Status-Q

A warning on a steep and narrow road heading out of Grasmere.

You need some of these bluebells, above Aysgarth Falls

In the countryside around Newsells Park Stud, everything is tailored to equine comfort and happiness.

We visited Southwold for the first time today. A lovely spot.

It's particularly good when the weather is fine before the high season begins because (a) it's not too crowded and (b) dogs are allowed on the beach!

Beechwoods nature reserve on Saturday morning.

That's the only reason I can think of for somebody to have abandoned a nice pair of platform shoes in the middle of a field.

Tilly and I continued our walk, pondering what their story might be, until they vanished in the mist behind us.

Is that the 18-55 f/2.8 you're using? Looks tasty...

...and it's impossible not to take pictures of them...

Tilly and I were walking yesterday on a nice meadow near the gates of the old Mines of Moria - very peaceful, no other hobbits around - when suddenly a terrifying tentacled creature rose from the depths.

It reached out for us, fixing us with a ravenous, menacing eye as it opened its gaping maw...

We ran for our lives... stopping only to capture a couple of snaps for Status-Q, of course.

For me, there is nothing quite so evocative of happy adventures to come as the sight and smell of freshly-Nikwaxed walking boots.