Having arrived along the river and been faced with a wall of jungle, we were eager to explore. The trails around our lodge had given us a glimpse of the jungle world beyond but we wanted more, and the best way to do that in Tortuguero is by boat. So it was back onto a … More The Rainforest at Tortuguero
It was not what I expected on a Sunday morning dog walk. Knowing the heat of the day was to come, I headed out earlyish to walk Barley. All was normal as I wandered down the long grass of Melford Common, down the gentle slope that leads to a small road that splits the field … More Swan Rescue
A hot summer’s day. The sky a blazing blue. The tang of saltwater wafting on a slight breeze. A short distance away there are steep crumbling cliffs that overlook an azure sea lapping at golden sands of the North Norfolk coast. In our immediate vicinity the sun beats unrelenting on dense bramble and scrub that … More Oh how I love these birds of many colours
A week of sunshine, clouds, rain, thunder and lightning. Sometimes all in one day. A week of hiking through Welsh woodlands, splashing through streams, trooping up and down steep slopes, carrying kit and kids, avoiding stinging nettles, branches and sheep poo. Of stopping to admire the view. From steep sloping valleys, a patchwork of woodland … More A Week in Wales
Sitting on a plastic chair cuddling my youngest as he finally succumbs to sleep, darkness surrounds me with a cold cloak. The surrounding trees and little wooden house, lose their colour disappearing into black silhouettes. The sky still holds some light, varying shades of dark blue rather than black yet. My other senses take over. … More Reflecting
Past experience tells me the Devon countryside is stunning. Narrow, single lane roads with tight passing places. Towering hedgerows that block out all but a narrow strip of sky above. The occasional gaps in the hedge or where the road dips up and down, reveals undulating green fields with thick lines of hedges and round … More Devon’s Bunting
It’s just over 14 years and I can still remember the sensation of climbing into the treetops. A narrow rope bridge ascending upwards, up and over the forest below, a gentle incline at first, getting gradually steeper until it is almost vertical and like climbing a ladder. Emerging onto a platform 42 m up is … More Wild Barley Rewind: Jungle Observations
September has passed in a blur of school runs, playtime, pureeing food and walks in the forest with the dog. The weather has swung from a short final blast of warmth and sunshine to persistent wind and deluging rain. The leaves in the forest were turning as autumn began, changing to yellow, orange and brown. … More An Autumn of Upset Williams
It was not just around the Lodge at Taricaya Ecological Reserve that we encountered wildlife. Each day whether we were walking to and from observation platforms, flower cutting, weeding, maintenance or even clearing trails, we were immersed in jungle wildlife. Of course we also went out on specific walks looking for wildlife. The first of … More Wild Barley Rewind: Jungle Trails
After arriving at Taricaya Ecological Reservein the Peruvian jungle back in 2006 we quickly settled into a routine. Each morning breakfast was at 7:30am. 8am and we would head off in teams to undertake one of the projects, planting and weeding flowers, maintenance, building or looking after the animals in the rehabilitation programme. Three days … More Wild Barley Rewind: Jungle Lodge
Wild Barley 