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The promised spring weather arrived this afternoon with a high of 18C - pretty good for March. Several plants caught on quick, the camelia opened up and more crocuses and narcissus appeared in a matter of hours. The frog count is up to 32 with 7 clumps of spawn. There'
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Two more clumps of fresh spawn this morning and still at least one more bulging female still to release hers. Had the day off to mess with the Merc (see other blog), but even a practical lass like me can only take the smell of Gunk for so long. Weeded
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The frogs have given up waiting for warmer weather and are spawning. About 20 are squirming around a newly laid pile of spawn amongst the water beans. If you move really slowly and lay on the grass you can get within 6 inches of them, eyeball to eyeball. Apparently males
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And then there were 23...
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I struggle on Mondays. The weekend is never long enough so for most of Monday I'm still locked into a weekend frame of mind, thinking about things I'd rather be doing. I'm always tired and slightly depressed by 4pm, so today I exerted owner&
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Despite icy, squally showers, I've sown this year's first seeds under glass. Later than usual, but it's just been too cold. It probably still is. Sweet peas - Mr. Fothergill's old fashioned mixed Cherry tomato - Chadwick Mizuno salad leaves Lettuce Acuba Coriander (last
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Saw four today at the bottom of the pond for the first time this year - in two stacks of two of course. Was beginning to think they'd deserted me. Last year there were 18 - mostly males. The unlucky ones had clamped themselves onto the fish in desperation. A
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It was all car, trailer and racing this weekend so no gardening - again! Still, once the trailer is finished I can get rid of a load of garden rubbish and buy some fresh topsoil. This weekend's garden spotting included a wren and a grey wagtail, plus the usual
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Up early to take daughter's best mate to work. Don't know how much good she'll be - few 17 year olds are up to much at 8am on a Saturday morning! Spotted a male blackcap in the Rowan, not seen one before. The tree still
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Last night when I left work at 5.30 the sky was almost light. The heady promise of daylight after work beckons. This morning the pink tips of the ribes flowers are emerging from green buds, and giving off its unmistakable mustardy smell. Small things, but important. Off to Haydock
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Prunus pissardii in flower
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Been meaning to repaint the garage for about 5 years. Funny how you don't notice some things until you see them on a photo. Great tree though...