It is such a beautiful day - the sky is a cerulean blue and the sun is very low in the sky.  The lawn is covered in a crisp frost.  I still have two bushes covered in pink roses - but they always flower a second time in December.  The lake is completely still - except for the ducks and moorhens dabbling about.  I am baking, and as soon as its out the Aga I am off round the fields with Russ.  Happy Christmas one and all.

Orchids

Last month I went to Stonebarrow, above Charmouth on a guided orchid walk.  I had seen it advertised in the local paper - and thought thats for me!  It had been arranged by the National Trust. It was a wonderful day, and the fields were full of green veined orchids which range from white to purple.   I took lots of photos and was really happy with the vast numbers.  The green veined orchids will now be over and we are now getting lots of the Marsh Orchid appearing.  These pictured are by our lake.  June has breezed in and I am looking forward to the weather getting warmer.

Cuckooflower

Cuckooflowers are in abundance!  In the damp parts of meadow they are there nodding their lovely little heads.  When I was a child they flourished all over our water meadows.  They are also known as Milkmaids or Lady's-smock.  We used to call them Milkmaids...  So now we await the cuckoo - who has become so rare - generally heard briefly before he makes his way north.

Spring

Well its not quite Spring yet, but we have an unwelcome guest!  I know they are pretty, fluffy, cuddly - but a thorough pain!  My bird feeders keep having these unwelcome visitors.  My dog races up and down barking madly.  I am tapping the window and saying "Go away" - or something like that.  I know lots of you will have had these guests for years - but not here until now.  Not only that I know there will be more before I turn round....

February

I have been to Athelhampton House today- which is about 20 miles away.  It is a beautiful location and I have added a picture.  The gardens are gorgeous too.  I can remember years ago visiting with a bus load of small children - and the priest hole turned out to be the main attraction.  It was hidden under the fire place

....  Anyway the meeting was set to improve our activities with Social Media and working with www.visit-dorset.com - and there were a lot of very enthusiastic speakers.  But I just wanted to add a picture of this beautiful house.

May

This year is rushing past, and where has Spring gone - or have we even had it?  Its been a nice few days anyway, and I want to share with you a picture which was taken by last week's guests.  They are such a lovely couple and such keen photographers.  The final day of their holiday, and they walked up through the Mangerton Valley and spotted this little fellow.  Beautiful photography, thank you.  Is there a more beautiful bird than the Kingfisher in this country?

February

I can feel Spring is just round the corner.  There is evidence of toads!  We have a grebe on the lake (this is a very unusual visitor for us).  Also - an extra delight - a beautiful barn own gliding about the tops of the reeds.  All very exciting.  My neighbour's geese have started laying - so mine are generally a week or so behind.  I have been out in the garden - just tidying things up, but I am aware that there is a cold snap forecast!!  Hey ho.