Three weeks after the last snow ... spring has really arrived!

The last throes of winter are always the worst, but now spring has at last properly arrived.  The hellebores at the front of the house, having survived two heavy late snowfalls, are almost over.

Hyacinths planted out from the previous year are enjoying the sunshine in the same bed.

A few feet away the miniature tulips are keeping the bees busy gathering nectar.

Daffodils at the back are in full bloom, along with hyacinths, cowslips, oxlips and primroses.  And the cow parsley which will burst into flower as the season advances provides a lush green foliage surround.

Finally, indoors the tomatoes are doing well on the windowsill, waiting for the last frosts to pass before they are planted out.

 

 

More snow overnight!

Winter set in even more deeply overnight, but not surprisingly.  If we are going to get heavy snow it is usually towards the end of winter, just when we are all looking forward to spring!  The photographs which follow were around the village and along the Five Bridges walk.

Winter is back again!

Just when we thought spring was really on its way, winter is back with a vengeance after some heavy snowfalls.  Most spring flowers can take some punishment in their stride, and it certainly poses no problems for the hellebores.

 

And, as you may expect, winter flowering heathers are also happy to be buried in the snow.

Less happy are these pigeons roosting forlornly in a tree under a grey sky.

A back lane in the village looks like a Christmas card scene.

The village church would have looked good like this three months ago!

Horses steaming in a field, taking advantage of some hay left for them.

These small daffodils will be back on their feet when the sun comes out.