Thursday, February 03, 2011


THE FIRST WISPER OF SPRING....

Last Thursday, was one of those rare days you get at this time of year, crystal clear blue skies, warm sunshine and the gentlest of breeze, a perfect day to be out walking. I took along my camera, for I wanted to check out a certain little grassy bank.... I was not disappointed, even though just one solitary flower had managed to make it so far, it was just breaking bud. This little clump of daffodils is always the first to hail springtime. In milder winters I have seen it in bloom as early as the end of November......



......then, walking a little further down the lane
I was surprised to see a few lambs in a field. I lingered whilst attempting to get them in a group, but they skipped and jumped, that frisky way that lambs do at this time of year, you could feel their joy at being able to stretch their little limbs so, on this glorious day. In the end I settled for a picture of this little chap, as he stood still for a moment under the a line of washing the farmer's wife had put out in the field next to their farm.



If you care to enlarge, simply click on the pictures.



MORNING, NOON & NIGHT.....

I took the following pictures on another walk a couple of weeks ago. I was out with Kenzo before 8 am. There had been a heavy frost during the night and the countryside was frozen hard.... the grass felt crisp and brittle underfoot. The sun had just begun to glint its rays on the distant hills as it made its way up from behind the mountains.


Kenzo takes an interest in the field of sheep whilst I've secured him to the gate post to take a few pictures.

I like to walk this little lane, the hedges are high and on winter days offer great protection from the easterly winds as they whip through the valley. There is hardly any traffic, as only one cottage lies at its end.


The clumps of grass are frozen hard... the landscape is a silvery grey.
What lies behind this gate has a tale to tell.....
Burial space around our ancient village church was getting limited and so this plot of land was consecrated as a future cemetery. One man only was buried here. The following winter after this man had been buried here, the flooding was particularly bad in the valley and the waters came higher than in living memory, covering that poor mans grave. Of course it was very distressing for his family and so it was decided to exhume his body and re-bury him elsewhere. To prevent further distress in the event of extensive flooding in the future the ground was de-consecrated and now it is a field where children play.... but this gate is always a sinister reminder of what happened here.
The grasses are frozen like waves of the sea.


The sun is climbing higher.....

......but it will be an hour or so before the frost goes off the fields.

I turn to walk back home.
At noon the same day, I've met up with a group of friends. We meet for lunch once a month and this was our venue. Lovely hotel overlooking the sand dunes and out to the sparkling blue sea.
You can always rely on good food here. This day I had medallions of venison.... delicious!
We chat as we return to the car park.... The gardens look beautiful in the sunshine, hard to believe it was January.

Its night time now, a glorious full moon begins to rise in the eastern sky.

The end to a perfect day!
Blessings
Marion

I intended to include this picture in a previous post but forgot, so I'll do it now. It was taken just before Christmas when we were suffering with blasts from the arctic. I think it is so pretty how little icicles have formed on this bush.

10 comments:

HORIZON said...

There is nothing like an early morning walk at this time of year with the clean crisp air and crunching steps. Love the high hedges -my husband misses the high Devon/Cornish hedgerows -filled with wild flowers come summer.
I've enjoyed the walk with you today Marion- glad you had a nice lunch with your friends- what a view.
Take care and thanks for visiting me and leaving the nice message. xx

Beth said...

Hi Marion! I hope this finds you and yours doing well. You have some lovely photos here. I really like the last one, the ones of the icy grass, and of course the daffodil...it's still very much winter here - temp has been below 0fahrenheit the past three nights but relief is in sight.
Blessings and hugs, Beth

DeniseinVA said...

A great series of photos here Marion. Have a wonderful weekend.

Oliva Ohlson said...

I enjoyed the walk! I love wintry clear sunny walks! Love your pictures! TFS

Mountain Mama said...

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely pictures. Each one has a special feeling about it. I haven't taken early morning walks but am thinking I should.
I haven't seen lambs play as you described but have seen calves kicking up their heels with sheer delight and I suppose lambs do the same.
The last picture with icicles hanging from the leaves is truly magnificent too.
Take care dear and enjoy more early morning walks with your camera so you can share with us.(smile)

Betty said...

Sweet Friend Marion,
How did I miss this posting? I'm so sorry.

I was thinking just the other day about the clump of daffodils and wondering if they had bloomed....

The scenery is beautiful and the sheep always interest me...

Thank you...Betty

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Hi Marion, I thought I had commented here...I meant to! I always so enjoy your photos of the beautiful countryside and villages in your part of the world. Reminds me of my 2 days in north Wales in 2009....so much to see that we never got around to! It's good to see a bit of sunshine and know that Spring is getting closer, finally...

Kerri said...

It's such a pleasure to see the lovely photos of your picturesque village, dear Marion. I'm breathing deeply and imagining that fresh, invigorating morning air :) Looks like Kenzo enjoys it too.
What a joy it must be to see that first daffodil and the little lambs skipping about. We hope for several new lambs from our daughter's ewes this spring. It will be a new experience for us to see them gamboling in the field.
You have the prettiest lanes with those high hedges.
Thanks so much for sharing the beauty.

Kerri said...

P.S. I love your icy bush! Isn't nature a wonderful artist?

Barbara said...

The frost certainly has a beauty of it's own.