Snowdrops at Rode Hall in Cheshire

Rode Hall is a small stately home which opens especially for its snowdrop walks at this time of year. I'm no expert on snowdrops, in fact they all look pretty much the same to me, but it was an excuse for an outing with family of all ages, and the weather was nice enough (if chilly) to make it a real pleasure.

You can't tell from this photo but it was possible to see herons nesting in the trees on this island in the lake. There's something quite mad about a bird as big as a heron landing in the fragile twigs at the top of a big tree, but they manage it.

Snowdrops in my garden at last!

What a joy to see some flowers in my garden after this, seemingly the most dispiriting winter weather I can ever remember. And I wasn't even flooded.


To see new growth, and of such a cheery kind, each day as I leave my house is so uplifting.

Not all that wet then...

This is a small reservoir which I pass once a month or so. Having a little time spare on this particular day, I decided to check out just how full it was after the winter rains. When I visited last summer, the water levels were quite low.

Amazingly, it was not, as I expected, full to the brim. Judging by the state of the banks, there has been more water at some time in the past. I could hardly believe it, and I really hope this is not a sign that all that water will not avoid threats of hosepips bans in the summer.

The Alsager 5 - as a spectator

Out for a walk before the start of my local race, the Alsager 5, I'm really wistful that creaky knees are preventing me from running at the moment. It was exciting to see the runners making their last minute preparations, the tables of drinks lined up ready at the finish, and the St John Ambulance medics ready to cycle round alongside the runners (never seen that before). Maybe next year...