Blooming wonderful

Diurnal warmth all week has caused a burst of blossom, bulbs and birdsong.

Gardens have offered a cacophony of noises from over shrubs and fences. The dawn chorus is sweet but gives a rude awakening to most mornings.

Sleep has been cut short by Captain Jack Sparrow's storytelling/drinking fun celebrating a birthday and an hour's less kip as we moved forward into British Summer Time; it is taking some time to adjust my sleeping pattern- I am still tired at 8am but then H1 reminds me my body clock is still on 7am which does seem very early (though it doesn't seem to diminish the goldfinches out on the birdstation or the blackbirds with their shrill, panicked alarm calls); I heard the rhythmic drills of a woodpecker in nearby woods today.



The days are growing longer and suddenly life seems to be more adventurous- even down to food. We have eaten out with family and friends... Italian... Chinese.... English at Eslington Villas.... the Hearth in Horsley again....



We have picnicked over the Tyne valley with panoramic views from the top of Horsley Hill.... Bait tastes so much better out of doors. Oh heck! Not to the fish being caught here!



P and I perambulated through National Trust's Gibside Estate (where we have a statue called Liberty too!) while 4 red kites soared above us; then Trinity's short but interesting talk was on 'The friends of the red kites'; I do not think I am going to put my photos in of the kites as methinks they will show lots of empty blue sky and... they went thataway!....


Forest floors are carpeted with wood anenomes and wild garlic is spearing through the remains of the autumn leaf litter.



Britain has filled in and submitted 2011's census. Imagine- in a hundred year's time someone exploring genealogy willfind everyone's details recorded on a Sunday in March 2011 when we are but dust and pushing up daisies- sad and spooky!



Narcissus, mainly daffodils, are popping open in the sunlight; tulips are prodding out and colouring up; primulas and primroses carpet every patch of soil; hawthorn hedges are graced with small, white flowers while forsythia glows in every shrubbery (and brick filled land clearance site on Team Valley!)



Pots are bright with pansies.



Pink cherry blossom waves summer in while beds of hellebores wave farewell to winter.



The first lambs have been born and while some are gambolling around meadows others are still stumbling wrapped in jackets to keep out the coming April showers and chilling March winds.



Yep! I love spring and its promise of summer.