British Summer Time

The clocks went forward last night, so we'll enjoy more daylight for the next 7 months or so. Up early enough to see a lovely dawn.

Blue skies over the Charlcombe Valley

The view from the front of the house - the sun has moved round so that it is now shines at the back of the house at the start of the day. 

Su was given these pretty anenomes the other day  - they showed off their colours in the sunlight.

After some domestic chores (I worked on getting the bathroom floor ready for new tiles, while Su gave the front door a sanding down and undercoat), we went for a walk - this way.

The end of this house name has come away (it should be "Croft End" - on Croft Road). 

First walked down into Larkhall for a mooch about. Because the roads were so empty, I managed to get a photograph of this display above what is now the chemist. 

Abandoned glove of the day. 

Passed the garage where the van is languishing - waiting for a part to arrive so that it can once again be roadworthy (and ready for its Mot test).

Decided not to come back up the hill, but to stay out longer - it's been warmer than of late and we enjoyed being in the sun without an Arctic blast.

This seagull was sunbathing as we went past. 

Went up the other side of the Charlcombe Valley and round by the church

Catkins shining in the sunshine. 

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This day a year ago, the sun didn't shine for the first day in weeks. Still enjoyed the blossom out everywhere.

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

It's a gut reaction: how other people's bacteria can cure us

Sun, Trees and Flowers

The day started bright, then clouded over although the promise of brighter weather remained.

The sun came out on and off for the rest of the day - our window box at the front of the house looked good when it did. 

This afternoon, we headed off up to Westonbirt through the praires of Gloucestershire.

A great stand of mixed dogwoods. 

Just one variety of dogwood in profusion. 

Another lost glove… 

The skies had lots of blue amongst the clouds. 

Headed home past this stately home gatehouse. 

Coming down our road, looking at Solsbury Hill in the sunshine. 

The sun had just poked over the edge of a big cloud. 

Our mahonia is in flower, and the sun lit it up for us. 

This day a year ago, the sun was not in evidence for the first morning in weeks. Happily, it reappeared later on, and we had a lovely walk up at the racecourse.

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

Pope Francis: papal feet washing sparks fears over women priests

Good Friday

Went to Bristol for dinner with longtime friends Bill & Patsi last night - this was Patsi demonstrating an array of patterns!

Inspired by a baking programme on the TV earlier this week, Su has made her first ever Simnel cake - it is delicious!

Weather today has been mixed - we took Bella for a walk this afternoon as the clouds started to clear again.

Looking over towards Bathford. Bella had found yet another ball by this stage, so had us throwing it across the field for her.

By the time we headed back home, the sun was back out to show this blossom off nicely.

This day a year ago, the spell of fine weather continued as this view along St Saviours Road in Larkhall showed.

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

Termites 'engineer fairy circles'

Sun, Cloud and Catchup with Last Year

Another sunny start to the day - great to see blue skies as a backdrop to views like this.

Great thorns! 

Interesting view of our neighbour's lamppost in his garden.

These croci still showing their full colours. 

I liked the contrast of light and shade, angles and colours with the sun coming through our front room blinds. 

Unfortunately, the clouds came back over  so by the time I took Bella out this afternooon it was grey again - suitable for a headline about fury.  No doubt when I find out what the charges are, I won't be happy either:-).

Another pride and joy abandoned on this wall - hope it's reunited with its owner soon. 

Another glove - seems to be the season for them again. 

This day last year, and the day before - and the day before that - I resumed blog posts, as well as going to Dublin and back for a PhD viva. This was over the coast of Eire.

This was on the way to the National College of Art and Design, where the viva took place. You know it's not the UK from the colour of the postbox!

This was the sunrise the day before I went to Eire - glorious weather throughout my trip.

Su's news story of the day (from the Independent):

British tourists left feeling queasy after mini-cruise to Amsterdam sees them spend just SIX MINUTES in Dutch capital after 30-hour ferry journey from hell

Sunny Intervals and Snow Flurries

At last today we saw some sun - the day started bright and clear. The return of shadows!

Blue skies at the back of the house. 

The first abandoned glove of the day. 

Took Bella out for her afternoon walk through snow flurries (the most snow we have seen so far in this cold spell, but still nothing to worry about). Up the road, wondered is this a do-it-yourself balcony or a scaffolding porch? 

Went up around Mount Beacon - the Headteacher of this school was fated to work here - a great example of nominative determinism (the theory that a person's name can have a significant role in determining key aspects of job, profession or even character.)

The second abandoned glove of the day. 

The sun started to poke through the cloud cover to bring hope of more bright weather tomorrow.

This day a year ago, the sun stopped shining after days of bright warmth, but the blossom was still in full flower. 

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

Case against Phil the groundhog dropped