Wet!

Back home from Spain and we've spent much of the time hiding from the rain, moaning about the rain, looking out at the rain and complaining about how much more gas we're using trying to keep warm.  With very little cheer in the forecast and more rain and frigid temperatures to come, we took the opportunity of a longer walk this morning with a rare dry spell and even a hint of sunshine.
Cherry blossom is still doing it's best despite the weather and the trees around Shipley Hill are looking good.

The recently resurfaced road to the Lodges are most welcome in the wet weather.  Before now, we would have been slipping and sliding in a foot of mud along here, but the tarmac is a great improvement.  The dropping petals from the Cherry Trees have the look of confetti along the road.

Despite the bad weather, there are vast numbers of singing birds in the trees.  This morning, we heard - among others - Dunnock, Robin, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Willow Warbler, Chiff-Chaff, Wood Warbler and Blackcap.  Even managed a 'long shot' at the Blackcap.  Not very good, but the beautiful, rich and varied song makes up for that.