Checkered

I took a walk along along the old railway line this morning, down to the village.  It felt very special in the warm sunshine, the spring flowers in the grass and the trees just starting to show their fresh green leaves.  In one grassy area there was a scattering of fritillary plants and in shady spaces wood anamones were in flower (see Extra).  I returned via the allotment where I did some watering, removal of sawfly caterpillars from the gooseberries, and sitting, watching a pair of buzzards circling in the sky above me (see Extra).

An afternoon pottering at home, cooking sausage casserole and making granola, and doing some gardening. I've decided to plant my herbs in the flower beds rather than have them in pots as I think they will grow better that way.

Apparently the name 'fritillary' means 'dice-box' and probably referrs to the checkered pattern on the flowers.