Yes we are past the shortest day and we are slowly getting more daylight, but this month, after all the festivities seems to be a long month . A few days of sun and warmth would not go a miss and then February being a shorter month will make it nearer Spring. But let’s try and at least live through the rest of this month first. I must admit the daily walks around here help to lift you even if you just go on a thirty minute circuit daily it is so worth it.
17th.
Just going out of our gate for a walk and the house opposite had this “clattering” (that’s what they are called in a collection) of Jackdaws in their trees. “The Birds” all over again.
Am I getting better at capturing the bull?
Why bother with grass when this hay/silage is available.
19th
After we visited the tunnel (see previous bonus blog) we went along the sea front and saw these two ships in the distance waiting to go up the Clyde Estuary when the tide was high, not sure what they were carrying but big ships.
23rd.
Define happiness.
To me seeing the first bulbs of Spring the Snowdrops out and a sign that Winter will soon be gone.
24th.
Six Whooper Swans on the small Loch from along the normal riverside walk.
29th.
We have often been told to leave a garden for a year after moving into a new house, just to see exactly what plants you have inherited in it.
The people that owned this house before us obviously enjoyed their Spring bulbs as we have a good collection of them and cannot wait for them to flower. Below is a selection of the original plants that we can see.
A central bed in our rear garden showing a lot of Daffodils sprouting up plus (as shown in the second shot) a close up of our own Snowdrops opening up, the previous ones were growing on a bank on a walk. The Hydrangea took a bit of a battering in the cold, but I am sure it will start budding up soon, though may not flower this year.
A weeping tree we have in the garden which we are not sure what it is until we get some foliage has just started budding up.
This variegated Euonymous has given us a good bright colour throughout the Winter.
A very dear friend gave us this plant some twenty years ago when we moved into our previous home, it did not like our climate/soil much but we managed to keep one small plant going and even bring with us, only to find it was already thriving here, so the memory can continue. Not sure what it is called.
A bed between the path to the front door and our drive shows again a good selection of bulbs coming through.
A variegated Holly that has proved colourful throughout the Winter, plus a good hiding place close to the feeders when the Sparrowhawk is around.\
The most advanced Daffodil in the garden due (I presume) to the protection the shrub has given it in cold weather. One to remember to move once spent, away from the shrub so we can see it better.