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.

Spring Flowers and Snoopy

Spring has arrived at Trentham Gardens.  It was a joy to walk in the sunshine earlier this week even though there was a sharp breeze to start with the morning warmed quickly.

It was certainly a back to a warm coat and gloves day.

Perseus with the head of Medusa a copy of the original 16th century sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini made for the second Duke of Sutherland, the owner of Trentham Hall and estate in 1840.

There were some lovely displays of Spring flowers.

As well as Spring, Snoopy has arrived for a visit, he and his little friends are in the shop windows.

And in the gardens

It was fun searching for them all.  I've added photos of those we were able to take images of with no people around. 

 As you can imagine the Snoopy trail was very popular with families.

Peanuts by Charles Shultz was (still is) one of my two favourite cartoon strips, the other being The Perishers by Maurice Dodd and Dennis Collins which I remember from our daily newspaper in the 1950s and 60s.

Some of Snoopy's little friends.  I've put Peppermint Pattie in the centre as she is my favourite of the children characters.

I hope everyone has a peaceful Easter weekend.

In the Woods

 A short walk yesterday morning in the local Hem Heath woods.  Lots of work has been done by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust over the winter months.  Many Ash trees have been taken out because of Ash Dieback disease.  New paths have been made, now much firmer and cleaner underfoot.  

The sound of birdsong played in the air as we walked. The trees still bare of leaves looked wonderful against the blue sky.

We walked along the circular route back towards the car park.

Many areas under the trees were standing in water.  I'm sure this will take some time to drain away.

We stopped by the pond.

Signs of life here.  There will soon be Flag Iris and Marsh Marigolds to enjoy.  Possibly little ducklings too.

We made our way back to the car park. 

 We'll return in a few weeks time to find the woodland floor a sea of blue, as this wood is noted for its glorious display of Bluebells.  

All for now. 

Spring Flowers

  The weather has changed over the last week and felt quite Spring like on a couple of days, although it's colder and duller today and there was a misty haze this morning.  I don't think we are out of the woods yet but winter is loosening its grip.

 On the Brampton in Newcastle-under-Lyme the Crocus are in flower all along the paths, so delicate and fragile.  Some had been trampled, possibly by squirrels or perhaps dogs taken off leads. 

Meanwhile at Trentham Spring has also sprung.  Snowdrops are going over but are replaced by another carpet of white.

Wood Anemones also known as windflowers. They are well advanced the ones in our garden haven't appeared yet.

They are one of my all time favourite flowers.

Hellebores are still flowering alongside the primulas.

At Westport lake trees were in blossom.

Above Pussy Willow catkins.

Last but not least - daffodils.  They are out now in gardens and along verges.  

Always a welcome sight.

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.