My Sunday Photo... Dancing Daffodils and Busy Bee

Hello Everyone,

I'm rather late posting My Sunday Photo today... but better late than ever.

In this part of Bonnie Scotland spring has finally arrived.

The temperatures, whilst not exactly sweltering have risen which has made everything pop.

The bees have started to buzz in their busy sortie from flower to flower.

The tree buds are just about to burst into leaf.

My magnolia is showing promising signs of actually flowering this time and I've actually given the lawn it's first cut!

So all is good in the garden.

Here's my appreciation of the daffodil.

Happy Earth Day to you and thanks for popping by.
I hope to see you again soon.

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife

My Sunday Photo... Lovin' the Lavender

In my Friday post I featured the Agapanthus, so to keep the balance I need to mention the lavender plants that share the same border. 

When we last lived here, there were lots of lavender plants in this particular border, but they had become woody, so I decided to plant new ones to replace them. 

I must have planted over 25 new plants, which as you can see has thrilled not only me, but also the visiting bees. 

My hubby (a potential future bee keeper) has been keeping a close eye and counting them after hearing the buzzing whilst gardening. 

(I know... but he's newly retired so there's time for such activities... at least he hasn't created a spreadsheet... well not yet as far as I know).

The highest number he has counted so far, at one particular count reached 16!

I'm happy that the bees are happy... plus the wonderful lavender aroma if you happen to touch them as you walk past, is enough to knock your socks off!

As usual I'm linking up with Photalife

and Mersad over at Through My Lens

I'd just like to take a moment to thank everyone who takes the time to visit my place, especially if you leave a comment. 

I really appreciate it. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend... whether you are busy as a bee or lounging among the lavender.

Enjoy

Busy Bee from Sunrise until Sunset

I hope you had a lovely Easter break. 

I didn't intend to leave you for nearly a week, but it just sort of happened. 

I was too engrossed in eating chocolate!
No not really, but it has to be said that there was some serious commitment on my part to appreciating the Easter Bunny's work. 

There's never an Easter that passes that I don't remember making an Easter bonnet with my daughter when she was about 4 years old. We spent hours enjoying cutting, licking and sticking to produce a stunning Easter bonnet... even if I say so myself. 

I was so pleased with the result and obviously wanted to take a photo.

But that's where it all started to go wrong!
My daughter produced a spectacular strop...virtual meltdown and with a pout, she flatly refused point blank that not under any circumstance and any amount of bribes would she would put it on her head!
More effort went into trying to get her to conform and just pop the thing on for a matter of seconds than went into creating the whole thing. Instead the meltdown built to a crescendo.

I think in the end, I just got the camera and plonked it on whilst clicking at the same time. Oh boy...you should see that photo. In fact if I ever find it in the box (yep...back to the days of boxes full of photos) I'll show you. 

She remembers the incident well... maybe I've scared her... who knows?

She'll probably have her answer to this question so I'll move on quickly.

I think a rainbow is a special sight especially when you are able to see both ends in view at the same time. Does this mean that there's double the chance of a pot of gold perhaps? One end landed in the nearby field and the other into the woods.

I always rush to grab my camera when there's a rainbow, as they tend to be fleeting, but this rainbow stayed a while. If you look carefully there is actually a second rainbow above.

It appeared earlier in the week and perhaps it was a good omen for the forthcoming Easter weekend weather. Normally bank holidays come with inclement weather and traffic jams, but this last weekend was perfect. The weather pulled out all the stops and we were able to enjoy it. Although we're still busy there was time to stop and smell the roses (although they aren't out yet). I've even got evidence of the thermometer reaching 31 degrees. Don't laugh... but it is situated in full sun. 

I'm okay with that... I'll get the best reading I can... however I can. 

It just does me good to see it climb to lofty heights, even if it's had a helping hand. 

I've not been back in this house during spring time for quite a few years, so I'm reacquainting myself with everything. Some old friends and favourites have disappeared, leaving gaps and spaces in the borders, whilst I've introduced a few new additions to take their place. We will wait to hopefully see good results. 

It's exciting times...

A busy bee came to check out the rhododendron whilst I was weeding nearby.  

He was oblivious to me... intent on making the most of the day. 

I'd completely forgotten that I had a blossom tree too... I think it's a cherry blossom but please correct me if I'm wrong. 

And here's a little something from my rockery in the front garden. I'm not sure what it is... so if you know once again... I'd love to hear from you. 

