Winter cometh

Oh, I forgot!
A find on my violet search:
Bright mossiness
Under the silver birch -
Ever so green and fresh.
Now.... I need to go and
hang washing
on a gnu.

Found two violet leaves but the others remain buried under rotting leaves and grass. No snowdrop leaves visible yet and my records suggest they won't flower until late January. But I did find some daffodil leaves just peeping through in a sheltered spot, and some primrose leaves, and one battered-looking ox-eye daisy flower hanging on for all it's worth!

And I found, in my garden yearbook, a note by DD3, aged five, on 12 Jan: : "Crocksis red 2006" (she wrote the 2 backwards ). I think it might have been a red cyclamen

I might go out for a soggy violet search too, but it's usually April before ours flower. Looking out for snowdrops from now on!

Our temperatures have switched from near freezing to mild overnight (change of wind direction from northeast-ish to southwest-ish). I expect they'll swing about a bit as usual before the end of the winter. Grim grey and soggy today but the flowering currant buds are looking lively

Butty Violets clusted on mossy banks. One of the most uplifting sights...

anno. We have them in the area but they stick to the hedges. Trees not big enough around the houses I think.
It is incredibly warm here too. I think a few days of this and the hazel will certainly be in bloom. The very first thing in this area.

Just been out for a muddy slosh around the lanes and found myself looking for violets in the banks. I was sure I'd caught a glimpse but I expect it's because the weather is remarkably mild, and not that my mood today just fancies a bit of Spring.

I've just seen a flock of long-tailed tits in the garden which reminds me that I need to replenish the bird feeders. GD gave me a seed feeder (with seeds) for Christmas which is still in my case. I haven't seen the fat squirrel this morning - perhaps it's gone off to my neighbour's bird feeders.

Here's a blog post about winter weather 'magic' and awesomeness by Willis Eshenbach

You have just shared it, cheelu.

My view across the park brightens my every day
So lovely to start each day that way

People walking their dogs and having a run
Everyone so happy to see and feel the warm sun

I love the walks that I have in my park
Sometimes I walk and walk until it is dark
My savior so it is this wonderful view
I really wish I could share it with you....

A perfect morning.

Sunshine streaming horizontally
Into my kitchen,
Dazzling me as I make the coffee:
Bright winter joy.
Snow gullies on the hills.
Silver birch twigs
Shining coppery red.
A bluetit bathing in the pond,
Chaffinches, sparrows, and blackbirds
Coming to see what's going on,
And joining in.
Splash time.

The outside world is nasty. So's the inside world. Mutter, mutter, mutter ...

Glad you liked. It was squelchy.
Sorry you have a cold broomsticks we will try to keep you posted re the outside world.

Thanks for sharing, Jess...lovely words.
Find yourself a snuggly place to relax, broomsticks Get well soon.

jess,

broomsticks, . Get well soon.

'The subtleties of lichen' - yes indeed Jess just lovely.

Grey, grey, grey and rain,
Nothing but sparrows feeding,
And I've got a cold.

What was there to notice as I went striding in the rain?
Scarlet dogwood and rosehips were obvious
And that robin on the corner, loudly staking his claim
The wood is sodden, brimming, streaming
A few splashes of autumn browns
But mainly muted greens
It is the season to admire the subtleties of lichen
Grey green orange lime and verdigris blue

Not that windy here. But waterproofs came back sodden. They worked though - just a wee bit of dampness on the shins.

Wheelie bin over on its side, lid of galvanised bin (used to store compost) in a bed yards away. Just wish one of the big trees across the brook would blow down - not in my direction, of course. Evil

Pretty foul day. The weather forecast said it all - huge rainy patch right over mainland GB and not moving much.
Am girding loins to get a bit of (very) fresh air.
Waterproofs, walking boots and dug out my waxed hat that I have not worn for years.
Looks like we are in for a mild, wet xmas.

It's already a pretty foul night, Nellie. I've just popped out to the bin and it's blowing quite hard. Not very cold, though.

Indeed a lovely days meet up in Trafford. I am glad it was today, yes it was grey and damp but I have just seen the weather forecast. Tomorrow's weather looks as if it will be truely dreadful. Driving on motorways in heavy rain is not my idea of a good day out. Take care anyone travelling.

Good night!