My Sunday Photo... Breakfast Alfresco

It appears that spring has finally come out of hiding.

Who would have guessed that we could have our Sunday breakfast alfresco.

It's been such a long time since we could do this and it's been greatly missed.

The trouble is that once breakfast is over there are so many jobs to catch up on... so it'll be a busy day.

I'll be linking up (rather later than usual) with My Sunday Photo.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

Enjoy your Sunday

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.

Wordless Wednesday... Craigievar Castle

  

Wordless Wednesday

My Sunday Sunset Photo and a little Pokemon

I know you have seen many of my sunset photographs from this particular spot but sometimes I just have to capture them. 

Each one seems so special and I want to make sure that I appreciate them. 

What a perfect way to end a day. 

As usual I'm linking up once more with Photoalife 

Why not pop over and see lots of other great photography.

Just before I go I thought I'd share Muffin's latest Instagram photo with you. 

Who needs Pokémon when you have a Pooch!

Yes I know the ball has seen better days, but she's had it since Day 1 and loves it.
She has other newer balls and lots of toys, but 'Wilson' has had too many adventures with her to just be discarded. 

(Don't worry I check it regularly to see that it's still safe)

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by my place. 

Hope to see you again soon.

My Sunday Photo... A country stroll

I think we must have had every option on the weather front during this last week or so. 

Thankfully there has been little glitches in the icy rain and snow flurries to be able to get outside and enjoy a good brisk walk. 

My daughter is staying with us this weekend, so she took this photo of Mum and Muffin.

As usual Muffy had come across an interesting smell that had to be investigated... so as usual we were lagging behind. 

It never ceases to amaze me when you notice little changes in nature that indicate it's time to say goodbye to one season and welcome another. 

I'll not be too sad to see winter go... and oh boy will I gladly welcome spring!

If you'd like to see more photo's then click on the camera and join us over at Photo A Life 

Through my lens and Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

My Sunday Photo

My wish came true... we have sheep in the back field!

I couldn't resist taking a photo of them this morning, but unfortunately I had to take it from inside an upstairs window. 

The sheep are still a little nervous in their new home and run at the least thing.

They're just come right up to the house and set the intruder light off, but it's too dark to take the photo now. Mufftypup is aware of them being there, but can't work out what they are...  or what she should do about it. We're keeping a close eye on here when she goes out into the garden. 

I think the ewes might think she's a lamb. 

A small lamb!
(for those of you who haven't met Muffin... here's a brief video of her woodland walk this morning)

Have a great weekend everyone.

If you'd like to see more photo's... click on the link below.

My Sunday Photo

Appreciating the Sunset

I can hardly believe that today is the anniversary of the day we left Melbourne, Australia.
Where did that time go? 

At times I feel that we never actually left the UK but there's plenty of proof all around us that it wasn't a dream. 

We have achieved so much since we arrived back in the UK last July...from attending a Castle Fairytale Wedding to mixing with TV personalities at the Chelsea Flower Show with a little renovation work and mini breaks in between! 

Phew...I'm tired just thinking about it. 

But Phase one of the house renovation work that we would like to be done has been completed and now we're ready to have a break and enjoy the summer. 

So bring it on please.

I'm so glad that today has improved weather wise, otherwise I'd have been moaning about nothing but that cold wind from the North that has been far too attached to us for my liking...whilst everywhere else in the UK has had temperatures at least 10/15 degrees warmer than here! It just wasn't fair!

This photo was taken from the back of our house at sunset last night . 

If you remember I did say that I'd take a snapshot of our view each month, but alas I started out with good intentions but life just got in the way.

Sometimes I struggle to remember what day it is never mind the date.

Mufftypup and I have had fantastic daily country walks...enjoying all that nature has put on display. We've welcomed the seasons and changes as they've appeared...and bid them goodbye eagerly waiting for the next, taking time to appreciate all the subtle differences as they've occurred. The thaw loosening like a fist unclenching, spring bursting with promise and hopefully summer will sizzle.

