Richard Bell's nature sketchbook since 1998
Remembering John Morrisey, the lovely, larger-than-life neighbour of Barbara’s brother John, who died suddenly yesterday morning. Barbara’s brother John died early on Saturday morning, after 3 months in Pontefract Hospice that was expected, but the death of his neighbour John a few days later came as a shock.
The all-feline chess set was looking as if it would be a sure-fire success until, in the opening move, the White Queen’s Bishop’s Pawn insisted on using QB4 as a litter tray.
Happy birthday to Alex.
Surprised to see this morrel growing by the edge of the pavement not far from the entrance to Coxley Woods. It is edible but I think that I’ll give this one a miss.
Some recent exotic visitors sampling the night life along the River Calder at Healey, Ossett. Happy birthday to John.
Saturday, 15 April, 2023: Sad news that Barbara’s brother John died peacefully in his sleep early this morning so I’m keen to finish the little grey sketchbook which started at the beginning of January when he was taken ill. His last short walk with us was at Thornes Park on Monday 9th January and he was taken into hospital the following weekend when it was expected that he had just days to live.
During the three months that he has been in Pontefract Hospice it’s been a welcome distraction for me to work on my John Carr Redbox Gallery display and I finished work on that today.
Looking forward to making a fresh start with my new sketchbooks.
Happy birthday to Ivy.
There’s not a lot of room for any backstory in my phone box gallery display to mark the tricentenary of John Carr but ‘Antique Architect’ Robert Adam, who he worked with at Harewood, was a big influence so he gets to make a walk on – well swagger on, this is Robert Adam! – appearance in the Redbox show.
Happy birthday to Ben. And I’m glad to report that Superfast Fibre is scheduled to be rolled out to our neck of the woods in June.
Thanks to Allan, James and Tom for their acoustic version of Apeman by The Kinks, accompanied by Rick on bongos. Special guest appearance from Ian.
There was never mush room on the dance floor when the Swede tribute band started playing ‘Dancing Bean’. Happy birthday to Emma at the weekend.
The Night Owls of Wath on Dearne:
‘Oooo whoh-shi Wi’?!’
‘Tint tin tin!’
You’ll understand these if you’re from Wath on Dearne, but might struggle if you’re relying on Google Translate.
Happy birthday to Paul yesterday.