13-Apr to 19-Apr 2014

Sun 13-Apr

Managed to finish off the new pond this afternoon. Will leave it to clear for a few days before searching out some more tadpole to add.

Mon 14-Apr

Just about turned myself inside out being sick all night and morning, only getting up in the evening feeling really fuzzy. Felt like food poisoning, but no idea from where.

Tue 15-Apr

Still feeling a bit fuzzy, off to Becky's at lunchtime to help with the feeding frenzy at her house, since she was looking after the Seymour kids as well as her own. Here's Amelia entertaining her brother and cousin. High energy looking after her now she can walk!

Wed 16-Apr

Walked around the part of the Needingworth Nature Reserve walk this morning in bright, warm sunshine. Stopped off at the hide area and spent half an hour watching lapwings and terns over a bright blue lake. Pity we didn't take a picnic. Had the whole place to ourselves.

Thu 17 Apr

Walked to the Hemingford Garden Room for lunch with the grandchildren (minus Amelia, her day for nursery) and Becky. Here we are having a pit stop at the meadow beach after half a mile looking for water mussel pearls. Bit previous, since there was another two miles to go and Izzy was already ravenous!

Fri 18 Apr

Holt Island opening day, and for us one of the significant signs that Summer is on its way. Here's the view from our favourite seat looking over the water meadow. The swifts, just returned from South Africa, were whizzing low over the meadow catching insects. Got my first look at the willow bundles the Holt Island team had agreed I could have for the allotment. About twelve feet long, so will have to think of a Plan B to transport them.

Sat 19-Apr

At last, the long awaited day. The bowls club is open! Here are members milling around outside the clubhouse about half an hour before the start. Probably more inside at the bar, registering for various competitions and teams, paying their annual fees or just generally chatting. Genuine air of excitement. Bit of a mixed start for me... thought I gave my first bowl a pretty good heave to overcome the effects of playing indoor bowls, but it still only landed half way down the green!