Stormy Weather II

[oddoneout]

Well that was unexpected. A reasonably bright start early on developed into a glorious sunny blue sky day. There was a breeze but the sun took the chill off and by midday it was very pleasant being outside, all a bonus for the garden team. Lots of bird activity and song as well, some of it related to the goodies we were turning up. Aconites were turning their happy little ruffed faces up, snowdrops are showing white and the viburnum tinus clusters are coming out. The winter heliotrope, which is a thuggish pest of a weed, has a brief moment of redemption now when its flower sprays scent the air all around and demonstrate why it has that name; I picked some to put in a vase as they last quite well. I ended up staying quite a bit longer than I had intended which I will know about tomorrow (painkillers with morning cuppa I suspect) but what a boost to the spirits.

[Old Grumpy]

Well that was unexpected. A reasonably bright start early on developed into a glorious sunny blue sky day. There was a breeze but the sun took the chill off and by midday it was very pleasant being outside, all a bonus for the garden team. Lots of bird activity and song as well, some of it related to the goodies we were turning up. Aconites were turning their happy little ruffed faces up, snowdrops are showing white and the viburnum tinus clusters are coming out. The winter heliotrope, which is a thuggish pest of a weed, has a brief moment of redemption now when its flower sprays scent the air all around and demonstrate why it has that name; I picked some to put in a vase as they last quite well. I ended up staying quite a bit longer than I had intended which I will know about tomorrow (painkillers with morning cuppa I suspect) but what a boost to the spirits.

Perhaps a small boost to the spirits is in order tonight too!

[DracoM]

Sorry, but up here in NW, rain on a pretty nasty westerly.

[oddoneout]

Perhaps a small boost to the spirits is in order tonight too!

Absolutely. I would have done so yesterday to acknowledge my Scottish antecedents but things didn't work out that way. Today that can be rectified while also raising a glass to my son whose birthday it is.

[oddoneout]

Sorry, but up here in NW, rain on a pretty nasty westerly.

I feared that might be the case, wish it were not so.

[jayne lee wilson]

Much brighter here (and milder) for the wood-wall walk, though the Fieldfares seem to have finally moved on, and Pinkfeet were not around either (the later the Winter gets the further North they go...)... so a bit lacking in birdlife, just Gulls and Corvids, but a very pleasant walk to-the-farm-and-back...

A (probably brief) relief after all the Grey Skies....

[BBMmk2]

Much brighter here (and milder) for the wood-wall walk, though the Fieldfares seem to have finally moved on, and Pinkfeet were not around either (the later the Winter gets the further North they go...)... so a bit lacking in birdlife, just Gulls and Corvids, but a very pleasant walk to-the-farm-and-back...

A (probably brief) relief after all the Grey Skies....

Sounds like a good walk. I think an uninspiring day is on the cards,diwmhere.

[oddoneout]

Much brighter here (and milder) for the wood-wall walk, though the Fieldfares seem to have finally moved on, and Pinkfeet were not around either (the later the Winter gets the further North they go...)... so a bit lacking in birdlife, just Gulls and Corvids, but a very pleasant walk to-the-farm-and-back...

A (probably brief) relief after all the Grey Skies....

At this time of year any relief, however brief, is welcome? I try and make the most of it.
It's rather breezy here but the sun, although not constant, is helping to offset the chill factor, and the cloud is white rather than grey and also fairly sparse so plenty of blue sky to be seen. Good day to get my bits of washing on the line. I had intended to get the car out as the fuel warning light came on yesterday on the way back from my gardening duties, go to fill up and do various car-enabled errands with some shopping added, but that can wait in favour of Shanks' pony, a smaller shopping bag and some fresh air and exercise.

[BBMmk2]

A milder day today, I think. Although we had a frost. The sun is out, though, which is always good.

[DracoM]

SUN? Wow! Lucky you!

PS: have just listened with amazement and disbelief to the 1 p.m. BBC weather forecast about NW England for the next 12 or so hours:
Absolutely contrary to what T. Schaffenaker has just said......
HERE is is
[a] deffo NOT clearing but RAINING,
[b] it is NOT mild with temps in 8C-10 area, but 3C
[c] cloud / mist / rain blotting out fells for as far as the eye can see - which is not very far - and has actually shut down / thickened even more since.

[BBMmk2]

SUN? Wow! Lucky you!

PS: have just listened with amazement and disbelief to the 1 p.m. BBC weather forecast about NW England for the next 12 or so hours:
Absolutely contrary to what T. Schaffenaker has just said......
HERE is is
[a] deffo NOT clearing but RAINING,
[b] it is NOT mild with temps in 8C-10 area, but 3C
[c] cloud / mist / rain blotting out fells for as far as the eye can see - which is not very far - and has actually shut down / thickened even more since.

It turned out a lovely day yesterday, but today we jd sun, but the dreary grey cloud has intervened.

[Serial_Apologist]

It turned out a lovely day yesterday, but today we jd sun, but the dreary grey cloud has intervened.

Not around here! In fact this seems like the first day of spring, with excellent visibility and temperatures reaching 12 celsius. Shame about the wind strength, however, as it would have been nice to have made today my first lengthy cycle ride for 2022.

[johncorrigan]

Blowing like billy-o today. Polytunnel cover retrieved from the field and recycling rescued from all parts of the garden. Went for a walk and it was beautiful - couple of rainbows on the way, and snowdrops well on show - think they might get a bit of a fright the next few days - snow in the offing, the meteorologists are predicting. Oh well! at least the days are getting longer...marginally!

[Serial_Apologist]

Blowing like billy-o today. Polytunnel cover retrieved from the field and recycling rescued from all parts of the garden. Went for a walk and it was beautiful - couple of rainbows on the way, and snowdrops well on show - think they might get a bit of a fright the next few days - snow in the offing, the meteorologists are predicting. Oh well! at least the days are getting longer...marginally!

Snowdrops are real toughies, so no problem there for them. Your nature's calendar would appear to be in advance of ours down here, John!

[johncorrigan]

Snowdrops are real toughies, so no problem there for them. Your nature's calendar would appear to be in advance of ours down here, John!

Nature appears to be in advance of our usual calendar up here, S_A.