Bitter

A bitter wind was blowing this morning as Malcolm and I set out for a walk around Shipley Lake.  But, the sky was blue and the sun was shining, so things could have been a lot worse.  A little frost was to be found decorating the grass and the few leaves still clinging to the bushes.  Today's pictures are taken from previous frosty walks, but the scene is the same.

Amid all the cold, there are signs of Spring to be found.  The Snowdrops have started to poke their heads above ground in our front garden and the Hazel trees around Shipley Lake are bedecked with very young catkins.  The Ivy leaves and Holly are still providing a little green to the otherwise grey landscape.

Among the mud and half-frozen puddles along the verges, a few smaller plants still retain a leaf or two where they have been given some protection from the worst of the Winter's chill.