DEITIES AND DIARY DATES

oddess of the earth, giver of life, and bestower of nature. Virtually every culture throughout history carries a reverence for an earth deity—a single, living presence gifted many names, yet responsible for the beauty of the world around us.

MONETISING THE AWEN

arking is an emotive issue, and usually I have little sympathy for people who get caught out. If you park somewhere, you make sure you’re allowed—simple as that. But what happens when the rules change under your feet, and a place you’ve trusted for two decades becomes a trap?

THE HOUSE ON GRANGE LANE

bout halfway up Grange Lane sits the reason this quiet road connecting Sheffield and Rotherham gets its name. Many locals don't even know the house is there, and those who do are rarely sure of its purpose. The house is Thundercliffe Grange, an impressive estate set in 22 acres. I've been here before, but I'm back on another history mission—and I'm not sorry.

BONES OF THE EARTH: WALKING ANCIENT FOOTSTEPS

ery long ago, the lands beneath my feet were held by the Brigantes—a Celtic confederation who lived, fought, and died on the very soil I walk today. Long before modern borders defined the landscape of Northern Britain, this formidable alliance held sway over vast tracts of rugged moorland, rolling dales, and dense woodland, carving out a life governed by the cycles of nature, ancient traditions, and a fierce, unyielding independence.

ART, ACTION, AND THE LIFEBOAT

he lifeboats are an absolute essential along our coastline. We live on a series of islands, so having an emergency service capable of rescuing those who get into difficulty at sea isn't a luxury—it’s a necessity. We have the RNLI: dedicated volunteers who risk their lives to save others.

CYMRU ANWYL A FFRINDIAU DA

eaving this place is always so hard. The pull of this land is powerful, but real life eventually calls us back. I need to keep working to finance these escapes—early retirement isn't looking particularly viable at the moment—so home we must eventually go. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, though, and I know I’ll never tire of this coast.

​Before we packed up and headed back, we still had the best part of the week ahead of us. Here’s how Wednesday through Saturday unfolded, right up to the journey home...

DOLPHINS, DRINKS, AND WELSH CAKES ON FAMILIAR SHORES

ei Newydd as I go on about regularly on about is my home within my soul. And our return although inevitable is so needed. A rest and cleanse is what we both need right now.

RAINS, RELUCTANCE AND RENEWAL

ow that the heatwave has broken, this land can return to the damp, cool summer to which we are all accustomed—the very weather everyone complains about, despite secretly craving its return. The lush greenness has begun to return to the realm, slowly reclaiming the scorched yellow grass that has blanketed the soil these past weeks.

REFLECTIONS, ROBOTS, AND A WELSH COUNTDOWN

ormally I like to focus on things that directly affect me—my own experiences and daily observations—but today I can't help but share something that has saddened me to my core.

SPOKE TOO SOON

f all my hobbies and passions, cycling has been the one constant that’s pulled me through the dark days and bad times. Of course, it’s also caused a few of them. Having only recently got back on the road with a new bike back in January, I had hoped for a brief period of reprieve, but the gods of the road clearly had other plans.

A MAN’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT

rom the birth of civilisation, man has looked for a place to rest his tired bottom. A place to relax and yet protect his domain—a place to call his. No matter the social status of the man, he can be master here, even if that authority only extends as far as the seat itself.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WINGS

elma Furniss might not be a name you know, but in the North of Sheffield, she was a legend. Community stalwart and dance teacher to hundreds of people, she touched so many lives in a positive way.