The readiness in which I've eased into my time off work this week has made me realise just how much it was needed. Along with my delight at the clear signs of spring and brighter days, I have felt myself completely relax. I've also been reassured at how quickly Lily has come to relish spending more time outdoors. The recent pressures of home learning and way too much screen time hopefully put behind us now.
The week began gently, with a quiet day for me and (now that the stables have opened up again) a riding lesson for Lily. I hope this is something she will continue to enjoy, as it's wonderful to see her trying something new and watching her confidence grow.
Then, after what had felt like a very long time, Tuesday saw us out on the fells once again. This time we walked over Nab Scar to Heron Pike. It was a very foggy morning and, thanks to my preference to early starts, the first views we got to enjoy were on our descent back down towards Rydal but it felt good to give our legs a good stretch and I'm looking forward to more of the same over the coming months. We also enjoyed a wander through Dora's Field, which is a small area of woodland previously owned by the Wordsworth family and planted with daffodils when Dora, William's daughter, died. It was beautiful and so lovely to have it all to ourselves for the time we were there.
On Wednesday it was warm and sunny, so I spent most of the day in the garden. Some of the bulbs I got gifted at the beginning of lockdown last year are shooting up again but the Fritillary are already flowering. We've planted some sweet peas and sunflowers and scattered wildflower seeds. I now need to decide what to plant in one of the borders. Lily returned home from school last week with a tiny shoot, which I've already had to re-pot, as it's growing so fast. Apparently it's a runner bean. It was even warm enough to take the lemon trees outside, although with the temperatures set to fall over the next week, they're back on the kitchen windowsill for the time being.
J. X
What a pretty vase of daffodils you have here. So glad you've had some nice time off from work to relax and just do what you want to do. Your garden is coming along nicely. I'm planning to start on my raised bed this weekend. We have to level the area where we want to place it, buy a liner for it, and then the gardening soil will go in. I should be ready to plant lettuce seeds by next week as the weather looks to be nice and warm.
ReplyDeleteIt will be exciting planting up your raised bed. I'm going to miss growing vegetables this year but I'm looking forward to seeing a little more colour in the garden for a change. X
DeleteIt sounds like you are really enjoying your time off, Jules. Lovely photos of the countryside and the daffodils, especially! Your little lemon seedlings have really grown!
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with the lemon trees, I just hope they continue to grow well. X
DeleteI hope Lily continues to enjoy the riding lessons, I haven't ridden properly for years but loved it when I did, and working at private stables was my dream job. I love the vase of daffodils and the photo of Mog overseeing the gardening procedures :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Eunice. The staff at the stables are very kind and patient; I imagine you would be perfect in that line of work.
DeleteMog had stolen my chair! X
The daffs have been so very good this year, I hope the bluebells are the same - I missed them all in 2020 by obeying the 'stay at home' rules 🥲
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fritillary picture and lovely to see Mog enjoying the sunshine with you. xx
Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing the bluebells as well. It was a pity you couldn't get to see them last year.
DeleteI remembered what you told me about the fritillary and made sure to put them up against the fence, so I wouldn't pull them out by mistake :)
Lovely photos! Mog looks very distinguished basking in the sunshine and the sheep are beauties.
ReplyDeleteThermals back on here, the last couple of days have been freezing cold! xxx
Thank you, Vix. Mog had stolen my chair!
DeleteIt's lovely and warm in the sunshine but very cold here otherwise.
Lovely to read that you are relaxing and enjoying your break from work. Nice to see Mog sunning herself in the garden and who can blame her, it's been lovely to have this warm weather and sunshine.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I had put a blanket down for Mog to lie on but she stole my chair instead! X
Delete`Time off with family is preciouses, love the spring flowers, your cat is the twin to our cat Purdy. Most of my tender plants are still in the greenhouse, just for a few more weeks.
