Today’s guest picture is a very nice clematis in Manitoba sent to me from across the pond by Mary Jo. She tells me that they are expecting snow. It has not been a good spring here or there.
We had another fine day today but with a strong and chilly wind still very much in evidence. I spent most of the day keeping out of the wind. Dropscone helped me by dropping in for coffee and he was rewarded with several sticks of rhubarb of which is fond.
When he left, I girded up my loins and went outside to mow all three lawns. I had just finished when I was visited by Mike Tinker, his son -in-law, Lorne and two of his grandchildren. Sara and William immediately headed for the pond and were delighted to be able to surprise a frog while Mike, Lorne and I considered the state of the world in general and the lawns in particular. I was bemoaning the fact that I no longer have the capacity to properly spike the lawn when Lorne offered to come down and spike it for me in the autumn. It would be wonderful if he did. Having a lawn spiked by someone called Lorne would be a clear case of nominative determination (and jolly useful too).
When they left, I had a wander round the garden.
In spite of things being very backward because of the cool spring, there is colour be seen and my currant favourite is this lithodora. The blue flowers seem to float above the dark green foliage.
Brasher colours are to be seen too.
Sadly a couple of very cold mornings a week or so ago have put paid to two of our azaleas and killed off every bud.
Some have survived though and a rhododendron is just about to burst into flames.
After lunch, I spent a little time watching the bird feeders.


Then Mrs Tootlepedal went off to Canonbie, where she had one or two items entered in a WRI competition and I went for a walk. I was looking to see if the bluebells had improved at all but there were many other things to look at on the way.


The bluebells, when I got to them, were good but not great…
…and I thought that the walk along the main road to get to them was just as rewarding visually.
I walked back over Skippers Bridge and took the obligatory picture. This time, I looked downstream.
And then I climbed up a path to the old railway line above the river. There is a handy rail for the convenience of elderly walkers.
I took the path from the railway up towards the Round House…
…and then strolled back down the hill into the town. Beside the track, I saw the first broom flower that I have seen this year. It was about to open.
A few yards further on, I saw two that had opened.
Further on still, I had another look at the flowering nettle which I have photographed before without doing it justice. This is one of those tiny flowers that you might well pass by without noticing it, if you hadn’t had your eyes opened by walking around with a camera. I find it hard to capture yellow flowers well but this was my best effort yet.
I went down to the river in the hope of seeing some interesting water birds on my way home but had to make do with some flowers beside the water.
White bluebells are quite common but I don’t think that I have seen a pink one before.
When I got home, Mrs Tootlepedal had returned and I was able to eat a couple of slices of her third-prize winning tea loaf with my refreshing cuppa. It was delicious. The first and second prizewinners must have been really good stuff. I was also pleased to see a bee hard at work among the apple blossom.
In the evening, I went off by myself to the Buccleuch Centre to hear a band called Elbow Jane play. There was much to admire about them; their sound level was very reasonable, the bass and drum players were efficient and discreet and the three front men were all good musicians. On the other side of the coin, their set went on too long, and their singing was a bit relentless so in the end it rather felt as though you had been shouted at for two hours. As well as their own songs, they covered Paul Simon, The Beatles, Credence Clearwater Revival and Joni Mitchell which gives a good indication of their influences and although it is music that I like, they never really managed to bring an involuntary smile to my face or get my toe tapping for long. Still, a live concert 300 metres from your front door is always a bonus and I enjoyed myself.
The flying bird of the day is a goldfinch. The picture shows just how well balanced these birds are in the air while their wings are flapping furiously.
It has been a very cool spring this year, but you have caught some fine colours here. I especially like the spring greens (not cabbages) in the trees alongside the Murtholm fields and downstream from the bridge. Fine fying bird of the day.
I love the contrasting greens at this time of year as much as any of the flowers.
I like the lithodora too. That’s a nice shade of blue.
Getting a shot of that yellow dead nettle in full sun wasn’t easy I know, but I don’t know how you could have made that photo any better. It shows a lot of detail.
I like the shot of the woodland path with a railing. If only all uphill climbs had them!
I’ll make a law about it when I’m king.
I do hope Lorne is true to his word – it just seems so right 🙂 Lovely to see the bluebells coming along, congratulations to Mrs T on her prize and really love the broom photos. Sorry that the concert didn’t totally deliver – I always feel slightly cheated if I leave without having indulged in some involuntary smiling and toe tapping.
I do think concerts should always be cheerful.
Beautiful details on the inside of the blooms.
Bee traps.
Despite the weather, you’re treating us to a plethora of beautiful flowers very well photographed. It’s hard to imagine that the bluebells could get any better. I also liked the landscapes, particularly the one with the handrail.
The handrail came in handy! The bluebells should be a lot better if we can get one or two warmer days.
Well you certainly made the best of what flowers were out though sorry about the azaleas. Your interpretation of the birds behaviour was very amusing. Glad you have prospective help with your lawn, that sounds good.
Well I sure do hope Lorne helps with your lawn! 🙂 These spring posts are so full of light and colour! Such beautiful photographs of flowers and landscapes and also your birds of course. How delightful your countryside is. I expect it would be difficult not to smile walking through such scenery.
I agree with that last sentiment. I smile a lot when I am walking around, especially in springtime.
Glad you enjoyed the concert – a boon to have a concert hall so close. Congratulations to Mrs T on her prize winning loaf.
The yellow flowers on the nettle are really pretty. I think having a concert so close to home must be nice, the bands they covered are great choices, but I can appreciate that some singers just need to calm it down a bit!
Popular singing seems to be a bit of a lost art. I blame not enough singing lessons in school.
The photo and your commentary about the acrobatics at the feeder is a hoot! Love that shot and caption. (I’m on a plane catching up on reading your blog. My life has been topsy turvy since we moved to Austin, Texas.)
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
I enjoyed your walk very much. The Yellow Archangel photo is excellent; you captured those lovely red streaks very well. It is a surprisingly hairy flower.
It is indeed.
We have pink bluebells in our garden but I’m not sure where they came from, maybe they’re a cross between the blue and the white. That walk looked very peaceful and the bluebells were lovely.
It was one of the better spring days as long as you were sheltered.