Camera Woes

I have been wondering how long I should expect a camera to last? and whether, like our computers, there is an element of obsolescence built into them? 
For the past few months mine has been playing up. It has been acting like a mischievous child doing it's own thing, and certainly not what I want it to do! It seems that I shall simply have to bite the bullet and purchase another.

This almost end of February day was a perfect moment to walk along one of our many canal towpaths and take in some much needed February fresh air. According to the forecasters, our weather this week is coming up from the Caribbean!

 The Blackthorn blossom - Prunus spinosa is now fully open and busily decorating many of our hedgerows and byways. It is this blossom that produces the small deep blue damson like plums during the Autumn known as drupes or more commonly sloes.

Not much activity seen on the water, apart from much chasing and splashing about from the ducks - the drakes were busily pursuing any hen (female duck) that appeared in their view outnumbering them by at least three to one.

The canal boats were locked, shut up, and tied to their moorings following the winter months. Easter is late this year so they will probably begin sailing again before then.

It was lovely to walk in the sunshine and enjoy the surroundings which we had almost to ourselves. Birds were twittering and chirping in the hedge, and all was peaceful. There was just the occasional ringing sound of hammer meeting metal from across the water where the local boatyard were carrying out repairs.

Anemone blanda growing along the towpath.

Wall to Wall Blue Skies

We are enjoying some unseasonal skies and sun courtesy of a 'weather-front' brought to us across the continent from the Azores. It is predicted to last for at least another week.

Having attended our Fine Art Society to hear and learn more about a favourite artist, Stanley Spencer, it was far too lovely to return straight home again.

Lunch can remain on hold whilst we wander around the town enjoying the warm sunshine and the newly emerging flowers. 

Although February is the shortest month of the year sometimes it can feel longer - this weather is such a very welcome tonic.

Boxing Day

Hope that you have all had a happy seasonal holiday whether you celebrated or not

A gift of a pen and ink drawing by one of our granddaughters

and hanging hooks made for us by our grandson

A brisk walk in the winter sunshine followed by an easy meal of leftovers from Christmas Day. Tomorrow we shall be on our own again, but lots of clearing up to keep us busy - take care♡

A Birthday Walk....

took us to the Slad Valley - made famous by Laurie Lee in his books "As I Walked out one Midsummer Morming" the sequel to his "Cider with Rosie".

Views of the Woolpack pub - his favourite haunt, his home, and the church where he now lies kept popping into view as we walked high above the valley.

The gardens and hillsides were heavily laden with flowers and fruit, and Quince trees rested their laden branches along the tops of Cotswold stone walls.

 Eventually I came across exactly what I was hoping to find - lots of juicy ripe Elderberries sparkling like jewels in the sunlight - the birds have already started devouring them but there were plenty for us all to share - their destination some homemade ice cream

The ground beneath the Hazelnut tree was thick with open shells and unripe nuts - it must have been a busy squirrel, but why did he throw them down before the're ripe? We debated are they hazel, cob, or filbert nuts? the quesion was unresolved.

turning on to the footpath that leads to Laurie's Wood we noticed that the wild Crab-apple branches were struggling with their heavy burden

We entered Laurie's wood and

stumbled across a secret place where the wee folk appear to live

back home a beautiful bouquet was waiting from the little family in Paris♡ and once the ice cream was made

we ate a slice of homemade Tarte aux Pignons (Pinenut Tart) served with the Elderberry ice cream