Shivering March

Still cold this morning - the Met Office say that the weather could stay this cold for another month. Makes me really glad that we will spend most of May in Greece - Symi here we come! There was a little consolation with the sight of some blue sky amongst the clouds.

Despite the cold, some plants are displaying Spring-time behaviour, like this budding twig.

Another day at UWE. This stunning artwork greeted me when I went into my first tutorial - I think it should have been "Optimus Prime" (from Transformers).

A meeting about possible software development followed by a session with some of my dissertation students, before heading out to meet up with Su. Spotted another burst of activity on the roof of N Block on the way to the car. 

On the way home, saw this decorative tyre cover- a variation on "put a tiger in your tank". 

This day a year ago, I was having problems posting to Blogger - caused by the version of Safari I was using - so no picture from that day.

Su's news story of the day (from BBC website - click on title for full story):

Punxsutawney Phil 'indicted' in Ohio over spring prediction

Bristol and Back

Saw "Cloud Atlas" yesterday afternoon at Komedia - it used to be the Beau Nash cinema before becoming the ABC (as we first knew it) and then closing before being revived by Komedia. It still retains some of its original features - the downstairs has been converted into an auditorium with a stage and bar. but the upstairs retains the original (fairly shallowly ranked) seating - this is where the Little Theatre seats are. As for the film , despite some poor reviews I was impressed with the way the book transferred to screen - not least with the multiple roles played by the actors (a little reminiscent of Alec Guinness or Peter Sellers). Certainly an unusual and interesting story with some good cinematography, special effects and make-up.

In the car park, Su pointed out this extravagantly decorated car bonnet.

This morning, out with Bella into the cold. This blossom is out regardless of the temperature. 

These primroses seem happy (like the ones in our front garden).

We finally got our forecast snow - tiny flakes in a min-blizzard that drifted to the grand height of almost a millimetre.

Discarded glove on the grass at the bottom of the road. 

It was off to UWE for almost the last bit of teaching, andf some presentations of students' work. The formal courtyard in the centre of N Block provided some respite from the wind. 

On the way home, coming through Mangotsfield past this striking church spire.

At the Wick roundabout with the Millennium marker for Siston parish.

This day a year ago, the warm spell continued and prompted these willow catkins to burst  into view.

Su's news story of the day (from the Independent i - click on title for full story):

Pensioner drops a real, live bombshell

Wintry Winds

A really cold morning, with the wind alternating between northerly and easterly - the forecast snow has now been delayed to this evening, so may never actually get here. This was the view from our hallway through the side panels of our stained glass window.

Took Bella out for an earlier than usual long walk into the bitter wind.  Passed these flowerpot men on the way up to Charlcombe churchyard.

Daffodils finally coming out on this border. 

It has been too cold and dry so far for many toads and frogs to be in evidence this year - but the road is still partially blocked off. The restrictions do noticeably reduce the traffic down Charlcombe Lane, which makes it a much less fraught walk than at other times.

We have tickets to see "Cloud Atlas" at Komedia (which the Little Theatre use as an extra screen, when it's not putting on gigs, comedy clubs etc.) this afternoon. I really enjoyed the book, and am interested to see what the Wachowski siblings and collaborator make of it. Currently debating whether to go out for lunch as well, or to stay in by the fire a bit longer!

This day last year, the sunny warm spell continued - these were our mahonia fruits in the front garden.  A very different picture to this year. 

Su's news story of the day (from BBC website - click on title to see the pictures):

In pictures: Earth Hour around the world

People Power Day

Walked down into town at midday. Passed this newspaper board marking the buying out of "The Bell" on Walcot Street by share subscription from customers and supporters.  It has been a big music venue for years, so locally resident musicians like Robert Plant and Peter Gabriel added their support to the campaign.

 Forsythia on Gays Hill finally coming out.

Great pinkish red cladding around this scaffolding - with the branches of the trees in Hedgemead Park, made it look as though it might be an art installation.

Walked down Walcot Street and past the Bell with its poster about the share offer on display.

