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.

In the Garden

 It's been much warmer and brighter over the last few days.  I was concerned that I hadn't seen any Wood Anemones growing yet in the garden but all of a sudden two or three flowers have appeared hidden under a Hebe bush.

We've had some unusual visitors to the bird feeders.  The Great Spotted Woodpecker is back.  I was able to catch him for a photo last week.  It is a male as he has a red spot on back of his head.

We've had three other different birds visit recently.  Paul managed to take photos of them.

Siskin

Female Blackcap

Linnet

Newts are back in the pond and coming up to the surface now the sun is shining.

The Rhubarb is doing well.

We enjoyed the first few sticks gently stewed and served with some Greek yoghurt. 

We have now had another lot from the plants and these will be made into a Rhubarb Crumble.

I think the Comma butterfly was enjoying the Rhubarb too.  This is the first we've seen this year.  

Not long after a couple of Peacock butterflies were spotted flying over the garden, they landed on a raised bed.  A Brimstone was also seen flittering about over the garden. It was too quick for the camera though and didn't settle at all.

It's good to see so much wildlife back in the garden.

It's Friday

It's been a busy week.  Medical appointments Monday and Wednesday for me.  A Geological group meeting on Thursday for Paul.  

Whilst out for walks over the last week or two we've spotted some bright and cheerful things.

A Snoopy Trail is coming to Trentham Gardens in March.  That will be fun.  Love Snoopy.  Many years ago I had a yellow Woodstock (Snoopy's little bird friend) I wonder what happened to it? I probably gave it away.

There is another outdoor art exhibition in the City Centre in the Bethesda Chapel Gardens opposite the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.  The Museum building is closed at the moment for refurbishment.

Charles William Brown (1882-1961) was born on Biddulph Moor* and worked in both the farming and mining industries.  He took up painting on his retirement.  Here is a -link- to more information from the Barewall Gallery in Burslem.  * The source of the River Trent is on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor where it rises as a small stream making its way through Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire across country until it meets the River Ouse and the North Sea between Kingston-upon-Hull and Immingham.

The paintings are of local places and happenings.  All painted in the early 1950s.  The three below caught my eye.

Landscape with bus 1955.  I'm guessing a day trip into the Staffordshire Moorlands or the Peak District., mainly because of the stone walls around the fields.

Shelton Bar from the Allotments 1950.  Shelton Bar was a major steel works in the city.  Closed now, of course as are the coal mines and many of the pottery works too.  

Washing Line 1952.  A riot of colour.  It looks like a warm Summer day.

A red squirrel at the Peak Wildlife Park.  He had a damp tail but was enjoying tucking into his breakfast hazelnut.

Snowdrops at Wolseley Bridge nature reserve.

My photos don't do the carpets of white under the trees justice.  There were a few daffodils dotted around amongst them.

A trip to the Library this morning to take books back and seek something new to read.  I took ages to find books to bring home but three came with me.  All authors I've read before.

Bad news this morning when we learned that a friend had fallen and broken her ankle and leg.  We will go to visit next week hopefully.  She and her husband spent most the the Summer and Autumn last year helping a neighbour who had fallen and broken her ankle quite badly now our friend has done the same.  

All for now.

February Days

February weather has been grey and damp so far.  Local walks have lifted spirits a little even if we have to zig-zag and slalom around the rain filled pot holes and continual roadworks to get there.

Some encouraging signs of Spring at Trentham this week.

Witch hazel  

Daphne - the scent was wonderful, soft and sweet.  

Snowdrops, flowering on either side of the pathways, glowing in the dull air like little nightlights.

Little Egret - we hadn't seen one for a while but two were spotted on this visit.  Lots of Herons too.

Cooking in a warm kitchen.  Paul made Leek and Potato Soup and I made cheese scones to go with it.

Just the thing to liven up dull, grey days.  Not the most attractive scones I've ever made but tasty nonetheless.

Evening visitor to the garden.  I could just about snap this photo with the outside lights on, he or she wasn't at all bothered as it tucked into the fox's food.

Books from the library and one loaned from a friend.  Lots of interesting reading to write about possibly in a later post.

It's raining again today we managed a walk before the heavy rain started.  Now it's time for lunch and some of the soup left over from yesterday.

All for now.