Country diary: miniature worlds magnified to epic landscapes

Allendale, Northumberland: A pair of binoculars opens up the small kingdoms of stone walls, mossy ledges and spider websThree tawny owls were hooting outside the house last evening, three males vying for the prime vole-run territory that is our garden, after nights of rain when they were unable to hunt (their wings not being waterproof). The moon threw still shadows across paths and borders. The temperature in the frosty valley dropped to minus four and I woke to fields the colour of celadon, a wintry pale jade. Continue reading...