Sunday 29 March 2020

British Summer Time.

You could have fooled me.   Insert Winter for Summer and you would be nearer the mark.   We all religiously put our clocks forward here in the UK last night but nobody told the weather.   There is a strong North wind blowing and there are flurries of snow now and again.   Even Spring would be an overstatement.

Being here in self isolation we are allowed one short walk each day.   I feel it is important to take advantage of that even though I don't always feel like it.   And, true to form, I put on hat, coat and gloves and ventured round the block with Percy.   And golly did I feel better for it.   Sadly I had a call from Australia whilst I was out and there is no way I can phone back because I don't know the number (or the time difference:  I don't wish to ring in the middle of the night).   J, who made the call, sent me an e mail instead. 

My God-daughter also rang and we had a lovely chat - it is things like this that keep the world turning in times of crisis.   I am sure it will all be over one day but at present that day seems a long way away.

I smiled to myself earlier this afternoon when I opened my wardrobe to take out my topcoat for my walk.   Usually at this time of the year - on or about the first day of Spring - I begin to look critically at my wardrobe and think about what I might buy for Spring and Summer (and try to resist buying most of it).   But this year - in self isolation - there is not a lot of point is there?   If there are to be no lunches out in the foreseeable future, no outings with friends, no call to get 'dressed up' then it would be a waste of time.   Is there anyone out there who would actually buy new Spring clothes just to wear at home on one's own.

Well, in spite of it all, on my walk I saw hazel catkins, the silver birch buds are beginning to burst and the hawthorn is coming into leaf.  All is going to be right with the world one day.  Oh! and I saw my first clump of Lenten roses too.



25 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

Well you are a braver woman than I. It is too cold for me to even open the door today so I have comfortably sat indoors without a qualm. No, I would not buy new clothes but that would be the same whatever. But each day I dress and do my hair and face and am ready to face anything. Enjoy the rest of the day and chin up. Everybody is doing a wonderful job.

JayCee said...

It started off very cold here too this morning but now the sun is out and it has perked up again.
I have been very lazy and have not bothered with make up or nice clothes. My hair needs cutting and I have just had a go at the front with my scissors. No idea when I shall be able to visit the hairdresser.

thelma said...

It was so cold this morning, snow/sleet falling, my bean seeds on the window up and growing. Typical weather for this time of the year.

Sue said...

Just my usual 'at home' clothes of jeans and jumpers. No point ever wearing anything fancy with a dog like Rick to play with. The false eyelashes are long gone!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

'Tis a bit bleak out there, for sure! I went outside this morning to do a couple of jobs but soon slunk inside again and curled up beside the radiator, rather like a very large and elderly cat! I had an email from my second cousin (if that's what my mother's cousin's daughter is called). She's stranded in a hostel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where she is doing her University dissertation on Islamic art, and is not allowed to leave - sort of puts our difficulties into perspective.

busybusybeejay said...

There was a photo of Leyburn on the BBC weather at lunchtime showing snow on the ground.I thought of you and hoped it would not stop your walk with Percy.He would have been so disapponted!xx

the veg artist said...

Cold north-easterly here too. Such a change from the last week or so. As far as 'house' clothes go - anything that I can bear to be ruined by the cat.

Dartford Warbler said...

The North Easterly has been blowing across the New Forest too, but we have had a few spells of sunshine. Good to know that you are able to get out for a while at least. Best wishes Pat, DWx

Julia said...

We have had a beautiful day here in Wiltshire - a cold north easterly wind but in the shelter of our decking it was hot! Burnt my nose but it was wonderful.

Heather said...

Don't put your thermals away just yet! Mother Nature is doing her stuff in spite of everything and what a joy those Lenten Roses must have been. It has been a mostly lovely sunny day here but with a bitter and quite strong wind. I didn't venture out but had quite an active day indoors. Keep warm, keep smiling and keep washing your hands!!

Bonnie said...

Spring loves being unpredictable doesn't it? We've had nothing but rainy, dark days for three weeks and finally we have a bit of sun! It is wonderful even if it is still cool. I'm glad you are able to get a little exercise. It's often hard to get going but we do feel better afterwards.

Take care

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes bbbjay - a friend rang me to say Leyburn in the snow was on TV - we had a few sharp snow showers here but nothing settled - must have been the other side of the town and a bit higher.

Dartford Warbler - lovely to hear from you after all this time. I went straight to your blog to see if you had started blogging again - no such luck.

Bovey Belle said...

We shared your cold wind, but had some sunshine too and no threat of snow (thank heavens!)Tam and I had a walk up the hill and I was amazed that I was able to climb the steepest bit without stopping, so my fitness levels are definitely improving. Mind you, I am also 2 x bags of sugar lighter as well!

What a shame you missed the call from Oz. I hope they phone again. Keeping in touch suddenly seems so much more important doesn't it?

MARY MARSHAL said...
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angryparsnip said...

Terrific walk when you can see Mother Nature at her best.
parsnip

Joanne Noragon said...

It is the call from family and friends that help the most!

thousandflower said...

You can Google: time in..... or check the weather for a nearby city and it should tell you the time.

Hildred said...


We are coming to the end of March, but April can be so fickle too, weatherwise. I am watching for robins and meadowlarks, - the robins might come to town, but I would have to inveigle a son to take me for a motor ride to get to where the meadowlarks call!!! In the meantime, the little black headed chickadees are a morning pleasure at the bird feeder...

Cro Magnon said...

The wind was quite icy here yesterday. After Saturday's August-like sunshine, it was quite a shock. Anyway, the Cuckoo was really singing beautifully so that lifted the spirit.

Anonymous said...
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Librarian said...

It's been a cold, grey and mostly wet Sunday here, but O.K. and I still managed to go for a walk, even though it was cut short by the rain getting heavier again. Our cake and coffee were much more welcome after that!
Buying clothes... well, I must admit I have bought myself three new dresses this year already, two for dressing up and one for everyday. There are two 80th birthdays in O.K.'s family coming up this year - hopefully, circumstances will allow us to celebrate them properly.
You do well in going out every day, even if the weather isn't great for walks right now.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks everyone for calling in andkeeping us all cheerful.

Tom Stephenson said...

Yes, that North East wind was one of the most bitter of the Winter, not that is is Winter. Have a good walk today, Weave.

Rambler said...

I had to Google 'Lenten Roses', and have now discovered that they are Hellebores! I have some in my garden in Cornwall which started flowering in January along with the Snowdrops and are still flowering now. They are certainly tough flowers to go through all that rain and the high winds and still come out smiling. Snowdrops are no more; the Camellia blooms are fading and falling, but the Primroses, Cowslips and Ransoms are taking their place.
Well done for getting out and about for as long as you can.

Sue said...

I actually bought myself two new dresses, thinking I would go all girly for the Spring this year, but being at home with dogs and chores they are languishing in the wardrobe and my usual outfit of jeans and jumper will suffice until it's warm enough for jeans and t-shirt.