Hopefully up and running again!

Many of you know I have been having difficulties with my computer for some time now and comments on my last post advised me that Firefox was the way to go! A big thank you to all of you. I have now downloaded Firefox and - so far, so good!

I have really missed blogging and visiting blogworld friends so I'm hoping that in future I won't be having the trouble encountered recently. I know too that some of you have been having problems with my site. I honestly don't know if things will improve for you now - I do hope so.

Anyway - I have been taking some photos in the garden recently so here is a photographic update. Don't forget you can enlarge any photo by clicking on it.


There has been a lot of activity in and around this nest box and we are very hopeful of seeing some baby blue tits any time soon.




The beautiful goldfinches are still visiting although this picture is a few weeks old (the tree is still in bud in the photo)



Here a pair of young blackbirds are sharing some apple - I always feel sorry for the young birds when they first visit the garden as they stand around, seemingly wondering what to do next!




squirrel tries to get his balance




before getting into the birdhouse for breakfast



but sometimes just likes to sit in the basket




In the pond the tadpoles are doing well



and the kingcups put on a wonderful display




We have had some primula




some orange flowers (don't know what these are called) and in the winter lovely orange berries



and this flower is always lovely - I think it is called ajuga (bugle) - an excellent ground cover plant




these little roses have a delicate scent and are so pretty



For me seeing aquilegia in flower is a real sign of summer on its way



With a bank holiday looming again and an assurance from the weather man of some sunshine I am hoping to get some more work done in the garden this weekend. Next week I have two celebration cakes to ice and decorate so then any work outside will have to wait.

In the garden this week

There is lots to see in the garden now and even though the daffodils are almost over there are plenty of other spring flowers appearing almost every day.


A bergenia and a few celandines




the camellia is fully out now




there are masses of violets




and some pretty cowslips




I was delighted to find this fritillaria - only ever seem to get one




our magnolia tree is now in full flower and looks magnificent (I took this picture from an upstairs window)




In the pond the tadpoles are growing fast




this frog is only about 2 inches long - must have been one of last year's




The colourful goldfinches like to feed here




and so does the squirrel




Mr Blackbird likes a daily dip




and who do you think this is having a bath?




Robin had a good soak!


and later when we were in the garden we were able to hear him singing - lovely.

In the garden this week

We have had beautiful weather, yesterday and today - blue skies, lots of sunshine and breezy. It's still not quite warm enough for me to work in the garden but I had a quick look around and took a few photos.

Please click on each photo to enlarge it.


I found a clump of primroses




and some crocus, fully out




also the hellebore - these are purple and there is a pink one behind it but I have no white, which of course are the beautiful "Christmas roses" - I would love to have some of those.




Robin was helping himself to lunch




and also Mrs Blackbird




A few days before I had found the frogs being "friendly" in our pond (look away now if you are easily shocked)!



and today there was a newt basking in the sunshine in the shallows


note the frog spawn in the bottom left corner!

And, finally, our first daffodils

In and around the garden this week

I have been taking some photos in and around the garden this week and I think Spring is definitely on its way.

The pictures of the birds and the squirrel were taken from indoors so they are not a wonderful quality. Click on each picture for more detail.


One of the squirrels that visit sitting in the maple tree - lots of buds forming there.




A blackbird and a long-tailed tit in the same tree.




Bathtime for a blue tit




and this great tit has found a peanut




Robin posing!




Mr B enjoying a piece of apple.




The birds seem to be pairing off already and there are a few ruffled feathers out there as they argue about territory!


The fern has stayed this bright colour all winter - new shoots beneath I think.




The hellebore is struggling to flower in spite of the cold weather.




and finally, the snowdrops are now fully out - lovely!





No, it won't be long now.

Time Out

We have had quite a variety of weather over the last few days. On Saturday it was high winds with damaging gusts, this morning we had a hard frost and the pond and bird baths were frozen over again. Once the temperature rose we had grey skies for the rest of the day and now it is pouring with sleety rain. Yesterday though it seemed as though spring was on its way. Although it was a very cold morning it was bright and sunny and I decided to wrap up and go into the garden. My main reason was to tidy and clean up the bird "feeding stations" and to make sure the drinking bowls were fresh. However, once out there I realised that it was very pleasant and after I had sorted out the birds' feeders I stayed out for about an hour and a half tidying up, a bit of weeding and picking up the twigs and branches that had blown down from the trees at the weekend.

Very enjoyable and I would have stayed out longer but my feet were beginning to go numb even though I had warm socks on under my wellies. Also the birds were beginning to get cross with me as they were anxious to get down to feed and my presence out there was putting them off. The blue tits were definitely chattering and the robin was sat high in the maple tree, singing away.



At the weekend I bought a coconut to break open and place in a strategic position in the hope of enticing some of the smaller birds. It had broken into two pieces, about one third and two thirds in size. I managed to put some string through the larger piece and hang it onto a small tree within view of our window but the smaller piece I wedged in between the branches of another tree.

Once I was back indoors it didn't take long for the birds to come down and I stood in the window watching them for a while. At one time there were six male blackbirds on the lawn, mostly just feeding and not really bothering each other. I'm sure that won't be the case for much longer, when they begin to establish boundaries. Also, there are now three robins visiting. I'm fairly sure two of them are "a couple", if you see what I mean, but the other seems to be very unwelcome, and I took a photo of two of the robins in a stance that seemed to indicate a "stand-off".



We have a few trees and thick hedges in the garden so I am hoping for a robin's nest this year.

However, this afternoon I was looking out at the garden and saw one of the squirrels with something. Watching more closely I realised it was the smaller of the two pieces of coconut - the one I had wedged into the branches of a tree. It was now on the grass and the squirrel, I thought, was trying to nibble the nut. I was wrong - he eventually managed to grip it in his teeth and made off, hell for leather, down the garden to wherever he stashes his "bounty"! I wonder how long it took him to dig a hole big enough!