The barn owls are back in the fields, skimming across the farmland in the gloaming. Amazing to see, the white of feathers stark against the dusk of the day.
Beautiful, just beautiful. I’ve only seen one once but it was magical. Also reminds me of an episode of the wonderful Melissa Harrison podcast during lockdown, The Stubborn Light of Things. She recorded her thoughts and observations whilst walking in the countryside and there was one where she described an encounter with a barn owl that has really stayed with me.
We actually discovered the owls in lockdown on one of our daily walks, when I think back to that time it’s one of the things that brought a bit of joy, and now we see them every year. I’ve not heard that podcast, I will have a listen, it sounds lovely.
Naturally waking up at 630am, half an hour before my alarm, sun peeping around the curtains and door. Feels like I'm being gifted more hours in the day.
Tulips and daffodils seem to be coping somehow with the buffeting wind and rain that seems endless at the moment - they are bright and colourful symbols of hope for warmer and drier times to come
I love to see the horse chestnut leaves emerging, they make me think of bats. Yesterday I was on the bandwagon, wild garlic picking, just a handful. The rain was relentless but a pair of green woodpeckers were darting on a bobbing trajectory from grass to tree. Then a solo Mandarin duck serenely cruising on the muddy brook near the beaver dam. Colour in the murk.
Surrendering to the relentless rain and getting caked in mud Everytime we leave the house for a walk in the park. But amidst all the grey and brown, much more green then there was at the start of the month
Yes! The horse chestnuts are gearing up, aren’t they? They’re less advanced here in Sheffield, but one of my things this week has been watching the buds swell, getting bigger every day, and now there’s a hint of green I can even see without my glasses. Also this week, bees all over the pulmonaria flowers and needing to be rescued from the greenhouse. And hot cross buns!
Morning Qi Gong in the garden, between the downpours, listening to the woodpecker, sparrows, pigeons, thrushes...
Getting my warm vest and longjohns back on, after overoptimistic hopes of spring!
Painting tulips on bits of old cardboard
my cream amaryllis is out, like an Easter lily
I'm reading Braiding Sweetgrass and about the idea of the Honorable Harvest. I followed the guidelines before harvesting some wild garlic from my garden and felt really connected in a beautiful way.
and I like those garages in the background Lia, nature and people living side by side.
As we approach the clocks changing, more daylight. The regeneration of my clematis climbers, muscari and bluebells poking their way through the soil in my garden. I’m lucky, the estate that I live on has lots of green space, and trees, horse chestnuts are a feature, both fruiting, and non fruiting.
I have your 2024 Almanac, and am taking the advice from the section on monthly table decorations. More as a sort of altar, up out of harm’s way from my young cat, Primrose.
Loving the bright yellow marsh marigolds welcoming in this morning's sun as the pond gurgles with rising newts. The willow in the garden is pushing out it's leaves along with the pussy tails. Loving this crisp shining end of march morning. I think I heard my first chiff chaff too..
Naturalised tulips sylvanestris lifting their delicate heads to acknowledge the bluebells as they unfurl , nodding narcissus and teddy’s buttons offering an impressionist painting in yellow dots in the garden hedges 🌱🌿🍃
The barn owls are back in the fields, skimming across the farmland in the gloaming. Amazing to see, the white of feathers stark against the dusk of the day.
Beautiful, just beautiful. I’ve only seen one once but it was magical. Also reminds me of an episode of the wonderful Melissa Harrison podcast during lockdown, The Stubborn Light of Things. She recorded her thoughts and observations whilst walking in the countryside and there was one where she described an encounter with a barn owl that has really stayed with me.
We actually discovered the owls in lockdown on one of our daily walks, when I think back to that time it’s one of the things that brought a bit of joy, and now we see them every year. I’ve not heard that podcast, I will have a listen, it sounds lovely.
Definitely worth a listen. She has some fantastic guests on too.
