Wednesday 4th April 2012 6.30am Snow!

Well would you believe it! One week on from a blast of summer-like weather, we now have a brief return to winter! Only this time it is just passing through........maybe......

So, our topsy turvy seasons continue. And Tiger, having spent all week last week basking in glorious sunshine, being outside day and night, sniffed the air at the back door and promptly turned tail to disappear upstairs and find the nearest bed to curl up on.        

 

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!      

Today marks the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. 60 years on the throne.

A special day today.
It marks the 60th Anniversary of our present Queen's Accession to the throne, on the death of her father, George VI, in 1952.
60 photos, one for each year of her reign, are now on display in Windsor Castle.
Click the link to see a sample.    
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-16859661

And here are just a few more......................................

Golden Jubilee.

The State opening of Parliament.

Inspecting flowers after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales

Returning home from Kenya on the death of her father, George VI.

Coronation Day. 1953

The two Queen Elizabeth's. 

Wedding day.

Her engagement to Prince Philip. 

I quote from the BBC News website then this morning:

The Queen has said she is dedicating herself "anew to your service".Continue reading the main story

"The Queen, 85, usually spends Accession Day - the day her father, George VI, died in 1952 - privately but this year has two engagements in Norfolk.This year's anniversary will be marked by visits to King's Lynn Town Hall and the nearby Dersingham Infant and Nursery School.Crowds are expected to gather to greet the Queen, despite the cold weather.Two official photographs were released, and a 41-gun salute will be held in Hyde Park, London, followed by a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.In a message, she also said she felt "deeply moved" by the support shown for her Diamond Jubilee.It will be marked by several events, with the main celebrations in June.

During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has seen 11 UK prime ministers come and go, with David Cameron her 12th.Mr Cameron praised the "magnificent service" given by the Queen and called her a "source of wisdom and continuity"."With experience, dignity and quiet authority she has guided and united our nation and the Commonwealth over six varied decades," he said.

Continue reading the main story

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One former Prime Minister, John Major, reflected on the counsel of the Queen and the many private meetings he had with her during his premiership during an interview on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. He said: "Most of the present cabinet weren't born when the Queen became monarch. So there's very little she hasn't seen, very little she doesn't understand. And anyone who doesn't listen to her view and consult her when necessary is missing a huge opportunity."

Meanwhile, Sir John has formally launched the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to help those in need across the Commonwealth.He will chair the grant-making body, which will focus on areas such as fighting curable diseases and the promotion of education and culture.

A set of six 1st class definitive stamps, all of which feature official portraits of the Queen, are also being issued to mark the monarch's milestone.Moya Greene, Royal Mail's chief executive, said: "The Queen's image is one of the most recognisable in the world and we are delighted to bring these iconic images together to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession."

The Diamond Jubilee Miniature Sheet marks the first occasion on which official images of the monarch, sourced from stamps, coins and banknotes, have been brought together for a stamp issue.

Events planned to take place during the summer include the Queen leading a flotilla of a thousand boats along the Thames and a chain of beacons being lit across the country.The Queen's 60 years as monarch are set to be marked by a series of regional, national and international events during 2012, culminating in a four-day long UK Bank Holiday weekend in June.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also intend to travel as widely as possible across the UK.

Other members of the Royal Family will visit the 15 other countries where the Queen is head of state, as well as some other Commonwealth countries.

Continue reading the main story

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In her message to mark the anniversary, the Queen said: "I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.

"In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth."

God Save the Queen!! Salve Regina!!!

7.30am 5th February. Temperature 1C

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/16815586