It’s been cold, wet, frosty, snowy, sunny and all shades in between. What it hasn’t been is warm. Definitely no global warming and yet we are seeing plants that, by rights should be dead, dormant or craving some sort of spring heat.
I’ve taken a few snaps down the garden to compare the impact of different skies and enjoy the substructure of the trees when they are leafless.
Around and about there is some colour to be found, if you look hard enough
And there are shrubs and buds and things poking out…
And the parakeets, and magpies and squirrels thrive…
My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline.
I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy.
I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere.
These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
We’ve pruned ours now, mostly to try and push them back in the hope they’ll be really good if we get the chance for a wedding later this year, that is currently planned but… fingers crossed!
Even in the depths of Winter your garden looks superb Geoff. I must admit though I don’t recall the two Easter Island heads in the lead picture., Any chance you can pick up a couple of your wild parakeets (young please), wrap them in brown paper, and send them here. They should be able to teach Joey a thing or two and I might be able to get some sensible conversation from them.
Have a great week.
Hugs
The vaccinations are running behind in Waled Geoff though I expect one before the year is out. Just don’t press me on which year. You’d better send me them all then, I’ll get a couple more changes. Or maybe just the eggs?
Hugs
Lovely. What a difference the light makes.
We’ve daffodils thinking about coming out, but have winter camellias, cyclamen and a wonderfully scented daphne all in flower. And one of my osteospermums (or should it be osteosperma?) has buds!
Fabulous garden Geoff……… that first picture looks like, erm, how can I say, a couple of moonies?
We have plans for ours this year. Will be interesting to see what our little patch turns out like.
Yep, the RSPB carry out an annual garden bird survey every year using volunteers to report what they see during om hour chosen at random during last weekend. We took part and saw a dozen different species which was pleasing but i wish there had been more
TanGental 
Lots of signs of spring when you look closely 🙂
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They are popping out slowly
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The cherry by my car has pink buds now 🙂
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Ours are very slow this year. Odd timings all round
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Neither Nick’s roses nor mine have stopped flowering yet…
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We’ve pruned ours now, mostly to try and push them back in the hope they’ll be really good if we get the chance for a wedding later this year, that is currently planned but… fingers crossed!
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Gorgeous!
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Superb garden
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You’d know!!
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🙂
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Even in the depths of Winter your garden looks superb Geoff. I must admit though I don’t recall the two Easter Island heads in the lead picture., Any chance you can pick up a couple of your wild parakeets (young please), wrap them in brown paper, and send them here. They should be able to teach Joey a thing or two and I might be able to get some sensible conversation from them.
Have a great week.
Hugs
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Thanks David. I’d love to. They are a right old pest. Hope you’re well and you’ve had your vaccy or will soon
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The vaccinations are running behind in Waled Geoff though I expect one before the year is out. Just don’t press me on which year. You’d better send me them all then, I’ll get a couple more changes. Or maybe just the eggs?
Hugs
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Will do. I’ll sort out a fly past.
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Gardens are filled with miracles! Dog is a miracle… just sayin
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He’s a god in fur
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Lovely. I would say the only thing which really shouldn’t be there is the pink geranium, though.
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Thats probably true. They are sheltered by the front door so they rarely get beaten by the frosts such as we get them
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I like the different views of the garden, Geof. You have a lot of spring showing. 😁
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We do so fingers crossed there’s no harsh weather to come ..
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😊
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You’re already seeing signs of spring, Geoff. I’m a bit envious. 🙂 Your garden is beautiful.
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Thank you . Its very wet but we are ahead this year so I’m almost relaxed.
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Spring is on the way, Geoff. Since we’ve moved, we have no garden, but we will remedy that this year. I miss seeing things poke up out of the ground!
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It is the best thing about gardening
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Hope springs eternal! So does dog but quietly 💜💜
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He’s the embodiment of hope!!
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All dogs are 💜
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Lovely. What a difference the light makes.
We’ve daffodils thinking about coming out, but have winter camellias, cyclamen and a wonderfully scented daphne all in flower. And one of my osteospermums (or should it be osteosperma?) has buds!
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Yes! Our Osteos and marigolds just keep on holding on
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Your garden always looks so inviting. Dog looks great in his red coat. Dot has one similar.
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Its a bit big but Her In Charge is making modifications…
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Inspiration to get out and do something with my own, very pitiful, garden.
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It will still be there tomorrow. Baby steps!
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Fabulous garden Geoff……… that first picture looks like, erm, how can I say, a couple of moonies?
We have plans for ours this year. Will be interesting to see what our little patch turns out like.
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It’s addictive even in winter. And yes Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dumber are a bit like that!!
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ha!!
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Magnificent even in the winter!
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Aw shucks!!
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There is a great deal blooming and coming up, at least a few weeks early. I love the bird tracks.
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Yep, the RSPB carry out an annual garden bird survey every year using volunteers to report what they see during om hour chosen at random during last weekend. We took part and saw a dozen different species which was pleasing but i wish there had been more
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Love to see all the buds. And dog, of course. Such a beautiful view you have!
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Thanks Rebecca. I have been able to give a lot of love to my garden, which has reciprocated rather wonderfully
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I love your garden, Geoff. Anything green in February is a miracle.
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I suppose we were rather spoilt last year when we had even more early colour
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Being spoiled by color is February is a good thing.
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