Here’s my seasonal update of stuff you don’t need to know about, but then welcome to the Internet.
What I’m writing
Soon I will be self-publishing my third poetry collection, Fool’s Wood. It’s seven years since my last one and this collection has taken longer because of LIFE. There will be a booklet and also an audio recording.
Fungi Friday is enjoying its third autumn, with weekly posts on the subject and day of the blog’s title. I’ve moved to posting most of my fungi photography over there because it’s such a broad subject matter it needs a substrate of its own to prosper in.
I recently posted several blogs about my summer trip to the Austrian Alps. The posts include a visit to the spectacular city of Innsbruck, and some macro photography atop the peaks of Schafberg and Zwölferhorn in Salzkammergut (Sound of Music land).
I’ve posted a paean to the ash tree, a post compiling my many images of this imperilled European tree species. There’s better news about its prospects.
I’ve reduced my Instagram posting because I think it’s not an effective photography platform anymore. Blogs are much better. So I’ve put more time into posting my oak timber-framed building photos.
In terms of stuff coming up, I have a Swiss Alps blog still to post, a string of Irish blogs, and my tranche of July macro photography. All in good time.
What I’m recording
I’ve found the time and rhythm to record a few podcasts recently and I have some more still to come. You can subscribe via all the normal platforms or see my webpage.
What I’m reading
Seán Lysaght has just published his latest collection of non-fiction, Unveiling the Sun. I really enjoyed it, and you may also, especially if you are interested in Irish landscapes and wildlife. Seán’s writing lacks the affectation that has taken root in nature writing over here. That is of course a matter of taste, please don’t pile on, Re-birders.
Julian Hoffman released Lifelines earlier this year, another of my favourite writers who I have had the pleasure to meet and speak to down the years. The book chronicles Julian’s life in Prespa, delving into the human histories that have defined the landscape his has ‘come to call home’, as they say. It’s a great book and Julian is a first-class prose writer. Again, a matter of my good taste. There are plenty of brown bear encounters to enjoy.
I read Roddy Doyle’s A Star Called Henry in September and it will go down as one of my favourite Irish novels. A friend and reader of this blog (hi Allison) read it too and described it as a history lesson, as well as a great novel. So well put!
In case you missed it I wrote a long blog about my 20-year interest in First World War literature.
What I’m hearing
Alex G has a new album out, which I have been spinning on the old in-car CD player.
The Blindboy Podcast has really captured my attention recently. I realise how late I am to the party, one friend has been trying for a while now. Who knew pigeon poo could be so captivating.
What I’m watching
After 15 years I am once again watching The Wire. It is a TV masterpiece and the cliché is right, you should watch it. To add to the noughties nostalgia, my wife and I are watching it on DVD. There’s so much to understand here about structural racism, America’s failed war on drugs, political corruption and so much more. If you see series one in the charity shop DVD section, snap it up!
Thanks for reading.
Unlocking Landscapes 
Morning Daniel! Also highly recommending David Simon’s earlier TV series, ‘Homicide- Life on the Street’, also set in Baltimore, and featuring Andre Braugher, who played Captain Ray Holt in Brooklyn 99. It’s more episodic than The Wire, but I found it very interesting. I think there were seven series in all, but it starts going off (IMHO) after Andre Braugher left.
Thanks for the recommendation! Oh and it has Clark Johnson from series 5 (editor at the newspaper). I loved Andre Braugher in B99. Sad to hear he has passed.
I still use Instagram, but it seems more and more we get stuff pushed at us that we don’t want to see. I suppose I ought to write a few blog posts again!
It used to be really good for photos but then social media moves on as technology proliferates and evolves
The trouble in the platforms move on too. They monetise themselves further by pushing posts they’d like you to see (for various reasons) rather than ones you’d choose.
Yes absolutely true! Also Instagram is far too addictive. I have deleted it from my phone and I don’t actually miss it. You can check it via the browser if you need to stay in touch with people.