Mothering Sunday

I went out and snapped a few photos of our red tulips this afternoon. Firstly because I like taking photos for the blog and secondly, because mum loves the colour red. It made me wonder what they looked like last year. So I hunted back through the blog to April 2010 and found a rather wishy washy shot of the same tulips. It’s here. Though, to be fair, we were away on the Isle of Wight this time last year and maybe the tulips were passed their best by the time we returned to them. Meanwhile, here’s the stunning 2011 collection.

The red tulips, glowing brightly in the afternoon light

We had a deliciously lay-about-Sunday today. Full of sitting in the garden (for a bit) watching 30 Rock (for a bit) and walking the poodles on Hankley (for a big bit).

Carmen was particularly pleased with this last bit as she was allowed off the lead. And boy, did she take advantage of it. She went mad. Running through the woods, across the stream, up the hill. Her coat was so astonished, it kept coming undone. It was wonderful to watch. She generally runs everywhere but this was somehow more of a liberation thing. Like she’d been in quarantine for too long and this was her first glimpse of freedom. She truly took full advantage of it. Day-z tried to keep up with her but it was frenetically difficult.

Mirinda was overjoyed because we saw (mostly heard) lots of skylarks. After the fire she thought they’d all died, never to return but it seems they have just moved. High up in the sky, showing off to attract a mate, we saw them. We even spotted one come down to land. This is a photograph of him looking a bit odd. Mind you, he was a long way from us, his head is turned away and this is a digital rather than optical zoom. He also blends in quite well with his surroundings.

Very tiny skylark from very far away

OK, it’s quite difficult to see so here is the RSPB’s version of the same bird.

The skylark from the RSPB

The air, however, was full of the sounds of his call…and those of his competing friends. It was wonderful. It was also quite nice that there wasn’t many groups of humans wandering around.

The gorse has also started opening up and the faint smell of coconut is starting to appear. If you want to read some fascinating stuff about gorse, here’s a good link. This really is a wonderful time to be wandering around the Southern English countryside.

First gorse of spring on Hankley Common

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It was Mother’s Day in England today – the best day NOT to have Sunday lunch in a pub – so Happy Mother’s Day to both our mothers all the way over there in Australia. Because it’s celebrated on a different day in Australia, I’m sure you were only spoiled the usual amount rather than the extra special spoilage you get on Mother’s Day but still, WE thought of you with extra love.

Special Mother's Day tulips