'Well-apparel'd April . . .'

So, despite all my good intentions, I have not managed to write a single post for ages. I've thought of any number of things to write about while walking with the dogs - and then failed to write about them. I couldn't quite work out why this was happening until I realised that it was due, in part, to the fact that I hadn't been taking my camera with me. A magnificent spring and I wasn't bothering to record it. 

And then I realised that I hadn't been taking my camera because I wasn't venturing far, no zipping around this beautiful county as I had in previous years as soon as spring arrived (petrol at crazy prices, energy still not quite what it was, etc etc). Who, I wondered would want to see photos that had more than a ring of familiarity  about them? Which is crackers, of course. Each day, each minute, each moment is different - as is each spring.

This week I gave myself a good talking-to and set out on the familiar track with newly-opened eyes.

It helped to have such delightful companions (this week's guests):

the elderly Westie

the youthful Patterdale Terrier

the splendid Flat-Coat Retriever - a veritable canine Mark Spitz

and his girlfriend the little lurcher-collie cross

and not forgetting the dear Edinburgh Boy.

Looking down, the riverbank is a two-mile carpet of celandines:

and one - yes, just one - small clump of wood anemones, which flower for only a few days

 

Looking up, a last glimpse of skeletal trees before they burst into leaf

The track home reminds me of France but, for once, I don't have my usual springtime itchy feet. This year it's just very good to be here. And to be well.

 

Comments

[Sally]

Good to see you back and lovely to see the dogs. I envy you your companions.

[Maureen]

It is good to see that Spring is revitalising you as well as the countryside. I arrived home on Saturday to find the garden has sprung into life and the blackbirds are already sitting on eggs. Life goes on, thank goodness!

[Ronnie Tyler]

I am glad you have written this post. What wonderful photos. I think people really are interested in what other people see in their little worlds - something to do with looking over the garden fence perhaps. I love your photos, especially the one of the track home. I have now discovered my mobile camera takes brilliant pics, and as I don't go anywhere without it, I have no excuse to not to take constant photos now. Thank you for your interesting post. - Ronnie

[Shelley]

Yes, photos do help with writing blog posts, and no better photos than springtime after a long hard winter. Glad to hear you are well!

[Fiona]

my walks are all by the ocean with endless blue skies. Very beautiful of course but it's so lovely to see your country walks with the wild flowers and the streams and of course your wonderful walking companions which I envy the most! Good to see you back on track.
Keep your camera close by.

[Ann]

The photos may be of familiar sites to you. But for me living an ocean away, they are a look into something new.
Please keep showing your corner of the world, I'm enjoying it.

[lovethosecupcakes]

The same but different. I like that. And what could be better than a riverside walk with a group of four-legged friends?

[60 Going On 16]

I have been very remiss in recent months about responding to comments - although you know why! I really should have had the camera today; I was out with three dogs, met a friend with two dogs and then we found a lost and wandering Labrador, who joined the pack. So then there we six . . .

(And, yes, we did eventually track down his owner and the lost Lab is now happily settled back in his own home.)

[Linda]

I had to come over from Dancingbeastie and visit another Radio 3-choral evensong-winter dusk blogger!

Lovely to see your Spring walk, and your energetic companions.