A pedal, a bee and a song

Today’s guest picture comes from my brother Andrew. He found some chilly but very fine weather on his walk past the old mill today.

We had some chilly but fine weather here too today, and it took until breakfast before the thermometer got above zero. Once started though, it kept going and I was able to cycle round to the corner shop to settle my account before coffee with no danger of icy roads.

After coffee, I took a moment to watch the birds. Although a sparrowhawk had flown past the feeder, the small birds soon returned and male chaffinches with smart trousers. . .

. . . and females, dressed more soberly . . .

. . . flew into the feeder.

Sometimes a chaffinch found a siskin in the way . . .

. . . and decided not to make a fuss.

Siskins always make a fuss even if there are free perches.

When there were moments when there were no birds, I could always watch a daffodil instead.

After coffee, and with the temperature now at around 6°C, I reckoned that it would be warm enough in the sun for a cycle ride, so I got wrapped up and went off round my 20 mile Canonbie route. I would like to have gone farther as the wind was light, but I was pressed for time with my Carlisle choir practice in the afternoon.

For the same reason, I didn’t stop to take many pictures, though the chance to take a rather chilly looking sitting bull in a cloudy moment could not be missed . . .

. . . nor could the chance to say hello to sitting Canonbie cows in the sun. They sat so patiently and so near to the road, that a full frame close up was in order.

To celebrate the sunshine, I took a shot of Canonbie Church . . .

. . . and then scuttled home without stopping again.

There were a lot of bees hanging around the crocuses in the garden when I got back so I took a flying picture or two before I went in for a late lunch. . . .

. . . and as they were still there after lunch, I got out my macro lens and took a few more.

Since they were the centre of attraction, I thought that it was only fair to include the crocuses themselves.

I would have liked to have spent a bit more time with the bees, but the choir called and I set off for Carlisle in glorious weather. I got some new prescription sunglasses at my last visit to the optician, and they earned their corn today, as it was very bright driving down the main road.

Our choir conductor, Ellen is on an extended tour singing with an opera company for the next six weeks, so we got a substitute conductor today. Although we missed Ellen, it is always interesting to get a fresh face, and we learned today that one of the songs we are singing uses the pentatonic scale. Our conductor felt that this knowledge would infuse our singing of the song with a new depth. We did our best not to disappoint her.

It was still a lovely day as I drove home after the practice, and the good daylight was a reminder of how close we are getting to the spring equinox.

We are still recovering from being active grandparents, so once again, we were happy to let the rest of the day slip gently by. The Great Pottery Throwdown final provided some relaxing and enjoyable viewing.

The flying bird of the day is a siskin.