Rural riddles

With high summer beckoning, John Lewis-Stempel reflects on the incomparable richness of pond life and the rewards of pausing to peer into the murky depths on a warm June afternoon

Karen Youngs has a painful encounter with a nettle patch on an afternoon walk

How to admire and protect our wonderful waterways in the UK

Letter of the week As old as ...

As high summer approaches, look out for – and help – these amazing creatures that you may find on your plot

Your comments and opinion on game-fishing matters