Spring/Summer?

Is it spring or is it summer? In the northern hemisphere, the first day of the spring season is the day of the year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward (on March 20th or 21st). This day is known as the vernal equinox. Here in the UK British summer time started on March 27th, so does that make spring pretty short.
Anyway, last week-end, Easter Day in fact, we were unable to decide quite what the season was supposed to be and so we went off out for the day. I loaded my camera in the car in the expectation of getting some good pictures, but in fact it stayed in the car because it seems that it is still actually winter here. But without any snow or ice to make a picturesque view. It was grey and misty, but not atmospherically so, just enough to ruin any thoughts of half decent photography.
We went to Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, a remarkable place, the outside of which was very much in keeping with the weather, grey and uninviting. Inside however was quite the opposite with the truly Vanbrugh Hall being one of the most remarkable spaces I think I have ever seen.
The castle is described as one of the countries hidden wonders, and I would have to agree with that. The staff were all very knowlegable and quite prepared to stand and talk with the visitors, making the visit so much more entertaining.

This posting is rather late after the event because every time I have tried to make it, Blogger has been unavailable. Hopefully this time. Strangely, I have managed to post through one or two pictures.

Blue Tit Feeding 

I couldn't resist this starling thieving the seed intended for somewhat smaller birds. Have to admire his ingenuity. 

Chionodoxa 
These bulbs suddenly made an appearance in our rockery, but we don't know what they are. Any one any ideas?
Update
I have now established that these are called Chionodoxa forbesii - also known as Glory of the Snow. No wonder we couldn't remember it!

Another anemony. I love the way these flowers wait until the sun shines before opening out. 

Close ups

Well, the weather today has reverted to normal and so I have not bothered with my camera today as it was dull and misty, not at all what was promised for us.
yesterday was much more springlike and I took the opportunity to take a few shots of some of our daffodils and now I cannot make up my mind whether I prefer close ups or group shots of flowers. I have always rather liked the challenge of getting in close for the wonderful detail in many blooms, but there is also much to be said for standing back and looking at the larger view. To illustrate the point, the first picture here is of just the single bloom.


Daffodil close to 

Next I have moved out a little to get more idea of the sense of movement and shape.


Daffodil 2 

And the finally a more Wordsworthian touch with "a host of golden daffodils".


Daffodil Group 

The Froggie would a-wooing go

It has been a busy day in our pond and I was reminded of the song "The Froggie would a-wooing go". I shall look later to see if one of them has changed into a handsom prince. 

Cats

I spent a while this morning surfing on BE and couldn't help but notice just how many people there were who were posting pictures of cats. I would have to put myself into the category of cat lover, but sadly at the moment sans cat. Our moggie departed this life last year and we have been trying ever since to convince ourselves that we do not want another. Being presented with them by other blogs does not help the cause. However, not to be left out I shall post a photo of one of my daughter's cats, Cleo, who at the moment is about as close as we get to owning one.

Cleo.

Also spent some time this afternoon out in the garden getting physical. It has been a long time since I was able to brave the elements and get amongst the plants. Started to empty the contents of our compost bins onto the borders. It's always satisfying to see the change from grass and plant cuttings to rich dark chocolatey coloured compost.

Following me around was our resident robin who was waiting anxiously to get on the ground to see what had been going on. He's a cheerful soul who delights in singing to us as we work.

Robin

One thing that has annoyed me is the amount of rubbish that had to be cleared out from under the hedge. Does no one take home their rubbish these days. I filled a good sized carrier bag with just about every brand of sweet, chocolate bar and cigarette wrapper to be found in the average supermarket, not to mention beer, lager and soft drinks cans and bottles.
Other than that, today has been good, and I look forward to tomorrow when I can continue the task - weather permitting!

Crocus in the rain 

Taking stock

I have recently acquired a new toy in the shape of a Canon Powershot S1 IS which has occupied much of my time over the last few days. I am hopeful that I may be able to control the picture output better with this camera as my old Finepix allowed only very limited choice beyond the automatic settings. I do find however that I am now having to relearn a lot of the photography basics that I have not had to bother about for a good many years now. My last SLR was pretty well fully automatic and so I am finding it a steep learning curve. But it does keep me out of mischief.
The weather has not been very good recently and so I have not been able to get much inspiration outdoors. We did take a trip to Hartshill Hayes Country Park where I had hopes of some good distance views as some of the walks are quite high up. However the day turned very grey, and what I did shoot was not very successful. I did find a rather lovely group of snowdrops, one of which is below.


Snowdrop

Last Sunday was Mother's Day and so we (or rather, my wife) was presented with, among other things, the obligatory potted plant, on which I had to try out a few close ups.


Hyacinth

Keeping on the floral theme I found that there are beginning to be plenty of spring flowers coming into bloom in the garden.


Daffodils

These violas have actually been flowering for much of the winter, but seem pleased at a bit of warmer weather.


Viola

Cornwall

A few photographs to show a little of the variety of Cornwall.


Bedruthan Steps 


River Fowey 


Padstow Harbour 

For the rest of the gallery, visit Cornwall - powered by smugmug

Stourhead Gardens

The following are a few of the pictures taken at Stourhead | The National Trust in Wiltshire on a visit in 2003.
Although there is a fine house at Stourhead,it is overshadowed by its beautiful garden. Set in a steep-sided combe which falls away to the west,
Stourhead is pre-eminent among English landscape gardens. Horace Walpole described it in 1762 as, 'one of the most picturesque scenes in the world'.


Stourhead 1 


Stourhead 2 


Stourhead 3 

The new gallery can be seen at Stourhead Gardens - powered by smugmug

The end of the world!

I was watching a television programme last night about ancient civilizations in South America, the Incas, the Aztec and the Mayans. Most interesting, but whilst looking at the Mayans, the subject of their calendar was looked at and it seems that their calendar ends in 2012. What they didn't seem to predict however, was that their own civilisation would end long before that.
I found an interesting web site on the topic at The Mayan Calendar - The End Days Guide part of which considers super flares when stars such as our sun suddenly become much brighter. The next time for this is 2012, although there has already been much more activity than usual.
As London is trying to win a bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012 perhaps we should hope that the end of the world will be in the latter part of the year, otherwise a lot of money will be wasted. On the other hand, it could be quite a spectacular send off party, and any new records set would last for a long time!
Should we be worried? Well probably about as much as for the millennium Bug which was predicted by some to be the end of civilisation as we know it. Alternatively of course Al-Qaeda might get us long before.

New Gallery

Sorry to keep banging on about the weather (an Englishman's perogative) but it really is too cold to be out with the camera, so I have set uo a new galley at smugmug - Brodick : Animals

These are included there:

Bertie 


It ain't 'arf 'ot Mom! 


Counting Sheep