Wotton Church (and John Evelyn)
Wotton Church We are very fortunate here at Mindfully Bertie to have a growing band of loyal friends who support our endeavours to entertain you each week. Some of those friends offer ideas of their own. Two weeks ago, Bernard and Aldith reminded Bobby of the “secret snowdrops” at Abinger Hall. In doing so, we…
Wot’s in an ‘at
Bobby and I love ‘ats. They keep yer bonce warm. They keep it dry… hopefully. Some keep the sun out of yer eyes. Some are totally practical. Some not. Some reflect your mood. Others your ego. Just one or two are very old friends. Maybe only one is. “‘at Par Excellence”. So here we offer…
It’s a Beautiful World – The Bluebird
The Happiness I’ve Discovered in my Own Backyard Dear Friends of Mindfully Bertie. Once again we are indebted to our English Rose Janis, who keeps her eyes open for words of wisdom from across the pond. From her home in Arizona, she found this article in the New York Times inspirational. So do we. The…
The Rolls-Royce Wildlife Garden
Bringing Nature to Life at the Home of Rolls-Royce A Children’s Competition We are privileged through Andrew (Bobby’s son) to have an insight into what happens at Rolls-Royce Motor cars beyond building ‘The Best Car in the World’. And now, we are excited about his latest project. Bringing Nature to Life at the Home of…
Covid-19 Guided Walk for One. Number 10: Abinger – the Secret Snowdrop Walk.
Number 10 : Abinger – the Secret Snowdrop Walk This walk was sent to us by Bernard and Aldith. Past guest contributors. The snowdrop photographs by Bernard. The route by Aldith. We walked the route last Tuesday and it is a lovely walk of considerable variation and interest. Originally just intended to see the snowdrops,…
Can You Hear Me Now?
There was a time when we rode on trains. Travelled to Farringdon on Thameslink. Looked out the window mindfully into people’s private lives. Compared how green some people’s lawns were. Wondered at the impressive history of Farringdon Station. Walked through Clerkenwell to Islington.
War Baby.
“Bobby was a War Baby. That’s why his ears stick out.” So said his Mum Dorothy many times over her lifetime with Bobby. She rarely mentioned the war at all otherwise. Nor did Sid. His Dad. This soul searching all started with an interesting post on Sutton and Cheam History Group. Bobby always intended to…
Review
Bertie: “Cor blimey Bobby, this pandemic seems to be going on forever. ‘Abnormal’ is becoming the norm. At the beginning of the first lockdown, we were immediately conscious of time on our hands. Time for us at Mindfully Bertie (Technical Director Tim might disagree) and time for many of our readers.”
Ashes to Ashes
It was the 15 February 1999. The light was starting to fade across the Severn Estuary. A middle aged couple were sitting alone in a bird hide at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. Watching the scene developing in front of them as wild Ducks, Geese and Swans descended upon the lake…
Siskin
Bobby’s interest in birds started in Ridge Road Library, North Cheam. One miserable winter, he caught flu quite badly and was off school for a while. Once he started to recover, he revelled in this little, long since gone library. One day he borrowed ‘The Birds of London’. He was amazed by the revelations in…