch oneself into the chill waters of the River FindhornTo set off on a blast up the motorway north from Wiltshire is to launch oneself on a magical journey with the promise of excitement at its end. The threat of sticky jams '…

Green woodpeckers, his 'n' hers, on the lawn. In the foreground, Campanula pyramidalis, which has suddenly decided to be white after years of flowering blue We are surrounded by yaffles. They swoop down onto the lawn and probe about for the ants that live there. And they meet with great success; ou…

A merry - if hot and jaded - band being amply fed and watered in the garden of the Hinton Parva Village HallYesterday dawned bright, close and very warm. Mid-day found me wandering into the village hall at Hinton Parva from a steamy car park. The building's interior shade and relative cool was very …

Somerset House, a newly exploited venue for wine tastingsToday's been a little cooler: a relief for chubby, overheated babies and their (only slightly, in some cases) less chubby siblings and parents. The garden has started to take on that baked appearance, looking like it's high summer.Some weeks a…