More signs of what is to come

I am not trying to rush nature, I'm really not, but Spring is definitely beginning to show itself. It is a beautiful day outside, blue sky, icy puddles being the only reminder of the snow which fell overnight.We do have a bitterlry cold wind though, so I am amazed these hazel catkins aren't just a blur.

These pots are promising to be bursting full of colour, we shall see.

Good morning Percy

This morning our noisy visitor was Percy the pheasant, enjoying the view from the top of the swing.

When we first moved into our house we used to have a pheasant visit our back yard every day pecking at all the dropped seed from the bird feeders. The children called him Percy. So now every time a pheasant visits us he is always referred to as Percy.



These photo's were taken through double glazed windows, so not too great. I then went outside to get some from the gate but Percy flew off!

Seven Swans a swimming

Fantastic! Seven Mute Swans
from my Garden Gate

First signs of Spring

Mr Barny paid a visit again this morning but it was still too dark to pick him up with my little camera.


















I went out to fill the bird feeders later and found these, I hoped I would, usually I don't notice them until they are in full bloom and visible from my kitchen window, but now that I am making an effort to photograph everything that I love about living here, I had to go and seek them out! Our first sign that spring is just around the corner, snowdrops.














































I will post more when they are out fully, but these will do as a taster!

After the thaw

I am amazed at how quickly all the snow vanished. After two days of greyness and fog the floods are the highest I have seen them all winter.

On the table we can build a snowman

Let me introduce you to Mr Frosty, He was made this morning before the thaw set in.

He is modelling a stylish bead and wire knitted hat and scarf, I knitted the hat yesterday, the scarf was originally going to be part of my Christmas decoration, which you can see on my jewellery blog. The beads for his eyes, nose and buttons were pinned into position, I wasn't expecting the thaw to happen so quickly so tomorrow I am going to have to go hunting for the pins, at least they have coloured heads!.

more of the white stuff

Just when I thought I might be able to drive to

my workshop by Friday, this arrives over night.

Early morning visitors; red legged partridge, making the most of being able to peck at the tarmac where my husbands car was parked.

and still it falls!

Just about enough snow thank you

I think we missed most of the severe snow overnight,

I am quite happy with this much, although driving is still going to be a huge problem. at least until the main road one mile away.
















































I thought I should investigate how bad the lane is before I leave for work this afternoon.

below are three photos at the beginning of the walk taken from my garden gate. The lane you can view from angelasmithjewellery.blogspot.com as it would be going against the idea of this blog if I were to stray further afield.

A rare visitor to our garden

We see bullfinches regularly flitting about on the lane at this time of year, but we don't often see them this close to our house.

This is a bit of a cheat, as I took these photos from our lounge window this morning, if I'd gone to the gate they would have flown off!

We had two females for a good half an hour, unfortunately no sign of the male.