The last day of February, and we had been promised a change in the weather, an elemental side-swipe from the Atlantic bringing an end to our surprise spring fling and our ‘nearly 10 degrees warmer than usual’. So I thought Iād better get this written yesterday as a small celebration of a final perfect day (cue Lou Reed). At lunchtime the errand of posting a letter turned into a full-scale ramble around the town. It had to be done. The sun was hot, the air still, and the lane to Downs Mill beckoned. But first there were the highland cattle to commune with, and bees and tortoiseshell butterflies in the Cutlins cherry blossom, and on the lane past the priory ruins there were sunny banks of violets and celandines, while in the parkland fields on either hand, sheep-mothers-to-be were quietly grazing, waiting for lambs to happen.
Here, then, are some scenes from my perfect Much Wenlock day. Thank you, beneficent nature entities, and especially for all those happy humming bees in the cherry tree.
*
And now for the āaaahā moment:
P.S. The weather people were right. We woke to rain on the skylight and grey skies and February more as we know it.
Changing Seasons: February 2019
Tish Farrell 
I wonder if I’m missing this as much as you are missing Africa, Tish. Lovely tortoiseshell butterfly.
Ah, now there’s the rub, Ian. Actually the thing that wrung the heart strings on your wonderful leopard vid, was the ‘soundtrack’ of birds in the bush – coucal, ring-necked doves etc Interesting too, when we were in Africa I never was homesick for England, not in 8 years, which is not to say I did not at times feel like a displaced person. Perhaps I still am š
Perfect images to see us through the more seasonal weather on tap – Enjoy the day – Janet š
Getting some writing done. At least I think I am. Happy day to you, Janet.
Tish! Those photos are stunning
You are so nice, Mak. How’s things?
I saw you talk of warm weather and I don’t know how warm, Kisumu warm or just close to warm. Nairobi has been hot we can’t wait for the rains. Apart from that, I am doing alright
Definitely not Kisumu-warm, more Mount Kenya warm, or 10 a.m at Lake Naivasha. Glad you’re OK. I’m not liking your Mogadishu expeditions. Keep safe.
The effects of war are bad. It will be a long time before they get rid of the small arms held by civilians running their own security companies
Yes, the proliferation of arms into the common domain is horrendous.
The other day Kenya wanted to give guards weapons and I am here wondering whose half baked idea is it to increase the number of guns in civilian hands.
V. scary.
Love the blossoms!
Such a treat. Pity I couldn’t post their scent along with the pic š
That would be a joy, wouldn’t it?
Aaaah …Ingerlund!
After Liverpool trounced Watford last night I am feeling quite cheerful aujourd hui, despite the fact we are steaming at 34c
Its too hot even for the birdies to go tweet!
Now. where’s my iced tea and sunglasses?
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Am picturing limp birds and a laid out Ark.
Bumper crop of images in the sun!
I did get a little snap-happy š
šš
Pre-spring spring in winter is the best spring.
Lovely walk we just had with you. The catkins are nice…will need to do them in paper.
They would look good in paper.
Beautiful photos…I was there for a few minutes
š Thank you, June š
I saw my first butterfly on Wednesday – also a small tortoiseshell. Thank you for a lovely warm wander around Wenlock š
Nice for you to see it in the sunshine š
Never too much Much Wenlock. Cheers!
Ha! š
Perfect day indeed. I’m glad you spent it (virtually) with us. š
Your photos are lovely Tish.
Thanks, Su š
How wonderful to see tortoise shell butterflies! I saw a brimstone, which I think is a springtime butterfly. Love your highland cattle!
They make for addictive viewing – they are SO ponderous and dreamy.
Quite lovely. I was thinking of you Memsahib, as I read the news about an extraordinary albeit short sun and warmth sweeping across Europe. Well. It will come back. Be good.
Hello Brian. So happy you could drop in at Shropshire-come-Sherwood š
Hullo Tish. I wish I could do so more often. I have been a tad away from blogging. Picking it up again. But I need to “manufacture” a better “following system” for the blogs (like yours) I really care about… Work in progress. Kwaheri sassa.
(Shropshire-COME-Sherwood? Is that the equivalent to the French “LĆ©s” which means close to when attached to a city or place name? )
Yep, you’ve got it. That’s pretty much what it means. And how very nice of you to want to keep me in your sights. That works both ways of course š
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Have a lovely week-end memsahib.
You too!
Love the Tortoiseshell shot that’s my ahhh moment! š
It is a good moment, isn’t it. I thought that too when it deigned to stay long enough for a few shots.
There’s something about a catkin š š Thanks for sharing Spring, however fleeting, Tish.
you’re right, Jo. There IS something about a catkin. Hugs.
Reblogged this on Green, Health & Happiness.
Much appreciated
Great images there.
No matter how crummy the weather, certain things seem to happen right on time.
That’s a good thought, Lulu.
I’m late to the viewing party, but my appreciation for the beauty you shared is second to none. š That Ahhhh moment is just right and made me smile. We’re still mired in winter and no snow to make it lovely. I’ll be glad to see the end of February and look forward to the promise of spring sometime in March!
janet
Wishing you more obliging weather, Janet. We’ve been lucky here so far.
Thank you for channeling a perfect day!
So happy to oblige, Meg. Channeling – that’s a good word.
Your words and photos speak of a perfect spring day. The fact that it’s in February makes it a little bit of magic š
I think the day did all the magic š š
Great post! Beautiful photographs!
Many thanks, Kendall.
Welcome!
Lovely photos, I think you have captured ‘early’ spring perfectly
Thank you, Gavin.
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Hi tish – glad to be part of this lovely day – and liked that aha moment
š
We might have snow next Monday and I am ready – but might need to enjoy the sunshine this weekend and maybe get a few pics
Hi Yvette. Happy to have you along on my walk. Hope the snow isn’t too troublesome, so yes, make the most š
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Keep you posted and right now it is just rain and cold and blah
Perfect…
Thank you, Mike.
Aww, baby beasties. š … gorgeous shots, and yes, it is now March’s turn to be grumbled about from one side of the globe to the other! š
What a lot of weather grumblers we are š
Heh, heh, heh … yep š
Oh, it really looks like an early spring! Beautiful! I hope it will return shortly.
Hello Helen. It’s grey and shivery now, so yes more spring required asap.
If there’s on thing cuter than a highland cow it’s a baby highland cow!
He’s a sweetie, isn’t he.