Something different this time!
As my plans last weekend to go off to the Forest of Dean to do some recording got a little waylaid I have decided to do a little roundup of some wildlife and countryside related forums, magazines and books. I might be doing a roundup but I was still out and about while recording, recording today with rabbits and squirrels scampering around the 16 acres of grounds around the hotel I am staying at in Surrey.
Click to Play or download - 'Local Life - Book Magazine & Website Roundup'.
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To kick off I take a look at the new BBC Countryfile magazine - First issue published October 2007.
The magazine has a good mix of all things outdoors and nature related with articles in issue 1 ranging from Composting tips, to John Craven on Red Kite, Alan Titchmarsh on The Nature of Britain, Haunted Public Houses, the best value mens and womens walking boots under £100, The Future of Farming to The Vampire of Croglin Grange!.
All together a good read and worth picking up.
While on the subject of Countryfile but moving over to the web I talk a little about the BBC Countryfile Magazine Website and Forum. The website has blogs by the magazine staff and the forum is proving to be quite a lively discussion place with members of the BBC Countryfile Magazine taking part.
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While on the subject of the web I talk a little about a great forum to visit and participate in which is the Wild About Britain forum. WAB is an extremely busy forum with a large number of users on at any one given time. There are constant new discussions and it really is a great place to go to talk about the British Countryside and Wildlife and to learn as well. There are numerous members on there with lots of experience in their areas and if you want to have something identified then it is the place to go - pop a picture on the forum and within no time someone will have told you what you have seen or have taken a picture of.
Sometimes forums can be disappointing, however Wild About Britain is not, it is a lively and informative site.
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Moving on I take a look at two recent book purchases. 'The Nature of Britain' Alan Titchmarsh, published by the BBC and Michael Palin and 'New Europe'. Two great books to purchase if you are into nature, the great outdoors or travel writing.
Both books support their respective television series. The Nature of Britain being a celebration of the wildlife and habitats of Britain with the book broken down into habitat types and then further broken down into the species of mammals, birds, invertebrates etc that you will encounter there along with descriptions and photographs.
New Europe comprises of diary entries supported by the usual stunning photography that you expect of any of Michael Plain's adventures. Michael's latest adventure finds him nearer to home this time exploring the countries of Europe which until a few years back were mainly 'closed off' to outside visitors due to the cold war.
Click on the book images to go to the BBC shop website.
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You can find the Countryfile Magazine Website at: BBC Countryfile
The Countryfile Magazine forum can be found at: BBC Countryfile Forum
Wild About Britain can be found at: Wild About Britain Forums
The Nature of Britain is published by BBC Books - ISBN 978-0-56-349398-3 RRP £25
New Europe is published by Orion Books - ISBN 978-0-297-84449-5
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