When the Sun Smiles ♥

Well, it had to be done!  Sixteen years ago I stood in my parents garden pregnant with Miss Teen and enjoying watching Mr Teen toddle around as we witnessed a total eclipse over London.  Time stood still as the birds roosted and the dusky darkness enveloped us.  Now, sixteen years later, Mr Teen stood with me in our garden as I set up the tripod and took a stupid amount of photos of the partial eclipse and Miss Teen was at school in her penultimate year - where does the time go?!  Here in Lincolnshire it was cloudy but when the cotton wool covering cleared I got busy trying all the different filters on the new camera.  PaNiC set in as nothing picked up the spectacle above our heads and the safe place where I have put all my special filters was, well, that 'special safe place' where no one knows where it is (including me).  How I wished I was on the jet fighters that were flying above our heads (me thinks that it was a little too convenient to be having a dog fight just as the eclipse was happening - or is that me being sceptical!).  "Try my sunglasses" said Mr Teen and handed them over to me.  Not to put on you understand, but to put over the camera lens...  

PERFECT!

Once the sun had shooed the moon out of the way the day was just glorious!  The warmth was intoxicating and, you'll be proud of me, I went out without my coat to the daffodil fields to capture some sunshine rising from the earth.  Our little corner of Lincolnshire is known as South Holland... I wonder why?

In the distance the tallest mill in the country, Moulton Mill, stands proudly with its newly installed sails.  Alongside, All Saints in Moulton which was struck by a tornado a few years ago - now repaired (note to self... I really must take you on a little trip to Moulton one day this year!).

But, the daffodils!  Acres upon acres of the beautiful nodding heads swaying in the breeze, high on the mounds of earth, all at different stages of showing off their blooms.  As far as the eye can see.  A heart lifting moment.

Can you imagine living in these houses with the happy view.

This section was only the start.  We drove along the narrow, quiet lonely lane that is used so sparingly that it has grass growing down the middle of it and out of the pot holes!  For about two miles there was row upon row of daffodils, some stopping in the distance due to cottages, and some just disappearing into the horizon.

Kneeling down to be at the same level with these little parcels of sunshine was such a treat along this lane with no interruptions.  Above us we could hear a skylark, and nothing else... heaven!

Other fields around here are being harvested with the workers walking along in lines to pick those in bud.  The speed they work is breathtaking.  Bending over picking daffodil after daffodil, quickly tying them and then working on the next bunch.  Hundreds of workers gradually moving through the fields and wooden crates full of the budding bounty to be put in the cold houses for the supermarkets.

These fields however haven't been touched yet, but even after the workers go, there are thousands left behind to feed the bulbs for next year.

As for my house displays this weekend - pink roses, unusual white tulips and narcissus for their gorgeous spring scent, along with a touch of rosemary.  Seven vases and little containers have been filled this time and dotted around giving me smiles all around the house.  So here's some flowers from me to you my lovely readers.  Thank you so much for visiting and commenting, you really are sending sunshine through my screen.

Next week... London!  We are visiting the Museum of London, this time for a day.  Yes, to listen to my Grandad in the exhibition again, but also to really drink in this amazing place.  I now have a permanent link on my side bar if you want to make a virtual visit ♥ 

Take care

      

Wordless Wednesday - We Have Blossom

I do hope this image has made you smile!  

♥ Spring is here ♥ 

Take care

      

This week I am sharing with:

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday)

That's A Big Fish! Says Hubby

I must apologise for being a bit hit and miss in blogland this week, it's been one of those weeks where I haven't really worked out which way is up so I decided to spend my evenings just 'being'.  Sitting in my favourite chair and using pen and paper.  Sitting and planning a new project regarding my Grandad's research.  Sitting and trying to put the 1001 things in my head down into some form of sense.  But now, I count my blessings that my family are all happy and healthy and I can now sit here with Coco at my feet (snoring loudly!) and share a little walk with you we took a couple of weeks ago.

The Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve is such a retreat with its expanse of lakes, channels and woodland walks so it is always enjoyable to spend a little time here to blow away the cobwebs.  The day we went was certainly the right time to do that!  The wind blew ferociously through the limbs of the trees and the sparse foliage that surrounded us.  

"That's a big fish!" 

Said hubby while we just looked at the little waves in the lake wondering what he was talking about.

"There!" he said.  Then, when both me and Mr Teen adjusted our eyes, yes, it was big, but no, it wasn't a fish...

The whiskered snout, the grey head... no, not hubby!... this wasn't a fish, it was a seal!

Apparently he is a bit of a celebrity and they think he came into the lakes when the flood defences were down.  He looked healthy and content and would gently come up for air and then disappeared again for a few moments, then up he came again.  A local lady told us that the authorities were happy for him to remain there as long as he was healthy but I really do hope that he will be allowed to join his friends soon.

It was hard to tear ourselves away from him as the vision of something completely unexpected was so intoxicating, but the wind travelling at force across the Fens felt like it was ripping us apart.  The walk was so beautifully colourful and we were incredibly lucky with the clear skies.

We came away from the bank and walked down to the woodland areas, taking some shelter from the gusts of air.  The fauna around us, even though bare, was so uplifting.  The skeletons of last year's display were once again a joy to see.

Along with the new freshness of snowdrops, inviting us into Spring.

The decaying wood harbouring a nursery of new seedlings.

Along with some tell tale fencing protecting some expectant mothers.

All very content, even smiling for the camera!

The bird hides were a welcome shelter to defrost our ears from the windchill.

And the views were also very welcome!  However no Kingfisher today unfortunately.

The treelined walks are a pleasure to enter whatever the season.  Usually we do this in the Autumn (past post here) but it was nice to see so much light in the tunnels this time around.  Hubby and Mr Teen happily walking ahead while I captured the early spring sun falling around them.

The lake to the side of the walk gently licked the fallen limbs of trees making everything move in rhythm.  So relaxing.

It won't be long before the twigs of surrounding shrubs will be full of leaf and colour, but for now just the golden twigs against the blue sky is colourful enough.

Just a little welcome rest in a secluded corner, listening to the birds and occasional call from the sheep, mixed with the wind section of nature's orchestra.

I needed to get my thoughts together before I embarked on the next part of the walk.  Glorious mud!  Dotted with past walkers, bicycles, animal foot prints - reflecting the sun and the enjoyment the walk had given its visitors.

The wind was ever present, ringing in our ears, creating glistening waves on the lakes...

... and whistling through the beautiful golden grasses.

Rosy cheeked, wide smiled and content that this walk had been a wonderful memory maker.  I could even see smiles on the nobbly trees!  (or is that just me?!)

And so, tomorrow is our Mother's Day and I would just like to wish all the Mother's out there a very happy one whether you have children, furry babies or anything that you truly care about.  You are all so special, so incredible and so caring.  I have just seen Mumsy and made her open her presents early.  She is the most patient, kind and sweet natured woman you would ever hope to meet (making her open her presents shows that I have not inherited the 'patient' gene!).  She is my best friend, my confidante, my counsellor and a mother who is more like a sister to me.  I am so glad she now lives in the next village to me and that we can enjoy trips out and about again together and so incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful Mother as her.

So to all the Mothers out there...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Take care.