Today’s picture is another view of Prague taken by my elder son from the top of a high tower.
The sun was out for a while early on in the day but I was too lazy and by the time that I had got up and had breakfast, it had disappeared and light rain was falling. I took this as a sign and retired indoors and spent some fun time putting the parts for an SATB version of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square into the computer so that Mrs Tootlepedal and I can practise some of the awkward moments in the arrangement.
Owing to the number of twiddly bits and triplets, this took me all the time that Mrs Tootlepedal was off singing in the church choir and some more. When I had finished, it was time to make a pan of lentil soup for lunch. While it was cooking, I had a moment to look out of the kitchen window and fortunately the day brightened up a bit just at the right moment.
It was still very windy and the chaffinches had to take care to spot their landings on the feeder….
…if there was a spare place at all.
Knowing that some readers prefer less restless shots, I got a couple of chaffinches to pose for the camera.
We were visited by a wood pigeon who came for a look around…
…but didn’t stop.
I ventured out into the garden in search of flowers.
At this stage, the weather got pleasant enough for a walk (it was too fiercely windy for a pedal) but, as happened last week, this coincided with the time for departure to Carlisle to sing with our choir there.
Luckily the choir session more than made up for any disappointment at missing a walk. Our musical director was absent but his deputy was enormous fun and provided us with a lot to learn and think about as we went through our pieces. There can be few community choirs in better hands.
It was still light when we came out of the choir practice and the lengthening evenings are definitely helping to dispel the winter blues.
Following my reformed dietary programme, I had a plate of roasted vegetables for my tea. Though I hate to say it, they were tastier than a dish of mince and tatties.
I officially became old a week or two ago when I finally purchased an electric blanket and with snow forecast sometime over the next few days, I might be spending a lot of time tucked up in it.
Meantime, here is the flying bird of the day enjoying his moment in the sun.
I can’t believe you thought veggies were better than mince ‘n’ tatties!
I know. What with the change of diet and an electric blanket, my whole lifestyle has gone up the Swannee.
Beautiful clarity on the pictures. We’re still buried in snow here in the northeastern US – it’s nice to see spring flowers starting to emerge in your part of the world.
Our media has rather lost interest in your weather at the moment because of our floods in the south but you seem to be having a very long cold time of it.
Your flying bird of the day is one of your better ones of late.
A bit of light always helps. It has been really gloomy for months.
I hope you don’t see too much real cold with the snow. The plants won’t appreciate it.
Nor will I. Luckily it doesn’t seem to be going to be below freezing, just sleet and gales.
Wonderful pictures. I love the “restless” shots in particular!
Thank you. There may be more restless shots to come!
I never get tired of seeing the expressions on your birds’ faces.
It’s tempting to think that you know what they mean.
One thing for sure is that they adore you!
Cupboard love.
Is your new diet going to change what you grow in the veg garden?
Strangely, although Mrs Tootlepedal and I are both trying to cut down on potatoes, she has just bought a lot to plant so the answer to your question is probably not.
Glad to hear you aren’t going to miss out on home-grown tatties. Can’t grow the likes here.
We just hope that the warm wet winter won’t have encouraged a million slugs to breed.
Delighted to hear the choir is so enjoyable.
Glad you have joined the electric blanket club of which I am a longtime paid up member. Good to read that the choir is such fun too.
I am impressed that you have coped so long without an electric blanket. It is my favourite household item.
You are a lady of great good sense though and I am a practising nitwit.
Spring is almost upon us. Have you heard the birdsong early in the mornings?
I wouldn’t like to say that I am awake early in the morning at present.
My big Maine Coon cat always wants out around 5am so I am up then.
Even if the cat didn’t waken me I am up around 5.30am. I worked in a university where everyone was in about 7.00am so I got into the habit of getting up early.
That’s a good habit to have.
I cannot pick a favorite photo, love them all. I do love seeing the crocus blooming, I miss mine left in the ground at our previous home. They were always the first of my Spring blooms.
It looks as though we are going to get a bumper crop this year unless bad things happen.
The fat chaffinch is a sweetie. Love the promise in the crocuses.
Enjoyed the raindrops on snowdrops and the pigeon poking around! ~SueBee
Good to see some signs of spring in your garden. Now if on,y it would dry up a bit I could get out and work on my veg patch.
‘If only’ is a big if the way things are looking.
I thought it was raindrops on roses.
I knew that there was a song in there somewhere.
Can’t stop the music.