March 28th 2012. 5.20pm. 21C outside. Another glorious day!

Our Miniature plum tree has begun to blossom.

Well, I cannot ever remember the end of March being so beautiful, and so warm! But I took the photos as the temperatures are set to tumble by the weekend and cloudy skies will reappear. A major part of the East of England is now experiencing drought conditions, with reservoirs half empty, and rivers running exceptionally low. The winter was very dry. 

So best to enjoy the spring like, more like early summer, days while they last until things return to what counts as normal, in this topsy turvy reversal of seasonal weather!

Magnolia stellata, with its star flowers. Opening today.  

Tuesday 27th March 2012. 7.08pm. 16C!

5.00pm Tuesday 27th March.

April is around the corner, and already the buds are beginning to unfurl. We have had glorious weather since the weekend, and it was 20C here today, with a clear blue sky.  

Here's a quote from one of my favourite poems

April Rise. by Laurie Lee

Blown bubble-film of blue, the sky wraps round 

Weeds of warm light whose every root and rod
Splutters with soapy green, and all the world
Sweats with the bead of summer in its bud.

If ever I heard blessing it is there
Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are
Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound
Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.

Early evening light. 

Spring is springing!

Now, as the almond burns its smoking wick, 
Dropping small flames to light the candled grass; 
Now, as my low blood scales its second chance, 
If ever world were blessed, now it is.

Spring is officially here. The clocks have been moved forward one hour. March 25th 2012

Well it really feels like spring this past few days. Yesterday, the 24th March, we were at the home of one of our friend's in the afternoon. There is this magnificent magnolia tree in full bloom. 

As it was around 19C we all sat outside in the garden. Our friend's daughter was having a fund-raising event, and as people came and went, eating the lovely cakes and downing tea, coffee and various assortments of soft drinks, it was more like a summer Garden Party. We all sat outside.      

The forsythia next door to our house, is a glorious bright yellow, and as we have not had much rain lately, it has not been spoiled by having it's blooms battered about! In fact it still feels like early summer today. Makes everyone more relaxed and shed the winter layers of clothing, to don the lighter weight attire of warmer days and longer evenings.As I write this the clock is striking seven, and the sun is still shining outdoors. British Summer Time officially began when the whole nation altered it's clocks last night. 

To quote the old saying: "Spring forward

                   Fall back.".......... 

to help us remember to put them on one hour in Spring and back an hour in the Autumn.   

    

 And by our front porch the climbing hydrangea is wakening.

And, as the fund-raiser was for a trip to Borneo, to help, amongst other things with a local village, there was a great cake topped by an orang-utang! 

Priceless! 

Good day all round. 

March 1st 2012

7.30am. Morning  mist clearing after frost.

Promise of a spring like day as the sun climbs the sky! 

We arrived home from a trip to see friends in Dubai, on Tuesday afternoon, after a whistle stop 5 nights. The temperatures were considered "low" by our hosts! But it was just right for us! A bit like Baby Bear's porridge in "Goldilocks". Not too hot and not too cold!

Averaging around 27C - 28C was comfortable.

The evenings, although cooler, meant we could eat dinner outside on the patio. A welcome change from the  cold of February.

    A relative, who had been out there to visit over Christmas, described Dubai as rather like Las Vegas on steroids! 

Not a bad description! Having been dubious about what to expect, it not being our usual type of destination, I found it really interesting. 

So, now we are back home, and the birds are singing their spring songs, and busy nest building, I must confess, 

East, West, home's best! 

Fountain display. Mall of the Emirates 29C

Time to go out there and enjoy the novelty of a sunny day!