Joys of Spring

whatsup - I adore pussy willow so will keep an eye out for some around here, and make sure I have a pair of trusty snippers in my pocket!

butty, I have just been down to look and the frogspawn is at the stage where it has sunk a bit and the tadpole embryos are bigger than they were a week ago but nothing other than that discernible by the naked eye.

Now I'm going to change into an old gardening jumper and go out again with loppers and a saw to have a go at some more brambles and some rhododendron branches.

S'later, dudes.

I have just been out and watered all the pots on the patio, because they were so dry! Couldn't bear the thought of all the miniature daffodils and tulips and croci dying too soon.

Back door wide open, heating right down -lovely. What isn't lovely is the fact that the dining end of the kitchen and the study are cleared - into the conservatory. Apart from the filing cabinet which is here in the sitting room. I think I told you that the rooms are being decorated while we are in South Africa, by our lovely neighbour who does a great job at a reasonable price. (DH not safe near a paintbrush...)

So it's all a bit overcrowded in here...Off to Cheltenham tomorrow for youngest GD's sixth birthday, so must finish the cake - but just another 5 minutes here...

I'm always surprised that pots get so dry in the winter!
Bet they're a picture, Ariadne.

Well, butter I do live in droughtsville!

Drove into the Weald this afternoon ...daffodils out (first I've seen this year), catkins,crocuses and either hawthorn or blackthorn covered in white flowers. The difference of being inside the North Downs ...not exposed on the windy side!! And we've had bright sunshine all day ...no coat or jacket needed. Wonderful!!

jacey

I HAVE FROGSPAWN [grin

YAY, jeni! I guess the northern frog cousins had a word with yours.

Well, we didn't get the forecast sunshine this afternoon, although this morning was pleasant if cloudy. It's now pouring down but the Beeb weather says we are having light rain. Oh well, I suppose the frogs like it.

Sunshine here. My frogs are like me. Very laid back, nothing urgent in life!

Lovely day to be cooped up in the CAB. Our bureau has a really lovely view of the hills beyond Marple. Next week we will be surrounded by daffodils. But... but... but... tree pollens have arrived on the scene and got into my throat, nose and eyes. Hazel is the main culprit at the moment but just wait for the birches!

Annobel, in my teens I used to love walking by the canal in Marple. It felt as if we were really out in the country at the time because we lived in Manchester.

Here there has been a cold, thick sea mist all day. It's really chilly and set me off coughing as soon as I walked outside. I'm going to get some logs in and get a good fire going.

Congrats. jeni - frog babies at last!

Masses of randy little ladybirds in the garden today!!!!! Every leaf and branch which I disturbed had an orgy happening!!!!! BUT our resident blackbird was looking very full and very happy!!!!!

Still no frogspawn in the pond despite 2 weeks of frenzied activity. Could they all be males?

I had a lovely walk in Delamere Forest today. Sunny and warm, birds singing and everyone I met was happy and cheerful. Lovely how a bit of sunshine cheers everyone up.

The sun failed miserably
To penetrate the groggy mist
Which lay moodily,
Just about the ground
But left space enough
For mini daffs
To showcase their brilliance
Around and below
The trees,
Which disappeared into cloud.
It was a yellow morning,
After all.

Nice to 'see' your daffs in my mind's eye, butty. Ours are not flowering yet – late varieties perhaps, plus we haven't had a lot of sunshine to encourage them. It was lovely today though, if cold.

Daffs are natures mini sunshine

'they fash upon the inward eye,that is the bliss of solitude'

Butternut you have described my morning garden so beautifully - as I went out this morning, lots of narcissi and nerines have started to open up their lovely yellow flowers and it really does feel like spring

On Saturday, I bought 3 bunches of the palest lemon, frilly tulips, which are on the chest in the hall and, miraculously, have opened up to be exactly the colour of the dado rail. A tiny thing but it really pleases me each time I see them.

And, as I quote all the time:

"Daffodils the come before the swallow dares,
And take the winds of March with beauty."

Sorry for the repetition!

My favourite kind of morning:
Forsted ground, bright sunshine,
Clear air and a still loch,
Chickens enjoying life in all its freshness
When, double-jumpered in wool,
I let them out to a beautiful world.

Daffodils have always inspired poets. Herrick on the transience of life:

FAIR Daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon....