We are having to move house. It’s been hanging over us all year, but now it’s looking like we’ll be moving before Christmas. We’re going to a smaller house, so we’re having to get rid of stuff. I like the idea of getting rid of stuff. We have too much stuff – a ridiculous amountContinue reading “Selling the family silver”
Author Archives: Alex
Autumn weeds
Hogweeds (cow parsley?) tend to take over the wildlife reserve that is the end of the garden. In the spring, I cut them down twice, but they were very determined and kept growing back, so I let them be. In the summer, the flowers were visited by lots of different insects. While enjoying my earlyContinue reading “Autumn weeds”
Camp
Last weekend I went to the Brighthelm Camp. It started off as the church’s youth club camp in the 1920s, and those who go today are mostly the descendants of earlier generations of campers (or married to them). There was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and I was made to feel extremely welcome. The camp takesContinue reading “Camp”
Why don’t I get out into the countryside more often?
On Monday, it was my day off. My older son (just back from university for Easter) and I set out on our bikes. We went down to the sea-front, along the eastern arm of Shoreham Harbour and crossed at the lock gates. At Shoreham, we turned up the old railway line, now a trackway, andContinue reading “Why don’t I get out into the countryside more often?”
So, let’s get creative
Originally posted on The Snail of Happiness:
At the beginning of this week, the IPCC issued its latest report on climate change. There is now overwhelming scientific evidence that human beings are having a significant effect on the earth’s climate as a result of various greenhouse gasses. We can all expect the effects to become…
Time to re-think energy
Yesterday’s referral of the U.K.’s six biggest energy companies to the Competition and Markets Authority gives us a choice between a bad situation and a good situation. The enquiry could take as long as two years. Already, investment in our energy supply is behind where it should be if we are (to use the over-wornContinue reading “Time to re-think energy”
Burn, baby, burn
The second biggest energy company in the UK, SSE, has announced a price freeze on domestic gas and electricity until 2016. Good news for customers for the next two years, then. That’s the limit of the good news in this announcement. Because of the expectation that this will hit the firm’s profits, they have alsoContinue reading “Burn, baby, burn”
Get thee behind me, shiny new bike
Here is Mrs Mabbsonsea’s shiny new bike. It was fair enough. Her old one, which had carried each of our 3 children and all sorts of baggage as well as Mrs M herself over its 18 years, had stopped co-operating. Here, by way of contrast, is my bike: It’s just over a yearContinue reading “Get thee behind me, shiny new bike”
The Little Hen’s Egg
I’m going to tell this story to the pre-school children tomorrow. Against the background of my current reading about a Steady State Economy (“Enough is Enough” – Rob Dietz & Dan O’Neill), it feels appropriate. So – are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin … Once upon a time, there was a little hen. SheContinue reading “The Little Hen’s Egg”
Moses the Eco-Warrior
A couple of things I’ve read recently have mentioned the Exodus story in relation to climate change. Move over Genesis – you’re just too clichéd, with your garden and your God saying creation is good and, by the way, let’s not mention filling the earth and having mastery over it. We need liberation songs. WeContinue reading “Moses the Eco-Warrior”
Alex Mabbs 