I was going to include it in Blue Monday but never got to post before the deadline to link up. Hey... just call me 'Tail-end Charlie' 

After enjoying the holiday weekend, nature decided to put on a spectacular show last night. We watched as the sun went down and clinked our glasses to a lovely Easter. I hope you enjoyed yours too?

Once again... I'll try to nip over to see what you're up to but it may take me some time.

Toodleloo for now

 

xoxo

Happy Blue Monday...Bee Mats and Tractor rides

So the weekends done and dusted...I blinked and it was gone.

Although it was full on, I did manage to squeeze a few new activities in. 

Some that even surprised me!

The sun came out to play along with a very keen wind, but that didn't stop us getting out into the garden. There's lots to get on with so time is of the essence.

I've had plans for a wild flower section in my garden since we returned to the house, especially after hearing that bees are in serious decline.

Apparently 50% have been lost through disease, loss of habitat and intensive farming. Planting wild flowers makes a big difference to bee survival. So I wanted to do my bit.

I bought a bee mat on one of my Garden Centre visits, so it was time for action.

 The site for the wild flowers is right at the edge of the garden under the silver birch trees. The BeeMat is a 200cm x 50cm ready seeded, biodegradable mat that contains annual, biannial and perennial species of wild flowers that are a great source of nature and pollen for bees including: Common Knapweed, Greater Knapweed, Golden Rod, Vipers Bugloss.

As you can see I've picked a sunny sheltered spot as instructed. 

Cultivated the ground and removed the weeds (well sort of)
I layed the mat over a level smooth bed of soil and covered the fleece with sand and compost. I then watered it and now I wait! 

I'll certainly let you see how it progresses...hopefully we'll have a beautiful wild flower area buzzing with activity soon.
 

Talking of activity...you are never going to guess what happened to me whilst I was in the middle of cooking our Sunday Roast!

As is my want...I am constantly looking for photographic potential even when I'm not aware that's what I'm doing. So when I caught sight of my local farmer busy ploughing a nearby field, I grabbed my camera to capture a shot. 

Unfortunately Sunday wasn't as sunny as Saturday as you can see by the heavy sky in the photo below. 

I missed a fantastic photo only a few weeks ago, whilst out walking with Muffy. The sun was shining onto the blades of the plough, the excitable seagulls were squawking whilst taking flight until the tractor passed and the soil looked like treacle it was so dark and rich. 

Why did I miss the photo do I hear you ask?...because I'd left my camera at home...which is like loosing a limb, especially when you see a shot that you know would be special. 

Anyway...here's the shot I did get (very disappointing but you have to move on)

I had asked the farmer if I could take his photo before I started snapping and initially he just sat there but then I explained that I wanted to shoot him working, so off he went. 

(Just a little note here...he was wearing blue but you can't tell from this shot...and why am I telling you this? I'm linking up with Blue Monday that's why...hence the blue bee mat above hehe)

Anyway, back to my story if you haven't nodded off or have a more pressing engagement to attend...

As he came nearer to me precariously perched upon the bank of the lane trying to avert the barb wired fence he shouted "would you like to have a ride" 

(cough...cough...okay I'm editing here because I know that that sentence could have lots of connotations...but we'll move on quickly...)

So how could I refuse...off went my apron into the hedgerow (don't forget I was in the middle of cooking) and over the gate post I vaulted! Well maybe not quite a vault but I was impressed because it's been many years since I did that. I was giggling to myself thinking the boys were in the house watching their football team (in a crucial match) and would be oblivious to what I was up to. I also laughed when I looked down and realised I was still wearing my slippers! 

I had to take a photo as evidence to prove that I was indeed ploughing a field in the middle of mixing the yorkshire puds! They'd never believe me!

I was able to ask the farmer lots of questions...about the area and why/how he does what he does...which was like starring in my own 'Country File' programme. 

After as I ran back up my driveway I heard the roar of the crowd...well my two boys shouting at an obvious goal in their teams favour. It can be quite deafening if you're in the house, so I waited until full-time to ask them what they thought I'd been doing and that they'd NEVER guess and imagine their shock when I pointed to the field and said I'd been ploughing and showed them my backed of photographic evidence! 

The farmer says he'll let me have a go with his Combine Harvester when the time comes...so we set up a sign language for a cuppa if he was working near again. 

I did mention that I'm waiting for the lambs to arrive in the back field, but I'm not sure about his answer...his accent is extremely broad for a newie like me to follow. 

So we'll have to wait and see. 

Happy Blue Monday to you all...

If you would like to see more Blue Monday links, then nip over to Sally by clicking here

Have fun! 

xoxo