Today dawned a beautiful sunny day just as it has done the past 4 days. I must say, I have never known such a warm February. It clocked up 18C today, and with the blue sky and warm sun, I ventured out to see what other new growth had come up since Friday.

It was warm enough to go out without a cardigan - just a jumper - incredible. I first saw some more primroses had bloomed on the side ....


Then I saw a robin settle in the bush near me and he stayed there quite a time while I walked closer. He didn't seem fazed at all by me being there.


I walked further up the drive and saw some bright blue grape hyacinths. I've never been all that enamoured with these flowers, but they seem to like my garden because they seem to pop up all over the place....


Then I came across the gorgeous gorse bush leaning over the fence from Ann and Peter's garden - next week it should smell of vanilla for a while. I hope the weather holds so I can go and have a sniff!!!!



Then as I turned down the last bit of the drive - I saw the river!!! This is such a surprise to me as I've lived here for 60 years and I've never seen it before - so all I can think is that someone has chopped down a tree or something, which has opened up the view.


You can actually see some cars parked on the riverside near the rooftop in the middle of the picture! It's wonderful having this view because I haven't got a car and I really do miss seeing water.

These are some of the houses in my road, although the older ones are on my side of the road.

Some houses opposite my home

They all seem to be of different ages and certainly individual styles. There is a Victorian house at the end - you can just make out the roof and big chimney. The houses are quite big, but the angle of my picture makes them look all squashed.

The magnolia caught my eye and I just sat on my rollator and took as many pictures as I could - I just love this tree, and unfortunately they don't last very long and if the weather should change, then the flowers would soon be gone...

One of my favourite flowers - magnolia

Magnolias are so pretty

It was so good to be out and about. I really do miss going to the beach too, where I can sit and watch the dogs playing on the beach and running into the sea. I'm going to have to start searching for a good car, but I'm not going to buy one until I come back from Turkey. I don't want it sitting on its own for 2 months without being moved.

I made my way back to the house, only to be greeted by a gorgeous aroma of the chicken cooking - mmmm what a welcome.

Hope you all have had a good week so far and that you're not too cold. It seems that it's only us in the UK who are warm - but for how much longer I wonder?