Rogatiion Sunday is the traditional day when the crops are blessed and prayed for - the weather of warm sunshine and wet periods was just right .
I think the Granny bonnets are my favourites but snap dragons and the white geum come a close second
A Beautiful Day on the Allotment
Today was beautiful - dawn to dusk sunshine and warm. I spent most of it on the allotment weeding, planting cauliflowers, calabrese and tomatoes, and covering all with various forms of protection. The strawberries are flowering and there is colour right across the plot.
May Day Bank Holiday
Despite a rather grey day, the threatened rain held off and allowed me to wander round Newcastle's Jesmond Dene and Armstrong Park.
A visit to Wallington Hall
This week has been grey and foggy but that didn't really matter when I visited Wallington today. More evidence of the developing spring watched over by a friendly red squirrel and signified for me by the busyness of the bees in the pulmonaria.
Easter Monday
I'm tired out after a day on the allotment and in the garden. The pests and weeds are out in force but there are tulips out on the allotment and I seem to have all the ladybirds on my plot for the NE. Today's major triumph was getting the new baby polytunnel up - tomorrow its big brother arrives to replace the original one.
I like the double daffodils and tulips my predecessor left behind.
Even weeds can be beautiful...
Its probably the lazy bit of me but I am not always agin my weeds - I recognise they are just in the wrong place but that doesn't stop them being pretty.
Everything was looking bright and cheerful
I am really pleased that my newly planted sea berry hedging is leafing up beautifully and I appear to have 100% survival.
Another afternoon at the allotment
Even the clover has weeds!
I felt mean putting the peas in their toilet rolls out into the big bad world even if it means they now have something to climb.
We are having a grey spring or so it seems. Spring showers are included for free. The weeds are up and running but at least there is some colour in their ranks.
There were some good findings too - cauliflower cheese for tea!
Bees
I had a lovely trip out to Wallington with some friends last weekend. The frequent drips of water from above kept the feeling of April present and the freshness of spring.
It was good to see the bumble bees out and about and this one was being a poser!
Hopefully the first of many this year!
Inverewe Gardens
Inverewe Gardens are deservedly world-famous, even in the rain!
Looking through the beautiful gates in the walled garden down towards the sea loch Ewe.
Eucalyptus bark at its most interesting
I know relatively little about rhododendrons and azaleas except the latter are a form of rhododendron and that azaleas have 5 stamen and rhododendrons have 10. I also know that they like acid conditions and peat.
Beautiful Part of the World
I am very fortunate in having parents who have chosen to live in one of the most beautiful places in the UK - the NorthWest Highlands remain largely wild, open and relatively free of people.
The red of the sand comes from the underlying rock
Walking over the headland starts with a stile without an accompanying fence
The second and third beach are separated by a spit of land, a dry island that at high tide is cut off
Looking back along the third beach to the dry island from the derelict salmon fishing station.
Water everywhere - looking out to Skye
First Redpoint beach
Ask those uninitiated in this part of the world what is to be found, most will come out with mountains, peat bogs, midges and rain. As these images show there is more to be found including beautiful, empty beaches with interesting coast between. These beaches are arranged around the headland of Red Point, between Gairloch and Torridon.
Walking over the headland views down into Torridon are promised and as the corner is turned the second beach comes into view
Red Point always has a good population of Oystercatchers
Looking down into Torridon
I fell in love with Red Point as a child - all three beaches have characters of their own. All are ever changing as wind and sea take their toil. This year there were more peebles, next it will be sand.
Highland Holiday
I have taken some leave this week to come and stay at my parents' in Wester Ross. The weather of course has obliged by howling a gale and tipping it down with rain - not that I really expected any different in the middle of March.
A symbol of hope but it hasn't stopped it from raining since.
The lichen positively drips off the trees - its true the air does feel quite fresh!
Small patches of gorse are in flower, even where the gorse itself appears dead - little pockets of brightness.
On the way north there were a whole succession of rainbows - most of the time I wasn't in a position to stop, but this was from a lay-by just before Inverness.
Spring is a little behind here compared to Newcastle so there are more catkins on the trees and hellebores are freshly out
Sun and Gusts of wind
Today has been beautiful and sunny but gusts of wind kept it cool and the air sea fresh. I started on the allotment this morning bright and early and was rewarded by the signs of spring all round. Most pleasing were the leaves sprouted by the raspberry canes I put in last month.
All across the allotment I have pretty daffodils - all busy shaking their heads today.
Later walking down to Cullercoats across the rugby fields my eye was caught by the winter cherry blossom - such delicate wee blooms.
