Wild Daffs

Harbinger of Spring

Colesbourne Park is undoubtedly one of the best places to see early, and varied, snowdrops in profusion. The collection at the park was started by John Elwis at the turn of the last centuary - he even found a unique specie in Turkey in 1874 which is now named after him, Galanthus elwesii. Now his great grandson Henry, his wife Carolyn together with Dr John Grimshaw tend to, and develop, the collection. Colesbourne now boasts over 160 varieties of snowdrop.

Early spring colours are unbeatable. Soon be daffodile time :)

Spring Has (almost) Sprung

Chew Valley Lake

A wonderful walk on a rare beautiful day when even at the end of January spring seemed to be in the air.

With the lake still part frozen a group of snowdrops were blooming merrily amongst the undergrowth. Here @ home Gloucestershire is home to the national collection of snowdrops - Marilyn and I visit each year to look and marvel at the amazing variety of snow white teardrops..

Even in winter natures colours can be quite spectacular:

Let it snow

Let it snow

Let it snow

Happy New Year 2010

Cheers n a merry crimble from us all






Just what you need. Marion's pressie to Jean. It may look like a big cuddly doggie but it's actually a hot water bottle - just what you need in current day arctic Britain!









After the trip North it was down to London for a theatrical break. Starting with Dick Barton @ the Croydon Warehouse - the theatre in the attic.

Sister Act @ the Palladium. What energy - Patina Miller is just amazin, n Shiela Hancock put in a good performance too. The casting was excellent.


Then on to Glen Miller @ the Barbican for some of the best swing music ever.

Didn't make the fireworks. Standing in sub zero temperatures hemmed in by seething masses - not us, warm hotel room, bottle of champers n saw it on the telly :)







But did get to Winter Wonderland on New Years Day. A Hyde Park extraveganza complete with singing Moose -







What a finale!

Birthday, Bath n Beckford Tower

It started on the rooftop Thermae pool in Bath.
Quite an experience n we reckon the views must be panoramic if the mist ever lifts.

Then on to Beckford Tower, a Landmark Trust - our third and most luxurious yet, a real des. res!

If ever you needed a landmark to your bed on the way home from the pub on a dark evening the tower has to be it.

The Scarlet Drawing Room was incredibly atmospheric, warm and comfortable. All creature comforts were catered for - and the key to your own tower thrown in for good measure, though there were 154 steps to the top:

then the Belvedere with panoramic views over Bath (when the mist lifted :)

The Start of It

Woolley, aparently, does not directly relate to a shepherd but rather describes a wooded area on the ley of a river - and here it is. One of a number of Woolley's but we suspect this might be the original from the Doomsday Book. It is a bit odd walking through a village that has your name scribed everywhere - on houses n churches: