For where the folded daisies are, In every one I see a star

Daisies

The stars are everywhere to-night,

Above, beneath me and around;

They fill the sky with powdery light

And glimmer from the night-strewn ground;

For where the folded daisies are

In every one I see a star

And so I know that when I pass

Where no sun's shadow counts the hours

And where the sky was there is grass

And where the stars were there are flowers,

Through the long night in which I lie

Stars will be shining in my sky.

Andrew Young

(1885 - 1971)

One for all...

...and all for one!  Some of the finest children's cartoons came out of my 80s childhood, but in an era defined by Danger Mouse and Duckula, Thundercats and Transformers, there is one series that stands alone, towering head-and-shoulders above its rivals - Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds.

Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds

One of Dogtanian's biggest appeals - and surprises - is just how far it flew under the radar of generation Y.  It is largely ignored by its former viewers, forgotten, overlooked and left as a footnote on the annals of their formative years.  Why it has been eclipsed is a mystery to me, for Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds has it all - wonderful artistry and real attention to detail for its time; a fantastic, fast-paced adventure story; bundles of history; oodles of Paris; a vibrant, clever cast of characters; and the abundant wit that seems in such short supply in modern kids' programming.  At the heart of the plot, in which the country bumpkin son of a national hero is sent to Paris to become a Musketeer, is a classic battle between good and evil, played out in the palaces and streets of the French capital, where Dogtanian must prove himself, win his love, and thwart the numerous machinations of the evil Cardinal Richelieu, aided in his dastardly deeds by the cunning Milady, bumbling Captain Widimer, and likeable Count Rochefort, the 'Black Moustache'.  Does Dogtanian rise to become a Musketeer?  Will Richelieu's ambition to singularly control the country ever be realised?  I'll leave you to crack open your own DVD box set to find out these answers.

Dogtanian meets the Black Moustache

The evil Cardinal Richelieu

The purpose of this blog was not just to look back on such a ground-breaking series, but also to look forward - for a smattering of online reports suggest that the Dogtanian brand has not been confined to the 1980s.  Indeed, if you believe Animation magazine or Variety.com, the swashbuckling adventure may soon be delighting kids and adults once more, by way of a new 3D animated film.  In my opinion, the first signs are pretty promising - the images thus far released look great, and BRB International's 2016 reel gives a further snapshot of the excitement that awaits (move this video onto 3.52 and let yourself be swept away.)  In all, a new Dogtanian, rooted in the heritage of the original cartoon, and looking every bit like a 21st century production.  Well played BRB.

Dogtaninan in 3D (source: variety.com)

Now if I'm being honest, I've never actually read Alexander Dumas' acclaimed classic, despite housing it on my bookshelf for more than 15 years.  Maybe, in light of this film release, I'll give it a go (not that it'll be possible to imagine the characters as anything other than a host of colourful animals.)  In the meantime, I think a re-watch of the original cartoon series is in order.  All together now: "One for all and all for one, muskehounds are always ready..."

A million miles from anywhere

Last week, Lizzie and I hit the Atlantic Highway through Cornwall, destination Padstow.  Now, even though I'm a born-and-bred Devonian, the land across the border has always been something of a mystery to me - for no particular reason, I've seldom visited Cornwall in my life thus far - but the little north coast port is a favourite of Lizzie's and, as it turns out, is a delightful place to while away a day or two, especially if you're staying at a hotel as pleasant as the Metropole.

The Metropole Hotel, the 'Pride of Padstow'

Padstow

Padstow itself is a town of fine atmosphere, with a friendly mix of visitors and locals alike, centred around the little harbour, from where its fishing industry makes this more than a simple tourist hotspot.  The myriad coastal shops are mostly rather lovely, and sell all the usual seashells and model boats, but there's also a luxury element to their wares - fine cookware and foodstuffs are a reminder of the town's affinity with cuisine, and the name of Rick Stein can be seen at every turn (hence the town's alternative name, 'Padstein.')  We didn't see Rick on our trip, but were nearly knocked over by Paul Ainsworth, who was in the act of transporting a bottle of bubbly to one of his restaurants.  Beyond the numerous shops and restaurants, one has to mention the war memorial, sat with prominence over the estuary, and notable for the adjacent wildflower meadow, stunning in the evening sunshine.

Padstow's war memorial

Wild flowers by the war memorial

One of the town's top-rated attractions is the National Lobster Hatchery, which is dedicated to marine conservation and seafood sustainability.  The centre is looking to combat the over-exploitation of the local waters, by working with fisheries to conserve the vulnerable lobster population, and through their work, both biodiversity and the local fishing community stand to benefit.  When local fishermen catch a pregnant lobster they bring it here, and within the maternity tanks, the team grow baby lobsters from the eggs, leading them through their most vulnerable stage, before they are released back into the wild around the Cornish coast.  It is reckoned that, in the wild, one in 20,000 lobster hatchlings will live long enough to breed - last year, 53,000 juveniles were released into the wild, so the benefits to sustainability are really very clear.

