We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful start to spring. The forecast for Saturday had been bright blue skies, and although it had been a hazy start to the morning, it turned into the most beautiful day.
Birdsong. Swathes of daffodils. Blossom on the trees. My senses have awakened. Spring.
And just as I'd hoped, we found some frogspawn. So much frogspawn. And quite a few frogs, for that matter. Sat quietly by the tarn, we watched as there was the occasional plop in the water and marvelled at those fascinating little amphibians swimming in and out of the reeds. It's made me quite determined to make our garden more attractive to wildlife. Although some might argue, that as it's such a mess at the moment, it already is! I'm thinking of taking some space from the raised bed and using it to sink the small container pond into the ground - any advice on this would be gratefully received. Perhaps I'm over thinking this. If I find that I'm not happy with it, then I suppose I can always change it back again.
Anyway, I decided to order the table and chairs that I had been looking at, and they will be delivered on Friday. Sadly, the garden didn't get a lot of use last summer, and I'd like to rectify that this year. I was only thinking yesterday, how it feels like a long time ago now that Lily used to get home from school, put her wellies on and go straight out into the garden to play. Her swing still stands beneath the tree. by the dry stone wall, but it's far too small for her now. How time flies.
And talking of time. This week will be 10 years since I started blogging. And I would like to acknowledge it with a little giveaway, as a thank you to all of you who stop by and visit here. I've made some wonderful connections through this space and I really appreciate your friendship. I would really love it if you would leave a comment, and I will put your name into a draw to win some Lake District themed goodies. I will announce the winner on Friday.
Have a lovely week.
Back soon.
J. X
Frog spawn! What glorious amounts, our little pond usually produces nice clumps but not this year for some reason. Hopefully just a glitch and next year it will once again be filled with lovely jelly lumps.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how a little warmth and a bit of sunshine can lift the soul.
You saying how it seemed not so long ago that Lily would escape outside as soon as she could, reminded me that my boys did the same, then for a while they morphed into the sofa and seemed to barely move. Now they both have their first homes they spend so much time back outside in their new gardens - makes me smile.
Congratulations on 10 years of blogging :)
Spring was lovely while it lasted ;) I think we experienced a false spring for a few days. Thank you, Kate. X
DeleteCongratulations on ten years of blogging, that time seems to pass by so quickly, doesn't it. I wish I'd started my blog sooner, when my children were small, the posts are lovely to look back on. You will have all those precious memories of writing about the outings you had with Lily in your earlier posts. We had a tiny wildlife pond in our last garden which we sunk into the ground, it was very well used, we got frogs and newts using it, and it attracted all sorts of wildlife, dragonflies, damselflies, water snails, even the birds would drink from it. You only need a little water to bring the wildlife in.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo. It's amazing how quickly time passes, and I can't think that it's been ten years already.
DeleteI'm looking forward to creating a little pond area. Xx
Your photos are stunning as always, spring does wake up every part of your body. My pond it an oblong feed bucket from Amazon, it's not to big, but has a great depth, I used pilled stones along one side to allow anything to craw out of the water.
ReplyDeleteI might look at using a feed bucket. Thank you, Marlene.
DeleteMake the most of the sunshine today! Tomorrow's forecast is bleak again. Jam jars full of frog spawn was a rite of passage here! I have been contemplating a small pond, apparently even an old washing up bowl will do if space is at a premium. Ever since the new neighbours put a tanalised fence panel over their pond, the wildlife in my garden has diminished greatly. My only concern is what is the best water? Obviously rainwater, but will we have enough?
ReplyDeleteWe've regularly been experiencing all four seasons in one day, here, this week. There will be plenty of water for my pond, at least. X
DeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine. X
DeleteTen years my goodness…but for us ten years of oggling your beautiful photos and poetic words. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie. X
DeleteHappy Decade of Blogging to you. Very cool. Love that you got stuff to sit on outside. This past weekend I got to use the clearance table and chairs that I bought last season. There is a wonderful thing about being outside and I spend a great deal of time there.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of if you don't like how you changed the setting, change it back. That's how I am with things too. Why not give it a go. The worst can be is that it doesn't work and that's no biggie.
Happy Spring. Cheers, Ivy.
The table and chairs arrived just in time for the weather to break :) They're quite basic, but I really like them. Thank you, Ivy. X
DeleteI came to your blog later but went back and read from the beginning. I love your pictures as I remember happy holidays in the Lakes when my children were small. Good luck with your garden and congratulations for 10 years of blogging. Tricia
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tricia. X
DeleteCongratulations on ten years blogging Jules! Such lovely photos. Spring holds such promise, especially after all the rain we've had over the winter. Here's to an absolutely stunning summer. Have a good week x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy. I really hope we enjoy a glorious summer this year. Xx
DeleteWhat dreamy photos. Those views! Insanely beautiful. Happy 10 years!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chrissy. It's a beautiful part of the world. Xx
DeleteBeautiful photographs here, you live in such a beautiful part of the UK.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your ten years of blogging.
