Whimsical Kitten

This beautiful ornamental cherry tree can be found in my local town near the library, it took my breath away on first discovery and now gladdens my heart each time I pass by with its delicate white/pink blossoms bravely flowering in the middle of winter. I would really like to get this small tree for my front garden to sit among the hellebores and anemones other favourite winter flowering plants.

My creative mojo appears to have returned having alluded me for the last month or so. After a short walk with Ursa during which I collected some Ivy and a thin bendy Hazel twig, I made a festive wreath for the front door. I took the twig and tied it using light weight green garden wire into a circle, you may need to bend it for a bit to shape it into a perfect round. Then I systematically tied stems of Ivy with their lovely green berries at the top and bottom of the stems, all in the same direction again with the green garden wire. Finally I took a length of gold tinsel and wound this around the Ivy stems and the Hazel circle covering up all the exposed stems neatly, and tied it onto the front door with a piece of thin ribbon. The cost was absolutely nothing, everything was available in the hedgerow, my house and the shed – lovely!

Just a quick post to thank all my lovely friends and family for the very thoughtful and generous birthday cards and gifts received today.

From my lovely husband some much desired, frequently sought after and finally found greengage jam and the opportunity to give up work to pursue some personal goals, your financial support and unwavering belief in me means so much – thank you.

From my mum a beautiful black satin party dress, a beauty treatment and a bottle of Baileys – thank you.

From Kate & Adam some tasty green tomato chutney, Kate’s homemade ‘Ginshine’ alcoholic drink and a marvellous linen rooster tea towel – thank you.

From Peter and Claire a wonderful wildlife bonanza which included a book on encouraging garden wildlife, gardening gloves, a beautiful ceramic feeder for my bird table, a christmas fairy, a lovely art nouveau decorated folding bag and a bird roosting box just the right size for tiny little wrens to sleep in – thank you.

From Auntie Julie and Uncle Joe a large warm, soft, cream coloured fleece scarf - thank you.

From Grandma a butterfly trinket box for keeping special treasures in – thank you.

From Julia in Devon a lovely card and kind message in side, it means a lot to know that you are thinking of me – thank you. From my lovely Auntie Mary in Ireland a card and best wishes – thank you.

Ben asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, I said something quiet, perhaps a walk and then a meal and a cold pint of beer in a dog friendly pub. So after a bit of Internet homework, we set off for a walk with the dog, binoculars and camera, destination Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve. A word of warning for anyone planning on sampling the designated dog walk, the visitor centre where you are required to get a permit was staffed by a patronising and officious individual who made us feel very unwelcome for having a dog in tow. Having paid a compulsory ‘donation’ we were then guided out and away from the nature reserve towards a rutted tractor path alongside some farmland populated by bird scarers going off at frequent intervals and scaring the wildlife away. At the bottom of this track you turn around and walk up the road back toward the visitor centre, frequently stepping onto the verge as cars leaving the reserve drive past.

Undeterred we went on to the nearby Whalebone Pub as advertised on the website ‘Dog Friendly Britain’. However it looked very much like it was under new management, we both looked at the immaculate cream decor, the lack of dogs and dog facilities and the well-heeled clientele and decided that it no longer welcomed muddy dogs and their equally muddy owners.

So we stopped off at Tesco, picked up some provisions needed to prepare a Sunday roast and some cold beer, and ended the day in front of a roaring fire at home instead - champion!

My beloved dog.