First Crocus

Today, on my lunch time walk I spotted - to my amazement - the first solitary crocus!
I pretty yellow one.
I didn't have a camera to hand, so this picture will have to do.

I found this poem, which I thought suited very well:

"First a howling blizzard woke us.
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus,
Crocus."

(Lila Rogers)

Walking together

Here is something my husband and I really share - our love for being out in the open, for walking together and for foraging.



Today was a brisk but sunny day. Perfect for going for a walk.

We are lucky to live in a small town with easy access to a number of pretty places within walking distance. We have the River Great Ouse, the Grand Union Canal and the old Iron Aqueduct, plus many other little areas which are worth exploring and walking around in.



What I like about walking this time of year, is the reminder that even in the middle of winter life has not stopped. Even when things seem to slow down, what they are REALLY doing is gathering strength to spring back to life again!



We found some Field Blewits (or Lepista Saeva), which are edible. Perhaps we will have a fry-up a bit later ...

The old mill

Today we walked past the old mill at the river Great Ouse. It is long disused, and has been converted into apartments. 

 

The weir, which used to supply the mill is still there. 

 

The great thing about going for walks is how you notice the small things along the way. Such as peering inside a hollow tree along the edge of the river.

And spotting the newly emerging buds on the trees. 

Walking into spring

Today was a beautiful early spring day - still cold and blustery, but also sunny. The sun is now noticeably gathering strength!

I enjoyed a long walk along the river Great Ouse with my 13-year old son. It's a great opportunity for us to spend time together, relax and chat - and, best of all, end with a cup of tea and cake in the local cafe.

I am really, really, REALLY looking forward to spring now, to the emerging of the first green, to the birds nesting and us planning our garden.

Nature seems to be at the ready - just waiting for the right day to spring into life ...

I cannot wait!

Car-free working and Walk to Work week

I work in a community team for adults with learning disabilities, and much of my work consists of visiting people in day centres and in their own homes across town.

At the moment that often means me using my car to do those home visits, but I am hoping and trying to decrease my car use and rely more and more on alternative transport, such as public transport, bicycle or my own two feet!

I am in the process of finding out whether my employer (the good old NHS) would support me in those endeavours. You might think that, being the national health service, they would encourage people to go car-free ... but the perception that the car is the only realistic and most efficient mode of transport is deeply ingrained in people's minds.

So I am slowly gathering evidence about car-free options and their benefits, and about projects and incentives in other areas. (Any suggestions and advice is welcome!!)

Walking Works is one website, which I have come across so far. Did you know that it is Walk to Work week from 26-30 April?

"Thoughts come clearly while one walks" - Thomas Mann