After yesterday’s railway bridge over the new Borders Railway, Dropscone’s guest picture of the day shows the shiny new railway itself as seen from the bridge.
It was another fine day today but it was quite crisp in the early morning so I was happy to arrange to have a cup of coffee with Sandy rather than have to wrap up in many layers and go for a pedal.
While I was waiting, I went to the shop and on my way back, I noticed that the aubretia that overhangs the dam at the back of the house was looking good…
….but I was surprised to see that the potentilla beside it had an additional feature…
…but at least it wasn’t chasing birds in the garden.
I am finding it very hard at the moment to pass the magnolia at the front gate without my shutter finger twitching.
The very first plum blossom is out.
Sandy arrived and we were joined by our fellow archivist Nancy. She came round not only for the pleasure of our charming and sophisticated company but also to get a fiver from each of us as we had sponsored her on a recent charity walk. She raised £100 for the Archive Group so we were very happy to put in our contributions.
After coffee, it had warmed up a bit and in spite of a cool wind, I might have gone for a pedal but Sandy and I went for a walk instead. He had been asked to provide some shots of efforts to enhance the natural beauty of the town so we focused on daffodils.
We went to see the daffs at Pool Corner first….
…and on our way we passed some fungus and lichen which detained us for a moment or two…
…and while we were there, we checked to see if the slow worms had been attracted by the warmth of the sun. They had.
Pool Corner itself, being well sheltered from the wind, was looking very peaceful.
Our next stop was the stretch of daffodils along the Wauchope at Caroline Street.
Then we walked along the grassy bank beside the Esk.
As well as more daffodils….
…there were more delicate wild flowers…
As far as I am concerned, this was the first cuckoo of spring.
…and a wagtail to see as well.
Our next stop was the Kilngreen where we met a very grey duck….
….though if we could have seen them, it would probably have had red feet like this other duck nearby….
…and then we admired more daffodils leading up to the Sawmill Bridge.
A dedicated band of volunteers have made great efforts over the years to make the town seem welcoming to visitors and residents alike.
A fine rock garden has been created at Clinthead.
We had nutchtaches at the back of our minds so we walked along the path round the Castleholm, stopping once or twice….
..or even three times, when things caught our eye.
We didn’t see the nuthatches but as we didn’t wait very long, this was not too surprising. The call of lunch drove us home.
After lunch, I once again consider a pedal but the call of the front lawn demanded to be answered first…
Who knew that you can get stripes on moss?
…and when I had done that and sieved a little compost too, all thoughts of cycling were subordinated to the pressing need for a cup of tea and a sit down. Mowing a very mossy lawn with a push mower is hard work.
Mrs Tootlepedal was very busy in the garden so I was able to do some light supervising after my rest and I combined this with some plant snapping…
A developing euphorbia, our first dog tooth violet of the year and a smart, daffodil
…mixed in with a bit of bird staring.
Who needs a perch? A chaffinch pays the seed a flying visit.
Goldfinches working on a shift system, one in and one out
The feeders were as busy as ever.
The evenings are drawing out now and there was still plenty of time for a pedal in the early evening but by now, not cycling had become an ingrained habit and I didn’t cycle yet again.
It doesn’t need much of a chilly north westerly breeze to make me find other things to do these days. I will try to be a bit more courageous tomorrow.
The flying bird of the day is a siskin.
I like that wagtail. That would be a new bird for me.
They are really chirpy birds and live up to their name by wagging their tails furiously.
Your lovely magnolia shots also benefit from having a clutter-free background.
That’s why I can’t stop taking them.
The aubretia is a pretty plant. I’ve never grown one but I might.
The many drifts of daffodils are a beautiful way to welcome spring.
The photo of the lawn really doesn’t look like moss at all.
And they say that the camera never lies!
The daffodils are wonderful! I sniggered over your nuthatch passerby’s comment…there’s always one 🙂
Or often more than one in my experience.
I have spent many years converting my front lawn to moss. The project is almost complete now.
🙂
Congratulations! I’d like to achieve that.
I think it’s just a matter of waiting and not using weed killer or fertiliser.
Thanks for showing us your town in all its Spring glory, beautiful.
The weather here is of the not cycling variety too.
I am sorry to hear that.
A fine display of daffodils in the town, and an excellently mowed lawn at home.
The volunteers have done a wonderful job of making Langholm look welcoming, I’d love to visit if I could afford it, and I’d make it in the spring.
It’s the best time, I think.
Langholm looks a very inviting place to visit and your blog matches the work of the gardening volunteers in enticing one to call in and see all that the town has to offer. Love the cat, slow worm and lawn photos- which looks in excellent condition for this time of year.
The lawn flatters to deceive. It is nearly all moss. By all means call in next time you are passing. We always have a cup of tea and biscuit for visitors.
That’s a very kind offer and one day in the future ( couple of years hence!) we would love to see Langholm and meet you!
Keep that in mind.
Thanks for all the daffodils, my favourite flower. Kudos to those who planted them. They are glorious. And beautiful Langholm offers so many good settings for them.
That first magnolia pic looks like an exotic white bird with a fine feathered head and brown beak.
It’s looking colorful there! And your chaffinches have managed to learn how to refuel in flight.
🙂