Hedgehogs and Tadpoles

 

26th March

As we approach Easter new life is appearing all around. In Zambia it is before Christmas that the world is transformed. Dust is replaced with grass and plants and everywhere becomes green and luscious - almost overnight. Here the transformation is more gradual, but the world also turns vibrant green. my front garden is full of green foliage and I wait to see what flower wsill follow.

Celendine is brightening my gardens with golden yellow. The blue flowers of the forget me nots - poignant particularly after the past year - are gradually emerging,making a nice contrast.

The aubretia is now looking good with its purple-violet flowers.

Wildlife is returning. The frogspawn is turning into tadpoles and the hedgehog has returned after his winter slumber.

As predicted the Forsythia is now in full bloom and the first bluebells
are coming into flower - they will make a lovely display over Easter.

I am awaiting my lillies to appear - maybe among the foliage they are pushing through. I should also have some fritilleria.

Looking forward to Easter and the hope it brings.

Wiith love and prayers,

Chris

Post Caps and Dandelions

12th March 2021

Lent is a time for reflection. One of the meditations in a book I have been reading refers to Brother Lawrence, a monk who realised he could worship God in everything he did - while he worked in the monastery kitchen. I can relate to that. This week one of my prayers has been fashioning some post caps from a branch of wood I cut off a tree in the garden.

Spring is still developing in my garden slowly. Each week I expect an abundance of colour, but I need to be patient. Easter is 3 weeks away. I am sure by the time of the Resurrection things will be very different. The daffodills are in full flow now.

The crocuses are just moving beyond their peak.

The celendine are appearing, but will become more prominent this week. I love the yellow and blue in my garden created by a carpet of celandine, dandelions, forget me nots and bluebells. I look forward in anticipation.

The forget-me-nots are just beginning to flower, as are the dandelions. I remember another meditation which concluded that you will never get rid of dandelions, so you should just love them! As well as being food for birds and insects dandelions are edible and used in cuisine around the world!

The aubretia, grown from seed last year, is coming into flower. 

 Hyacinths are popping up throughout the garden.

My ponds are also coming to life. As well as frogspawn, lily pads are appearing and the king cup leaves are rising out of the pond.

The forsythia is beginning to flower and should develop into a brilliant yellow display during the next week.

Let's look forward with hope.

Chris

Spring is gradually revealing it's face

 

5th March 2021

The Spring flowers have started to appear. Daffodils are now abundant.

Crocuses are also well established.

Another tree which appeared a couple of years back has developed blossom this year.

My mind never goes far from from Zambia. I am longing to get back and catch up on my many friends There they are getting ready for the harvest. At the church I attend they planted some seed I was able to provide last year. The result is 5 hectares of Sunflowers!

I went for a walk during the past week and found the parks and roads nearby are generally ahead of my garden - with daisies, celendine and dandelions showing their faces.

 

The local council tubs are cheering us up with a good display

My forsythia is now coming into flower. i expect a good display this week whern the weather warms a bit and we get a bit more sun.

Chris