Signs of Spring - signs of hope?

While I've been languishing, unable to do serious work, the car washers are out getting ready for the better weather. Personally, I don't believe in car washing - seems to me to be something better paid for. I suppose it's my usual reaction against convention, against suburbanism, against conformity. Anyway, I suppose it's a harbinger of Spring.

The crocuses are another; bright and cheerful in the courtyard beds, taking over the responsibility for colour from the Winter flowering pansies.

And as a sign of hope, we've bought some new hardy Hibiscus (dubbed NEWBiscus by the suppliers because they are Winter hardy). We'll see!

In the allotments, the first bonfire has erupted. A number of villagers were out digging, though they were well wrapped up; it's not a warm as it looks.

Feels good to be back on the blog. Back to work tomorrow. I hope I can cope - the infection seems to be taking a long time to clear up.

Sickness 2 weeks on

Mrs R has gone back to work, still feeling weak, but not completely knocked out as before.

My chest infection is proving difficult to clear. Still can't get my breath. A second doctor's appointment has led to an ECG later this afternoon. Here's hoping there's nothing really serious.

House of sickness

Mrs R has gastric flu and is really very unwell. I would like to be more helpful, but I have a chest infection and am finding it difficult to do anything useful. Meanwhile, the snow is back. The dilemma is whether to stay home because one is ill, or because we cannot get the car out of the village road.

So, enough of the sickness bit. I thought I would celebrate the snow, which does, in fact, make the village beautiful; quiet and peaceful. Everyone is helpful and everyone calls a greeting. That's not unusual here, but it's warmer and mor friendly

S0, it starts; the slight rise out of the village fills with snow and it's difficult to make that short journey to the main road.

The graveyard is, as always peaceful - I hope they are warm enough. (Perhaps that's not the wisest thing to say... but I'm an atheist anyway, so warm or cold, hell or heaven don't exist for me.)

The snow begins to cover the logs - I need to improve the cover or I'll be carrying more snow than wood into the house.

The schools are closed, so the children are getting ready to enjoy themselves (not that they don't enjoy themselves at school just like I did - not!)

The garden looks lovely with its covering of white hiding the discrepancies of the lawn - occupational hazard when you keep a bitch, I'm afraid.

The fountain is frozen, so the birds can't get their usual drink. It does look rather good though. Like something out of Tolkien.

Why does it never snow at Christmas when we wouold all welcome it? I think this looks a bit Christmassy - must be the red and green with the white snow. ("Red and green should never be seen...")

I do love this fountain. Lord knows it cost enough, but it's given us both lots of pleasure over recent years.

As I write, it's snowing again and getting deeper, so I'll light the fire, get out the laptop and do some paperwork. I've got lots of minues to write - a job I just love (yeah, right).