Thursday 28 February 2019

A Few Fine Days

A few fine days and suddenly we're all thinking about Spring, even though the meteorologists inform us that it's still winter. But things are certainly beginning to look different. Come with me for a stroll around my local area.



I'm off on one of my regular walks that I can do straight from my back door. I have three or four walks that I can choose from, across fields, down lanes or beside the river. And suddenly they're all coming to life.



We had a sudden warm spell like this back in 2012 when temperatures suddenly shot up to 18 C, having been down at -10 C just a few days before. This time though temperatures of 20 C were higher than anything recorded in previous winters.




This little wood is just half a mile or so down the road, though I don't know how many people know it's here. There are a few places near here where daffodils were grown commercially, but some seem to have been forgotten and neglected. The flowers keep coming up even after trees have been planted on the land.



Some people definitely know about this spot though, and there are noticeably less flowers where the fence has fallen down and access is easier!



I take nothing but photographs though and continue on my way down the lane.



The leaves of Arum Maculatum, or Lords-and-Ladies, or Cuckoo Pint, or Snakeshead, or Shiners, or...or....or....….are just bursting through the leaf litter. If you're unfamiliar with this plant I wrote a whole post about it here.



It's been warm enough to convince this Seven-Spotted Ladybird that summer is on its way. It may be our most common Ladybird but it's still nice to see it around.



Given the right growing conditions (and no interference from mechanical flails) the common hedgerow Blackthorn can give displays every bit as impressive as the more celebrated blossom trees.



Periwinkle tries its best to escape from the garden environment and, though it's not usually considered as a troublesome invasive species here in the UK, it could perhaps become one if our climate changes in the way it threatens to.



Unbroken blue skies have been the order of the day for the past week or so, though as I write this we're already back to our more usual February fare.



Our little chalk stream, the River Mel, cheerfully makes its way beneath the sun-blessed blossoms. It's less than a mile from its source here and it's crystal clear as it passes over its gravel bed. 



Whether this is the start of Spring or just a pleasant respite from winter remains to be seen.


Take care.






18 comments:

  1. I hope we don't have another bout of winter weather, but it's very likely. Gorgeous spring-like photos...what gorgeous blooms on ground and the sky!

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  2. These images make me drool. Yesterday we had 24cm of snow and I just finished shovelling my driveway so I can get out. A colourful blossom would be very welcome.

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  3. I would be happy with either thing...start of spring or a break from the wintry weather. Loved all of these...

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  4. Why do you do my soul good every time I come to your site John. That picture of the stream with clear water is amazing.

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  5. Ah what a pleasure it is to take this walk and see these colors, blue of the sky, yellow and white flowers, red ladybird, and shimmering waters. Here in the land of persistent gray, I thank you.

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  6. The daffodils are enchanting!

    And the photo of the stream looks like an impressionist painting. :)

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  7. Lovely photos. The daffodils in the wood are very pretty. The last few days made my heart sing - and, unusually, our hedgerows up north are looking almost as lush as yours. Lots of blossom coming out, though I'm never sure what it is.

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  8. The daffodils in those woodlands make for a pleasant sight.

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  9. This sudden spel has given my wife early hayfeaver, hopefully it will die down over the next few days. We have daffs coming out in our garden and across the road there is a wonderful bloom of crocuses. Sadly the snowdrops have gone over

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  10. i'll be looking for the sames sorts of pictures in May!

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  11. If it isn’t spring conditions yet, it sure is a nice respite!

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  12. My goodness, these are fantastic spring shots! Surely, spring is near!

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  13. Love to see all the flowers and blooming trees where you live. My home state just got slammed with snow and cold temps this week. No spring yet...

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  14. Wonderful. Love those daffodils and that chalk stream and the rest.

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  15. Gosh, you have some wonderful signs of spring, especially the daffodil wood. We are still in very cold temperatures here, in fact it's -13C out there this morning. And lots of snow on the ground. Very pretty but I'm a bit fed up with it right now.

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  16. What a beautiful walk. I love all those daffodils growing amongst the trees, that makes a rather nice photo, as does the blackthorn blossom - it's just starting to appear around here after all the warm days.

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  17. Hi John - the River Mel is stunning isn't it ... beautiful to see - I could sit and just watch the water gently putter past on its way to greater things ... shows the value of clean water - love your shots ... and a delightful area to live - cheers Hilary

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  18. Gorgeous spring images John. We've just gone into autumn and it's going to be 39C tomorrow.. that's just not right 😀

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