Normally when you come across Egyptian Geese on the foreshore, they'll let you know about it with their warning hisses. But these two were so engrossed in their preening, and I was so engrossed in searching, that I nearly walked into them!

This must be the most fabulous Xmas card of the year! An exquisite illustration of the Herald moth transforming this old newspaper into a songsheet; note today's date at the top left. It's by @mavisbickle - who is now more active on Bluesky, as @mavisbickle.bsky.social.

Meet my new friend... a clay pipe bowl which time and the Thames have smoothed down into a perfect hand-held sculpture! He's rather special, so I've made a short video showing how I found him and what I found out about him - you can see it here on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=h2ydYY…

Here's some modern surprises I've recently come across on the foreshore: a plastic duck; some false teeth (yes, this is exactly how I found it!!), a plastic dinosaur figurine (posed for the photo), and a fake garlic clove.

Ooh - is this a complete decorated clay pipe I've found? I'm no longer actively posting on Twitter, so please join me instead on one of the following to see my latest discoveries! Bluesky - @germanderspeedwell.bsky.social Instagram - @thegermanderspeedwell.