No motivation

It's nearly the end of February, and I'm looking forward to seeing the back of this month really. Apart from a few bright moments, particularly when we had our last reasonable covering of snow, it's been very dark, damp and dreary . So miserable, in fact, that my I've lost any enthusiasm to start sowing seeds. It seems a bit pointless at the moment to have too many trays and pots of emerging seedlings on the go. However, as I had a day off from my usual Wednesday walk in order to catch up on some jobs, I decided to rustle up some enthusiasm and to make a start. Perhaps when (or if) I see some results, I'll feel more in the mood. I've walked down to my plot on a couple of occasions but it was very wet and muddy, and there was nothing much I could do there. If it wasn't for my trips to dispose of my vegetable peelings in the compost bins at the bottom of the garden, I'd probably only venture into the garden occasionally. No - that's not quite true because I do like to look closely at the snowdrops and hellebores (soon to flower).

It is good to see and hear so many birds in the garden too. Yesterday I cut a few stems from the dogwoods in my front garden to go into a pot that we brought back from Thassos many years ago. It will soon be time to prune all the dogwood stems down.

With Greece in mind, it is the first year for a long time that we haven't planned a holiday there in early May, by now. Due to Mike's health problems we told our friends K & D to go ahead without us this year, and make their own plans, and we are pleased (and very envious) that they have done so, and will be off to Finikounda in May. We've spent many happy holidays with them on a number of Greek islands and in various places in the Peloponnese. In fact, we first met each other on Thassos in 1997 when they had been relocated to the neighbouring apartment, after being disappointed with the one they had booked. Not only do we have similar interests, but by coincidence D used to work with my late uncle in Liverpool. What wonderful times we've had with them, exploring the hills and valleys, plant hunting and bird watching, beach combing, visiting archaeological sites, listening to Greek music, sketching and reading, and relaxing on quiet beaches. Can't get enough of the place - and the lovely people. Once Mike has had his scan, and depending upon the results, then we can make our plans. (We have to be a bit cautious, as our holiday on Corfu last year turned out to be quite eventful! Mike spent 10 days in hospital due to a DVT in his leg). In the meantime, we've got plenty of happy memories, photos and music to fall back on. A & E bought me 'Vefa's Kitchen', the bible of Greek cookery, for my birthday last year and as soon as our diet has finished (yes, it is working) I intend trying out some of the recipes out.

Pity there was such a low turn-out for the talk on bees by Adam Bates, at the social club on the allotments on Tuesday evening. The horrible weather probably put quite a few people off. It was an excellent talk, and very informative. It was good to see the other plot-holders, who must be looking forward to some better weather, when we can come out of hibernation.

Just a thought for our friend D who is off on a survival course, on a deserted Scottish island, on Sunday!

Fickle February

It was Mike's birthday last Friday but the family celebration was held on Sunday. I cooked a meal suitable for three dieters and five non-dieters. It was just as well that I decided to make soup with my last Blue Hubbard squash as it was just beginning to go a bit too squashy at the ends. However, very little was thrown away and the soup was just as good as the Christmas version. Until a day or two ago I've been snacking on the roasted squash seeds. I will certainly grow more Blue Hubbards this year, even though they are a bit rampant. Soup was followed by a roast chicken meal with or without the trimmings (for those who could and those who couldn't), and raspberry pavlova with cream/raspberries with 0% Greek Yoghurt. A lot of thought went into this meal with regards to the slimmers, and it was a success in that respect as all three of us have continued to lose weight.

Whilst I was checking out my flower seed packets during the week, I happened to glance at the tin where I'd kept the gladioli corms from last year. Despite the fact that I'd made sure they were well dried out before storing them in a ventilated tin, in a cool place, the long, pale shoots had actually lifted the lid and were curling up over the sides of the tin. There was nothing for it but to plant them into large, deep pots and secrete them in the shed for the time being. Hopefully this will check their growth a bit. I Googled the problem and believe it may have been caused by lack of air. Should have stored them in a net maybe.

