I am not able to do big walks at present so Ann takes the dogs on longer daily walks.

I join her for a few fields today but double back, leaving her to take Dylan and Dougal the rest of the way down to the lake.

Pottering in the garden I enjoy the colour of the new blooms that are springing up by the day,

so I return inside to get the camera . . .

A glorious day in prospect . . . clear skies with good visibility, lovely and warm in the sunshine.

The snowdrops are particularly good this year.

We've had sufficient frost to start them off and some heavy downpours in recent weeks to provide good moisture to grow.

The first daffodils are out early, before March 1st . . .	. . . St David's Day in Wales.

First colour is provided by the crocuses.

Technically the first ones out suffered badly in the recent high winds and rain . . . these are the main group of blooms.

Close up and personal.

Also growing in the garden  . . . Dougal . . . now nearing six and a half months old.

Bright berries on this garden shrub.

The cotoneasters still have autumn berries though many have been eaten by the birds over winter.

Walking down the garden past more snowdrops.

Our daughter is staying here after being further north in Edinburgh for a few days.

She tells us that the spring display in the Botanical Gardens there has only just started . . . and is not a patch on ours.

The ones I transplanted into the paddock last season have grown very nicely.

The shaded dwarf weeping willow next to the pond will enjoy the sunshine in less than an hour's time.

Birch trees before Grasmoor	Ash before Whin Benn	We walk the roadway then I turn for home.