Thursday 8 January 2015

In the front walled garden the first snowdrops are flowering.   Just a small clump facing the sun, but it does the heart good to see them.

There are other signs of Spring there but you have to look for them.  Deep in the heart of the clumps of Lenten roses there are fatbuds forming, and in the tubs and pots the spikes of tete a tete daffodils are well up, as are the crocus.

In the fields at first glance it is all wintry.   The fields are green and empty and the hedges have recently been cut so they are mostly brown apart from lengths of holly hedge here and there.   The trees are leafless - but wait - here's a hazel covered in catkins, already beginning to show their yellow pollen.   As they pollinate by the wind blown method they don't have to wait to show their sexy side to passing bees.   And a look under the hedges on the sheltered side shows the first nettles pushing through.

The beck is full of water.   Although we have not had much rain here on the farm, there has been much more further up the Dale and on the Moor and this water is draining down through the beck.   It must be full of tiny fish - mainly bullheads - because our two resident grey herons and our resident kingfishers are already working the length thoroughly.

The only animals around are the four horses in a neighbouring field and they are only too happy to come to the fence to have their noses stroked if you venture anywhere near.

Yesterday some heifers who are still out over winter managed to get out of their field about two miles away and wandered up the lane until they were stopped and put into a field by our farmer neighbour, while he searched by phone for the owner.   Now safely back home, and the gate strengthened, that is another bit of excitement over.

Gales are forecast for the next few days, so there will be more branches down to be sawn up for the wood burner.   Nature is often very kind to us in keeping us warm over the coldest days.

15 comments:

MorningAJ said...

It looks like something snail-like has been at all of my pots, sadly. Lovely to see snowdrops though.

thelma said...

It is always lovely to see the first snowdrops, then sometimes you find them buried in snow, an early promise of warmth and spring suddenly snatched away.

Joanne Noragon said...

I must register a complaint--it's bone cold here and no sign of spring. I'm with Dee, I'd rather hear about the dryer than envy you the snowdrops.

Mac n' Janet said...

Definitely turned wintery here, lows in the 20's last night and highs on in the 30's today. May not sound too bad, but we live in the southern United States and it's not supposed to get this cold.

Twiggy said...

It's very cold and windy here today. I love snowdrops.
Twiggy

The Broad said...

I just loved reading this post -- made me feel like Spring is just around the corner.

Frances said...

You describe the winter scene so well…..I was almost there with you! I have seen daffodils pushing up through the cold wet earth around here ( Hertfordshire) and I noticed the catkins on our hazel tree are coming along nicely.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Nine degrees F. this morning. My husband drives a school bus, and the brakes failed. Luckily, they failed in the parking lot of his first school. The mechanics pulled a large piece of ice out of the brake line.

Heather said...

Your snowdrops have beaten ours to it. I shall have to wait another week or two before ours flower. I saw some fully out today but they were either in a sheltered spot or of a different variety.
How lovely to have local kingfishers. We have to go to Slimbridge to be sure of a sighting.
Glad Mother Nature is helping to keep your log pile stocked.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for calling in.
Report on drier as requested. I have dried towels - just switched on, chose a time and hoped for the best. It worked. Not very scientific but they got dry!

Hildred said...

Oh gee, Pat, - I am turning quite green with envy!!! Enjoy your snowdrops and your early spring offerings....

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I haven't looked very far, but I'm sure the crocus are coming up - and the heather is already in full bloom - and the Oso Berry shrubs are getting fat buds - lots of rain ahead but spring will come

Pondside said...

No snowdrops here yet, Pat. We will see them soon, and then daffodils in another five weeks or so.
I enjoyed catching up on your posts - the mystery pregnancies, the new car, the lovely outing and the good news about your 'all clear' from the doctor....not to speak of the dryer!!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

How wonderful that you have snowdrops already. I'm thinking in the north of the US, they are still more than a couple months away. Too warm where I live to have them. However, today I sit under a blanket reading. My plants all covered bracing for possible freezing rain. We don't usually see that so could be an adventure.

balmesh said...

Not a word from your comments about the heifers. I find that fascinating and wonder how old the bull calf was? Your neighbour obviously though he was too young for service and he ought to know!
. . . . Alan