The house is surrounded by weaving and dipping House Martins. Every window I look out through they are there, dozens of them flying, swooping and catching insects. Our house (and most surrounding buildings) has several nests all securely tucked under the eaves, we had thought they may be for swallows but instead have been hugely populated by sleek little House Martins. The bird table gets regular visits from lots of little brown jobbies and various species of tits. The field opposite has been harvested and is now home to a large flock of lapwings who seem to be enjoying what ever the barley has left behind. Yesterday there were half a dozen detectorists slowly wandering up down yielding metal detectors and spades - no great shouts or gold dances but clearly a methodical evening looking for treasure. Yes its all happening here in the depths of wild County Durham!!!! The sun has very definitely withdrawn but the view is of deep brooding c...