Daisies! (two) - Spring!

Nice blizzard (or three) here yesterday. Ice in the pond this morning and more snow on the hills. The outside temperature got up to 3.5° and is now falling again, but it was lovely in the sun getting six loads of wood from the woodshed, and pruning a climbing rose that was growing into the woodshed, and finding that my parsley is sprouting

Little flakes blowing around on the wind - not what you'd call a blizzard - yet.

Snow blizzard this morning but it's melted now. If any frogs turn up in the pond they'll need macs. and galoshes like Jeremy Fisher.

Snow forecasted this weekend

Has the heron left any tadpoles for breakfast tomorrow morning?

Great sky tonight. Layers of brushed grey, pale salmon and a clear, bright baby blue.

Love the colours of nature.

Just spotted the heron in the pond again. Then it took off. I wonder how many of the 24 it scoffed.

Yesterday's frog count (current maximum) was twenty-four and, yes, they are most certainly 'at it'. A good third of the pond surface is covered with frogspawn.

Has your ice melted yet, galen?

Bags are your amphibians at it already? Mine can't even get in or out of the pond because of the ice!

Bonsoir soop

Another glorious day in Kintyre.
The birds are performing mid-air acrobatics. A single Redpole has joined the garden flock. A school of dolphin was seen offshore. Not by me, sad to say. A pair of otters were jousting on a rock when Mr soop waited for the bus. He was so engrossed in their antics, he almost missed it. The oystercatchers have returned to their favourite stretch of rocky beach, where they will lay their eggs. The gulls will then move in...and much kerfuffle will follow.

As for Rory, the feral cat that is now domesticated and well-pampered...he's reclining on the garden chair. Someone has to oversee Mr soop's lawn-mowing technique.

Thanks for the postcard, Bags. Magnificent awe-inspiring scenery.

Bonking frogs. Flirting birds. Me rhodie-hacking (and now trembling from the effort!). Collapse time!

Oh dear, my ecologist son has definitely diagnosed the hole in the garden as a rat hole. At least it's not near the house I suppose.

Bags

The gardening saga continues...
This morning I've been crawling under a huge, ancient, multi-trunked willow, in order to cut away brutish brambles that have climbed up through the tallest branches and re-routed themselves attracting dense "sticky weed" and tussochs of tangled, dry grasses. The leather gloves are worn through at the tips of two fingers on either hand. It's now possible to walk under the branches and see shafts of sunlight. It was HARD toil and I am very weary. Never mind, the 20 hours work that I've tackled [sometimes through tears] have saved us £200. The two deep ditches are choked with bushels of Montbrecia? stems and leaves. When the gardener visits, that can be a job for him to tackle. He's far younger/fitter than I am.

In today's post was yet another estimate from the builder. In spite of Mr soop's efforts, it has increased yet again. Three months down the line, and we haven't made a scrap of headway.

Our friend is giving one of her famous curry suppers tonight. She was a captain in the catering corps, so having 20 people drop by for a feast is of no consequence. I would be in a heck of a tiz woz if I had to cook for four close pals [who would need to settle for one simple dish and an M&S pud.]

Lots of woodpecker drilling.

Grey squirrel orgy in the trees down the hill.

Good going Soop. I dug up a small bush today, usually end up stuck solid when I do that but so far the back isn't complaining.

Sooperwoman You've been working non-stop! Take a leaf out of Rory's book tomorrow - take over his chair!

I can't account for the upsurge of energy. It's been an amazing three days worth of exceptionally hard toil. The more I achieved, the more I felt compelled to tackle. The garden's really neat. I've crawled under low branches of ancient shrubs and pulled up masses of dead foliage. A walk around the back and side of the house is a joy. Lots of new growth has been given breathing space. Mr soop says I've inspired him. He has re-stained the shed and repaired some broken fencing. Throughout the day Rory has reclined in a canvas garden chair. The sunshine has felt wonderful and we're both ready for an evening of relaxation.
Pain killers at the ready!

I wish I could create poems like you do, soop and Butty

Wow soop!What are you on, can I have some...

soop - What a picture ~ your view and your gardening!

Oh thanks, I'm having fun with them.

Butty Another delightful poem. You have a gift with words.

A shot taffeta sea
Ribbons of blue in several hues
On which the ferry glides effortlessly
Towing a silvery snail-trail in its wake.

Another six hours spent in the garden. Mountains of detritus to burn on the bonfire. Bruised knees. Bramble-scratched arms and face. Tousled hair part up, part down. Rory dozing at the foot of Mr soop's stool as he plays the piano, having done his wee bit outside. A perfect day in every way.

Your poems are exquisite, Butty. Thank you

Love your poem, Butty. You give a real feeling of the movement of the birds.