outdoors

It was nice the other evening to walk to the lake. That extra hour meant there was enough light to be outdoors well after dinner time so the dogs and I strolled to the water's edge. We watched as the blues faded to greys and the shadows grew longer and the landscape seemed to settle in on itself, apart from the odd melodramatic blackbird dashing from the hedgerow. The last few days of settled weather has meant spending hours outdoors - eating, playing, reading in the garden and, at the end of the day after we've tidied up, watching fiery sunsets.

icy grip

It's been an icy cold week here. Slate grey skies have brought hailstones and rain and, consequently, cake. And flapjacks. It's also meant roaring fires and books. But now, on the last day of April, we are ready for warmer weather, the chance to breakfast outdoors, to plant the vegetable patch without the worry of frost, to shed the woolly jumpers and feel sun on our skin. Beautiful May we're waiting for you!

holidays

It's a slow but steady dance, waiting for Spring. Two steps forward, three steps back. Daylight is stretching, the mornings have been amazing ~ all blue skies and high clouds and the longer evenings are fantastic for the boys playing outdoors. But sometimes it all goes dark and there'll be a massive hail shower or rainfall and it'll feel like November again. We are on the cusp of Easter holidays. Mide is especially keen to be off school and this morning he did a little dance, singing that there were only two and a half days til holidays. We will have two lovely weeks of slow mornings (no lunchboxes!), catching up with family, Easter egg hunting and hopefully going to the seaside for some blustery walks. So yes, I'm with Mide on this one... only two and a half days til holidays...yippeee!!

quick dip

Walking at this time of year has its own pleasure. The air is slightly warmer, everything has a fresher feel and the dogs are prepared to brave the water. We go to the lake and take in a different view than normal, climbing down stone steps into the field from which we go to the waterside. There are gorse bushes and lichen covered rocks and the deep imprint of cattle hooves in the mud. We swim here in the summer time but I have to admit the dogs are welcome to it at the moment! 

Spring

Has Spring sprung? You'd almost think so here...

Snowdrops and irises, dusty coloured hellebores and rainbows, puffed up clouds and clear blue skies, sunlight and dappling and, most importantly, potions mixed and bewitched (for they are love potions...) as the boys once again play outside and fall under the spell of Spring.