Spring is Sprung

The garden is noticeably full of signs of Spring - the bird feeders are getting robin and blue tit visitors and some grey squirrels.  The lawn is sprouting daisies, this year I will try not to suppress weeds unless they are exceptionally invasive as am embracing a bit more of an eco balance, so daisies get to stay.

Following guidance from the wildlife gardening book my brother gave me, I bought some bee and butterfly loving plants and got them into the ground a little at a time last week.  I have lavender, erysimum and weigela and honeysuckle, added plenty of compost and manure and also replenished the bird feeders with dried grubs and seed.

I was pleased to find wild violets growing in my own garden and also in the woods, for some years they were a bit of a rarity but seem to be making a comeback this year.

Over the weekend I planted nasturtium and basil in hanging baskets and made little newspaper pots to plant up sweetpea and cherry tomato - they are all indoors at the moment as we are still getting the odd frost.

Yesterday was warm and sunny and I stretched out on a couple of chairs in the garden, covered myself with my jacket and slept for an hour, Mollie cat joined me and slept under my chair ... I then planted 40 gladioli bulbs in my already crammed borders.

This morning I am having my tea in the conservatory - the black and white embroidered cushions pictured were a birthday present last month from my friend (she originates from Sri Lanka and this type of embroidery was taught to the girls in school there, she brought these covers back on her last visit), aren't they beautiful?

Although I was offered an allotment plot by the local council, it was a fair drive from home (not very eco friendly and costly with rising petrol prices), although very tempting I therefore declined and am waiting it out for one within walking distance.   Whilst waiting I am sharing a patch on my friends allotment and will be planting my potatoes there at the weekend - they are chitting nicely at the moment.

I have been a fan of Monsoon clothing since my teen years during the 70s.  I received a really lovely brochure (recycled paper and eco friendly ink).  They say they are going back to their origins (1973) and the styles for Spring certainly reflect this, they are also favouring hand block prints made with eco friendly/sourced fabrics, so I have ordered a couple of pieces.  I am not on commission but think they are worthy of a mention,

Monsoon Spring 2022 preview 

(and that's just the paper the brochure is printed on! much of their collection is eco friendly S.E.W. Sustainable fabric).

Since surgery in January my hand is not 100% so I have been given a course of physiotherapy sessions to get a better range of movement/strength - this is helping.  I did a weight lifting class with very light weights at the gym last week and have upped my swimming to 30 lengths.  Today will be my first day back at work.

We have holidays to look forward to this year - which if it goes to plan will be the year we catch up on some holidays that were booked but postponed during the covid times ... Bulgaria, Mauritius and Malta are all waiting to be explored.

Today is expected to reach 21f in my part of the UK I feel lucky to be able to enjoy such simple pleasures.  I went for a woodland walk this.morning....

Lots of wood anemone, primrose and celandine are covering the verges, ditches and paths....

The Manor House near here was all set up to serve afternoon teas...

Not a particularly good picture of me but I wanted to capture my embroidered top - I have had it several years - fashion comes and goes and it would seem this year embroidery is back, hubby pointed out the pattern is not unlike the National custome of the ladies of Ukraine The Rise of Ukrainian National Costume in Fashion | Vogue

I will finish on a more serious note .... my thoughts are still very much with those in Ukraine and I am not for one moment forgetting how privileged we are here in the UK to be enjoying security, a recovering economy and everyday pleasures whilst they are struggling at every level, I admire their bravery and wish those countries, like ours, witnessing this nightmare unfold, could do more to help them hold on to their freedom.