Blossoms, Birds and Blue Skies!

 Well it does seem incredible that we are now halfway through the month! Time just seems to be going more quickly these days! My cousin (who is more like a niece to us)  turned 21 on the 13th and I can remember the day she was born as if it were yesterday! I was at the time 7 months pregnant with our first daughter and just needed to know what it was all about - although I did get very frank answers! We had some great times watching our girls grow up together (until we moved here every Birthday was shared)  My Mum bless her spent many a Saturday looking after the two scamps! But that was 21 years ago and we have many happy memories.

Whilst looking for a photo to share (ok to embarrass said 21 year old) I ended up finding so many wonderful memories and so much reminiscing was done - suddenly realised that I haven't seen so many friends and family for so long that seeing them through photos made me feel a little sad! BUT it doesn't matter how far away we are from each other, it's knowing we all have a special bond and we can still  talk and I can still share all my photos and memories!

My Mum, Griff and Me!

This photo was taken by my Dad over 40 years ago, me with my Mum (and dog Griff) sitting on the top of Leigh Cliffs overlooking Two Tree Island, Canvey (and what I used to think was France!) which I now of course realise is Kent, it looks such a peaceful scene doesn't it? It probably wasn't though as I was most likely chatting away. I am so excited by this photo I have decided it's going to be printed up and framed for my Mum for French Fêtes des Mères - so I will be off to the printers with this on my stick the next time I go!

We have had bizarre weather again - going from really lovely and warm and an almost balmy 19 degrees last week- to 1 degree on Tuesday night!

Yesterday it was bitterly cold and we did actually have some snow - well I say snow it came down like hailstones and lasted for all of 20 seconds! But the morning was filled with beautiful sunlight and I felt the Blossoms of the Mirabelle and Golden Plum were begging to be photographed! (not to self coat and gloves next  time!)

Mirabelle Blossom

I am thrilled to see that the Blossoms of the Almond tree are increasing - hopefully this means more than one Almond to harvest this year!

Almond Blossom

And a walk to my "Wild Garden" gave me the thrill of finding the Cowslips are spreading...

Cowslips in Spring

Blossoms

And then there is the Golden Plum looking so beautiful against the Blue skies, I now await the sound of Bees humming around the blossoms - they sound like motorbikes when they cover the tree!

 Whilst I haven't been lucky enough to see the Kestrel again I spent a few minutes (oh ok a lot of minutes) watching the birds and and was quite pleased with this one!

Fatballs are for sharing!

I am going to show my ignorance - I have no idea what this little bird is?

Bathtime!

At lunchtime yesterday (14th) I happened to glance out of the Kitchen window - again - and saw the Woodpecker (Pic) back on the fatballs - I love watching him as he really gets into it and underneath are the little birds just clearing up all that falls away!

I thought I would be a bit clever this time however and go out the back (which our front) and creep around the side and get a capture outside - but no! I am not quiet enough quite obviously... or was it this Bird that circled and called..and then right over my head it went! I still want to see a Buzzard stationary - but when you have a dog with you walks aren't very quiet and he does somewhat scare things away before we have even spotted them!

Over the top

And another little bird that didn't seem perturbed to have me loitering by the trees (again I am not sure what it is but assume it is another Tit - maybe Willow?)

SO it's been another bird week really! I am now so looking forward to the Butterflies, Bees and the return of the Hummingbird Hawk Moth! And talking of Moths on the wall today was this little fellow sunbathing (do Moths sunbathe?) 

The urge to stroke was quite tempting but I didn't but it does look all soft and fluffy!

Taking a walk around the garden this afternoon (hanging out the washing requires the camera at all times!) I was actually watching our Ollie cat stalking - well - just about anything really, if it's not the dog, the Coq Norman then it is his shadow.... or in this case - ME!!

I has spotted you!

Silvery lights

As I was getting up from my stalking position these seed heads caught my attention the light was so lovely and them and the background just added something to the already pretty scene!

The washing is now in, even though it hasn't been that warm, the sun did it's very best to get it dry and the breeze helped so no the bedding and I are ready for the onslaught - in technical terms I am ready to fight the duvet! 

It is the weekend insert big YAY here, who knows what we are going to be doing! Daughters will be home tomorrow so it's definitely film night which this week will be the 2nd Part of the final Twilight film (shame on me I don't know what it's called!!) Last weeks choice - Skyfall was fantastic and quite the best Bond film I have seen!

By the way - proud parents last week - our youngest sang beautifully, the whole evening was full of talented youngsters, the biggest surprise was The Lambada played so fantastically on the accordion by one of the students - I don't think I have seen an accordion played so well by someone who is only 17!  The other instruments were brilliant as well of course! 

Well that's it now - I shall be off to go and fight the good fight with the duvets! And then re-organise the studio for a family photo shoot next week, another one to be excited about as we have a Baby Bump to include in this shoot!

I bid you a good evening and a brilliant weekend! 

Pam