Glorious Sunday!

What beautiful weather we had in the South today! The warmest day of the year so far, I think we got to 18°c. It was so nice to feel the warm sun on my skin (I was in short sleeves!) and to have the windows open so a breeze flowed through the house. I did three loads of washing and got it all dried on the line too.

I spent about an hour and a half in the garden planting and just watching the wildlife enjoying the weather too. I planted my mini daffodils and some snowdrops in the rockery, to hopefully enjoy next year.

All of the time I was outside there was a Comma butterfly flitting to and from the heather. I took eight photos but only a couple were any good!

Comma butterfly

This could be a dead leaf in the heather!

There were a couple of bees too, a Red-tailed bumblebee and one with a white bottom. I also saw a yellow coloured butterfly and two butterflies dancing around together but I couldn't see what they were. 

Red bottom!

I spent 10 minutes standing still, by the washing line pole, waiting for a robin to feel brave enough to come to the feeders so I could get a photo. The robin teased me, flying from the tree, to the fence, onto the grass but never to the feeders. Just standing, listening I heard the sound of people chattering, a lawn mower starting up, a motorbike whizzing up the hill, a car alarm going off all sounds I wouldn't necessarily have acknowledged if I hadn't been still. Sometimes our lives are so busy and on the go, we forget to stop and listen and take things in. 

A few more photos from the garden today. Blossom in my neighbour's garden.

Daffodil buds.

A lone seven spot ladybird.

My washing blowing in the wind.

Spring is on the way and I can't wait! I hope you've all had a glorious Sunday too!

In the garden...

I spent some time in the garden today, taking some photos and enjoying the warm sun. I thought I would share these with you.

Vapour lines from the planes.

There were three of these holes dug in the garden and this one with a poo by it. I'm not sure what is making these holes, maybe a hedgehog?

Lots of mushrooms by the climbing frame.

I have had a look in my Fungi book, these look like Fairy Ring Champignon. Any other suggestions?

I really like this photo with the small water drops on the grass, the first time I looked at it I didn't even see the water drops.

I know this one is blurred and the focus is on the grass in the foreground but I quite like it.

Upside down!

I wonder what's been eating this one.

I saw this red leaf and, at first, I thought it was a moth but on closer inspection I realised it was a leaf!

I hadn't looked up behind the shed so I didn't know this fence had come down. Part of it was already broken, now it's all broken!

There were quite a few windfall apples so I made an apple bird feeder with some and kept the best ones to make a crumble tomorrow.

I'd put some twine under each apple because they kept falling down, then I realised I could of put pegs on instead. I think they make good bird stands. Although, I think if a pigeon lands on it, it will all fall down! There haven't been many birds coming into the garden recently.

I'm enjoying watching Autumnwatch, it's just a shame it's only on for four days. I love seeing all the different wildlife.

Hearing Dogs Late Summer Show

Today we went to the Hearing Dogs For Deaf People Late Summer Show at Saunderton. Despite the weather forecast saying it would be heavy rain and very windy, we decided to go early to hopefully miss the rain, there was a little bit but the heavy stuff started after we got home.

 I like this one with the dog peeking out of the tent!

They had lots of stalls selling all sorts of things, books, toys, about three cake stalls-these were my favourite! There was a show ring in the middle of the field where they had demonstrations of the work of Hearings Dogs, dog shows and competitions. I like this picture with the lines of clouds.

These birds look like statues! They were part of a demonstration and you could hold a Barn Owl for £1, my mum was going to do it but it started flapping and she decided not to!

I bought half a chocolate sponge cake from one of the stalls, it was lovely!

We support Hearing Dogs as my nan had a Hearing Dog but she passed away in 2010, if you look on my photos page there is a photo of Salsa. Hearing Dogs planted this rose for Salsa in their Memorial Garden. We haven't actually seen it in bloom as it's hard to get over there other than when we go to the shows/fayres.

I hope you've enjoyed your weekend.

Where to go?

We had fun at Legoland on Thursday, it wasn't too hot so it was nice. We saw some Mallards at one of the seating areas, with two young ducks that were just loosing the last of their down feathers. We also saw another duck with tiny ducklings, two yellows ones and two black ones. They weren't that close and moved off quite quickly so I couldn't really see what they were. Everything is so late this year.

Despicable Me 2 was brilliant and really funny and the kids enjoyed it too! I definitely recommend it if you have children.

I have been looking at hotels to have a couple of days away in August. I thought about going to West Wittering but some of the reviews on TripAdvisor said the parking is really bad and some people were stuck for three hours trying to get out of the car park. I think we will probably go to Littlehampton, we have been there the last couple of years and the beach is lovely. I like to hire a deckchair, read and relax!

This is a photo of the Viola after it has died off, I like all of the little seeds.

I saw a robin earlier, as I was putting the washing out. I was stood about three feet away from the feeders and it went from the tree to the water table, had a drink, did, what sounded like a couple of sneezes, onto the feeder and away. The robins always come quite close in the garden.

It's set to be another hot, sunny week with temperatures in the low 30's here - it's a bit hot for me. Hope you have a great week and its not too hot for you!

P.S. I have been feeling good as I had a PPI refund on Thursday and have cleared my debt!

 

Posted using Blogsy

Halfway point...

I can't believe we're halfway through the year already! I think this most years but time just seems to be passing by so quickly and I'm not doing much with my life. I'm currently looking for work but being a carer and helping family out doesn't leave a lot of time to look - I will tell you more about that another time.

I saw my first ladybird on 30th June, it was a yellow one with white spots, I have looked it up and it was an Orange Ladybird. I found it in my trousers that had been drying on the line! I didn't get a good picture as I couldn't get my camera to focus so here is a blurred one!

This flower is growing in one of my pots, I'm not sure what it is though. There seem to be a lot more weeds growing in the garden this year.

It's set to be a hot, sunny weekend here, I hope you have a great weekend and good weather too!

 

Posted using Blogsy

Woodland walk

Today we went on a short woodland walk to a small area nearby, it's just across the road and is quite overgrown so you can't walk far. Someone has built a den and there was a frying pan on a sort of makeshift BBQ, I didn't take any photos of it though. There was a lot of Cow Parsley but the photos I took were blurred.

I really like this photo, looking up to the treetops with the sun peeking through.

I think these are Wood Forget-me-nots.

I'm not sure what these are, there were a couple of similar looking ones in my book.

And finally, I wasn't sure what these were but my dad said they are White Bluebells. My book says they are rare but they do look like Bluebells. Has anyone else seen them?

I love that everything is looking so green and colourful now that we are having some warmer weather and it looks set to stay for this week, at least.

 

Posted using Blogsy

Miserable weather

Well, what miserable weather we're having, I don't mind the rain but it would be nice to have some warmer weather now! I'm hoping it's nicer when I go away and I've found a nice beach to visit at Sea Palling.

I haven't taken many photos this week but I did get one of these two tone tulips, which I love.

My granny stripe blanket is coming on nicely, I've nearly finished the second colour. I've just been doing a bit here and there when I get the chance.

I'm watching One Foot in the Grave while I'm waiting for a delivery, it's one of my favourite sitcoms.

 

 

Posted using Blogsy