The first Swallows arrived on 5th April (last Sunday). This is the earliest they have ever arrived, but obviously came here carried by the Southerly winds. 3 carried on Northwards, but this one stayed and is one of the many Swallows who live in the farm buildings next to us. Bless him/her for returning and lifting my spirits! I am now longing for "our" Swallows to return to the stables here.
Germander Speedwells in the paddock - or actually, looking closely at one of my Botany books, they could well be the Persian Speedwell, which will grow virtually everywhere, pretty well all year round. Pretty, anyway.
We have a sea of Celendines in the paddock too.
In my small paddock orchard, the tallest of the Pear trees is now in bloom. I hope it fruits as well again this year as it did last.
A fern unfurling up in the Faery Glen.
This is why we had to have those Ash trees felled - the rot had set in . . . a Polo mint branch . . .
We have spent the last two days erecting my birthday present - a small polytunnel. Not so much a polytunnel as an intelligence test - which we felt we were failing on day 1!!
We got plenty of exercise too - here Keith is having to drill the holes for the screws as they didn't quite meet up all along the ridge.
Yesterday evening - finished and weighted down as I'm damned if I'm going to dig the sides in! We will be growing small melons, and Okra in here, as well as other things which need some space - cucumbers and tomatoes.
It's coming up for Cowslip time here in the garden. I loved the sun shining through the centre of these red ones.
I made this Chocolate Apple Cake after breakfast yesterday. SCRUMMY!!
I hope these photos have got you away from your four walls if you are on lockdown. Stay safe my friends.
