Multiple Weathers Day

Out with Bella this morning, more daffodils finally in full bloom - at this rate, the daffodil fair at Mells over Easter will actually have some daffodils on show this year!

A nice show of heather. 

Thorn blossom is coming out all over the valley.

Walked down to Larkhall to get a spot of shopping, as the sun came out and the skies started to brighten up over Solsbury Hill. 

St Saviours Church looking suitably Gothic. 

Passed Larkhall Garage, where the van awaits its turn to be looked at next week. 

On the way back home passed this horse deposit on the road - reminded me of tales my dad used to tell of people rushing out with shovels to collect it for their roses when he was a child (how much truth there is in that, I'm not sure…). A passing motorist reversed to have a discussion with me about it! A dog owner who wondered why so much fuss wasn't made about horse mess - it takes all sorts.

Ben and Lena arrived after being help up in traffic and we had a lovely lunch and afternoon while the weather went through sunshine, hail and rain in the space of a couple of hours.

This day a year ago, we were down at Alice Park with Bella admiring this dogwood.

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Su was up with the lark and very kindly left me to sleep this morning. Once I'd surfaced, I dropped her down into town before coming home when the morning just floated past. After lunch, my timing for a walk with Bella was perfect - the rain was steadily coming down by then.

An aerial view of a car…

 …but not a full-sized one:-)

Lucky 7's?  77 Sunset strip (an echo of my childhood - anyone else remember Efrem Zimbalist Jr in this, along with Kookie the hipster?)? None of these - just a house number fallen off.

A pair of socks stuck on the branch of a beech hedge

Floral decoration on a VW people carrier. No more news on my van beyond it definitely being a blown glow plug - more next week…

These croci and snowdrops are still quite a show.

This day a year ago, I was up at Brockham End hoping to get above the mist but no such luck.

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

MP Eric Joyce banned from Commons drinking

Sun, Van and Walking

Out with Bella this morning, spotted this reflection - could not work out what is being reflected from.

The sun made this padlock gleam. 

Solsbury Hill spied through a gate. 

It had been another really cold night, as the frost lingering on these plants well after 9 am demonstrated. 

Croci in full bloom. 

Went off to teach at Kaplan College, but never got that far. I did get on to the UWE campus - more like limped on, as the van was belching white smoke from the exhaust and then made a terrble banging noise and smoke came out of the bonnet a few miles away from UWE. Cancelled my classes and waited for the recovery van to arrive. Luckily, I was able to hole up in the warm in the Music Technology staff office with decent coffee and a WiFi signal.

The chap in the recovery vehicle thought it might be the "big end", at which point my spirits sank.  More optimistically, the mechanics at the garage in Larkhall think that's not the case but that one of the glow plugs they fitted recently has failed - will find out when they get to look at the van properly. On the walk home back up the hill, saw this indecipherable graffiti on the pavement.

Enjoyed my unexpected afternoon at home by finishing my book, and eventually acceding to Bella's urging to go for a walk. The weather is changing, and the clouds are coming in. 

The sun shone over on Batheaston. 

A balled up pair of gloves left behind. 

This cat eyed Bella very warily as she trotted past,  butBella didn't spot it at all. 

Afternoon sunshine on Camden and beyond. 

Looking West. 

Inside a driveway that is normally behind locked gates, I spotted this sign - violators will be all shook up:-). 

More chalk on tarmac - this looks like zebra crossing practice. 

Another abandoned glove. 

This day a year ago, I managed to get a rare photograph of Bella where she didn't look away from the camera at the crucial moment. 

Su's news story of the day:

Worms detected by converted iPhone microscope

My Day in Pictures

Su up before me this morning. This golden glow across Charlcombe was my greeting to the day.

 Looking up to the head of the valley.

Looking East to the Sunrise. 

A morning teaching at Kaplan College, kilometres of cabling coming out of/going into the ceiling. 

Looked out of a classroom window and was struck by this display. Never really taken it in after all my years wandering past these bicycle racks. 

A mysterious poster - must find out more! 

Short practice with Bob - no Frank, who was presumed lost between Bristol and Birmingham. Took Bella out for a walk into late afternoon blue skies.

Exciting news at the bus stop! 

More clouds dancing across the afternoon sky. 

St Stephens Church just before the purple lights got turned on for the evening display. 

After making our way around the hillside, found ourselves looking down at St Saviours church in Larkhall 

You should nearly be able to smell the creosote on this newly painted fence. Every year, the owner meticulously covers it with noxious, smelly chemicals to keep it all up together. 

Sunset clouds at the top of our street. 

This day a year ago, Su and I walked down into town through a misty morning - spotted this cobweb on the way. 

Su's news story of the day:

Train operators urged to curb 'excessive' announcements

Bright Start and End to the Day

After a very windy and cold night, this morning was calmer, slightly warmer and sunny.

Looking up our road, with the street bathed in sunshine. 

A great swathe of cloud across the sky. 

Soon after, the skies clouded over and the sun went. I went off to UWE for a day of tutorials. Today's item found in a classroom was this golfing umbrella.

Good name for a brolly? 

Came home through snow flurries but then the sky cleared to a pretty sunset. We looked to the West to see if we could catch a glimpse of the reported comet Pan-Starrs near the sun, but no joy. 

This day a year ago, it was bright and sunny and the blossom was out. 

Su's news story of the day: 

Fighting grey: Why do China's leaders dye their hair?