Recent Reading
As mentioned before I decided to have just a short break from crime fiction. "Once Upon A River" I must have bought well over a year ago - the cover appealed! and the assistant in Waterstones recommended it. I really did enjoy it and it was certainly a bit "different" although I am not convinced it entirely lived up to some of the rave reviews it received.
My daughter recommended the above book and it was good although I did feel perhaps it would be enjoyed more by someone of her age.
Years ago I read all the Miss Read Fairacre and also the Thrush Green books. Sadly, I rather stupidly got rid of all the paperbacks when I last had a major book "cull" thinking I would never read them again. I didn't realise at the time that we would be in the current situation when "comfort reading" is something you are looking for especially at bedtime. I think I enjoyed the book even more than when I first read it.
A return to crime fiction! I am really enjoying the Mitchell and Markby books.
A friend bought me the above book for Christmas. I really do recommend this book as for me it had many good ideas on how to live in the present and make the most of every moment. It was certainly much better than other "Mindfulness" type books I have tried (and failed!) to read in the past.
"The Royal Baths Murder" was enjoyable although in some respects a bit similar to an earlier book in the series perhaps.
Garden
We are not getting too much footage at the moment on the wildlife camera or trail cam after the first videos of Grey Squirrels. We may give it a break for a week or so and try again.
Sorry no photos but we are getting some more unusual birds in the garden. A Jackdaw on the feeding station was a good garden "tick" as this species has only visited the garden once before. It was good to see a Great Spotted Woodpeck return as I haven't seen one in the garden for ages and this morning we had a pair of Jays at the top of the garden. Blue Tits have been investigating one of the nest boxes. There has been no sign of frog activity in the pond yet.
D has bought some tiny Strawberry plants and a planter
Primroses continue to flower in abundance and the Snowdrop that was in bud now has flowers.
I haven't seen any butterflies yet this year but we did have the first bumble bee in the garden last week possibly a Buff-tailed?
Baking
E is still baking from time to time. Orange Marshmallow cake from Mary Berry's "Fast Cakes" was the latest offering.
Snowdrops in a Churchyard
I took a trip to a local churchyard last weekend which was full of snowdrops and a few crocuses and daffodils are starting to flower.
I am afraid my posts somewhat lack variety at the moment! In a "normal" year the caravan site in Herefordshire would have re-opened today. Depending on what happens it looks as though it may be able to re-open in about 6 weeks but we shall have to wait and see. It will be five and a half months since we were last there!
I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera.
