April Turns to May

Sad news arrived early on Easter Saturday. Dave's favourite Uncle had finally succumbed to the cancer that had been attacking him for the last couple of years. He was 88 and up until he turned 80 he regularly made the journey in his car, from his home in Manchester, down to visit his sisters and brother scattered in south Lincolnshire. He always made a point of coming over to see us and I can still hear his booming gravelly voice as he came in the house saying 'Now then young Lady.'

On April 16 we packed the car, connected up 'Mr Tom' and headed up the A1 towards Manchester to say our final Goodbyes to him and see family we rarely see. The journey North was smooth and uneventful. It was unexpectedly warmer and sunny after a dull start.

We made good time and 'Mr Tom' guided us well, so crossing the high Peaks in the Peak District National park we decided to break for lunch at this splendidly isolated stone pub.

Despite the sunny day there was a welcoming warm fire in the lounge bar and a really good menu. Continuing our journey across the moors we came to queuing traffic in the small towns approaching Manchester that hindered our progress. Hoping we hadn't lingered too long over our meal we pressed on and arrived in time at the Crem. 'Mr Tom' had done excellent job delivering us to the gates without a hitch.

After the funeral and wake we said our good byes and headed north into Yorkshire to Rastrick to spend the weekend with Himself's brother and Sister in law. This part of Yorkshire changes from rolling green fells, to craggy stone cliff faces, to stark industrial areas and decaying derelict mills. Below is the view from Julie's garden at the top of a sheer cliff face looking over the industrial area of the Calderdale valley.

Back home after a pleasent weekend I found the ducks had returned and was using our little pond as a feeding ground. The same ducks seem to appear every spring. Usually two males and one female. This year the female has only one suitor. As they cause such a mess in the pond and the garden I'm afraid they are evicted each year. Shame as I secretely like them and wouldn't mind some cute fluffy ducklings strutting around the garden.

As April slowly progressed to May the garden continues to come to life and the creatures continue to be a source of amusement. The squirrels that race each other along the fence and sit on the bird table munching merrily on the bird food. Yesterday I watched as a magpie chased the squirrel along the fence and when it stopped and shook his bushy tail, the magpie promptly pecked his derriere.

The tadpoles in the fish tank indoors continue to thrive Unaware of the escape they've had from being duck breakfast. They're slowly being reintroduced to the pond where they disappear into the stones at the bottom before hopefully continuing their life cycle and turn into fully fledged frogs.

These lovely miniature pale yellow tulips have come through at last. Last week they were just leaves, with no sign of a flower bud. A few warm sunny days worked wonders.

The tiny green bud s of the lily of the Valley will soon open and their warm perfume will scent the garden. Their roots will need curbing a little this year after they have flowered as once established they spread rampantly.

The strawberry plants have recovered from their dormant almost dead state and are now flowering well. The juicy berries if they can be picked before the birds or slugs get them are food for Daisy. She does like a ripe strawberry to munch on making a change from grass, daises, dandelions and lettuce. The bluebells and aquilegia are ready to do their bit brightening the garden.

Oh, and all the blackbirds made us laugh chasing each other around the garden a few weeks back have all now paired off and disappeared to play Mums and Dads. All except for one pair that have nested in the overgrown ivy of the gazebo. So there'll be no coffee breaks under the gazebo until the eggs hatch and the chicks fledge. Or the neighbours cat gets them!