Beginnings

We’ve had sun today! After a very windy night it hasn’t been too wild either but definitely cold but the sun ( and no rain)  did entice me into the garden after church this morning.

These snowdrops were being kept warm by the leaves and spent flower heads of last year’s Pasque flowers ( Pulsatilla ). I cut them back and saw they had buds on them too as well as hiding many emerging snowdrops. These jobs should have been done by now but we’ve had such wet weather it’s well before Christmas since I went out to tidy the front garden.

I cut back the leaves on the Hellebores too so the flowers can be more readily seen. I could see the tiniest hint of red on a bud on the other Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) so I’m feeling more optimistic about that.

Yesterday I came back from a walk to the village post office via Bingley Road which is lined with Cherry trees. Daffodils are planted around the base of each tree and I could see 3-4 inches of growth. Colder weather and the possibility of snow forecast this week means Spring us still a long way away but it’s good to see it’s beginnings.

A lady at church asked me if Grace’s family was ok as she had seen reports of flooding on the R Avon in Bath. It would certainly be a disaster if they were flooded up where Grace lives but she sent me a picture of the Bathampton Mill. (Extra) A pub surrounded by water. We have walked from her house past there over the toll Bridge to Bathampton and the Kennet and Avon canal so it’s not far away. Good if the rain stops now for a while!