Wednesday, February 20, 2013

From Mountain Snow to English Countryside.

Mary Anne's Garden

 It snowed the night before I left Pennsylvania on Saturday and through my windows I saw a winter wonderland. In my haste to get to the airport I didn't have time to take photographs, so my dear friend, Mary Anne, sent me this beautiful picture of her garden. Arriving in England, it was sunny and warmer (although four days later the temperature has dropped considerably.) While enjoying a wonderful visit with my dear mother, I am also enjoying the green English countryside, in spite of the cold.


This morning I explored the countryside near her flat. There are two lakes practically in her backyard and I walked around them.


It was very peaceful. I saw several ducks ...


... one fisherman (no picture)...


... and several people walking dogs.


I walked down a lane called Wulfrun Way, named for the Saxon king, Wulfrun, who ruled Mercia (this area) before England was called England. I know about him because I belonged to Wulfrun House in school, and consequently this place brought back memories of my schooldays.

I am a gardener, so of course I was particularly interested in the trees and plants on my walk. There were some very interesting trees.


And, joy of joy, several clumps of daffodils with the promise of spring.




I passed near the little stream you can see from my mother's window ...


... and with a final farewell to the lake, I hurried indoors for hot chocolate to combat the cold.


 Before I close, I must thank Mary Anne for the beautiful picture of snow-covered trees. I also want to thank her for her new blog which I am finding most useful and interesting. The blog, called Leafport, is for garden apps and I believe there is nothing else like it out there. She launched it last week and I encourage you to check it out. Click here to do so.

When I left PA the seeds I ordered from Burpee had arrived. I haven't yet finalized my plans for my 2013 vegetable garden, so I brought my notes with me, and my next posting will be about my decisions.

Think spring.

Pamela x



~~ I love reading your comments. I hope you leave one so I’ll know you visited!
I look forward to visiting your blog in return.

22 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for the mention, Pam! Ah, the sight and smells of green -- lucky you! Your visit appears to be going well. I'm glad you're able to spend quality time with your Mom.

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  2. What a lovely visit. Even though it was cold at least it's cold you can still get out in and enjoy. Hope your mother is well.

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  3. The gardens are lovely Pam and so is the photo your friend took of the beautiful snow scene. Looks like you had a wonderful visit. Yes...think spring-just one month to go. Happy Gardening!

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  4. How wonderful Pam to be in England with your mother...and daffs blooming! Snow falling here right now...safe journey.

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  5. What a treat to see the beautiful green countryside and the daffodils. I'm glad you are enjoying your visit with your mother. My backyard is a snowy wonderland right now, so I really enjoyed the break from all the white.

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  6. Hi Pam, I am so behind on blog reading. It's always a pleasure to visit yours and see what's happening. You know those photos of England look very much like western Oregon. I've got early Daffs about to bloom, exactly like the ones you photographed.

    I hope you had a wonderful time visiting your mother. I will check out Leafport.

    Cheers.

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  7. How fun to go from snow to daffodils (almost) blooming in just a day! What a beautiful area - the lakes are charming. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your mother.

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  8. Our weather is a little mixed at the moment, a lovely warm weekend just gone has given way to cooler temperatures again. I'm glad you're managing to get out and about whilst visiting your mum, it would have been a different story had you planned your trip for a few weeks ago with all the snow about. Hope the cherry tree you gifted to your mum's appartments is doing well.

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  9. Hi Pam....these pictures are so beautiful. It's nice that your Mom can enjoy all this right by her home.

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  10. How lovely to pay a visit to your mother in beautiful England. Hope you enjoy it very much and what a pleasure to think about planning the vegetable garden again.

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  11. A really nice post, Pam. Glad that you enjoyed your stay in England.

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  12. Enjoy your trip, Pam! I liked seeing your photos.

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  13. Hi Pamela... lovely photographs! I am entranced by the English countrysie... the amazing scenery, architecture, hamlets, and of course gardens.... so very beautiful! It must be great fun to wander about and experienece it all. Larry

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  14. How lovely to be able to enjoy the green countryside while visiting your mother. I'm looking forward to when the snow melts here in New England.

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  15. What a really great blog you have here. I enjoyed my visit and look forward to coming back soon

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  16. How nice to see some green! I think it must look deceptively warm there though, given your comments about cold. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your mom! And I look forward to reading your friends blog.
    ~Julie

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  17. It always amazes me at how much more advanced the spring can be in the UK. We just flew in from Mexico, and I was just thinking how pretty it would have looked to see a snowy wonderland from the air.

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  18. Nothing to beat a hot chocolate after a brisk walk. Love the snow pic, not much snow for us in Ireland this Winter.
    Bridget x

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  19. Your countryside photos look like a novel to me. We haven't had any snow at all this year, so it is nice to see some.

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  20. I forgot to tell you I was glad you got to visit your family and birth country. I don't travel, so I am always tickled to see photos like these, especially, from one who knows the place like you do.

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