Fuzzy Sunshine
Today's sunshine had a haziness to it after the morning's fog. After work I sat in the garden for a chilly cup of tea - the freshness of the air is lovely at this time of year.
Every bit of colour is welcome in March
Sunny Days
The Priory from King Edward's Bay
I was struck by how the ships tower above the piers and out-size the Priory as they leave the Tyne.
Back towards Cullercoats and St Mary's Lighthouse
We have been blessed with two days of sunshine. The air is crisp and clear. Just the best weather for wandering along the beach. Just as well I live at the coast.
The mouth of the Tyne from Long Sands
Weekend in Edinburgh
I stayed with my sister and her husband this weekend in Edinburgh. After a rather unpromising start to the day weather-wise on Saturday, it started to dry up by the time we set off into town to go to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
There was a mass of crocuses as we came into the Gardens and giving colour scattered through out.
I rather like these miniature narcissi with their punk hair style
Then we walked up the Mound steps. This is as close as you can get to a 'bridges' photograph in central Edinburgh.
On the way in to Edinburgh we walked along the canal and then down past Dene village
Purple tooth wort are named for their shape and presumed benefits in curing toothache. They are in fact parasitic plants native to Spain.
Early Spring in Kew
I spent yesterday afternoon at Kew Gardens, and have to own to have completely lost myself in this haven of peace (ignoring the aircraft overhead and the all pervasive London hum). I took over 500 photographs but I am not going to inflict them all on you.
Pulmonaria were generally just coming out but already producing a wave of blue and pink
There were some very brightly dressed birds around heralding spring. I also saw my first bees of the year in the surprisingly warm.
Some early rhododendron are out.
The Camellias are stunning and lflully out with some very blowsy flowers amongst them.
My favourite photograph from the day
Newcastle to Gateshead & back
This afternoon for me was an exploration of the bottom ends of Newcastle and Gateshead. I'm not really into street photography but I do like the views found by looking for something different from the ones in the books - I'd like to take them too but these were what I saw today.
Living in just little cracks - it wasn't obvious if there was much source of nutrient or even water
Straight in to the sun - blinded me but I own to be pleased with this!
Ok - so occasionally I do like the classic photographs too.
This is about lines and curves
Going over the Tyne - a bit like a cathedral cloister.
And the different
And eventually the sun did come out - about the time I turned for home!
An afternoon on the Allotment
Today started with a lovely sunrise and bright sunshine until mid morning - I spent all that time clearing the front garden of rubbish - it is never a pleasant task and I am astounded that people drop so much litter. The joys of living next to a supermarket with a public path in between. 3 bin bags later it is tidy for the next day or two. I did stop and admire the deadheads of the lavender before having the all important bacon bap.
Rhubarb is coming on well - shouldn't be long until crumble happens.
My chewed leeks - rabbit pie anyone?
I accidentally woke this ladybug from her sleep - the protection from the stachys having been removed. A gentle push back into the shelter will hopefully have allowed for resumption of slumbers
Besides the ladybirds uncovered by tidying up the stachys I found these early cowslips planted by my predecessor on my 2nd half allotment. Daffodils are also pushing their way through.
I admired my remaining red cabbages - I know there is a river underneath their bed but they don't seem to mind wet feet.
Then to the allotment where there is feeling of promise in the air. The rabbits have been out though and cropped the tops of my leeks - teach me not to have them protected!
The wind has done for my polytunnnel - it now sports a skylight and is poor protection now for my salad crops
Last year's celeriac looks as if I might get some roots this year. I don't think it is a biennial but if it works...
New Lens
Another bright, cold day and I have a new lens to play with - EF28-135mm f/3.5 -5.6 IS USM for those of you that know about these things. It is distinctly more fun to play with than the bog standard lens I have had up until now. I walked down to Cullercoats and then along Long Sands going to Tynemouth Market, stopping on route to sit and chat with Nancy, another regular on the beach. Nancy is 85 years old and has the busiest life of anyone I know. Most days she walks along Long Sands having caught the metro to Cullercoats and returning from Tynemouth, or often further.
Bright Sunny Day
Lovely sunny day - very cold but less windy than it has been. I couldn't persuade the cat of the benefits of fresh air. He spent the afternoon curled up tightly in his (washing) basket. I went out and blew the cobwebs away down on Long Sands beach. I love taking Lowry-esque pictures down the beach and into Cuiiercoats with people looking like pin-figures. The beach has a clean washed appearance and the sea was quiet.
