Monday 16 March 2009

Sunday, Sunshine and Spring...



Isn't it amazing how our spirits lift when the sun shines! Yesterday was a beautifully sunny day here, and today looks as though it's going to be at least as good. The first of our daffodils have begun to open their blooms so it really does appear as though Spring has begun in earnest. It's been a difficult week as dear old Bear has not been so well. Yesterday however, she was able to lie in the sunshine and that seemed to perk her up quite a bit.



Finally the ground seems to be drying out from all the rains and snow. The mud is almost gone - hooray! So it's time to get out into the garden and sort a few things out before we are inundated with all the new growth. The gardening day started with the planting of a new section of Yew hedge along the road side of the property. This is the second hedge we've planted here - the first was a Pyracantha hedge which died back after a few years or so. But first things first... barrow loads of horse manure needed to be dug in to enrich the soil.



After a long day in the garden, we headed to one of our local pubs for a bite to eat. It's a beautiful old country pub which sadly is not located here in our village (or maybe that's a good thing!) but it's less than 5 minutes by car so we still take advantage of its proximity to our home.

When we made the reservation on Friday night, we had thought the pub would be pretty much empty, but on arrival we found it was busy with locals. Of course, everyone had enjoyed the first real day of Spring and so wanted to continue their day and weekend for as long as possible! We decided on a Beef Rogan Josh curry for me and my husband chose a pizza for his meal. A glass of chilled white wine for me and a pint of beer for him. It was delicious!



Here a couple of images of the little room we chose to eat our meal in... it has a fireplace and it was warm in there. The day might have been sunny and warm but the night air brought a chill to it. However the main reason we chose this room was because I could take some decent images - too many people in the other rooms to be able to do so... after all, who wants to have their photo taken on a Sunday evening when all you want to do is relax and be comfortable! The pub is called The Queen's Head - nothing at all to do with the stuffed boar's head on the wall though!



Here's a photo of that all important fire... the pub has another fireplace which is wonderfully impressive but it's very much a prime location and had a crowd gathered in front of it. Perhaps I'll be able to get an image for you on another occasion... ah, the lengths I'm prepared to go to for my blogging friends....



I hope you have all enjoyed your weekend and the coming week is good to you.

12 comments:

  1. Thank you for all the effort of taking the pictures, what a wonderful atmosphere that place has. My daffodils here in St. Louis have just not began to peek out of the ground.
    It will be several more weeks before I can get into my flower gardens.
    Sharon

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  2. We have a community garden nearby, I don't participate but I do love to take pictures when I walk by there. And Beef Rogan Josh curry, yum! Don't know what it is, but now I want some.

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  3. It looks like such a cozy place and the food looks yummy! It was a warm lovely weekend here too. Isn't spring great?

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  4. HOW LOVELY TO SEE THE DAFFS BLOOMING. IT WILL BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE WE SEE THAT IN THE CHICAGO AREA. HOWEVER, OUR AMERICAN ROBINS HAVE RETURNED, ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN, AND OUR WEATHER HAS MUCH IMPROVED THIS WEEK. ALSO, I LOVE PUB FOOD. YOUR MEALS LOOK GREAT.

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  5. The pics of the Pub are great. Thanks for sharing your day with us all. I'm so happy that you are able to start getting out in your garden. I'm a few weeks out yet as the garden is still under snow but it will be here before I know it. Oh yes, and then there's the horse manure.

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  6. I can just imagine toasting my toes in front of a roaring fire. What a lovely place to spend the evening.

    I remember Paul and I visiting a pub in Yorkhire some years ago and we were almost the only people there. The landlady said she would get her husband to come and put some coal on the fire. Later, she came back and said that she would have to ask him again ~ we explained that he had been. She started muttering about tight-fisted Yorkshire men, (he had added about 3 lumps of coal!) and threw a huge pile of coal onto the fire. It was so hot, we had to move away, but we stayed until late to enjoy its cosy warmth.

    I do hope that my sending you three e-mails in one day didn't cause them to end up in your junk mail...?

    Hugs,

    Marie x

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  7. Hi Sharon, Maureen, Deedee, Tapestries of Nature and June.... yes, it's a great little spot and I think you'd enjoy visiting the Queen's Head should you get over this way... I'd be only too delighted to take you there - we could sit and enjoy a long chat over some good food. Let's hope that Spring is not too far away for all of us. Warm wishes to you all Vxx
    Hi Marie, ah yes, the good old Yorkshire publican! I remember a few rather chilly visits to various pubs when I was staying there... it's an evocative picture you paint with your story! I'm sorry but I don't seem to have the emails - however, have emailed you now so hopefully we'll be back on track soon... hugs to you, V

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  8. it might take several visits to snap the right photo, take your time. hope you enjoyed your weekend, i did. best wishes to bear, jc

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  9. Ah jack - a man after my own heart!!! yes, i will make sure to visit many, many times in order to get the right photo for your approval... with smiles and warm wishes to you, Vxx

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  10. Ooh, beautiful flowers, I love how the first one is just starting to bloom. Or is blooming halfway? Hahaha lol.

    If it's a beautiful sunny day in there, it's a beautiful rainy day in here! We haven't had rains for weeks and it's so freaking hot, you know that sticky feeling? Or maybe you don't as it always snows there hahaha.

    I like that photo with the pizza, I think it's a good shot.

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  11. Holding Bear in my hearts thoughts, with love.
    What lovely pics in this post. I love seeing your local pub too.

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  12. Oh Meggie - thank you for Bear - glad you like the pub. You'd like it even better in real life so anytime you feel like it, just let me know and we'll take you there. Hugs to you dear Meggie xx

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