The newt area

Nose to tail meetings all day, so limited opportunities for blippage and no brain cells to spare. During a brief break in the afternoon I took this snap of the little garden area outside the building. I think that's an olive tree - looks like it took a bit of a hammering last winter but definitely alive.

Beyond the little box hedge the ground drops away to a pond, which is famously home to some Great Crested Newts. Before construction on the new building could start the OU had to obtain a special Newt Licence in order to move the newts to a place of safety for a year or so. Since the building was completed I believe they have re-established. Apparently they've been there for a lot longer than the Open University and will no doubt be around long after....