I will miss

• The sight of our patch of landscaped lawn surrounded by tall hedges (like a secret garden) in sunlight
• Motorways and lanes
• The delicious green quietness of England
• The robins & blackbirds wallowing in our make-shift bird-baths
• Acres of public parkland
• Cherry blossoms in April
• The possibilities (very important word) for running, cycling or walking alone without being harassed
• Blueberry muffins from Morrisons
• The snugness of a good winter coat

Photo Post-2 : Cherry Blossoms, the beginning

Click on the picture for a detailed look at these lovely buds

After a (rather brief) winter, the beautiful cherry blossom tree in our front drive is starting to show signs of life. The first buds have begun to appear. With a few weeks, the stunning pink blossoms will show up, dazzle us for a few weeks and then fall. Green leaves will take their place over summer after which they will change color to gold and fall too.

The whole process will begin like clock-work again next spring. Simply fascinating.

You can see more pictures of the tree from bloom to bare over the last few seasons here.

A visitor at the office

Click on the photo for a bigger version

I have all sorts of regular visitors when I'm at work : squirrels, a pheasant, magpies. Then, there's this little deer who's begun to come recently. It comes warily, nibbles at the plants and goes away. I often wonder where it is coming from. Is there a herd nearby?