With the final raising of lockdown number three I wanted to get some feedback from you, my readers, as to where I should go with this blog. Since I started it in an attempt to relieve the tedium for those confined within their own four walls by lockdowns numbers one and two, this seems like the right moment to reassess.
To make this as painless as possible for you, I have come up with a series of questions below. The easiest way for you to reply to them might be to copy them into the Comment box at the end of the post, and then answer each in turn. But if you prefer, you could also email me your answers.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I really enjoy writing this blog but the main purpose of it is that you should enjoy it. So I need to know what you like and what you don’t like, what annoys you, what you would like to see more/less of – or indeed whether you would like me to include things that are not currently on the menu at all. So please don’t hold back – all input, be it postive or negative, is helpful.
To set you on your way, one of the willow trees around the Boating Pond – just breaking fully into leaf. The questions are below. There are quite a few but they only require very quick answers.
Walks on Hampstead Heath – feedback.
- I presume that since you have not Unsubscribed yourselves, you do enjoy the posts and would like them to continue?
- If so, how often would you like to receive a post? Once a week? Twice a week? More frequently? Less frequently?
- Most of the posts are about the heath but when I do get the chance to go elsewhere, I also post about my visits. Do you like this variation or would you rather I stuck to the heath?
- Do you prefer posts about nature, flora and fauna or would you like to see more of our built environment?
- Do you like still pictures or videos or a mixture of both?
- If still pictures do you like trees (alive or dead), flowers, buildings, people? Or a mixture of all of them.
- If still pictures, if there is some context in terms of history, weather or passers by, do you like that to be included or would you rather just have the images to look at?
- If videos, do you like me just to walk and film with a minimum amount of commentary so that you can feel as though (if you go full screen) you are walking yourself? Or do you prefer it when I ‘chat to you’ as though I was walking with a friend?
- If videos, do you like to see random happenings when I manage to catch them, such as the weight lifters with their logs a few weeks ago or Freya the tightrope walker at the end of this post – or would you rather I just stuck to the birds and the trees?
- Do you enjoy videos of squabbling ducks, cross swans, dogs when I can catch them etc or would you rather I stuck to the flora?
- And speaking of birds, would you like me to finally get to work on learning to identify both bird songs and trees so that I can be a bit more informative?!
- What sort of length video do you enjoy? Just a few minutes? 10 minutes? 20 minutes or longer?
- ‘Talking videos’. As you will be aware, I have been experimenting with what are effectively audio posts for my cousin and for another friend who has all but lost her sight. We are working on how best to deliver these for people with sight limitations but meanwhile, do those of you who are perfectly able to see the images find the ‘talking videos’ irritating or do you quite like being able to switch off and let me do the looking for you?
- Anything else you would like to say about the posts – suggestions or anything else at all?
Thank you.
And as a sign off, the lovely Freya juggling on her tightrope…
Sunny Easter Sunday at Kenwood – a fritillary and a grumpy goose!
I presume that since you have not Unsubscribed yourselves, you do enjoy the posts and would like them to continue? Yes, I would like them to continue. I love seeing all the trees, wildlife and flowers. I haven’t got anywhere near me where I can see this type of scenery, so it’s lovely to enjoy it on my PC.
If so, how often would you like to receive a post? Once a week? Twice a week? More frequently? Less frequently? A few times a week is fine with me.
Most of the posts are about the heath but when I do get the chance to go elsewhere, I also post about my visits. Do you like this variation or would you rather I stuck to the heath? I like to see any natural area so I’m happy to see places other than the heath.
Do you prefer posts about nature, flora and fauna or would you like to see more of our built environment? I like the nature aspects, but I’m also interested in the information you give about the buildings you come across.
Do you like still pictures or videos or a mixture of both? Still pictures are my preference.
If still pictures do you like trees (alive or dead), flowers, buildings, people? Or a mixture of all of them. A mixture – I find it all very interesting.
If still pictures, if there is some context in terms of history, weather or passers by, do you like that to be included or would you rather just have the images to look at? I do like the context, not just pictures.
If videos, do you like me just to walk and film with a minimum amount of commentary so that you can feel as though (if you go full screen) you are walking yourself? Or do you prefer it when I ‘chat to you’ as though I was walking with a friend?
If videos, do you like to see random happenings when I manage to catch them, such as the weight lifters with their logs a few weeks ago or Freya the tightrope walker at the end of this post – or would you rather I just stuck to the birds and the trees?
Do you enjoy videos of squabbling ducks, cross swans, dogs when I can catch them etc or would you rather I stuck to the flora?
And speaking of birds, would you like me to finally get to work on learning to identify both bird songs and trees so that I can be a bit more informative?!
What sort of length video do you enjoy? Just a few minutes? 10 minutes? 20 minutes or longer?
‘Talking videos’. As you will be aware, I have been experimenting with what are effectively audio posts for my cousin and for another friend who has all but lost her sight. We are working on how best to deliver these for people with sight limitations but meanwhile, do those of you who are perfectly able to see the images find the ‘talking videos’ irritating or do you quite like being able to switch off and let me do the looking for you?
Anything else you would like to say about the posts – suggestions or anything else at all? I would love it if you continue to post these, but only if it’s not an inconvenience for you.
THank you, Margaret, most helpful. I will conitnue to post as I enjoy doing it – I just wanted to try and get a handle on what you would all prefer me to post.
1. Yes, I enjoy the posts and would be happy to continue to receive them.
2. Once a week is sufficient for me.
3.Variety, being the spice of life, means I enjoy reading about all new places I have never yet had the pleasure of visiting.
4.Definitely prefer nature, flora and fauna but not adverse to built environment occasionally.
5.Mix of both.
6Mix of all.
7.Include info to images please.
8. I like your roving commentary!
Thank you for all of your posts, they have brightened lockdown, and I look forward to going through the seasons with you.
Sorry, got interrupted …
9. Videos, I loved the random happenings that you have captured.
10. And, the squabbling ducks cross swans and dogs too.
11. I would love, like you, to be able to identify bird songs.
12.For me, just a few (max 5 mins) are prefereable.
13. I appreciate the talking videos.
14. Keep up the good work!!
I enjoy these posts of yours when I get a chance to read them. Have been down in Mexico fishing the past two weeks, so I missed a lot of them. Post them as often as you feel like….couple times a week at least I’d think.
I like the trees and flowers and birds and eccentric people you run into….but don’t think you need to stick to nature…it’s all good, and we’re seeing it from your point of view, which is great. Much love.
Thank you so much, Janet – all super helpful – and I’ll do my best!!
Thank you, Tom – and lucky you to have escaped to go fishing. Although Mexico is not the safest place to go right now…. Glad you got back intact. Mxx
Michelle, your blogs have been most welcome and indeed interesting as you take us around the places we should know, but have perhaps been unable to visit in recent times. Once a week suits me or even every two weeks now life is returning to normal. Variation is good, where you capture nature can alert the reader to special places. Whatever you decide on your walks, photographic, video, commentary—— always a good mix! Thank you for taking the time to do this.
Thank you Jane – so glad you have enjoyed the walks.
Re your survey which are most enjoyable., please continue. I would leave the frequency to you as you can see if there is anything worth recording or not. Yes, OK variation. Definitely nature. Pics or both. Trees, flowers. Images and descriptions. No. 8 No to ‘you’. 9 yes. 10. Yes. 11 OK. 12 As now. 13. Must retain audio for those aurally impaired, and I find it quite pleasant too. 14. Am happy with your judgement.
Thank you for all the trouble you take, at least you are getting good exercise!
Lovely – thank you.