Charlie the spiny lobster, one of the centre's residents

A juvenile lobster

Taking the ferry across the Camel Estuary, and no doubt skimming over thousands of lobsters beneath, we make next for the settlement of Rock.  If Padstow retains some of the grit and salt of fishing in its blood, then Rock is by contrast the playground of the rich.  Properties here, which must hit six zeroes, are afforded spectacular views of the estuary, the beaches, and the ocean beyond, and the sailboats bobbing gentle in the breeze suggest a life of leisure.  Rock Beach itself stretches off beautifully into the distance and out of view, and as we find a suitable spot to enjoy a Chough Bakery pasty, I notice a number of sand martins flitting across the beach, and diving into little sandstone nests.  It also hasn't gone unnoticed that there's an awful lot of 'beach aster' in Rock, instantly recognisable because I'm growing it at home - perhaps one day, I'll end up with a display as magnificent as this.

Young sand martins

Erigeron Glaucus 'Sea Breeze" - the beach aster in abundance

Arriving back in Padstow, there's just enough daylight left to take a stroll along the coast path and into the countryside.  In no time at all we've completely left the town behind us, and are in the middle of a glorious meeting between two worlds - to the left, wheat fields stretch away under playful swallows, whilst to the right, the cliffs give way to golden beaches.  It's an amazing feeling of contentment to stand, wind blowing in your face, a million miles from anywhere - I get now why people flock here from all over.

On the coast path

Pause for a photo on the coast path

A beautiful couple of days in this lovely corner of Cornwall, over all too quickly as we pack our bags and make our way back up the A30, vowing to return, and uttering the words: "Oh, we could easily do it as a day trip."  I think it's fair to say, we haven't seen the last of Padstow.

Rock Beach, looking over to Padstow

#JeSuisEuropean

Today I realised just how alienated I am in my own country, in my own county, in my own home town.  Britain has never walked away from a challenge before - this is a sad day for our country, a sad day for Europe, and a terrible and bitter day for those who believe in strength through unity in a bleak and dangerous world.  Today an older generation of voters, having profited and benefited so much out of the peace, prosperity, free trade and free movement of people, have chosen to destroy and destabilise the future for their children.  The younger generation will never - ever - forget this.  Je Suis European.

The greatest game

As a lifelong fan of the Beautiful Game, I've seen my share of memorable matches, both live and on TV.  Torquay thrashing Scarborough in the Third Division play-off semi finals... Arsenal beating Everton to clinch the Premier League... Newcastle 3, Liverpool 4...  But when you're talking about the absolute match that I'll remember until the day I die, just wind the clock back to twenty years ago tonight -  18 June 1996.

"Gascoigne into the area, Sheringham, it’s cut back for him... it’s set up for SHEARER…  Three Nil!  Brilliant play from England!"

Shearer makes it three.  England will run out 4-1 winners (source: Talksport)

Ten reasons to love the garden now

It's June, the weather is warm, and the garden is starting to come into its own.  A quick stroll up to the summerhouse and back revealed a whole host of new and exciting developments, showing that even if you take your eye off the ball for only a day or two, nature is ceaselessly whirling away creating.  Gardening is, of course, a blink-and-you-miss-it way of life, but here's ten things happening now at Oak Tree Drive that simply make the heart sing.

1.  Foxgloves are coming into their prime.  After what seems like an eternity, these reliable natives are bringing a party full of colour to the woodland bank.  They're also looking stately in the cottage garden theme, and what's more, the bumblebees are going crazy for them.

2.  Birdsfoot Trefoil has arrived.  I popped a couple of tiny plants into our wild grass area back in late winter, and today it has almost exploded onto the scene.  Billed as an ideal plant for the wildlife garden, this is a food plant for many species of caterpillar, so hopefully the garden will be fluttering away forevermore.

3.  Love-In-A-Mist seeds everywhere.  Last year we had it in abundance in the front garden, and this year I grabbed some seedlings and planted out the back, where they've taken exceptionally well.  A real beauty in my informal borders, and one that will flower for weeks to come, this is one of my personal faves.

4.  Beach Asters - Erigeron Glaucus Sea "Breeze" - with their delightful daisy flowers and stunning pink petals, evoke memories of seaside holidays and walks through the dunes.  I wasn't sure if these would take in our garden, so I was delighted to see the first flower heads form.  Even better, the slugs have almost entirely ignored them.

5.  What's better than a frog in your wildlife pond?  Well, how about four frogs?  I finally snapped a clear photo of one of these little croakers one evening last week - at this time, there were two more in the pond, and another skulking in the border.

6.  Astrantia Major is looking regal, poking its delicate heads through the partial shade and into the sun.  Apparently an old cottage garden favourite, this is a new one for me, but one I'll definitely look to expand upon as the years go by.

7. Red campion (left) is in its element.  Just take a look around the hedgerows, roadside verges, and woodland and you'll see it in abundance.  A great choice for our woodland garden, as it kicks into gear just as the bluebells and wild garlic fades away.

8.  Primula Vialii (right) look exotic and exciting, yet grow brilliantly in our climate.  I think they add a touch of class to the border, bringing the perfect mix of both jewel and woodland gardens.

9.  The birdsong this spring has been exceptional, and it shows no sign of stopping yet.  Just take a listen:



10.  Summer fruits are on the way.  It'll be a good few weeks yet, but the flowers and fruits of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are there for all to see.  I can't wait to taste the first crumble of the year!

A lazy hazy summer morning in Babbacombe