Sunday 22 March 2020

A Spring In The Step

Suddenly, after all the grey weather we've had recently, there are now battalions of those little yellow suns all over our part of the weather map as the clouds have rolled away to reveal that Spring is almost here. Alas, there is no equivalent cheer to be had by listening to the news, so I headed out on a stress-busting walk (as recommended by Boris). To be honest I haven't really felt under too much strain from the current situation, though I feel for those who are more directly affected than me.

If you're unable to get out and about you might enjoy a few photographs of how things are going out there in the natural world:



































Those fields of daffs that top and tail today's post are the result of the old flower-growing industry around here. In fact flowers are still farmed here but several daffodil fields are largely abandoned and left to their own devices. 


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I was searching yesterday on YouTube to see if there were any good videos of walks in Great Britain which might occupy the time and lift the spirits of those "confined to barracks". Most of them were pretty dire, put up by people who are convinced that we want to see their ugly mugs as they drone on endlessly. However, amongst all the dross, I came across these excellent short(ish) videos of scenic short(ish) walks in the English Lake District. Here's a link to one of them:

If you click on this link you'll find lots more like it:


Take care.



30 comments:

  1. Huge thanks for these beautiful (and hopeful) images. Spring and hope live together in my head.

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  2. These are beautiful and uplifting photos of the emerging Spring - a delight to see - than you John.

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  3. I tend to used the walking exercising videos on youtube to good effect though there is nothing stopping me going for a walk out in the countryside a few minutes away. Over at Harwell there are daffodils growing in the old gardens of the prefab blocks that were removed years ago. It became a bit of a wildlife refuge

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    1. I found a few bunches growing out at Moor End where the cottages disappeared decades ago. There were some broken bricks that had been turned up by the plough too.

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  4. That blossom, those clouds - and above all marsh marigolds John we had them in the beck running through our farm, They were the favourites of both me and the farmer - he would always come in when he spotted the first one and just say 'they're out!' - today is actually the third anniversary of his death - March 22nd 2017 so you can imagine how thrilled I was to see your photograph.

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  5. COVID-19 is a challenge for all of us, John, and if you can get out and enjoy nature that's about the best tonic I can imagine. Other then for the lack of socialization, it has not affected Miriam and I greatly, and we get out most days to areas where we are confident there will be few other people. This may be the new norm for many weeks or months to come.

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  6. Mother Nature is doing a fine job in your neck of the woods.
    Thanks for sharing, John.

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  7. ohh thank you for this!!Beautiful!I have not been out for a week(and then only to the mall at 0.7.00) so it is so great to watch nature and spring is coming
    Very much liked the forst video!I could not watch to the second.England is a beautiful Place.I have just watced the Crown and is amazed byt the beauty of the country!And Wales too

    Thank you again for this and wish you and Family a great sunday
    Greetings Anita

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  8. As always enjoy walking with you John, England in spring is pretty gorgeous 🌺🌷🌹 We did the same today, a walk around a lake not too far from us.. my subject matter so different but I'm sure the air was fresh and clear for us both ✨

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  9. Such a lovely and beautiful day there for a walk. Ah spring... it lifts the heart so high.

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  10. Neat idea to cheer people up.

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  11. Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous spring. I enjoyed the link also. So far we can still get out and walk and enjoy the signs of spring, for which I am most grateful.

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  12. Beautiful views! I will watch the videos later. I always liked to watch All Creatures Great and Small...not just for the scenery but I sure did enjoy it. so I am sure I will enjoy the videos.

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  13. Your photos are wonderful - such bright Spring colors! So helpful to see - spring is not here yet where I live but your pics give me lots to look forward to... Thanks for the uplifting post!

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  14. Hi John - wonderful photos ... particularly enjoyed seeing the catkins - one of my Ma's favourite things at this time of year. She'd have loved the flowers too - interesting to read about the daffodil fields left to do their own thing - take care and enjoy your walks - cheers Hilary

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  15. Great to once again share your photos of beauty around you. Happy springtime, and stay safe!

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  16. Spring is here! Luckily we are still allowed to enjoy all that nature offers.
    I enjoyed watching your photos John.

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  17. You have so much more color and things blooming than we do here in Nashua, NH, John. In fact, we're expected to get a few inches of snow on Monday, so spring is definitely NOT here yet and that's why I so enjoyed your sharing these. it does lift the spirits in such gloom and doom times. Stay well and keep enjoying those walks, as I do enjoy seeing the results!

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  18. Thank you so much for your tour. I did not think you could be so fa ahead of my area in Central Missouri, USA! It is one thing I am looking forward to so much here as the Spring coming around!!

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  19. You have the most amazing flowers already blooming!

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  20. Wonderful to see all the spring blossom.

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  21. The vegetation is spectacular. I feasted n every photo!

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  22. Thank you for your wonderful spring(Y) post, and for the links. They push Joy to the top of the heap when spring is slow and one is somewhat confined due to the virus and such!

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  23. Thanks for a lovely spring post! It lifted my spirits! I just posted about the flowers blooming where I live, so we must've had the same thoughts. :) Stay safe and healthy!

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  24. Beautiful and uplifting photos on this cold but sunny morning. Thank you:)

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  25. I can go out to throw trash and spend the day sniffing flowers and taking photos with my phone. It's been beautiful.

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  26. not only are the flowers etc. beautiful, but that SKY. Wow. Thank you for the video link, I will take a look. I'm one of those unfortunates that should not go out too often, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the video has to offer.

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  27. Beautiful photos. Personally, I'm very happy that this great weather has coincided with out orders to stay home! Rather than being in an office in Stoke on Trent, I can stay home and take a longer lunch break to get out for a nice walk from home, once a day!

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