genialgemsandothergabblings

Birds on the feeders at Whinlatter Snowdrops at Martin Mere Whooper Swans Geese and lapwings Eider ducks Ruff Such a grey cold day but we ventured out to Martin Mere for an hour or so ,had a nice light lunch in the new restaurant there and then went to view the swans and other wildfowl from the Swanlink Hide.Luckily we also had a good view of some Ruff as a few were scratching around at the edge of the mere.There are still around 2,000 geese there and 1,000 whopper swans. In just a few weeks they will all have left to fly to their summer breeding grounds. As nice as it was it was just too cold to hang around so we set off for home and a good warm fire. The other photos were taken when we were at Whinlatter Forest Park up near Keswick and although it was raining the birds were singing from the high tree tops and then venturing down to the feeders where we took these photos. If only the spring sun would shine for a few days as my Daffodils are just waiting for that burst of warmt...

Gales,wind,rain it does not exactly make me want to venture out yet and begin the big garden clear up but I have been in the greenhouse and sowed Sweet peas and dianthus, Gazinias, Lettuce ,Lobelia and French Marigold so at least I've made a start and it did feel good to get out there with the plants. In the garden a few snowdrops are just coming into flower and the Crocus and Daffodils are in bud so will not be far behind. Before its painting! The muddy garden. The Mill house Old Lace The front door pot Lettuce and marigolds Hello Mum! Ginger I have had the little Mill house statue for 30 odd years and it has probably lasted that long because every couple of years I bring it in and give it a complete clean and repaint . I quite like it all mossy and green but it soons gets like it again after the weather does it's work. It was made by a disabled son of of one of my neighbours back when we lived over on the Wirral in our first house . Today the sun s...