Bitter Winds

Today's arctic temperatures are enough to give us all the Monday Morning Blues. Searing winds chill me to the bone, discouraging the daily garden inspection, whilst in the kitchen the kettle whistles announcing that it's time for tea!  Apparently, this will be the last cold snap before spring, not a moment too soon for the inhabitants here at VGP.  Close inspection of the shrubs and trees reveals tightly curled buds just waiting for the ambient temperature to burst.  It feels as though we are suspended in time, like a waterfall that freezes mid-motion, the skill is to take time to breathe, contemplate and visualise nature's seasonal story that's poised to unfold.

 

Not only am I struggling with the cold, capturing the garden on film is like the Crypton Factor!  As I persevere with a new camera, it's only the promise of delicate botanical portraits of my petalled friends that stops me composting the technology. Oh for the mental agility of the Facebook generation...

 

Signs of Spring

The garden is serene today, tumbling banks of snowdrops and layered mounds of hellebores.  Soft shades of the spring palette, almost edible,  leaves of primrose, rose and violet are highlighted by spearmint foliage...  Delicious.

The icy Scandinavian wind is making feeding and daily life difficult for our brave feathered friends.  As I look out of the window they are performing amazing team work; the tiny cole tit pecks at the nuts in the feeder whilst his friend, the robin, waits below to hoover up the scraps.  Now where have I seen that before?

Hello From Heaven

 

Happy memories of Roxy and Asha enjoying the bluebell wood...and the freezing snow in February, they brought such joy.

  

 

Now it's the turn of Vulcan and Isis.  Tout ca change!

 

 

 

Snowdrops and Witch Hazel

After the blanket of snow had melted, the first of this year's snowdrops emerged, glorious in their luminosity they are positive signs of the year to come.  Close inspection reveals tiny buds just waiting for the perfect conditions to burst into life.  I love February, chilly days with clear, blue light, the perfect opportunity to engage with the natural world and enjoy the perfect beauty of now.

We have surveyed the garden for the nesting boxes, the majestic walnut tree will host an owl box.  Facing north with a view over the valley and ancient woodland the owls will have a perfect eerie.  An added bonus is that we will be able to sit, cosy by the wood burner, to watch them!