Gretel Parker

It’s ok, it’s not really, really bad, or really really good. Just very watchable. I’m about to start episode 4, which is a good sign. You need to get past episode one before it starts rolling.

I’ve still got that copy! It also takes me back to simpler times. 😊

Three little woollen needle felted animals, styled simply like little toys, are placed on a wooden shelf with a rough plaster wall background. On the left, is a jolly looking yellow elephant, who had knobbly knees and slightly bent legs, as if he is dancing. He wears a little crown and onemof nis knees has a tiny darn stitched onto it. On the right, facing the elephant, is a lively fox, with a big tail and his head pointing into the air, as if sniffing. Behind them is an old musical box, on which stands a small dog, quite stout and brave looking, like a pug, wearing a big red collar which has a tiny gold heart dangling from it.

A little trio of my needle felt animals, Albert the dog, Ginger the Fox and Marzipan the Elephant, all off on a big adventure to one of my collectors in East Asia. I’m very happy that they are staying together, as friends. #needlefelting

Episode one of Samuel Barnett’s Unknown — our weekly bonkers investigative podcast — is available to listen to NOW!

No, really? 😱

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels: 'Not much can prepare you' Up to 20,000 spectators expected to watch people carrying flaming barrels through the town.

I’d never heard of the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels before moving to Devon. Went to see it one year, it’s a spectacular, slightly worrying and potentially dangerous sight! This year it is being streamed live on the BBC iPlayer 😊👇

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Trip to Shrewsbury “There’s no bus from here to our university” says a student as he heads up Brook street. I walk to the train station on the greyest Tuesday, greeted by the statue of Thomas Brasse…

The Trip to Shrewsbury

thechesterblog.com/2025/11/04/t...

A bicycle parked in front of a metal field gate on a bright autumn morning. To the right is a thick hedge of ivy and to the left is a large oak tree, leaves turning golden and scattering over the ground. The sky is mostly clear, with a few puffy clouds gathering on the horizon, where we can also see the solid, majestic hump of the Wrekin poking up above farmland.

Lovely day for a ten mile cycle around Shropshire’s country lanes, bumping into the Wrekin around every corner. Mood is much improved. Legs ache, but it was worth it.

Rituals, by The Heartwood Institute 3 track album

It's that time of year again......

theheartwoodinstitute.bandcamp.com/album/rituals

Taylor 724ce Grand Auditorium V-Class The all-new 724ce launches a new era for the Taylor 700 Series, introducing Select-grade Hawaiian koa to this popular family of acoustic guitars. This Grand Auditorium boasts back, sides and top of so...

There was a beautiful little acoustic in the upstairs room, which had no price and which I loved. Checked the site and it is this one, which is about a quarter of my annual income, so it would have to be a very big windfall, and I’m not worthy of it anyway! 😄
www.musicbros.co.uk/products/tay...

They were lovely Jim, even when I confessed that I ‘was only looking’ and said that I was welcome to come back and browse any time. Needless to say, if I ever do have the means to buy another guitar, I’ll be buying it from them. 😊

I was there last week on Wednesday. I’m six foot tall, so I tend to stand out! 😄

No, I hadn’t heard of them, but I’ve just had a Google and I’m lost for words! Apart from…how much??? 😳

A town for all seasons Gretel Parker's life, blogging about country life, needle felting and illustration.

It’s taken an entire day, but I have a lovely new blog post up, a little wander through Shrewsbury, highlighting some of the history and background to just a few of the centuries old buildings. Any historical mistakes my own!

allaroundus.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-to...

We're delighted that Georgia Mann chose the Magnificat for her #Radio3 Essential Classics Album of the Week segment yesterday. It's "holy/holey" in all senses (Laurie had to reconstruct a lot of missing notes), and it was lovely to hear so much chant! Can't wait to hear what she will feature today.

That’s brilliant! Don’t forget, you are allowed a rest day, to let your body recover. (Mine is Saturday). 😊

Travel News: The A49 is CLOSED in both directions between Church Stretton and the A5 near Shrewsbury due to a serious collision.

Emergency services are in attendance.

Due to the nature of the incident the road is likely to be closed into the night.

Thank you to Colin for making us aware.

A wooden shelf is at the bottom of the picture, with a textured pale plaster wall behind it. On it, are two small wool needle felted animals. On the left is a little spotted pug type of dog, short and squat with an inquisitive face and wearing a red collare with a little metal heart attached to it. On the right, nearby, a long, lively fox, who has one foot off the ground, as if dancing. They are both looking up at a little piece of flat, golden glass which is hanging from a twig above them. The twig is bare and withered and stands in an old brown bottle.

Stout-hearted little Albert and Ginger the dancing fox gaze up at the last golden leaf of their tree, waiting for it to fall and for winter to begin.

The complete ‘Dancers at the End of Time’ has always been my favourite.

Great to have some of our music featured in this love letter to West Midlands Sound Lore by @noisenarrative.bsky.social out tomorrow morning at 10am on NTS alongside
@waysideandwoodland.bsky.social

www.nts.live/shows/roots-...

It’s West Midlands Autumn after all - are you in???

I think the one at the top of my road has been smashed (probably by a tractor). Does it count?

Or take the alternative left hand route at the bottom of the Cop, which is a bit less steep, and go into the back of the Square via the back routes. I did it the other week, with arthritic knees (and a lot of pedal assist!)

Deep envy, what great finds!

A wedding cake church and autumn showers Gretel Parker's life, blogging about country life, needle felting and illustration.

Autumn church visit and finding a hidden garden in my latest blog post.

allaroundus.blogspot.com/2025/09/a-we...

There are still swallows in Shropshire, swooping about happily and looking as if they have no intention of migrating yet!

Bossanova, Surfer Rosa, Doolittle..I’ve been playing them every day, much needed dopamine in dark times.

I’m having a massive Pixies love-in, I had forgotten how much I loved them.

They need training on how to put a record on the turntable! 😄

Just stick something on - now! (If you haven’t already). I know I’m going downhill when I haven’t played music for days. And then I do and things get a little better. Music always helps. 🫂

A wide, brooding sky with large, sweeping dark rain clouds smothering the horizon and a little bit of light flltering in from the left hand side. There is a strip of harvested field at the bottom, pale yellow sunlit stubble and red earth. On the horizon is a tree lined view to Bayston Hill, and a large oak is creeping into the picture from the left. A contrast of bright sun and intense gloom, giving a real autumnal feel.

Yesterday’s sky, rain heading towards Shrewsbury from the west.