We are still gripped by a frosty, crisp white spring up here.
I think our little feathered friends are going to be a little confused.
I've seen activity in and around our nest boxes, but it still feels very chilly for baby birds.
I'm hoping that this might be my last wintery Sunday Photo.
One of our regular visitors who is particularly partial to meal worms!
He never ceases to make me smile.
I hope the Easter Bunny has been good to you.
I painted this Bunny illustration for last Easter.
I hope you like him.
There's snow on them there hills... so it calls for some skiing!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....
I'd like to take this opportunity before I go to wish everyone a Happy Easter.
I'm linking up with the 'My Sunday Photo' over at Photalife.
Enjoy your chocolates!
I had to open my mouth didn't I and say that we'd had no snow...
Well not twenty-four hours after making that statement it arrived.
The wind has been blowing an icy blast (apparently from the Artic) all day and now snow has arrived with it.
Hence this Sunday's photo is of our inglenook with the wood burner blasting out heat.
You just can't beat it on a day like today.
The large tree trunks to the side of the burner are from a friends garden... they chopped down a tree some time last year, so it's perfectly dried out now and ready for burning.
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 Drawall 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.
I woke this morning at 5.23am and although it was still dark outside, I lay and watched the clouds whip past on the howling wind. The noise from the gale was like a freight train passing through. There was a rattle on the roof and I just kept my fingers crossed that it wasn't a roof tile about to take flight!
We'd had plenty of warnings about the impending gale and snow storm that was heading our way from the media, so at least we were prepared.
I've stocked up on essentials and there's not an inch of space to spare in either the freezer or fridge.
(the side garden...with the birds having a quick feed before the big freeze)
It's a pity I never thought to tie down the bin because when I drove back onto the driveway this morning...it was there waiting to greet me, upended on the border!
Not exactly the kind of garden feature that I'd like and when I checked around the rest of the garden I found the BBQ and gas bottle on it's side too.
There was also the garden table top on the floor, which lets face it was an amazing feat. It's incredibly heavy so that gives you some idea of how strong the gusts have been.
There's not been much snow yet, but I think we're in for some overnight.
But as I said I'm prepared...
Look at these beauties
They are Sorel Boots and oh boy do I have cosy toes today!
They were recommended to me by my daughter, so I must be trendy too eh?
I think they might be my favourite winter purchase so far
WARNING..This post contains masses of photographs! So pop the kettle on and settle down for a wee whilie....;D
But before I leave you in peace...I'll have to set the scene...
This umbrella has had quite a few outings lately on my morning walks...it has to be said we have had a fair amount of rain over this last month here in Melbourne!
But just the other day I was walking and suddenly whoosh...a huge gust of wind blew and literally stripped my brolly of its skin!
I just stood and gasped with my mouth wide open...I just couldn't believe it! I've had umbrella's turn inside out before but never stripped ~ completely despoked!
A very cosy comfy driver passing just laughed which I thought was a little unkind, but then I did see the
funny side of it...and I too giggled.
Look here's what it looked like....sad isn't it?
But thankfully I did manage to put it back together again!
I love this umbrella because even on the greyest of days the pattern underneath is a tropical scene.
So yes we're still in the grip of winter, but then the sun will appear and the clouds fluff up against the beautiful blue sky and ahhh.....you can be forgiven for thinking that spring is but a whisper away!
There's also the kaleidoscope of colours being displayed with masses of plants bursting into flower....oh and lots of twitterbaiting between the birds....
So here's just a brief peak at some of the plants that I've passed along the way.
I couldn't attach them all because you'd be here till Christmas!
Enjoy...and any that are a little out of focus etc are probably taken with my son's camera that I'm still trying to get to grips with!
Sorry this one above really shouldn't be shown....it's out of focus but I couldn't resist showing the colour....I'll try and replace it with another shot when I next see the plant...
Now you tell me which season we're in....because I'm confused! :D
If you're expecting my Simple Woman's Daybook today, then I apologise....
and if you're not...then why not? ;D
Basically my excuse is that I've ran out of time this week. I know...how could I?
But I may get a chance over the coming weekend. Who knows?
There's word that we could have some rain...so there may well be time for another post!
Unless of course, I'm whisked away somewhere quite exotic, warm and totally self-indulging for Mother's Day...other than the option to launch myself into the ironing pile that's now resembling a monument, I suppose. Well that'll be warm but hardly exotic!
But the weather this week has been extraordinary for autumn, so I've been out and about taking snap shots of all the beautiful things that have caught my attention....well some of them anyway.
Like this tree that stopped me in my tracks this morning. I immediately saw a traffic light!
Can you see what I mean? Okay maybe you had to be there?
Then to see the stop sign nearby just made me giggle...okay it doesn't take much ;D
But then here's a tree that's definitely got high blood pressure, angry or just loving making a statement dressed in red! (apologies for the photo ~ it was so bright and sunny)
I love this tree...but then I love all trees I guess. At different times of the day it changes...really putting on a show for everyone.
After drawing the Protea plant last week, I saw this huge plant growing in a nearby garden. I didn't realise how large the plant can grow. This shot was obviously after a shower with the raindrops still evident.
So yes, we have had some rain which means mushrooms. I have to confess I know nothing about mushrooms growing in the wild, so stay well clear and just admire them from afar...but I do like the idea of wandering around the woods with my little basket collecting them. Maybe one day?
For now I'll play safe and collect mine from my lovely local veggie store....
So with lots of sunshine and showers it's not surprising that the lemon trees profusely producing wonderful lemons in abundance!
Unfortunately this particular tree isn't in our garden but we do have about a 12 lemons on ours, so I'm very happy.
My OH is ecstatic because that means there's enough for his beloved lemon tart!
The eucalyptus flower caught my eye especially with having the three stages of development all on the same stem ~ well that's what I think it is, but if I'm wrong please let me know.
But autumn is drawing to a close and winter should be knocking on the door, although you'd never guess with today's weather.
I'd have a cosy warm feeling having this wood pile waiting nearby the house...
I really miss our open fire...(sigh)....I'm putting one on my wish list for our next house!
So wherever you are right now, I hope the sun shines on you this weekend....enjoy and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mum's out there :D
There's snow on them there hills... so it calls for some skiing!
I'd like to take this opportunity before I go to wish everyone a Happy Easter.
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