Wednesday 30.04.2015

Right at this moment it is raining quite hard. This morning was grey and overcast, this afternoon brighter with some sun and then as we set off up the road this evening we got caught in a hail storm.

So we`ve had pretty well everything to see April out:
this was Monday morning on the hill,




then Monday lunchtime at work.


And still cold tonight: even when the hail stopped and a watery sun emerged it wasn`t for long.......

And may I recommend that Michael Faber book The Book Of Strange New Things mentioned before?
As one reviewer said "It adds something strange, new and good to the world."

Sunday 26.04.2015

And so sometimes the forecasters are spot on:


while out there just now it`s all still and icy and sparkly in the moonlight. :)

Friday 24.04.2015

Perfect week of weather for walking though much of it taken in and around work.
Around the bypass at lunchtime on Monday always gives a good view of Bennachie

And this afternoon in the woods - warm sun with refreshing little breeze - enough warmth to bring out the coconut scent on the gorse and just the right light to emphasize the bright green on the new larch needles.

But then the forecast suggests it might all grind to a halt for a bit:
"Grampian Forecast Summary
This Evening and Tonight:
Mainly dry this evening but brightness fading as clouds thicken.
Rain will push across the region from the southwest around dusk to
leave a wet night with some sleet and hill snow overnight."

Brrr.

Friday 17.04.2015

Perfect Spring evening back in the woods - the grass growing - and glowing -

...woodpeckers, cooing pigeons, warbling blackbirds,larks dangling over our heads telling the world it`s

time to get moving - definitely that time of the year.

Sunday 12.04.2015

Breezier, cooler.....and there be dragons in them thar woods.........




not to mention a dead witch.......

Saturday 11.04.2015

Lot more walking than writing just lately.....a week down south affording the opportunity to pound the streets and hills and parks of Bristol

and wander through the woods of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds in the (relatively)early morning, the paths meandering into the slightly hazy distance and a distinct sense of battle commenced: the wild garlic attempting to smother the emerging violets and aconites while overhead the birds are in full throat, warning each other of boundaries drawn.

Return to a cottage and garden by now bathed in warm sunshine and domestic bliss as we gather amongst the daffodils and primroses for Easter egg hunts and taking it turns to entertain one mega-cute baby........not to mention consumption of the excellent and very generous victuals supplied by A & T (thank you!)


(This furlough also means more reading time - halfway through Michael Faber`s The Book Of Strange New Things. Intriguing, strange but quite believable because so well written - is rapidly acquiring can`t-put-it-down status.)