I wonder

if the sap is stirring yet, 

If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate, 
If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun

And crocus fires are kindling one by one:

Sing, Robin, sing;

I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring. 

I wonder if the springtide of this year 
Will bring another Spring both lost and dear; 

If heart and spirit will find out their Spring, 

Or if the world alone will bud and sing: 

Sing, hope, to me; 

Sweet notes, my hope, soft notes for memory. 

The sap will surely quicken soon or late, 

The tardiest bird will twitter to a mate; 

So Spring must dawn again with warmth and bloom, 

Or in this world, or in the world to come: 

Sing, voice of Spring, 

Till I too blossom and rejoice and sing. 

Christina Rossetti

Found in the garden today.

On top of May Hill

May Hill - Michael Lawrence Shinn - 1965 - Cheltenham Art Gallery 

We can see May Hill from our own hilltop eerie, even though it is over 20 miles away, crowned with its distinctive clump of trees, and seen here on the far distant horizon.

Eulogised by poets, captured by painters, with extensive views down the River Severn to Bristol one way - Wales and the Malvern Hills to the other

It's a steep climb - that's H and grandson up ahead - hey boys! wait for me

We wondered where the Belted Galloway cows on our Common had gone - it looks as if the National Trust have given them a new place to stay

Almost arrived - soon we can rest on seats and enjoy our picnic

we have company

Bearing a rose! I wonder if he wants to share our lunch?

Contemplation

H did his volunteering job earlier in the week and told them he wanted to get home early and spend time with his grandson. Another volunteer said "are you off to play Leggo with him" - grandson is going into his second year at university!

It looks as if there will be a wonderful crop of bramble berries to harvest this autumn - I wanted to rescue this live butterfly from the clutches of the spider, but was told that I should not interfere with nature by the other two - if you look closely you can see the spider's black eye and mouth

it's harder walking down than up

Spring, the sweet spring

We have walked the valleys, 

breathed in the fresh-air, 

loosened our limbs, 

and dusted off the winter.

Refreshed,

we are heading

 southwest,

☀ ☀ ☀ ☀ back shortly ☀ ☀ ☀ ☀