The Wednesday walk was led by J & P. As we drove towards Osmaston, the hedges were thick with hoar frost, and the duckpond there was iced over. The ducks were quite entertaining. It didn't look much fun for the females, paddling like mad with little progress, as they acted like ice-breakers, followed very closely by their amorous partners, who had no problem swimming through the readily cleared channels. What a pity it was such a miserably dull and raw day and the views were hidden by the mist.

This scene reminded me of the muddy rutted, path in the painting 'February Fill Dyke' by Benjamin Williams Leader. Our leaders were just back from a walking holiday in Cuba, and must have found the weather conditions quite a contrast. P even turned up in the appropriate headgear, looking remarkably revolutionary. I did intend including a photo I took of him, punching in air-punching salute mode. On second thoughts I've decided against it. You never know who could be reading this blog!

The figure of eight walk led us back to the duckpond for lunch, by which time most of the ice had melted and the ducks had retreated to the island, probably exhausted, the females in particular. I sat on a 'No Parking' sign under some dripping trees. It wasn't too pleasant.

Despite all, I did enjoy the walk. I and couldn't resist yet another tree photo.

Yesterday Mike and I took our grandchildren to Warwick Castle. There was snow in the air before we actually arrived about 11.30am, and from the castle windows we could see it becoming heavier. The dungeon experience was a little to scary for A & W and we had to make an early exit. After lunch the children enjoyed fun and games with the Mole Catcher and Mr Smelly in the great hall. We explored the rest of the castle, the children made lavender bags, and there was a session in the stocks (for photographs) before retreating to our warm car for the homeward journey in a heavy snowstorm. Although none of the snow had settled on the motorway, the journey home took twice as long as the journey to Warwick.

The snow continued all evening and by this morning everything was covered in a thick layer. It looked wonderful. I just had to go out and take more snow photos before it thawed. Large clumps of snow began falling from every tree and bush as I walked below. What fun! It was like being snowballed by some naughty children. There was no escape, and I needed some protection from the onslaught, so up went my hood.

I'm thrilled to bits that one of my family history contacts through genesreunited has e-mailed me with some documents regarding my paternal

ancestors, including the indentures of my 3x grandfather (b. 1811), a seaman from Kent.

This evening we are off to a family evening with the Green Man's Morris.

Sun and Snow on Cannock Chase

The Long Walkers of St Mary's Rambling Club certainly experienced a day of contrasting weather yesterday. It was bitterly cold, but bright and sunny, as we to set off from Seven Springs towards the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. We halted briefly near Great Haywood, at the Essex Bridge, built 1550 by the Earl of Essex for Queen Elizabeth 1st, so she could go hunting near the village. Originally, the bridge had 40 arches, and although there are now only 14 remaining, it is still one of the largest surviving pack-horse bridges in the country. This photo was taken from one of the parapets. Nearby , A. drew our attention to a heron in the garden of the little canal-side cafe. Until it moved, I thought it was a garden ornament. Not far from here, we could see Tixall Gatehouse, built in 1580. There were lambs in the fields, enjoying the winter sunshine.

By the the time we had reached Milford Common there were a few tiny snowflakes in the air, but we settled down at the picnic benches and braved the bitter cold to eat our lunch. We set off again, all numb with the cold , but the climb up through the woods towards Cannock Chase, soon warmed us up. Upon entering Brocton Coppice, a cathedral of ancient sessile oaks, some over 600 years old (thought to be the last remnant of the Royal Forest of Cannock), the snow flurries continued, but the flakes were still very small.

Phytophthora, aka 'sudden oak disease' was discovered in this woodland last year, but tests proved that only the bilberry bushes that cover the forest floor, were infected, and measures taken to contain the disease. We left the wood, in another flurry of snow. On the horizon I spotted a group of about five deer. By this time, the snow had stopped, the sky was blue and the sun shone. This photo of the walkers deer-watching is quite a contrast to the grey sky over Brocton Coppice, just minutes before.