There's not a day goes by without me stopping and taking a grateful break to let it sink in as to just how lucky I have been. We've also celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary last month...(and they said it wouldn't last! lol)

Who knows what the next year will bring, but if it's anything like the last then I shall be thankful and enjoy every moment. I hope it will be the same for you too.

All the photographs posted here were taken from our garden as the sun set last night.

It looks like we might be on for another spectacular sunset tonight. 

There's a clear sky and the colours are changing as I type. 

We've just enjoyed our evening meal feeling the warmth of the sun on our faces. 

Salmon, asparagus, country potatoes and a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc...yummy with even an eccles cake to accompany our cuppa later. 

Life just doesn't get much better.  

Who knows what the next year will bring but I know one thing if it's anything like this last one, I'll be a happy bunny. 

I can only wish the same for you too.

Thanks for visiting my place...enjoy your day/week/summer 

xoxo

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday?

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

Has Spring sprung or not?

So is it officially spring or not? 

Apparently a row has erupted over the official date. 

According to the Meteorological Office spring has sprung, but much of the country is still gripped by icy winter weather. 

The Met Office classes the first day of spring as 1 March, saying March, April and May are regarded as the spring months. But traditionally spring has started on the night of 20/21 March. 

So I'm thinking we are in a transitional period of neither winter or spring.

There's a battle quietly playing out each day with the seasons and one day in particular last week, it was split between the two. For the first half of the day it was definitely winter but then as the afternoon arrived so did spring.

As Muffy and I participated in our early morning walk...wrapped up like we were off to explore the polar icecap...I became aware that our surroundings we were in a static state. It was neither winter nor spring.

The sun low and blinding...wind roaring through the copse like a freight train, which thankfully didn't reach us certainly made it feel like winter.

It wasn't a morning for birdsong or twitter-bations either...there was more of an eery silence prevailed, whilst the birds snuggled in their nest.

The raindrops pitter-patted on my fur-lined hood.

Yes...can you believe that I've become a hoodie since being back here!

I noted the cows huddled around their red metal grilled feeder in the bottom corner of the field away from the winds vicious bite...looking for all the world like they were snuggled around an electric fire for warmth. 

Muffy's paws collected so much mud she was nearly twice her usual weight...bringing grit, mud and general grime home for yet another dip in the sink. 

We called a brief greeting to a neighbour as we passed which the wind whipped up and took away, but the wave said it all "Hi, I'm fine...how are you? See you when it's not so cold to catch up!" 

But then as the day progressed and the sun put in an appearance and the whole picture changed. Birds once more sang and visited the garden, bulbs and buds began to sprout and spring open, giving a splash of much needed colour, the container of strawberries looked amazing and gave a huge lift that we will be able to have strawberries once more, eat lunch al-fresco and generally enjoy the 18 hours of daylight...whoohoo...bring it on!

This one's for you Darla...it's the 'wee burn' that you wished you could hear trickling when I last posted about it (click here to see). 

We revisited it once again but this time I took a video with sound. 

I hope you enjoy it 

Just before I go...I thought you might like to see Hamish from the Stick Paw Prize Draw all wrapped up and on his way to MacMillanMarie in Canada. 

He caused quite a stir with the ladies in the Post Office in his smart tartan kilt and 

tam o'shanter. I think basically they wanted to adopt him but he was already spoken for.  

I have to admit I was rather pleased with myself when I managed to pixel the address label. Hehe...I love to learn new things especially if I manage them without the aid of a safety net (basically someone from the younger generation) 

Today whether the first day of spring or not is also St Davids Day.

Celebrations are being held around Wales to mark the national day of the country's patron saint. 

So Happy St.Davids Day

Have a wonderful weekend everyone

xoxo
I'm linking up with Saturday Show and Tell... 

Wordless Wednesday...morning walk

wordless

The Jenny Evolution

Wordless Wednesday Moooooo....rning!

wordless

The Jenny Evolution