It`s almost like Spring!

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On Saturday morning we took a walk in Black Park again. This time it looked very different than our last visit when it was covered in snow. I saw these two Muntjacs grazing happily in the woods. Jim and I stood very still while I tried to get a decent photo. They blend in so well with their surroundings that I took quite a view before I got this shot. Once they looked up and saw us but were unconcerned by our presence and went back to the more important task of eating!

I bought these alpines for 50p each at work. The Heuchera `Strawberry Kiss` was also 50p, quite a bargain I thought. They looked a bit scruffy at first but once I`d picked them over they looked as good as new.The only trouble is the ground is still frozen solid so I can`t plant them just yet.

I decided to tidy up the greenhouse ready for planting seeds at the end of this month. The plaque on the top of the potting tray was a present from Jim who thought it very apt…lol!

All is as tidy as it can be for this time of year. I had the door, window and vents open all afternoon to give it a good airing. I checked and watered the plants that are overwintering in there and they are all doing well apart from my favourite African Lily. I know Agapanthus can have short lives but I really don`t want to lose it yet. Hopefully its just a bit jaded and will pick up in Spring.

I had a good clear up around the garden too shifting weeds and clearing away dead and decaying foliage. I was pleased to find Aqualegia springing up all over the garden. It will be interesting to find which varieties are where. If you look in the middle of this Hellebore you will see an Aqualegia has self-seeded there.

I always think Black Park lake looks different each time I see it. Saturday it was teeming with wildfowl that all seem to be pairing up with Spring in mind. These Mallards were quacking away happily as they swam past.

There always seemed to be someone or other with their model boats but I haven`t see any for a while, either that or I`m never there at the right time. I really used to enjoy seeing the boats on a warm, sunny afternoon. Some ofthem were really inventive. One man had a remote controlled model of a swan that had fairy lights around it. The real swans never knew what to make of it and tried to attack it. They must have wondered why it never responded. There were submarines, galleons and little boats that played music. They really were fun to watch.

I really enjoyed my afternoon in the garden, getting my hands dirty again after the Winter. Seeing bulbs coming up and hardy Cyclamen in flower again. My Sarcococca is almost in bloom and I will cut some stems and put them in a vase, I just love the heady scent. It`s only just February thoughso we might have more dreadful weather to come, in fact I would say its a probability more than a possibility. All I can say is roll on Spring!

Bye for now.

Sandra x

• 1 Feb, 2010
• 14 likes

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