Winter Blooms

As Merlin and I walked this afternoon I stopped to admire a hazel tree filled with yellow catkins. When I looked closer I noticed small red flowers too. Apparently hazel bears both male flowers - the catkins - and the female flowers - the little red clusters. Both male and female flowers must however be pollinated by pollen from other hazel trees.

Another grey day but with brightness in the sky first thing this morning. A cold easterly wind blew making it feel chilly.

The afternoon was spent washing our two cars, and getting the hedge trimmers working - they had not been used for a few years but seemed to be fine when I tested them on the hedge this afternoon. Meanwhile Andy prepared a curry, vegetable side dish and naan for dinner this evening.