things we are glad to see again

eleven days earlier than last year. It is always heart warming to see the swallows return from their holidays in South Africa. Our family of house martins have not arrived yet, but I am sure they are on their way. I wonder if martins always nest in the same place or whether their off spring come back to the same place.

on the barbican

which is why we went to Plymouth to visit the Barbican, from whence the Pilgrim fathers set out, to see the sharks (us that is not the PF's) at the National Aquarium, which is another fantastic day out.

a good day out

and a very enjoyable day it was too (link to their web page), especially for Charlie, 23 month old descendant of Spot's secretary, arriving as we did by steam train (Launceston Steam Railway, see link, and blog archive)


to be met by peacocks, who, of course, were soon eating out of his hand.

On a sunny day Cornwall is fun!

in the garden

forget-me-nots at the base of a Judas tree, appropriately enough for Easter, although the Judas tree rarely seems to flower in our climate.

and, of course, cherry blossom

blackthorn blossoming on Rowden lane, a long wide bridle path between Trecombe and Stoke Climsland.

hot air over Bodmin

hot air ballon over Caradon radio mast (above) and Sharp Tor (below), and crash (?) landing in field