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.