Smiling faces

Last week I sent an Easter parcel to France.  I didn’t let on it was coming incase it got held up but we were delighted to receive two video messages from the boys this afternoon thanking us for their parcel  I was able to get some photos from the videos.  Laurie had outgrown his US Air Force overalls we bought him a few years ago so Peter managed to track him down a pair.  Rufus loves all things Pokémon so Peter managed to find him a tasteful t shirt which he is thrilled with.

France will go into a 4 week lockdown from Saturday with the children off for 3 weeks.  They have moved the spring break to incorporate it into lockdown, so they have one week of home school then two weeks holiday. So not too bad for kids or parents!!

The magnolia in our front garden is full of blossom, the warmth of the last few days has bought it out. So pretty

We walked across the meadow into St Ives this morning.  Along the river we watched a beautiful Kingfisher, too quick for a photo but a delight to watch.  The weather hasn’t been quite as good today, more cloud but still warm. Turning cooler for the Easter weekend but never mind we’ve enjoyed it while it lasted!

This time last year we were sitting in LA airport after the first leg of flight home, what a year it’s been.  I wonder when we will be able to travel freely again?

And finally. On Monday Rachel gave me some of her homegrown Rhubarb so I made a Rhubarb and Ginger crumble for dessert, it was so good

Can it really be March?

Today has been amazing, we started with a surprise frost then straight into 21C, wall to wall sunshine.

We left home in jeans and 3/4 sleeved top (me), deciding to leave jackets and cardigan at home. I am so glad we did, it was so hot, we both wished we had on shorts. 

We walked just under 8 miles through the Godmanchester nature reserve and out into the flood plain just outside of Huntingdon, then walked along a tributary of the river back into the nature reserve.  It was glorious.  We had packed a lunch so it was a leisurely walk no need to rush back, just took our time and enjoyed the sunshine.  There were quite a few people about enjoying picnics by the lakes.  We said it was strange seeing so many more people after weeks and months of having most of the walks to ourselves.  Guess we will have to get used to it.

Here are the photos from our day, as you can see I managed not to include any people other than the family out in their canoes.

Marsh marigold - king cups - so pretty

Violets in a lilac shade

Our lunch spot by the weir 

We got home around 3pm and the first thing we did was put on shorts. Looks like more of the same tomorrow, we may head over to Grafham Water, though that is bound to be busy, we’ll see

Start of things to come

What a difference to the day it makes when you get to share it with others. And that those others are people you love and have missed. Whilst we have seen one another at a distance and distanced walked, it’s not the same as actually spending time doing normal things. 

We started the day around 10am!  The messages were coming thick and fast along with this photo of them looking out for us, so we put off shopping before heading over in favour of doing it on the way home.

 

Under the current rules we are only allowed to meet outside, the day start cool, so we were wrapped in coats and shawls, then by lunchtime the sun put in an appearance and we ended up in shirtsleeves.

We had a lovely day, Rachel and I fiddled about in the borders, moving stuff around and having a general tidy.  The children and Peter digging in the veg patch and Gus’ quarry. Picnic lunch. Walk for ice creams from the shop. Just having fun.

It was just so good to do normal stuff and to just be together 

The warmth bought all the insects out including a wasp, not sure I’ve ever seen a wasp in March before.  It was still warm enough to sit out before dinner with a gin and reflect on the day. Bliss 

A step towards the new normal

I have to confess I really got sick of that lockdown 3 title to my posts.  

Today feels like it should be all change. 

It’s the start of British Summer Time and the eve of the first phase out of lockdown.  

I have completed my ten stitch blanket it used 1272 grams of stashed yarn. Currently it’s sat on the armchair with Peter’s teddy

These beautiful flowers were grown and arranged by our eldest daughter.  She invested in a poly tunnel greenhouse in the hopes of saving on her chateau flower bill.  As you can see it was a success, just a shame there are no guests to enjoy them.  Still she knows it works and they have been busy setting out new beds for flowers and vegetables.  I just hope it’s not too long before we can visit and see for ourselves 

We took a walk around the Hemingford to St Ives meadow this afternoon, it was quite breezy but enjoyable. The Heron was poking about in the shallows, no doubt looking for lunch

The fallen tree is still wedged under the St Ives bridge arch, relic from the floods, so many trees have been hauled out of the water and lay in the meadows and fields.  It will be interesting to see how they get this one out

So many little violets

And of course, I just had to cast on another ten stitch!

 

Lockdown 3 - day 82

Most weeks since this whole debacle started, and the restaurants have been doing takeaway service, we have treated ourselves in lieu of trips out etc. Tonight we picked up Turkish from Vadi Kitchen in St Ives, it was so good. 

I had mixed shish and Peter had mixed kebab.  If I say we are stuffed you know we ate most of it

It was a good outside drying day today, so windy the sheet and duvet cover needed double pegging.  It pleases me to get everything dried outside, I dislike using the dryer as half our stuff can’t go in there anyway and stuff that can shrinks over time.  Complaints mostly about shorten pj tops and T-shirt lengths!

It’s felt very cold in the wind though and it’s hard to believe that we have the promise of 20C on Monday and Tuesday.  Which of course is perfect for our first day of freedom with the little ones. 

Lockdown 3 - day 81

As predicted it’s been a wet and windy day.  We whizzed out first thing for a quick walk around the village perimeter then it was back home to watch the rain.

The first of the asparagus, Peter dropped off a bunch to his Mum, then there is a bunch here for Rachel and the other two for us 

I popped out into the garden for some air this afternoon between showers.  The garden was looking so good and fresh I just had to take a few pics

Of course whilst Peter was out this afternoon I baked, he says every time I’m left alone I bake, it’s a sweet treat for him to come home too.  These are pecan blondies, rather moreish.  I did say I could freeze some but he said no.

Here is the top I cast on yesterday, this is as far as I’ve got, favouring finishing the ten stitch blanket which only has a side and a bit left to do 

And finally, oven roasted asparagus as a starter this evening - omg it was amazing