Cat Frampton

For ten years, everyday, I’ve sketched the weather. Daily quick drawings, as a way of making me observe, think and pick up a pencil, a pen, a brush. I’m not stopping, but it’s worth celebrating the achievement. 46 sketchbooks, 3,558(?) sketches.

One of the reasons why we farm with (rather than against) nature, and why I know livestock kept outside all year (yes even sheep, yes even out on the moor, yes even in winter) is vital for wider ecosystem recovery… Dung beetles are just so cool! #dartmoor #beetles #speciesrecovery

So - if anyone would like to fill my boots & work with a dream team as co-editor of the @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social journal, I'd be very happy to chat and/or pass your name on!

A new article Playing the SFI Blame Game “This was always going to be some sort of mess because nature and land management are not funded well. Without enough cash to match the ambition none of this sustainable stuff works.” sidecountry.co.uk/playing-the-...

A new article Playing the SFI Blame Game “This was always going to be some sort of mess because nature and land management are not funded well. Without enough cash to match the ambition none of this sustainable stuff works.” sidecountry.co.uk/playing-the-...

@britishmyology.bsky.social considering it’s spreading but also probably still pretty unusual should we report Favolaschia Claudopus / Orange Porecap if found? And if so how and where? Devon, East Dartmoor.

The farming minister visited on Monday, I swore on social media on Tuesday, was interviewed by farming today on Wednesday and was therefore on the radio on Thursday…. what a week of ‘telling folk my opinions’ I am having huh? www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

“in a world where ‘nature recovery’ has big financial teeth, the story that is told about land matters” What are the stories you are being told? Who’s telling them? And why?

I wrote a piece about pictures, land use and lies (or half truths) And the power a photo has in our ‘scroll on past’ social media world. sidecountry.co.uk/is-a-picture...

I wrote a piece about pictures, land use and lies (or half truths) And the power a photo has in our ‘scroll on past’ social media world. sidecountry.co.uk/is-a-picture...

Exhibit a - why it’s vital we keep livestock out on Dartmoor* in number all year. It’s not all about the plants you know… (If you are into counting striae on dung beetles you’ll know it’s an extra special beetle…) (*and farmland)

Just a quick announcement… I’ve moved most of my writing to SideCountry. It’s free to read, they are not asking for your info to access stuff and while it may not be to everyone’s taste it’s now home for my rants about land, ecology, farming and the moors sidecountry.co.uk/people/cat-f...

Obligatory colander eclipse photo

I have a question If anyone can help please do! What happens with ‘sloped’ (rather than bog) peatland restoration when it’s as dry as it has been this year? Can the peat still form? And will the inevitable downpour to follow damage or restore?

Can it rain please? Waiting - oil/mixed media 30cmx21cm For sale (when it’s dried)

Blocking upland meadow land drains is a win win tbh. Yes it’s wet as hell in winter But the livestock don’t come in here in winter and it’s just wonderful in the hot dry we’ve been having. Raises the water table for the rest of the field too! This one was blocked by roots a few years back.

A recent commission. Now all framed up and handed over. Egrets, Kildonan dun, Kintyre. To celebrate a special place and time. The shimmer in the gold ink is wonderful in real life, just catches the light as you move past the painting. The birds are (as ever) tiny.

Words/phrases that aren’t in the uk labour governments new ‘Farming Roadmap’ Hunger Food poverty Healthy food Society Community Words that do Private investment -mentioned on 9 pages Private finance -also on 9 pages This makes me a bit twitchy tbh assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a354f...

theconversation.com/claims-of-da...

Hi guys A butterfly question. Is this a small heath? It was small. It had an orange upper wing that was very tricky to see as it rested with wings firmly closed. Dartmoor. Devon. On knapweed. Near ‘everything’ inc trees, bracken, species rich pasture et al! Thanks!

Just a friendly reminder that if, on a warm June day, your pastures don’t sound like a swarm of bees is happening close by, because so many insects are happily living and feeding there, you’re missing out! That ‘bee loud glade’ of myth and poetry can be an actual thing.

Wow!!! This has been coming a long time, two of my tb positive cows from 5(?) years ago headed to the trial for the new test, so they have been working on this for years and years. When this happens it’ll be a wonderful thing! The weight that will be lifted from the whole industry will be massive!

In the rain the swallows fly at knee height catching the insects that are sticking low to the ground for shelter. Small drawing with watercolour Swallow - rain, skimming for food 10cm x 7cm Unframed Up on my website for sale in a bit!

Wednesday night A (sweaty) sound filled sauna for a thousand souls… Saw We lost the sea in Bristol Was very warm… And very good!!

Pasture, Dartmoor, grazed on a move often on rotation* (Not a hay field) Wildlife and food production in the same place at the same time. Work in progress, but we are getting there. (* as everything is a abbreviation now calling it MOoR grazing! )

Wrote about being tidy, and farming, and nature. www.scribehound.com/countryside/...

My non academic brain just short circuited Why bother to cite a source if you haven’t read (and understood) it? Surely that’s the point of citing a source? Like isn’t it’s the whole point?! adding proof/weight to your ideas rather than just making shit up? Mind blown by ‘brain rot LLMs’ again!

Nightjar!!! Finally! I have a ink painting for sale if you want an absolute puzzle of a picture in which you know there are two birds but you can’t see them unless you really really know where to look!!

What are the odds that someone in a very safe seat is going to suddenly have some sort of ‘illness’ or ‘family crisis’ or other plausible excuse to step down, forcing a by election and ‘bish bash bosh Burnham’ happens? I’d think pretty high myself, but what do I know?!

Been trying to get my head around oil paints They are hard, using them almost makes my hands ache because I’m so used to pencil and needle as my main mediums It’s frustrating and that is made worse by knowing full well that it’s a practice game and a learnable skill! Still, I like this raven.

HELLO sorry didn’t mean to shout Anyway, this coming Thursday I’m having a chat with Melissa Harrison about her ridiculously good new book, The Given World. It’s at @booksellercrow.bsky.social in Crystal Palace and you also get a drink. Do come, and do tell people. www.outsavvy.com/event/34573/...