Mostly Pink and Blue

 Around the garden the colours are mostly pink and blue.  

The Tamarisk tree will fade to the palest, softest pink.

Whilst the Rhododendron will fade from dark pink, to pale pink then white.

Clematis Montana

and Bistort carry on the colour theme.

Blue is represented by the perennial Cornflower

and Forget-me-Not which has spread all over the garden as well as the paths.  Bluebells have faded now but they too shone blue in parts of the garden.

Long sticky stems of Cleavers or goosegrass are winding their way up into the shrubs and hedges.  Wood avens has also taken hold in some areas.  Dandelions are all over adding bright yellow to the mix until their soft downy clocks appear.

 

There is much to do.

 All for now. Take care.

Shrewsbury

 We spent a lovely day in Shrewsbury on Tuesday.  It's not too far from here probably about fifty minutes drive to the park and ride at Harlescott and then a ten minute bus ride into the centre.

It's a place I'm quite familiar with. I often used to get the bus there and back for shopping when we lived near Market Drayton.  I also used to meet a friend at the station and we would travel on the train to Llandrindod Wells (Llandod as it was known locally) to visit a retired work colleague.

 I love the old streets, quaint alleyways and old buildings.  The names of the streets like Wyle Cop and Dogpole that conjure up times gone by. We'd decided we wanted to visit the Museum to see how it had changed since our last visit and also walk along the riverside to The Dingle, Percy Thrower's garden.

Above The Bear Steps

The Old Market Hall

The Museum and Art Gallery

Wyle Cop

The English Bridge, the Welsh Bridge is on the other side of the town.

The walk through The Quarry towards The Dingle.

Along the Riverside.

Shrewsbury School Boat Club near the Kingsland Bridge.

In The Dingle

I loved the water features in the middle of the lake.

I liked the steel sculpture of a Heron below.  Apparently it is 8ft tall.

Below the more formal gardens.

After our walk we had a lovely lunch at the Museum café and a good look around the displays before catching the bus and heading home.  I did take a few photos in the Museum but it was difficult due to the lighting and reflections

All for now.

Blossom

Glorious pink Blossom and blue skies, you'd be forgiven for thinking all is well with the world.  It's so wonderful to see.  I look forward to this display each year along the bank the River Trent by the Trentham Garden Centre.

The Magnolias across the river in the gardens are looking lovely too.

Although still chilly in the mornings the days have been glorious.  Walks have been taken.  Gardening done, washing has dried outside.  Days are filled with ordinary things and routine tasks, I'm trying to savour these days as they pass by so quickly.  

All for now.

A Few things from the last week

 In the garden Spring is in the air.

The Amelanchier just outside the conservatory window was full of blossom, although the winds of the last few days have started to blow petals all over the plants below.  They drift around like little snowflakes.

The Bridal Wreath (Spirea) is also covered in blossom, not as much as in previous years.  

Our night time visitors are still around.  Arriving at dusk, they are easily spotted.  I love the way they feel safe enough to sit for a while before moving on.

Mr Badger (Paul's photo)

and the two foxes (Paul's photo)   I wonder if they have cubs this year?  I hope so.

Earlier in the week we visited the Derbyshire town of Belper.  We were there to catch up with two of my relatives, who both live in the town.  One, who is now a sprightly 89, is the daughter of my grandmother's youngest brother.  The other is the granddaughter of my grandmother's sister.  We exchanged family news and had a lovely meal at a place called Denby Lodge, in the pottery village of Denby.

More foxes and badgers on the Derwent Duck by Rebecca Morledge.  This was one of the Ducks in the Amber Valley 'Ay up me Duck' trail.  Other ducks can be found across the town and also in the towns of Heanor, Ripley and Alfreton.

We visited Hem Heath Woods again to see if the bluebells were in flower.  They were, although some paths had been closed to stop people and dogs trampling on the delicate blooms.

As well as Bluebells there was loads of Yellow Dead Nettle

Lesser Celandines

 and these little white flowers, I'm not sure what they are but Stitchwort comes into my mind.  Does anyone know?

A last Springtime photo 

Female Mallard and her four little ducklings at the Peak Wildlife Park.

All for now, have a good weekend.