ReplyDeleteI've been bringing the seeds and the beanstalk into the house each evening. It's still frosty overnight here. X
DeleteI think we must have been planting seeds at the same time this week. Always lovely to see your beautiful views and well done on the horse riding Lily. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara. It will be interesting to see how they grow. X
DeleteWhat beautiful images. Spring is such a hopeful time and particularly this year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny. X
DeleteIt sounds like you're making the most of your time off, enjoying time outdoors, making the most of the sunshine and spending time with Lily. I love fritillaries, the ones in my garden are just about to bloom too.
ReplyDeleteIt usually takes me longer to ease into any time off, but not on this occasion :)
DeleteDo get that runner bean inside before the promised frosts this coming week.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see those fritillaries. I can never get them to grow.
Thank you, Pat. I've been bringing it into the house each evening. X
DeleteGreat to see your photos. Very much looking forward to getting back to the Lake District sometime!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hope you get to visit again soon. X
DeleteThe scenery is breath-taking, I'm pleased you are relaxing and enjoying your break, it's great to be able to get out into the garden again and plant some seeds. Have a lovely Easter weekend. x
ReplyDeleteThe views are much improved when out of the fog :) The weather on our walk yesterday was very different.
DeleteHappy Easter. X
lovely pictures and is that a polka dot tulip...lovely! Have blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteHi Faith. It's a snake's head fritillary :)
DeleteIt's lovely to have the weather to spend more time outside and those views are breathtaking. Your seeds are all doing well.
ReplyDeleteIt feels good to throw open the doors and windows at this time of year. X
DeleteYour daffodils in the first picture look very nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that Lily can once again have her riding lessons long may she enjoy them.
Have a lovely weekend.
Happy Easter Wishes too.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan.
DeleteHappy Easter. X
Well, you may just be enjoying time to just be, but the kitty looks like a very competent and serious supervisor. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yes, for some reason she does look very serious. X
DeleteI rather fancy a riding lesson or two, I always loved horses. I am glad Lily can go back to her lessons again. Time of work feels double precious these days, it is so important to recharge our batteries. Have a lovely Easter weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christina. I do love the smell of horses. The people at the stables were trying their best at persuading me to take up lessons again. X
DeleteHi Jules, I love the scent of sweet peas, thanks for reminding me. Your photos are stunning. How exciting to be out there with the animals. All of the plants are pushing their way through the soil here, as well.
ReplyDeleteThe seeds are safely indoors for the time being. It's turned very chilly again here. X
DeleteIt seems I commented here... Already... Mentioning how I love the pink polka dotted flowers...
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe it hasn't been OKed and Published yet. -smile-
Happy Easter
🐇🎀🐇🎀🐇🎀🐇
I'm sorry, I didn't receive any other comment (I even checked spam) but I appreciate you taking the time to leave another. I love the fritillary as well; Even better that they flower year after year. X
DeleteBeautiful photos as usual, thank you for sharing. Really loved Dora's Field and the daffodils - we had hoped to stay at Rydal this weekend, but not to be due to lockdown. Hope to get there in the summer x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane. I'm sorry you didn't get to visit. It really is lovely at this time of year. Fingers crossed for summer. X
DeleteThe daffodils in Dora's field are just beautiful. I have been enjoying too many lie ins this weekend. Back to work for one week, then off with the kids. I can't wait. Looks like Moggy is surveying all the pots and making sure the gardening is done properly. Happy potting, Lulu x
ReplyDeleteYou will appreciate your time with the children all the more. I hope the weather will be kind to you. X
DeleteLovely photos, and your pretty cat sunbathing is perfection :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Polly. I'll be sure to tell Mog :)
DeleteOh my goodness!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful!
There is something about this time of year, isn't there?
Have a cozy evening!
Thank you, Billie Jo. It feels good to be spending more time outdoors. X
DeleteA post that brought so many memories to the fore for me...I have recently placed my late Fathers metal watering can...now rusty on the bottom in our wild area...I can't bear to get rid of it! Also I remember as a teenager living at home planting lots of lemon and orange pips and a date stone...they all grew...though I think an overly inquisitive cat loved to chew so they didn't get to reach maturity. x
ReplyDeleteI'm pleasantly surprised at how well little lemon trees are growing. I think I'll be needing to re-pot them very soon. X
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