I was very lucky to be in Japan during the brief and beautiful Sakura season. The blooming symbolizes the fleeting nature of life and both life and death, beauty and violence.

Japan is different. Last night, two dinosaurs were the receptionists at the hotel. And a little robot sang and danced for us in the room.

I think the students enjoyed this trip CQR RHUL RHULGeography

Another successful year in Sicily. Great students, amazing weather, and beautiful settings. We learnt about volcanos, tectonics, sea level, vegetation, fauna in islands and rivers. CQR RHUL RHULGeography

Another year back in Sicilly for the Geography second year. Today, visiting Etna (beautiful and smoky) to learn about volcanos y lavas. Finish the day in Pietradolce vineyard tasting wine produced in Etna and other local specialities. RHULGeography CQR RHUL

That time of the year again, heading off to Wildwood to change the pollen traps. It was a very wet and soggy day but greatly improved by the sighting of the bisons. So beautiful and majestic. One of the females reminded me of one of my favourite Paleolithic art.

Happy International Women's Day. There is nothing better than to expend the morning going around campus setting pollen traps. Part of a larger proyect monitoring vegetation, soil, and water quality.

Pollen identification practical today for our GG2041 students. This work builds on the coring fieldtrip and core description work last term to build an understanding of how the climate & environment have changed through time.

#rhulgeogundergrad #studygeography #geographydegree

It is Friday, and the Campus knows it. Spring is near, and old trees are getting new life as sculptures

Quite sad to find out how a lot of lab technicians around the Uk are feeling about their work situation. Most of us are staying because we like our jobs and colleagues but we are not considered or looked after by our employers. There is no motivation without career progression

Now that everybody has gone, there is some time for research. Looking at pollen samples from a Scottish Broch, it is nice to find Delitschia sp, indicatived of dung and the presence of herbivores and pastoral activities. Also supported by Sordariacea and Spormiella.

Not a bad view from the lab whilst processing pollen samples. Double rainbow=good slides?

Very happy to get the RHUL honey from this year. And it came with a lovely booklet with information about the honeybees.

Returning to my palaeoecological roots for just a moment yesterday at Llangorse Lake. Meeting friend, Marta, after 8 years. I even named a cheese, Marta Gafr, after her! Manchego-style of course #welshfood #breconbeacons #breconbeacons nationalpark #RHULGeography #artisancheese

Happy Friday, still spring in my office .

Today, we went to change the pollen traps, check the insect ones, and stir some bison poo to get beetles. Science is all about glamour. Sadly, the bisons were hidden, but the autumn colours started to appear, and it didn't rain.

Castiñeiro de Pombariños. Sweet Chestnut tree, believed to be more than 1000 years old and with 13.85m of diameter. Can you imagine everything that this beautiful being has seen and witnessed! It's one of my favourite trees and always try to visit it when I go to Galicia

September is one of my favourite months when the grapes start to be ready for picking. None tastes better than the ones from my great grandparents' vineyard with the 200 years old 'lar' (shed)

In just a moment, more than 100 years have passed; everything changed and stayed the same. The grandparents, parents and children have left. Just the houses stand waiting for the people to come back and fill the streets once more with music, words, and noise.

I love to analyse pollen from honey. This is from a town in Ourense, Galicia. The honey is the darkest that I've seen, really smooth taste, and the majority of pollen is from Sweet Chestnut. Different from the gold colour one here at RHUL, that is full of Horse Chestnut pollen.