Winter cometh

Mild here too today. I seem to remember this happening last winter with the same kind of comments on GN. And then it got cold again, as it is wont to do, and people complained.

There have been a lot of deaths from severe cold in places that do not have the benefit of the weather-softening North Atlantic current. Thankful for it.

Beautiful spring like day down here today. Rose in front of house sprouting, also an elder bush optimistically pushing out leaves. But as you say Bags there is a long way to go before we can say winter is over.
Got up here to MIL's . CH blasting and two windows open. As usual. Once a fresh air fiend...

Low mist and wood smoke hanging in the air. A ghostly garden this evening, but mild still.

Incredibly mild at the moment. I know this because where I work is very cold and I keep thermometers everywhere to check what's happening. And yes, it did get very cold last year because that's when my central heating packed in [y'don't forget things like that] but, prior to that, for one week, it was like summer [in fact I think that WAS summer because I have no recollection of it getting that warm again .

The garden is a mess but there are little golden aconites under all the dross.

The snowdrops are showing up from under the leaf mould and clumps of mini daffs are appearing too.

Aren't they a treat at this time of year broom!

Have spent almost two hours tidying the garden. Started by using secateurs and none-too-sharp shears. Placed cuttings in perfectly neat heaps. Back-ache begins. Start unlady-like blaspheming [under my breath]. Finish yanking up dead stuff by hand and leaving untidy piles strewn along the path. Shout for Mr soop to help clear the decks with brush and barrow. Thunder in the air. Large plops of rain send me scuttling indoors. Mr soop makes me a nice cup of tea. Stand by window and "go on" about the vast improvement [I've made] and promise to knuckle down to another session tomorrow.

just had quick glimpse on patio and my sweet peas are coming up very well indeed!!

a touch of hope for later on! I usually set but over winter and then have some nice and early! no sign of snowdrops yet!

Soop you must have better drainage than us our garden is far too wet to even get to the bird table!!

Our snowdrops are peeping through and I'm looking forward to this thread being called 'winter goeth'

Oh, yes, Merlot - or 'Spring cometh'

celeb I did leave one shoe submerged in a boggy spot. Hopped into kitchen [on good leg]...

Wide blue sky to the horizon, and sunshine. I'm on my way down the garden right now. (It makes the windows look all smeary but that's another good reason to be outside!)

Gorgeous day here. Done the walk. 2 crocuses peeping out in garden.
Am contemplating pruning my big rose and small apple tree

Pink, sunset light reflected
From the undersides of clouds
Onto hills.
They glow russet
With winter grass and bracken.
Pale sky, steel blue loch.
The light fades
As I feel my luck in seeing
Such Earth beauty.

Lovely again Bags.

Lucky, yes indeed.

A colourful Winter's day, Jess and B.

Yes it feels more like march than jan here at the moment. Roses sprouting new leaves. Until I got busy with the secateurs and loppers.
I also did as bidden by DH and found someone who wants flowerpots. I bagged them up - 3 big binbags full. Thus liberating a corner of the garage.

A shrunken foggy world of greys and greens,
Bare-branched fuchsia orangey-brown,
Silver birch bark paleness
Matching heads of pampas grass.

Saw two hares bounding and bouncing around one another in a field lit with sunshine. Overhead two buzzards wheeling and calling. Charming.

I've never seen a hare which is ridiculous living in the middle of nowhere as we do.
Winter cometh again. Snow forecast, although the white, snow sky has now gone grey and stormy.

I saw loads last year. At home, just outside Chippenham, outside Amsterdam and elsewhere. I never realised they were so common!

I've woken up to a white world. Anyone else?

Where are you Bags?