Go Elsewhere For Poetry

Go elsewhere for poetry. I cannot perform to rules and styles. Usually my poems rhyme. When I was at school that is how we were taught, and that is how we were able to learn the work of the poets. Of course, I read pieces of prose that touch my heart and mind and I will think 'yes this is beautiful, truly poetic.'
Last Thursday, we drove up to the Lakes, coming home via Coniston Water. It had been raining most of the day but the showers cleared and the sun came intermittently through the clouds, turning sky and lake to a luminescent blue. So here is my attempt to avoid rhyme!
Poets sigh their blossoming thoughts
With words flowing from the heart
Yet straining to achieve the impossible
To outdo Wordsworth’s golden daffodils.
Blue heaven with white wispy hair
Sheds light in diamond clarity
On ripples whipped by a breeze
While whispering through green leaves
I hear Creation’s own poetry —
Nature’s ode to Coniston Water

Suddenly It's Spring

Well, it is all happening now. Flowers coming out, buds busting, some trees in blossom and, on the down side, grass needing mowing and borders weeding. Our little friends are doing mischief. Mischief? Well, the squirrels are nipping buds off the daffodils. A bunny popping into the garden nibbles what he fancies. And birds peck off the primrose flowers. Unfortunately, black sooty mould completely covers one of our large Debbie camellias. Plenty more though of different varieties. Other shrubs yet to bloom - their beauty to delight us throughout the year until winter arrives. Even then, winter jasmine, snowdrops and bright berries to cheer us up.
It's uplifting to hear the dawn chorus, to see birds building nests, and have them coming to their feeding stations — the tits drop many seeds on the ground, feeding the blackbirds and white pigeons which gather there. And now the return of a pair of woodpeckers, and many other birds, brighten our day.
Bees are buzzing around the flowers, especially the heathers. So good to see them busy in the garden. News reports seem to suggest that bees are dying out, but there is no shortage in our garden.

Yes, spring is here and summer not far behind

Snow Drops On Snowdrops!

We had another fall of snow at the weekend. Quite pretty and did not last long enough to cause problems. But, as usual, the patch of road and pavement in front of the house, which does not catch the lovely sunshine we are now experiencing, remains covered in snow. In all the time we have lived here I have only known our road to be gritted once. But not to worry, the roads going into town and the town itself are clear.

This time, we managed to get photos of the snow coming down. It was quite fluffy stuff. The snowdrops are out, mostly in the shelter of shrubs, but we caught snow drops falling on snowdrops! A squirrel got into the act. We snapped it feeding on the peanuts put out for the birds. They have a hard time getting the nuts though because my husband has strengthened the wire of the nut feeder. This is a bit of a competition my hubby seems to enjoy — man V a squirrel’s ingenuity.

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Cockermouth Before the Flood

Two years ago we were on holiday in the more northern areas of Cumbria and we spent a day in Cockermouth. The town looked like a typical small town that existed when we were much younger. The riverside walk was quite splendid and made us determined to visit the town again in the not-too-distant future.
Now that delightful town has been hit by the worst rain for many years. Views of Cockermouth under water have frequently splashed across out TV. No doubt, many people, including around the world, have seen these dreadful pictures. I decided to show folk the other Cockermouth, one with a delightful river walk and that will ever live in our memory as a splendid place to visit when touring Lakeland. Words are not needed - the photos speak for themselves.

Autumn in Ulverston

A lovely sunny day in early autumn, and what better place to spend it than in our own area?
Last week we walked part way up the Hoad but the day after we found our feet covered in itchy bumps, some turning to blisters in spite of medication. So we did not take the walk today. We had a stroll along the Gill footpath, always a delight any time of the year. On the railings we spied the imaginative pottery plaques, made by locals at one of our local resident Geoff Dellow's pottery sessions (open to all). Geoff is one of a number of people in this town who work for the good of all. The Gill footpath follows the path of a bubbling stream, which, years ago, helped power Ulverston's water mills. It is a grand walk any time of the year, but the bronze, golds and copper of autumn, under a clear blue sky, show the scenery in full glory. A touch of heaven. Back home and a cup of tea. What more could a couple of oldies ask for?
Photos taken today on the edge of Ulverston.