Day 28 - January 28th

Today we took part in the annual RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch.

During an hour spent gazing out of the window into the garden we spotted 8 starlings and 3 blackbirds.

Day 27 - January 27th

A cold and breezy walk this morning over the fields.

Day 26 - January 26th

Hellebores are now flowering in Mum & Dads garden.

Day 25 - January 25th

Followers of my blog may recall that last year Wayne & I received what we thought was a one time only invitation to a wine tasting and lunch at Berry Bros & Rudd.

We were so surprised a couple of weeks ago and extremely lucky to received an invitation to a similar event and so this morning we caught the train to London and then the tube and a short walk to Berry Bros' townhouse in Pickering Place off St James Street.

Since our last visit the Berry Bros shop and historic cellars have featured in the Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle film and a pop-up shop has now opened next door selling a bespoke range of clothing from the 'Kingsman' films. Several tourists were taking photographs of the new shop so I thought I should too!

After a champagne reception we were treated to an hour long tasting of 6 wines chosen by one of the resident wine masters. 

We were then taken upstairs to the 'Long Room' for a delicious meal.

Beetroot, goats cheese and walnut salad.

Seared Tuna on spiced lentil salsa with crispy squid

Loin of venison with brussel sprout chourcroute and parsnip

 Apple mouse cake with green apple sorbet.

Each course was of course accompanied by a complimentary wine.

We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and the generosity of our host.

Day 24 - January 24th

This morning we attended a seminar about GDPR and Cyber Security. 

Day 23 - January 23rd

More and more Polyanthus plants are appearing in the garden.

Day 22 - January 22nd

A few of the crocus in the garden are now in flower.

Day 21 - January 21st

This morning we had a continuous, but very light, snowfall.

Not enough snow for a snowman but enough to coat the plants.

Day 20 - January 20th

Because of the recent wet weather, our regular walks over the fields are quite muddy. This morning we decided instead to walk the paths which start beside the churchyard. They were much less muddy.

Day 19 - January 19th

Hyacinths in the garden are just starting to come into flower.

Day 18 - January 18th

The blue Periwinkle plant growing up one of our boundary fences is now flowering. Such a pretty little flower.

Day 17 - January 17th

The door of our dishwasher broke last week. Today a brand spanking new machine was delivered so we can say goodbye to hand washing the dishes.

Day 16 - January 16th

The Polyanthus plants seems to have been in flower almost constantly for the past 12 months. I'm sure they haven't but I seem to have been regularly photographing them. This yellow plant in my Mum & Dad's garden is flowering and has buds.

 

Day 15 - January 15th

To use up a few ounces of cheese I made a few cheese scones today.

Day 14 - January 14th

For Christmas I was given an outdoor wildlife camera. Having seen the images of animals that David and Gill have found in their gardens I was intrigued as to what critters might come into our garden so I was really pleased when I received the camera on Christmas day.

We have had the camera set up for a week or so and check it every few days.

I was so surprised today when checking the camera to find it had recorded a video of a fox in the garden at about 5am yesterday morning. Unfortunately the fox appeared to have an injured back leg and was limping but it didn't stop him from eating the fat pellets that I had scattered on the grass a few days ago to try and entice birds in readiness for the Big Garden Birdwatch in a few weeks time.

 

Day 13 - January 13th

The fields are still muddy, so today we decided to take a different walk which didn't involve walking over ploughed fields. 

Day 12 - January 12th

My Mum and Dad bought me a couple of bunches of daffodils. They look lovely.

Day 11 - January 11th

The cat radiator bed has been hung on the radiator again but on occasions Tux still prefers to sleep underneath it.

Day 10 - January 10th

Have chocolate eclairs always been included in Cadburys Heros? They aren't a favourite in this house as proved by them all being left in the tub after all the other varieties have been eaten!

Day 9 - January 9th

Despite seeing snowdrops in the churchyard last week I hadn't spotted any in my Mum and Dad's garden until today when I noticed a few small plants starting to flower.

Day 8 - January 8th

Dried seed heads of the Agapanthus plants.

Day 7 - January 7th

Lots of teasels by the hedgerows at the moment.

Day 6 - January 6th

Our usual walk over the fields has been very muddy in recent weeks so today we were naughty and instead of walking on the official footpath, which cuts right through the middle of a ploughed field, we did a detour round the outer edge of the field. 

It was a much easier (although longer) and pleasant walk and our wellies stayed much cleaner.  

Day 5 - January 5th

Today the Christmas decorations were packed away and stored away in the loft until next Christmas.

Day 4 - January 4th

How peculiar at this time of year to still see rose buds in the garden.

Day 3 - January 3rd

A few days ago I noticed these berries on a plant growing beneath some bushes in the front garden. I've never noticed them before and the leaves of the plant looked similar to iris leaves. A quick google suggests that the plant is a 'Stinking Iris'! How it got there I have no idea.

Day 2 - January 2nd

A new year, a new calendar.

Day 1 - January 1st (New Years Day)

This morning whilst out for a walk I photographed the snowdrops in the churchyard. I photograph this clump of flowers every year. It's interesting to see how early (or late) they appear. Some years they are evident before Christmas whilst other years they don't show until February. This year they seem to be in flower quite early.