Florally adorned bicycle on the other side of the road.

We went down into town to see another film.  In complete contrast to "Arbitrage" (the good film we saw on Wednesday about a very wealthy capitalist free market trader) we saw Ken Loach's " The Spirit of '45". This was about the achievements of the 1945 Labour Government, including the National Health Service and many other great social changes - since overturned by Thatcher, Blair and Cameron. A timely reminder of the dreadful poverty and expoitation that existed before the Second World War, which fuelled people's desire for change and social justice after that.

Later this afternoon, it was time to take Bella out for her afternoon walk - a bitter East wind made it a challenging outing, but I was rewarded by the sight of this thorn in full bloom despite the chill.  Snow forecast for tonight…

This day a year ago, the van was down in Larkhall getting a new bumper fitted in readiness for its MoT test. Took Bella down with me and we walked up in the sunshine past these allotments at the bottom of Croft Road.

Su's news story of the day (from the Mail online - click on the title for full story):
'No weirdy beardies in my pub': Historic bar axed from national beer guide 'because it discriminates against visitors who aren't regulars
'

Winter Returns

Celebrated not being involved with any teaching activities today by going out and about with Su this morning - before I knew it it was time to take Bella out for her afternoon walk. It has been a wet and windy day here - not as cold as my brother up in Barnsley (where they have snow), and not as wet as friends down in Cornwall (where they have floods).  Looks like we might get snow on Sunday - and we had thought of going away for the weekend…

A brisk walk with Bella round by St Stephens school and up towards the Royal High School in the rain.

A miserable afternoon - looking over at a misty Solsbury Hill.

At least these croci added a splash of colour to a grey day.  Looks like staying cold for some days ahead - shouldn't complain after what our Candian friends have told us of their weather!

This day a year ago, we went on a trip to Taunton to sort out our canvas awning for the van, and then went on to Brean beach which was delightful in the warm weather - enjoyed this mackerel sky and its lovely light.

Su's news story of the day (from BBC website - click on title for full story):

World Pooh Sticks Championship hit by high river levels

End of Kaplan, Recycling Bins and Winged Boots

My last day teaching at Kaplan College today - last sessions with my extremely unmotivated Egyptian student and my much more motivated Foundations of Science students (except for the one last turned up five weeks ago...). Returned books and back to just two days a week teaching at UWE for a few more weeks - phew!

UWE is getting its recycling credentials by having different recycling and rubbish bins - not sure that putting the water dispenser right next to the general waste bin is ideal though. 

Spotted these winged boots on a student in the coffee bar - she was most flattered when I said they would appear anonymously on the blog.

The UWE crane was deployed on Q Block again as I left for the day - got a bit closer than yesterday to see that the person at the top was clearing debris from the roof.

This day a year ago, the weather was glorious so we went to Westonbirt in the van for the afternoon - lots of signs of Spring, including these Common Horse Chestnut sticky buds. 

Su's news story of the day (from the BBC website - click on the headline for full details):

Hamster found during blizzard on Edinburgh street

Cold Sun, Flowers and a Crane

Slept well with the new black-out blind that Su installed in the bedroom yesterday. The day started grey, but with promise of brightness to come - stayed cold all day, though.

A decent display of daffodils with some croci mixed in.  The Guardian today reported that, even though today is the vernal equinox, Spring is exceptionally late. Looking at blog entries from last March shows a very different story.

My last week of teaching at Kaplan College. One module finished today, and my other two finish tomorrow. Because of our holiday plans and their term dates, the soonest I could be available to teach back there would be next January - far too far away to even think about! Looking out of the window, I saw that UWE's resident crane was being employed again for work on Q Block.

This day a year ago, I enjoyed the warm March sunshine walking Bella around the Charlcombe Valley.  Popped inside the church to have a proper look at it while Bella sniffed about outside..

This evening we are off to the Little Theatre to see the Richard Gere/Susan Sarandon film, Arbitrage. Review tomorrow.

Su's news story of the day (from the BBC website - click on title for full story):

Water vole ladder link to help isolated colony