Jane Dallaway

  • A Norwegian High School band plays on the bandstand

    24 June 2026

    A few weeks ago I was walking along the seafront and spotted a poster advertising some Skolekorps Norge jubilee concerts. I didn’t really know what this meant, but I made a note in my calendar of the bandstand date and headed over today to take a look.

    It turned out to be the Østre Halsen Skolekorps on a centenary tour. I watched for about 20 minutes before declaring it too hot for me - the kids must have been sweltering. Their responsible adults were diligently refilling water bottles between each tune.

    Pure joy to see the bandstand being used by a band. A really lovely thing to stumble into. I hope they enjoy the rest of their trip.

    The Brighton Bandstand with the Østre Halsen Skolekorps performing inside, sea and blue sky behind

  • Today's walk: Attingham Park

    22 June 2026

    On our way home after a lovely week in Shropshire, we stopped at Attingham Park. I couldn’t find a map of the grounds through the National Trust app - should have tried the website - to check for shaded areas for Breezy, but it delivered. A mainly shaded walk through woodland and alongside a stream, with plenty of cooling-off opportunities for the furry one.

    We finished our visit, and our time in Shropshire, with coffee and a snack from the cafe for the humans, and a doggy ice cream for Breezy. A good way to end a good week.

    Attingham Park house seen from the deer park

    Stepping stones across a shallow woodland stream at Attingham Park, dappled summer light through the trees

    A wooden suspension footbridge over a stream in the woodland at Attingham Park

    The stable yard courtyard at Attingham Park decorated with colourful bunting on a sunny day

    The stable yard courtyard at Attingham Park with yellow and pink bunting against a blue sky

  • Today’s second walk: Exploring Ludlow

    21 June 2026

    On previous hot days we’d had some success with a two-walk strategy: start with somewhere that excites Breezy - today that was Mortimer Forest - and follow it with somewhere quieter and less stimulating. Ideally somewhere that also serves good coffee.

    So we headed to Ludlow for a couple of hours. A great coffee stop at Epic Coffee House, then a lovely walk along the river. Enough exercise under Breezy’s paws without her struggling too much in the heat.

    The River Teme at Ludlow, with green riverside vegetation and a stone building visible through the trees

    Close-up of the stone arches of Ludlow Bridge with pink valerian flowering between the stonework

    Ludlow Castle ruins on the hill above Ludlow Bridge, seen across summer meadow grass beside the River Teme ```