Today’s guest photograph comes from Dropscone who is on holiday in Skye. He managed to take a rather clever picture of himself taking a picture of a rainbow.
After yesterday’s dull, drizzly day following a good forecast, we had a sunny, bright day today following a very gloomy forecast of frequent showers. The general forecasts remain pretty sound but the detailed local forecasts are sometimes rather ropey.
Still, we were very grateful for a good day.
I took a couple of pictures of the effects of yesterday’s rain…

…and set off to cycle round my 20 mile Canonbie circle. Although the temperature was in single figures and the sun wasn’t out, the lack of wind made it feel quite pleasant for cycling and I went round at a good speed. Since I wasn’t having to battle the breeze, I was much more in the mood to stop and take pictures so I paused for a primrose, waited for a wood anemone, dawdled for a dandelion and ran out of alliteration for a bluebell.
The dandelions and anemones were out in force near Canonbie.
I stopped on the Hollows Bridge to show that the trees are getting a welcome green tinge.
By the time that I got home, the sun had come out so I mowed the middle and front lawns and took a lot of flower pictures.



There were quite a few bees to be heard and I was very pleased to see some of them at work on the plum tree….
…though the forecast of a frost tonight might be too much for the blossoms.
I think that the tadpoles are far enough on to survive a cold night.
It was such a nice spring day by this time, although still not as warm as it should be on a sunny day in April, that I went into the house and took three shots of the garden from upstairs windows.



This doesn’t show the beds along the front of the house and the small area to the right of the greenhouse.
The birds were pleased when I filled the feeders before I went cycling and by the time that I got back they had got the level well down again.
We wanted to do some shopping at Gretna so we took advantage of the continuing sunshine by packing the bikes into the car after lunch and going for a cycle ride before we did the shopping.
The advantage of cycling from Gretna from Mrs Tootlepedal’s point of view in particular is that the roads are mostly flat but this didn’t mean that we had a dull outing.

We went south from Gretna and cycled round a 12 mile loop that took us through Rockliffe. After passing through the village, we took advantage of a rough track to cycle down to the bank of the river Eden. We were able to look back at the church where we took a walk a week or so ago.
Which ever way we looked, up or down the river, the view was delightful.


And the bank itself was covered with a lovely little wood.
We were a bit alarmed by some very black clouds ahead of us as we cycled back to Gretna but they passed over to the north before we got back to the car and we enjoyed an excellent cycle ride.
The 12 miles had given us an appetite so a cup of coffee and a cake was necessary before we completed some satisfactory shopping. (Slippers were the main thing on the list but quality prunes came into it too.)
We got home to find that the rain shower had missed Langholm as well. This was lucky as we had had washing hanging out. I had to fill the feeders again as they were quite empty by this time.
Cycling and shopping had taken up most of the afternoon and it wasn’t long before it was time for our evening meal and then I went out to play trios with Mike and Isabel.
We haven’t played for some weeks as Mike and Isabel have been busy on church matters over the Lent period and it was very good to get back to playing again. The time off hadn’t got too much rust into the works so we enjoyed our playing a lot.
Sometimes, I can just push the shutter button in the nick of time to catch a flying bird and today was one of those times.
The gardens are just wonderful! You must be the envy of the neighbourhood.
I think passers by enjoy the garden.
Thank you for the long shots of the yard (garden, as you would say!) – I’ve wondered exactly how things are laid out on your property, and now I know! Mrs. T. must have a very strong and flexible lower back.
She does. I would help more in the garden if I had one too.
One of my favorite television shows years ago was called “Crockets Victory Garden,” hosted by Jim Crocket, and your entire yard looks much like what I saw on that show.
I hope the frost doesn’t finish the fruit tree blossoms, if you have one.
Both bike rides had beautiful views.
The frost was there but sufficiently gentle not to do much harm.
We’ll,I don’t know which I enjoyed the most, wonderful pictures especially those two trees or your witty commentary. You are a double genius.
Very much enjoyed the views of your garden – a credit to Mrs T and yourself
What a delightful post! Beautiful photos of your wonderful garden in the spring sunshine with all the many varieties of flowers blooming in the borders, followed by the scenes from your cycle ride and at the top a lovely flying chaffinch and all held together by your entertaining narrative- so enjoyable!
A bit of sunshine cheers everything up, including me.
Looks like you had better weather than we have. I agree about forecasts, not too reliable locally
We have had two very welcome days of light winds. Such days are more precious than gold.
agreed.
Thanks for much for the overview photos of your garden. It is spectacular.
Oh, and lack of wind makes a huge difference to enjoying a day out.
You have a wonderful garden! I am full of admiration for your perfectly clipped hedges.
Oh yes – and for the nicely mown and striped lawns!
The distance concealed the moss and weeds.
I enjoyed Dropscone’s picture! A very nice shot.
Springtime seems to be in full swing in your area, and the tadpoles are coming along nicely. You and Mrs. Tootlepedal have a beautiful little estate. I like the views from above.
Great photos!
Thank you.