Thursday, April 02, 2015

Thoughts on Thursday


Just  a few, simple things that have made me smile this week

  A surprise visitor to the garden
 Monsieur Reynard or Mr Fox visited our garden this week, not unusual in one sense as we know that foxes visit the garden - they leave behind the evidence- but we rarely see them.  This one visited around lunch time in the bright light (well grey, drizzly light) of the day.  He sat for ages on the grass behind the greenhouse and I was able to rush upstairs (well rush as much as I can nowadays with my knees) and grab my camera and photograph him from the landing window.  He sat for ages scratching, and then began  stretching his legs. front then back,  before he wandered off to the top of the garden where there is a way in and out through a small gap in the holly hedge behind the shed.

 A Rainy Walk at Ilam
On Wednesday morning we set out to walk at Ilam it was quite rainy when we arrived and we sat in the car in the car park for a while before we decided to risk a walk.  I'm so glad we did as the rain stopped shortly after we set off and only started again as we neared the end of the walk.  We had the place almost to ourselves just a couple of school parties who were way ahead of us and a few people staying at the Youth Hostel who stopped to chat on their way along the riverside.


We went inside the church too.  I know I've taken you here in several posts and told the tale of St Bertram whose tomb is in the chapel built especially to house it.  The font is Saxon as is the cross, one of two to be found in the churchyard.  The pictures around the walls of the nave depict the history of the village of Ilam through the centuries.

Back in the Garden
Things are livening up a bit, the winds and rain over the last few days have flooded the area around the pond again, but around the garden and in the raised beds the signs of spring are there.  The little tete a tete are raising their heads and the muscari and puschkinia are in flower.  The rosemary has little blue flowers and the rhubarb and wild garlic are looking lush and green.

  Easter Decorations 

Just a few bits and pieces out for Easter.  I've yet to find a suitable twig for hanging decorated eggs on. It has also been very hard this year to find any chocolate eggs without palm oil but the ones in the bowl from MandS seem to be free of it.   I don't know about the cute chocolate bunny, it was given me by my neighbours for looking after their cat for a couple of days whilst they opened up their caravan in Wales for the season.  We are making our own hot cross buns, in fact they are being made as I type by the bread maker of the house and the smell of mixed spice is wafting in my direction.  I will make some Easter buns or fairy cakes on Saturday. 

Hope you all have a lovely, peaceful Easter weekend.

26 comments:

  1. Lots of nice things to smile about! Your rhubarb is looking lush indeed. The daffs, chocolate bunny and eggs make a lovely trio! Have a Happy Easter Rosie. x

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    1. Thanks, Simone - I'm looking forward to that first rhubarb crumble:)

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  2. A nice spring post, have a nice Easter!x

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    1. Thanks, Michelle hope you ahve a nice Easter too:)

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  3. The fox is a lovely little creature, how unusual to have him visit in the day time.

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    1. It is unusual to see them in the day and when you do they are usually very quick and furtive - they don't usually sit in the garden cleaning themselves down and relaxing:)

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  4. Lovely, lovely post Rosie! I'm enamoured by Mr Fox and his luscious furry tail and the Easter flowers are a delight! X

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie - he is very furry isn't he, he is obviously in good health and well fed, Happy Easter to you:)

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  5. Have a lovely Easter Rosie.

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  6. An enjoyable post, Rosie. Glad you managed a mid week walk despite the changeable weather. You always go to interesting places. I hope you have a lovely Easter weekend.

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    1. Hope you have a lovely Easter too, Linda. Ilam is a lovely place to walk and so much quieter than nearby Dovedale:)

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  7. Lots of lovely stuff there. Ilam is beautiful but it's quite a trek from here so we never think to go. Maybe this summer.

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    1. We are lucky to be fairly close to Ilam and Dove Dale, just a short car journey away. I guess it is just a step too far from your area for a day trip, but in summer with light nights you could take all day to visit:)

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  8. I can smell the hot crossed buns from here! Lovely to see the fox in your garden and well done for getting a few images...isn't it always a dilemma...stop watching to get the camera and miss the moment.

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    1. The hot cross bus were delicious. Mr Fox was determined to stay where he was for a while so I took the chance to grab my camera and take photos from an upstairs window:)

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  9. I was going to write exactly the same as Suzie!! Hot Cross Buns are my favourite! Ilam is lovely - I must sort out a return visit xxxx

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    1. Let me know if you do come over to Ilam and we can meet at the NT tea shop for coffee and perhaps a walk? Hope you had your favourite hot cross buns over the weekend:)

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  10. Happy Easter!

    This is a lovely collection of things and photos! I saw a fox a few days ago, mid afternoon, just sitting at the side of a lane. I don't think I've ever seen one before out in the afternoon - I usually see them at dusk or after dark!

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    1. Thanks Louise. Are the foxes getting braver at coming out and about during the day? We only ever usuallly here them calling at night. We once saw one on the grassy bank at the side of the A50 I was really worried about it but I expect he knew his territory and what he was doing:)

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  11. I hope you are enjoying your Easter Rosie! Mr Foxy was certainly being brave and very relaxed in your garden! I can imagine the smells of the hot cross buns in your home, there is nothing like home cooked bread. Your visit to Ilam was full of wonderful things to see, I love places like this. Take care xx

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    1. Thanks, Chel I hope you too are enjoying the Easter weekend. Mr Fox did seem relaxed didn't he? Ilam is a wonderful place to visit and quieter by far than nearby Dovedale and for me just as attractive:)

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  12. Hi Rosie,

    Happy Easter. I'm a bit late dropping by, but I hope that you had a lovely weekend. It sounds like spring is well underway. How wonderful. We are still having winter weather (it snowed again last night) - not sure if we should have been celebrating Easter or Christmas! Roll on spring...

    Marie x

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    1. Hi Marie, hope you had a lovely Easter weekend too in spite of the snow. I do hope spring comes knocking on your door soon:)

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