At Stepping Stones we were able to enjoy a short break. J even lay down on the ground, face up to the blue, sunny sky. It was so pleasant that I packed away my hat and gloves - but this was a mistake! Within minutes, the sky darkened, the snow began to fall quite heavily. By the time we approached the car park at Seven Springs, the walkers resembled snowmen.

It was another very enjoyable walk, thanks to M. A walk of contrasting vistas, surroundings and, in particular, weather.

This morning, there's a blue sky, the sun is shining, and there's still a light coating of snow. It looks quite beautiful.

That Spring Cleaning Feeling

Spent the weekend painting the kitchen ceiling and walls. The overall area isn't that large, but it did involve a lot of prep. By their very nature, kitchens do seem to contain a lot of bits and bobs, and they all had to be moved out of the way. Although a roller may have been quicker, I decided on brushes, as there are so many obstacles to paint around, such as door and window frames, kitchen units, down-lighters in the ceiling. I started on Saturday, with the ceiling, and all went well until I began to clear up, when I knocked a pottery wall ornament onto the tiled floor, where it smashed into little pieces. Now I'll have to go back to Greece to find another blue dolphin. Sunday was walls day - Wild Primrose. Must say I am very pleased with the result. The doors and frames will be gloss painted when it has warmed up a bit. Then I can have the back door open as I work.

When we were in Tamworth, earlier today, the sky was very dark, and it looked as if we were in for some serious weather. By the time we had returned home, it had turned out to be quite a good afternoon, but I found myself clearing out a cupboard to make way for a new steamer, potting up some daffodils for the conservatory and generally tidying up. Later I took myself off for a walk down the fields and it suddenly dawned on me how light it was. We've had such dark and dismal days that the distinction between day and night has been barely obvious. I took this photograph of Dead Man's Wood at 5pm, when the sun was just going down. The silver birch trees fronting the wood are bathed in a lovely warm light, and all under a blue sky. There were plenty of birds about too. Now I really do feel that spring is on the way.

I've now got plenty of compost, all the seeds I need (no doubt I'll be tempted to buy more), perlite, vermiculite, labels, etc and I'm ready for

action. Although I tidied out my greenhouse recently, I've managed to fill it with various things since then. So, it looks like a bit of Spring cleaning, before I can make a start on my seed sowing.

Bells across the meadows

Visited the plot yesterday for some leeks and parsnips. It wasn't at all pleasant - drizzling, cold and very muddy. Left the bag of veg in the kitchen to clean up later as we had to get to the QE for Mike's regular appointment. He told the doc he was feeling OK at the moment. He will have a scan in about six weeks time to check on the results of the radiotherapy. Met up with one of the original patients who had started on the drugs trial with Mike, and chatted with him and his son. He too is fine, apart from some of the side effects. Did some food shopping on the way back as we need to stock up for the start of The Food Doctor Diet. We followed it a couple of years ago, and did lose some weight but also felt very fit and energetic. Apart from giving up red meat (don't eat a lot anyway), tea and coffee and alcohol and a few other things, it's just a case of following some really tasty recipes, many of which are similar to the sort of things we enjoy anyway. However, we have to eat between-meals snacks too, which is not something we usually do. As a result, our main meal helpings are slightly (but not that much) smaller. Tonight is one of my favourite meals - oven roasted vegetables with chickpeas and feta cheese. Yummy!

The Wednesday walk started at Sandon. It was a better morning than we had expected and just a few degrees warmer. We set off, through the park and up to the folly on the hill, where we stopped for drinks and snacks (fruit juice for me). As we made our way over the very muddy meadows there were bells ringing in the distance.

Lunch was taken on the brow of a hill, and as we were preparing to head off again there were a few flakes of snow in the air. The snow continued for some time, but was only light and a bit wet. As we passed Sandon church, the bell ringing was still in progress. Another enjoyable walk, led by J. Saw buzzards, a hare, and the first snowdrops in the hedgerows. Home for oatmeal coated haddock, roast sweet potato and salad.