A visit to the UK in 2009

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Grey, damp, but very pretty. Typical British summer!

Rhododendrons at Virginia Water (near Windsor Castle).

I unexpectedly found myself at a polo club even I had heard of.

And a famous world semi-final match was underway! (Dubai vs Sumaya)

've never seen a polo match, and the speed and agility of the horses was breathtaking

There was no entry fee, and I was able to wander right up to the fence and sit among all the much posher spectators without being questioned or stopped. Good old England!

Suddenly the game stopped and we all invaded the pitch to replace the divots. Posh and not-posh, everyone stomping around enthusiastically.

Some people even took their dogs to help.

The dogs were suitable dressed. of course.

I loved the speckly horse, but they change mounts so often this was the only photo I got.

A young Springer Spaniel called Siggy greeted me like an old friend so I held his lead while his well-known and titled elderly owner stomped divots. (He was too bouncy for her to do both.)

She happily explained everything to me, and we were sitting behind a very important official whose job was to clang this huge bell at the end of each chukkah.

They gallop at top speed then stop and turn on the spot, while avoiding collisions (mostly). Incredible.

Here are two of them braking hard.

The direction of play can change in a split second.

The top player in the world. A dashing Argentinian called Adolfo Cambiaso.

The Best Playing Pony won a new blanket. She didn't look too impressed.

The London Eye

A remarkable structure which opened in 2000

It can't be beaten for an almost-aerial view of the city.

Big Ben is clean and shiny these days.

Street theatre on South Bank.

Three centuries of design

Canal locks apparently fascinate locals and tourists alike.

7am in Gloucestershire, and the unmistakeable sound of hot air balloons made a wonderful start to the day.

They do look marvelloius, but I still prefer looking up at them.

A village to avoid.

An endearing pair of Gloucester Old Spot piglets ...

who promptly went back to sleep.

A summer evening in Gloucestershire

Dartmoor ponies at the Bronze Age Grimspound settlement

The view south from the South Downs

Some unidentified (and procreative) insects ...

… but bumblebee numbers are falling.

It would be a tragedy to lose them.