Heads down

Spring is really springing in the garden, it is just a pity that the weather doesn't encourage us to be outside to enjoy it. Some flowers fare better than others with wind and endless rain. Crocus and primrose have taken a battering.

The camellias are none too happy either, the petals quick;y dropping to the floor.

But the hellebores have kept their heads down and escaped unscathed. It is almost impsssible to appreciate their beauty when the are growing and they last no time at all once picked so, whilst I do marvel at all their colours and patterns once I've picked them I do find them rather frustrating.

How astonishing they are when you can see their faces! They have been growing , unblemished in the most disgraceful weather.

Stormy weather!

Well, it is all kicking off in Blighty, and I'm not talking just about the weather! We had a short dry spell one afternoon this week and I went to the allotment to do a bit of catch-up, clearing weeds in preparation for warmer, dryer times and some hopeful planting. I'm glad that I invested in a length of ground cover fabric in the autumn so at least one part of my patch is not sodden and choked with weed. The pear tree had cropped so well last year that I've given it a good mulch of manure. The nubs of rhubarb are pushing through the ground, so, even though it is cold, wet and dank there are signs of promise.

But attention isn't on planting this week but with the fascinating goings on around 'a man in his sixties in Norfolk', the wonderfully po-faced description by the police. What will be the outcome? A jail sentence, I hope, and a thorough overhaul of the British monarchy, long overdue. It needs to be far more appropriate for modern times. I'm a member of a local writing group and wrote a poem yesterday that I'll be reading out at the next meeting. 19.2.26 A man in his sixties in Norfolk celebrated his birthday today. They came at eight in the morning and quietly drove him away. He was probably still in his pjs, the ones with the royal crest, a man of such high standing surely never sleeps in his vest! I dare say he felt rather slighted torn away from his teddy bears but I'm feeling very delighted at this current state of affairs. His brother has issued a statement, far more than a note of regret, so perhaps it is quite fortunate that Andie's unable to sweat. I'm waiting for police news with interest, for the moment they're keeping quite sthum. I'm hoping they'll manage to dish up the dirt and then there'll be some fun. We are all tired of privilage corrupting, depravity and lies. I hope that he won't wriggle free no matter how he tries. I live in a country that claims to be as equal in justice for you as for me. Well, here is the test and we'll see what we see.

February

We have two family birthdays in January, no chance to shed the extra pounds that were gained during the feasting at Christmas. The family were all with us over the weekend. Himself had requested a small homemade chocolate cake to please be decorated by our grandson. The boy did well!

There were quite a few candles to blow out, although not the whole eighty-four!

Wee One, our younger daughter, prepared the meal. I got down the old meat platter from the top of the kitchen cupboard. No fish, fowl or flesh this time, all the food was vegetarian, a first, I think, for this platter.

A base of Greek yoghurt, a drizzle of vaious spices, herbs and sauces

and a topping of vegetables to roast. Delicious!

We ate a variety of other colourful salads

and finished off with a very indulgent tiramisu.

But now it is February and we are going to behave. The cold and wet continues but there is a very occasional glimmer of sunlight to cheer us through these winter monthe.

2026

The years race by. We've had some sharp frost and I threw fleece over the citrus for a little protection.

We have also had a bit, and only a bit, of very welcome sunshine. I like it in the winter when the sun is low enough in the sky to shine into the house. I took all the decorations down on Twelfth Night and sunlight lit up the various ornaments and a good layer of dust!

All these little objects, a motley collection assembled over many years, are now back in the Christmas box under the stairs. Thank goodness for a house with plenty of cupboards!

The tree is back in the garden and the house has been given a good clean, so it is a fresh start to a New Year. How sad that the Christmas spirit doesn't seem to have a chance in the world at large. Oh America, how low can you sink? Perhaps I should have kept my Christmas angels hanging.

We are all in need of angels.

Walking off the feasting!

Saturday was a crisp, cold day with a clear blue sky and sunshine - time to walk off some of our indulgent holiday feasting! We drove to Kingston Lacy, a nearby National Trust property to see the house decorated for the holiday and to walk in the spacious grounds. The sunlight brought out all the winter colours. Here, a view looking down on the Japanese garden,

Contrasting with the bright sunshine the house interior was dark. The library would need better lighting than candlelight for me to be able to read the books!

My favourite decorative displays were those in the dining room, the table full of faux delicasies, mushrooms, moss balls and greenery. Absolutely delightful.

The telephone on the wall reminding us that the staff could be summoned upstairs at ant moment. (Things have moved on a bit since then, on the telephone front at least!)

The laundry room was decorated with branches wrapped in white cotton with cotton wool for snow, quite different from the opulance of the house, but very lovely and suitable for a room that will have done a lot of white washing!

Boxing Day

I do like Boxing Day, all the work has been done, the house is groaning still with food. Everyone can just help themselves to an assortment of spoils from the Christmas Eve and Christmas day feasting. We are at the comfy, sated, laid-back stage of the holidays. It's great! The boy decorated the cake again this year. He's been doing this since he was very small so it has become a family ritual.

I collected my pre-ordered food early on Christmas Eve morning and avoided any problems with parking or queues.

The gift shop window displays were lovely.

Decorations on the Christmas tree were in place on Christmas Eve and the packages under it carefully studied by the eight year old!

All the usual suspects hanging from the branches.

I do like Christmas!