Child's play

Day time television presenter, Adrian Child's writes to celebrate the simple – in reality very complex – pleasure of those small local parks that have suddenly come to the fore after the pandemic, when access to 'out of doors' saved the mental health of millions. That's not just my opinion.

We need to preserve and extend the role of green space in the urbanised country the United Kingdom, particularly England , has become. Instead of building over everywhere, some of those former commercial and industrial spaces should be turned into green space, even if they serve just to separate transport links from housing, or short cuts from 'the shops' to home.

Mr Child's is right. Read more here. (off site link)

Just a fruitful tree

 This plum tree stands beside the East Coast Mainline rail bridge on the border of Heaton and Byker.

Was it planted? Did it just grow from a dropped plum stone? The latter seems much more likely; it is difficult to think anyone would have planted a plum deliberately on such a nearly non-existent patch of dirt that must always have been wretched and still is frequently fly tipped or used as a rubbish tip for cans and food wrappings. Despite this inauspicious background it always catches the eye about now every year.

It produces a huge crop of small yellow plums each summer.

This year I tried one*. It was delicious! Good for eating or jam making.

* Not recommended. Always wash fruit picked yourself.

Deepest Ouseburn 2022

 It is still possible to 'get away' even in a big city. Never has that detail been more important as our present circumstances make travel problematic. The extra benefit has been the role that green spaces have played in keeping many people sane – the daily walk with or without a companion that brings relief and balance to our lives.

The Ouseburn winding through the city provides a variety of experience – entertainment and refreshments, encounters with wildlife and opportunities, recreation, relaxation or just moderate exercise that strolling provides. Just here and there, something close to wilderness ...

A juvenile (or moulting adult) Dipper and then a 'guided' Kingfisher like a blue bolt, fast and level, hurrying to get to another perch. Avoid getting stung by plants!