Ooh I discovered that recently, so soothing to listen to, I can recommend the book of the same name too
Must have a look for that.
We will have the Grey Owls soon. They love to sit on the roof tops in April calling for a mate.
what a beautiful image
Naturally waking up at 630am, half an hour before my alarm, sun peeping around the curtains and door. Feels like I'm being gifted more hours in the day.
Me too! :)
Helen, me too!
Tulips and daffodils seem to be coping somehow with the buffeting wind and rain that seems endless at the moment - they are bright and colourful symbols of hope for warmer and drier times to come
Tulips unfurling as only Tulips can beautiful in every stage of their short lives I adore the way Tulips open
I love to see the horse chestnut leaves emerging, they make me think of bats. Yesterday I was on the bandwagon, wild garlic picking, just a handful. The rain was relentless but a pair of green woodpeckers were darting on a bobbing trajectory from grass to tree. Then a solo Mandarin duck serenely cruising on the muddy brook near the beaver dam. Colour in the murk.
That sounds gorgeous, despite the rain and the mud.
Yes it was surprisingly lovely walking in the rain and felt so good to get in for a cup of tea afterwards. X
Fooled by false spring again, wet and cold, dragging out the big coat again.
Watching the birds pinch the hanging basket linings for nest materials.
Last minute plans for Easter weekend
Easter is early this year or so it seems. I think everyone is caught off guard a tad bit.
Surrendering to the relentless rain and getting caked in mud Everytime we leave the house for a walk in the park. But amidst all the grey and brown, much more green then there was at the start of the month
A mix of snow and daffodils.
The first real, warm sunshine inviting me back to the garden to do all those jobs, washing on the line, daylight- wonderful!
Yes, we are starting to feel the warmth and you are so right about it inviting us to come out and play.
Yes! The horse chestnuts are gearing up, aren’t they? They’re less advanced here in Sheffield, but one of my things this week has been watching the buds swell, getting bigger every day, and now there’s a hint of green I can even see without my glasses. Also this week, bees all over the pulmonaria flowers and needing to be rescued from the greenhouse. And hot cross buns!
Morning Qi Gong in the garden, between the downpours, listening to the woodpecker, sparrows, pigeons, thrushes...
Getting my warm vest and longjohns back on, after overoptimistic hopes of spring!
Painting tulips on bits of old cardboard
my cream amaryllis is out, like an Easter lily
I'm reading Braiding Sweetgrass and about the idea of the Honorable Harvest. I followed the guidelines before harvesting some wild garlic from my garden and felt really connected in a beautiful way.
and I like those garages in the background Lia, nature and people living side by side.
As we approach the clocks changing, more daylight. The regeneration of my clematis climbers, muscari and bluebells poking their way through the soil in my garden. I’m lucky, the estate that I live on has lots of green space, and trees, horse chestnuts are a feature, both fruiting, and non fruiting.
I have your 2024 Almanac, and am taking the advice from the section on monthly table decorations. More as a sort of altar, up out of harm’s way from my young cat, Primrose.
Making a simnel cake, gluten free for the first time
Oooo I should try this! Only just gone gluten free and so not got many recipes yet!
This is the recipe I used but I haven’t tasted it yet!
https://glutenfreecuppatea.co.uk/2022/02/18/gluten-free-simnel-cake-recipe/
Loving the bright yellow marsh marigolds welcoming in this morning's sun as the pond gurgles with rising newts. The willow in the garden is pushing out it's leaves along with the pussy tails. Loving this crisp shining end of march morning. I think I heard my first chiff chaff too..
Naturalised tulips sylvanestris lifting their delicate heads to acknowledge the bluebells as they unfurl , nodding narcissus and teddy’s buttons offering an impressionist painting in yellow dots in the garden hedges 🌱🌿🍃
Rain. A LOT of rain. But early tulips, the first serious visit to the garden centre, and pressure washing the garden paths and patio.
A LOT A LOT of rain! 😂