The druids used to leave messages to one another in a complicated leaf language using real leaves. As this language was never written down, modern man has no idea what it was. Also, passersby who were unversed in this leaf script would just see a pile of leaves rather than what they stood for. It […]

After we’d returned to the house from the picnic, I set off back up the hill to the forest to place my trailcam where the wild boar seemed to be passing most frequently. There were a couple of spinal columns in the pasture, presumably from young roe deer, which signified either wolf or lynx activity. […]

Easter out here is way too religious for my liking – too much fasting and praying and not enough chocolate eggs. Easter Monday is quite mad though, especially now my daughter is getting older. Gangs of young boys go from door to door with buckets of river water and brandishing woven hazel whips. Their aim […]

I’ve decided to diversify with my art. Rather than focus solely on painting on canvases, I’m exploring utilitarian artwork and, as such, am beginning my own fashion line. All items will be of the highest quality natural materials and fair trade, and each will be uniquely painted. This blouse is white cotton in a gi […]

Usually, Spring is heralded by the arrival of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) and soon my region is filled with these huge birds. However, this year the first to arrive has been the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra). We very rarely see these as they are far more shy than the white ones and prefer to nest […]

I was lucky enough to have grown up in a family which attempted (for a few years) to live the ‘Good Life’ – to live self sufficiently whilst still being part of modern society. I was lucky enough to have gone through Cubs and Scouts, CCF and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, and to […]

  A few months back, my wife and I were sitting in the house, arguing about whether to buy something or not (I can’t even honestly remember what it was). As with most people, the majority of our arguments come down to money, or lack of it. We had the money to buy whatever it […]

  One of the hardest things to do in life is to be your own self. From birth we are massively affected by our surroundings, our families, our education, our socio-economic situation. Everyone has dreams of who or what they want to be and how they want to live. Part of what causes unhappiness in […]

  Many years back, a wise old school friend (who now owns the excellent graphics company www.birdandbee.co.uk) suggested that I make a list of 10 things I wanted to do or have in life, and then go do them. The object is to keep this list in focus and concentrate all effort on fulfilling each […]

  You’re probably wondering what the edwardotoole.com blog is all about. The answer is actually quite simple. Well, firstly it’s about my daily life. However, it’s also about a quest. I don’t know if it’s the modern world or people in general, but there currently seems to be a massive surge of people asking ‘How […]