That is a lovely give-away you've mentioned but please do not include me in your draw ... I wish good luck to all others who wish to enter it.
Have a lovely week.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. I never take it for granted. X
DeleteWe have frog spawn every year but we also have newts which eat it or any tadpoles that hatch! Jan
ReplyDeleteThat's such a shame. The natural food chain. X
DeleteGorgeous photos as always. I'm glad that spring has arrived. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging. Please do not enter me in your drawing because I wouldn't want you to go to the trouble and expense of mailing anything to me!
ReplyDeleteThat's very thoughtful of you, Bless, but I entered everyone anyway :)
DeleteI love the final picture with the boats. Congratulations on your 10 years and here's to the next ten and lots of beautiful photos of the lakes. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was taken at Faeryland in Grasmere. I can recommend their cakes and coffee :)
DeleteThank you, Viv. X
Look at that frog spawn. I don't think I have ever seen that much in one place. A small pond sounds like a lovely idea. It will be full of life soon. I am always amazed how quickly wildlife finds a new habitat. How do they know?? We don't have a pond in our garden but I've been working at maintaining our local newt pond in the woods with my volunteering group. I noticed a gentle slope going into the deeper parts, I think this might be important for access? I am just guessing, sorry. Ten years! Congratulations on your blog milestone. I've been visiting for a long time and love spending time here. So many blogs have disappeared, it is really lovely to still be able to read yours. Have a lovely week x
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe it when I discovered a frog in my container pond, a few years back. Fingers crossed the new pond area might attract more wildlife. X
DeleteHello my dear Jules!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are glorious and your descriptions fill my heart with hope and excitement for the season to come. Still waiting patiently here in the northwoods but it seems more grass peeks thru the snow everyday..so there's that. :)
I say go for it with your garden pond idea! As you said - you can always take it out if it isn't working or causing grief. I think it sounds like a fun project!!
Congrats on 10 years fellow blogging Sister. 🎉 That is awesome!! Cheers to many more blogging years ahead. 💗
I've been painting indoors this week, so the pond will have to wait a little while. The weather has been pretty miserable anyway, and gardening is much more enjoyable when the sun is shining.
DeleteThank you, Carrie. I can't believe it's been 10 years. X
Yay, 10 years - I wish I’d discovered you sooner! I’ll go back to the beginning and catch up on all the beautiful photos and adventures I’ve missed. So happy for you that the days are beautiful - that’s good for the soul. And I’ve always wanted a pond. Let us know how you create yours, I’d love to do the same!
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind of you to say, Mary. And I must remember to write a post when I create the pond area. X
DeleteThe world is a sad place at the moment, so your beautiful photos calm me Jules. Thank you. Wishing you and Lily a blissfully joyful Easter…sun would be good 🙂 June x
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. That's lovely of you to say.
DeleteHappy Easter! X
Always a thrill to find a new post from you. Such glorious pictures to illustrate your stories too. I don't take for granted the privilege of you sharing aspects of your life here. Jill x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill. It is a beautiful part of the world, and I am incredibly privileged to call it home. Xx
DeleteHello, my dear friend. The frog spawn and the little boots brought back such a memory for me! Flynn and I used to walk down the road to see the exact same thing...much less...and she would be wearing her little boots and a nightgown! Her hair had yet to be brushed, and she usually had breakfast remnants around her mouth, but it was a wonderful time for us. Thank you for the memory. Congratulations on ten years blogging! I am forever grateful I found you here!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory. And isn't that just the wonderful thing about blogging.
DeleteThank you, Billie Jo. Xx
Beautiful photos. ❤️ Congratulations 🎊 to you on your blog 👏 journey.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. X
DeleteI'm hoping that my little wildlife pond will become home to frogs and newts. Heaven knows, my garden is choc a bloc with slugs for them to eat.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is amazing, Cherie. Your time and efforts have been rewarded. Xx
DeleteIt’s always lovely reading your posts and congratulations on ten years. I love the caravan in that first photo. Have a good weekend. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. X
DeleteStunning photos. Congratulations on ten years of blogging:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosie. X
DeleteI'm sure I left a comment as immediately after I read this post I had a look at our pond to check whether we'd got frogspawn yet.. we hadn't!
ReplyDeleteGloriois photos, the first one is like a scene from Peaky Blinders!
Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary. xxx
I think I must be the only person who hasn't seen Peaky Blinders! Perhaps that needs to be rectified :)
DeleteThank you, Vix. Xx