The travelling writer
Hi. I’m Patsy Collins aka the travelling writer. I got that nickname as I spend a lot of my time making things up and writing them down whilst traveling in a campervan with my husband, Gary Davies, who is a photographer. …
It isn’t necessary to have a separate garden or bed in which to grow herbs. Many herbs can easily be incorporated into even the most formal of decorative gardens and will benefit their neighbours.
When people think about growing herbs, they often think they will need a separate bed for them, probably one laid out in a formal pattern such as a wheel or checkerboard arrangement. A special herb garden isn’t the only, or even the best, way of growing herbs.
Just as with…
A 2,000-word story
Reverend Jerry Grande was enjoying an experience in which he rarely indulged. He was singing; loudly. He only allowed himself to do so very early in the morning, or late in the evening and only ever in the far corner of the churchyard. …
A 1,000 word story
“I don’t know what to do, I’ve tried everything,” Ceri said. She sipped her unsweetened herbal tea and tried to look as though she were enjoying it.
“Everything but the obvious course of action,” Leanne corrected. She scooped up another forkful of gooey chocolate cheesecake. “You know what I…”
“I…
In the wild, fallen trees provide a home for many creatures. It’s easy to recreate this environment on a small scale in our own gardens
Building a log pile is one of the quickest, easiest, cheapest and most effective ways of attracting wildlife into the garden. Not only will it attract the creatures who’ll use the log pile for food or shelter, but also the larger creatures who eat them.
This would be a great…
Bring some of your garden inside with these home-made Christmas decorations.
1. Make delicate garlands by threading holly leaves complete with a berry each and small puffs of cotton wool (to represent snow) onto thread. These can be suspended from the ceiling, draped along curtain poles or wrapped around the tree.
2. Make wreaths by affixing evergreens, small fir cones and…
Delicious, meat-free alternatives to the traditional roast turkey Christmas dinner
1. Stilton and cranberry soufflé. Adapt any cheese soufflé recipe by substituting stilton for the suggested cheese and put a layer of cranberry sauce in the bottom of the dish before filling with soufflé mixture.
2. Crimbo Wellington. Puff pastry filled with peeled coarsely chopped chestnuts, parsnip puree and creamed…
A 1000 word story
Joey’s hand reached out. He watched as it trembled, struggling to grasp the brown paper bag. He was afraid, horribly afraid, but he must wrap the bad ice cube before it grew into an iceberg and sank, dragging him down with it. Could it do that? Joey couldn’t remember.
He…
Hedgehogs are cute little creatures, but that’s not the only reason for wanting them in your garden.
Hedgehogs used to be a common sight in our gardens and hedgerows, but sadly they are now in decline. They are forced out of their natural habitats as the area of natural woodlands steadily reduces. This means they are becoming increasingly reliant on gardens in urban areas. Sadly here they…
Carol singing is a popular and fun way for clubs and other organizations to raise money — but you have to do it right!
1. Sing carols
Actual real carols that people will know and like. ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ is not a carol, even if you do make the huge effort of singing more than one verse. ‘All I Want For Christmas’ is a great song, but it’s not a carol.
Learn more than…
