It was lovely walking along the canal on Mothering Sunday last weekend. The Black Thorn in blossom and looking as if there will be plenty of fruit to make Sloe Gin later in the year.
The Pussy-willow catkins have now almost lost their silver-grey fur coats and are laden with pollen for the Bees.
Hazel catkins blowing in the breeze like newborn lambs tails.
Fresh leaves on the Hawthorn hedge and the first signs of May blossom forming.
A male Mallard going round in circles, impressing his mate!
Yes, someone is home, there is smoke coming out of the chimney stack.
Everywhere blossom forming,
buds opening
berries left over from the Autumn
Jim looks out of the barge window, but where is Rosie?
Renewal
and reflections everywhere.
Great photos - what a lovely walk! It's all these little things that make one's heart sing!
ReplyDeletex
Thanks Alix - pleased that you enjoyed seeing the photos. You are right about the little things, and they are freely there for us all to enjoy.
DeleteEach.time.i.read.your.lovley.blogs..i.want.to.visit.England.
ReplyDeleteThe.long.boats.on.the.canal..attracted.me...
beautiful.photos.Rosemary...i.would.love.to.know.more.about.the.black.thorn.tree.and.the.sloe.gin..
could.it.be.a.possible.post.!.fascinating....i.learnt.something.this.morning.its.never.too.late..
thank.you.Rosemary.
happy.tuesday.
val.xx
Dear Val - it is possible to take a holiday on a canal boat. You drive it yourself and get a key to negotiate the locks that are not automated.
DeleteThe Black Thorn has a small plum like fruit very similar to a damson. It is hard and bitter and the only thing to do with it is make Sloe Gin, the fruit is called a Sloe berry. You need half a bottle of gin, about a ⅓ bottle of berries and top it up with sugar. The berries have to be pierced first, H does it with a sterilised sewing needle. Then leave for about 3 months, turing the bottle upside down regularly. Decant and then you have a rich blackcurrant coloured, lovely fruit liqueur drink.
Dear Rosemary,
DeleteThis liqueur sounds and must taste absolutely divine. A "slow sipping drink"
I have never seen the black thorn bush. We do not have it here.
H must be a master of this speciality.
I would love to take a few days on the long boats..but I couldnt do it by myself.. a little old perhaps for that. They have always fascinated me.
Thanks you Rosemary
Happy wednesday
val
Perhaps it would be difficult Val with one person. How about getting your family together sometime and giving it a go - the grandchildren would have a great time.
DeleteYes, the Sloe Gin is very pleasant, but just in small glasses. It also makes a good Christmas gift.
Enjoy the rest of the week.
Hello Rosemary:
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful photographs, Rosemary, which capture the spirit of this most exciting of seasons so beautifully. Yes, these small tell tale signs of new growth and renewal are so welcome after the long, dark days of winter. Happy first day of Spring!!!!
Dear Jane and Lance - I am pleased you enjoyed seeing the Spring photographs. Nature is wonderful to behold every season, and each year. Whatever the Winter throws at it, up it all pops again - lovely.
DeleteBeautiful images...has made me decide to go for a walk along "my" canal today.... the Rochdale canal. Spring wont have sprung quite as much as with you, but its getting there. Lovely post. J.
ReplyDeleteDear Janice - I am pleased that the photos have encouraged you to get out and walk along your canal too. You may be surprised at what you find already lurking there in the hedgerows. Our pussy willow catkins are past their furry stage, you may find some still without pollen - that would be nice to see if you decide to post your walk - hope so. Thank you for your kind comments.
DeleteA lovely post, Rosemary and perfect to read on the official first day of Spring. I envy you your canal. I love walking along towpaths but our nearest canal is 20 miles away.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did not actually realise until Jane & Lance mentioned it too. H, my husband is very keen on walking by the canal. I think he enjoys seeing all of the activities going on - people spring cleaning their boats, and the ducks chasing each other.
DeleteI really enjoyed sharing your walk with you, rather different to my own walks.
ReplyDeletePleased that you enjoying coming on my walk. That is the great thing about blogging, we can all share our different environments with each other.
DeleteYour pictures make me so happy. I am so excited for the green to come back to the landscape.
ReplyDeleteDear Lisa - I know exactly how you feel, it makes me so happy too, and I love that sense of renewal and things continuing.
DeleteDear Rosemary, What could be better than seeing your beautiful photographs on the first day of Spring. ox Gina
ReplyDeleteDear Gina - how lovely it is that Spring is officially here. Everything seems to be sparkling and fresh again. I am pleased that you enjoyed seeing the photos
DeleteHello again Rosemary, I spent 2 hours walking along the Rochdale canal this morning after reading your post. It wasn't as "pretty" as your walk, but it was beautiful in a very Yorkshire sort of way. I have posted some of my photos, and have put a link in from my post to yours. Thanks for the inspiration to do the walk today, it has been a glorious way to spend the morning. Janice.
ReplyDeleteHello Janice - that was a bit of fun wasn't it. The rugged north, compared with the mellow south. I enjoyed your walk and photos too and thanks for the link.
Deletewauw...
ReplyDeleteit could easily be The Netherlands
the canal, boats, ducks, trees and sky
lovely images Rosemary
thank you!
Dear Patrice - you're right, it could be. Glad you liked the images, and thank you.
DeleteThe photograph's and vieuws of your walk are so gorgeous. Welcome to springtime Rosemary.
ReplyDeletegr. Marijke
Dear Marijke - it is a lovely walk, and one we are always happy to make. There is so much of interest to see. Yes, welcome Springtime to you too.
DeleteBeautiful photography, Rosemary — those berries look good enough to put in a cobbler, or eat right off the vine!
ReplyDeleteHello Mark - I must admit that they do look tasty, but it would be a very dangerous thing to do! I think that is why they are still hanging around from the Autumn. I am pleased you liked the photographs.
DeleteColour and light exploding back into our world, Rosemary :-) It seems about time! I love these pictures. They are festive.
ReplyDeleteYes it really feels as if Spring has sprung - pleased you like the pictures. I am trying my hand at macro photos, it really requires a steady hand, and good knees to crouch down without wobbling - difficult.
DeleteEverything looks so gorgeous! The three photos you have looking down the canals are wonderful, makes one want to be there in real life,
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate that day, the canal was like a mirror reflecting perfectly the clouds and trees, but thank you very much, and I am pleased you enjoyed them.
DeleteSpring is in full swing!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is - there is no stopping it now! Thanks for your visit.
DeleteGorgeous photos! We are having an early spring here (Canadian prairies), but it's still mostly browns and greys...not too much green yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks. It's so nice to see bright beautiful colours!
ReplyDeleteDear Marie - It is lovely to think, and hope, that the winter is behind us once again. We have had a really mild winter, but I know many places still have some snow lingering around. I agree it is lovely to see the fresh, bright colours once more. I am pleased that you liked the photos.
DeleteSo beautiful. Such a feeling of sprng arriving... of freedom and delight!
ReplyDeleteDear Demie - yes, I know exactly what you mean. I suppose we have to go through the winter to get this wonderful feeling of renewal in the spring.
Deletethese are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteDear Elena - thank you very much for visiting and for your very generous comment. Do visit again.
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