Crocuses at Markeaton

A lovely sunny day near the beginning of the month tempted me out for a walk round Markeaton Park.

I was expecting to find daffodils but they were a little slow in flowering, but the crocuses were lovely. more so for being unexpected.

 

Jottings - 29th February - good news

 It's been a glorious week weather-wise - sunny days, followed by dramatic sunsets. 

The flowerbeds are filling with purple crocus and the first daffodils have come into flower. 

After the recent cold spell, Spring seems to be dashing along, and I'm spending a lot of time in the garden. For now there's still a lot of tidying to be done but some of the trees needed a hard cutting back before the leaves grew and birds started to nest. 

News has been good too.  The newly announced 'roadmap' gives me hope for a normal sort of summer (I know we all felt this last year but I'm keeping my fingers crossed) The easing of lockdown restrictions means I can look forward to a family get-together for my birthday in early April; I've known snow to fall on the day so we might have to wrap up in coats or hide under umbrellas, but it will be worth it. In addition, I've managed to book my first Covid jab for next week. 

Meanwhile I've been busy cooking, using up homegrown veg in things like borscht, and making bread and pizzas with my sourdough. The one above is a normal cheese/tomato pizza; that below has sugar added to the dough, a swirl of apple and cinnamon jam and a topping of apple slices. I doubt any of it helps my intention to lose weight.

Rather late in the day, I've settled on my New Year's resolution - to continue to try new things. If life really does get back to normal there'll be plenty of opportunities for this; if not, there are still things to be tried at home.

 Generally though I feel hopeful about the coming months. Maybe, just maybe, things are looking up. I'm not entirely confident that we've seen the last of the virus and it's accompanying lockdowns, but the future seems much brighter.

Spring in Derby

Last week I had 'downtown' shopping to do, and we deliberately parked a little away from the centre of Derby to catch this glorious springtime sight.

Most people, heading into the bus station or main shopping centre car parks, will miss it, but on the 'wrong' side of the river is a small grassed area with seats, trees, and in late winter/early spring this beautiful patch of crocus.

Last week they looked wonderful as spring had come on gently with no set-backs. Unfortunately, I doubt they look so good after Monday's snow.

Closer to the river there's a planting of daffodils waiting for slightly warmer weather, and this tree, which blossoms in late winter. Every year I intend to find out what it is, but still haven't.

It's a peaceful corner barely a few steps from the city centre. For some time there've been plans to change this part of the city for flood defence measures, hopefully this little area won't be affected.