A day of firsts

The buzz from yesterday's walk has settled slowly today.

I had a quiet morning with Annette here, so lots of chat as well as tidying (me) and cleaning (A).

I have enjoyed improving my skills with the iPhone camera over the last few weeks, but this afternoon I took my 90 mm close up lens on the Sony A9 and set off for a quiet photowalk from Barrasford.

It was very enjoyable. There were a number of firsts. The early purple orchids were not in flower last week, but they were there in force today. There is a patch nearby where Herb Paris grows (see extra). Margret and I have always enjoyed going here to see both, although the path is very steep and there is a rope to aid a safe passage!

I saw my first red campion of the year, plus woodland strawberries, lords and ladies, pignut and cow parsley in bloom, forget-me-nots, loads of Goldilocks buttercups, garlic mustard and bugle. All these old friends who have come back again.

The light was dappled so it was easier than yesterday and I did enjoy being able to focus easily and accurately (most of the time).

Mark and Sarah had arrived at Margret's yesterday. I went over for a glass of wine and a chat. That gave them a break from the tidying, sorting and clearing prior to Margret's bungalow going on the market. What a difficult and sensitive job they are doing. When Margret left to travel to Frank's funeral last year, she assumed she would be returning very soon. It was not to be.

The estate agents are all more than happy to take on the brief because bungalows in our village are selling as soon as they are on the market.

Margret is doing well with her electric wheelchair so I'm looking forward to hearing about that when we all go out for lunch tomorrow for her birthday.

It rained heavily for 5 minutes this evening. Literally, five minutes.

PS I forgot to say that I voted in the local elections.