a flight of swallows

 This afternoon, I set off on a walk, and spotted a lone swallow swooping over the brook.
I walked along the Nene, the sky threatening rain. After a short shower, the sun came out and I saw a red kite, a pied wagtail, and a pair of reed warblers darting into their nest on the river bank. As I walked back down the High Street, just rounding the slight curve before our house, the sky filled with swallows, swooping and screeching.

spring continues

The birds have been very active. In the last few days we have seen a woodpecker, an egret, a goldfinch, and all of our usual visitors.

Genghis has been very protective of his mate, although they both fled when the goosander (above) landed near them.

Keith has continued to plant the garden, and has helped to hang our first living room curtain (which has to come down again for hemming). Pictures next time.

Thanks to you all for your good wishes, we would love to see you at any time.

bird watching

The birds have been celebrating spring. I have not been quick enough enough my camera to capture the swans' courting rituals, or the battles of Genghis, who has been living up to his name. When he saw his lady love surrounded by other drakes, he fought them all off, despite ferocious attacks from them. She was obviously impressed by his valour, and as you can see here, has sensibly chosen Genghis - although you can see another troublesome drake on the left.

The geese use the Nene Valley as a migrating route, and periodically stop to feed and meet up. This picture was taken about a fortnight ago, when the meeting place was just opposite our garden.





Keith has been making furniture for the study, and digging the back garden. At the back, he has put in some plants to climb up the fence, and the gap in the leylandii; at the front he has been filling in some of the gaps (and thanks again to Christine Jones, Jackie Morton, & Gwenda Burley for lovely plants)

I have been concentrating on my physio, and going out for walks. It is so much better underfoot now. On Saturday I walked along the Nene as far as Woodford lock & back (about a mile & a half) and rounded it off with a drink at the Cock (now taken over by Christine & Tim who are looking after us very well)

spring begins

 

The snowdrops are out, and we saw crocuses today. I took these photos I the afternoon light.

I need to add that something strange has happened on the blog: as you know, I have added links to things I think will be of interest. I have just noticed that some random links have been added by someone else, such as a link on "garage door" that takes you to a random selection of garage doors, and "phone" takes you to a mobile phone site. I can only assume this has been done by yahoo/BlogSpot, and I will try to remove them, but if you find an odd link, please ignore it!

It really is The Bright House!

So finally the scrappy piece of board has been replaced by Wayne's lovely sign.

 

It took awhile for Keith to get around to it, as the temperatures were so low, and he was worried about how long the adhesive would take to set.

 

I have been recovering from my second hip replacement - many thanks to Kettering General Hospital for excellent work and superb care. I am walking along to the war memorial every day, where I can see all of the birds gathering. Today I saw swans, ducks, geese, a moorhen & an egret, as well as the circling crows & red kites.

 

Across the water meadows from our house, the water is high, making it difficult for the birds as the currents swirl very fast. February is living up to its local name of "fill dyke".

 

I am also able to walk to the pub. Sadly, it closed for a few weeks - as Dan who has run it so well during our time here, decided, understandably to move on. Fortunately Tim & Christine from the village have taken it over. Our thanks to them, and good luck.

 

 

 

January

Just a lovely sunrise picture.

Keith is very proud of his new sturdy workbench, made from left-overs.

He has also put in a timber order, so he can begin making bookshelves & a desk for the study.

some lovely things

First of all, this must be one of the strangest place to photograph a house sign!

Wayne Hart saved us the cost of delivery, by meeting us at Peterborough Railway Station, which accounts for the magazines and sweets in the background! We are so pleased with this beautiful design.

I have written previously about Judith Robinson's beautiful fabrics, and have got around to making 2 cushions - the ones in the middle.

And thanks to Angela and Nigel (again!) for the bird bath, although at the time of photographing, no extra water was needed!