Flowering Gorse

Whilst out walking this morning, I took a few photos that indicates that spring truly has arrived.

It was difficult to choose which photos to pick for My Sunday Photo.

I decided the Gorse flowers, these yellow beauties are bursting into life along the country lanes. 

I hope you like them.

For overseas visitors Gorse is a large, evergreen shrub covered in needle-like leaves and distinctive, coconut-perfumed, yellow flowers during the spring and summer.

As usual I shall be linking up with Photalife 
Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk 
and 
Mersad Through My Lens
visit today and I hope to see you again soon.

Have a wonderful week.

How about a country walk this morning?

Good morning... or afternoon, or evening depending on where you are in the world.

I decided this morning that Muffy and I should stretch our legs.

I know that's a little difficult for Muffy, with being so near to the ground

(virtually challenged shall we say) 

but when she's up for it, she certainly can walk.

So instead of the park as usual this morning, we heading out into the country lanes.

Would you like to join us...?

The fresh gusty wind was playing with the clouds... chasing their shadows across the fields.

The birds were also having great difficulty navigating, with gusts blowing them off course and whether they wanted to or not, making spectacular acrobatic displays.

The gorse is stunning at the moment and I'm sure there wasn't this much around at this time last year. 

It's bright yellow floral display is quite a delight whilst we wait for the sun to return.

I remember someone asked on a previous post what gorse actually was but unfortunately I've forgotten who asked! 

I know it's an age thing.

Here's a few facts about gorse for those that aren't familiar with the thorny evergreen.

The flowers have fantastic yellow flowers that have a distinctive coconut smell.

It likes banks, heaths and sea-cliffs although at the moment it appears to be everywhere I look.

Folklore says you should only kiss your beloved when gorse is in flower. 

The good news is that it is pretty much in bloom at any time of year! 

But the peak time for the vibrant yellow blooms is April and May.

This photo might give you some idea of how strong the wind was... I even had to hold onto my hat!

One advantage for Muffy being so low down to the ground, is that she was tucked away behind the granite walls for much of the time, so out of the strong wind... otherwise with her being off lead she might have been the first dog to fly!

Does anyone else remember playing as a child with dandelions? 

We would shout and chant "wet the bed... wet the bed" if anyone picked one and on a more friendly note, we would use the seedlings to tell the time singing the rhyme... one-o-clock, two-o-clock...etc etc... whilst blowing the seeds from the stem.

Just another little fact... did you know that a seed can be carried as many as five miles from their origin.

It also has the longest flowering season of any plant! 

No wonder I can't clear them out of my garden.

It was lovely to have you join me this morning... I hope you enjoyed it.

I thought I've shown you enough of my garden and some of the plants within it

(see my Instagram feed in my sidebar if you don't use Instagram) 

so I thought it was a good idea to expand and go further afield, quite literally.

Well, I'm off now to tackle those dandelions and other weeds.

(whispering voice... the sun's shining!!!)

Have a wonderful Wednesday... enjoy!

Banished to the bedroom!

Basically I'm banished to the bedroom today and not even my own bedroom at that...it's the guest bedroom. 

We've moved in here whilst our own room is being painted etc, so it feels a little like being away on a mini-break or holiday. 

The reason for my banishment today is that the builders and painters have taken over virtually every room downstairs. I've escaped to the hairdressers yesterday and the garden centre before that to save my sanity...but I wanted to stay home today.

There are gaping holes in the walls where windows and doors used to be, dust in every conceivable place even though dust covers have been draped everywhere and I spent quite a considerable time last night hoovering, dusting and steam cleaning the floors. It all looks a little sad and ghostly, but then I just have look at the completed work that has been done already and I think it'll all be worthwhile. 

At least I'm not having to live in a caravan whilst all the work is being done like so many other people have had to do.  

Every morning starts before dawn and Muffy and I decided this morning to escape the mayhem. We wandered around the park and came back suitably refreshed and revived but it was still before 8am! 

We haven't seen the sun here for quite a few days, so as it made an appearance this morning it seemed that everyone wanted to make the most of it. 

The birds were singing beautifully trying to out do one anothers song, crocus and daffodils have managed to push through to make an entrance, although I think they may be held back from flowering for a week or two as it is still a little chilly.

But the snowdrops are putting on a good show.

(I liked my shadow in this photo so I didn't edit it out...it shows how low the sun is at this time of year)

At one stage I counted 14 small dogs all grouped together in the centre of the park having fun, running and stretching their legs, barking and playing ball. 

Life's good when you can run full pelt with friends off the lead! ^..^

It was a doggy social whirl there, so no wonder McMuffy is curled up now snoozing and whimpering in her sleep...she's obviously still at the pooch party by the sound of it. 

Here's my favourite photo of the week...well for now it is.

The gorse bursting into flower.

For anyone who isn't familiar with gorse...it is a large evergreen shrub covered in needle-like leaves and has a distinctive coconut perfumed yellow flower. 

It makes such an impact on the landscape. 

But the flowers aren't the only thing that feel spring maybe just around the corner...the crows were swooping and calling overhead with their beaks full of twigs and nesting material. 

All natures positive signs and greatly appreciated even though it hasn't been a harsh cold winter. 

Meanwhile back at the ranch...there's cuppas to be brewed and fires to keep alight.
Yesterday someone decided that it was okay to pop their lunch bag (plastic) onto the fire WRONG! 

Fire alarms ringing, smoke billowing and general choking commenced.
I tell you there's never a dull moment. 

I even had to paint my nails to hide the ground in soot after cleaning everywhere! 

It was ingrained into my skin and my face cleansing wipe last that night looked like I'd been down a coal mine! 

I've got so many blog posts backing up in my mind that I'd like to share with you so I might have to post daily if there's not too many major incidents to keep me away. 

Enjoy your week and I'll hopefully see you again soon. 

Toodleloo for now

xoxo