In a Vase on Monday - Escaping along the lanes

Today's IAVOM is made up with wild hedge and tree material brought back from today's walk.  Mandy and I had been talking about biscuits, so today my 'biscuit-less' barrel is acting as vase for the Wild Sloe and Ash buds.  Ash is seriously affected by a virus and is sadly succumbing in this area.

Several nearby Ash Trees have been felled

I wonder whether this arrangement is a metaphor for how I feel, a little prickly but still with hope.

Close up the Sloe flowers are fairly insignificant, but en mass outside against a blue sky they shout out the arrival of spring, and are covered by early bees and bumblebees.  Later there will be a harvest for any Sloe gin makers.

Today's short walk simply took us through three fields close by the house.  Yesterday we had seen some primroses, and I wanted to check how they were doing of a sunny hedge topped ridge.

We pass an unusually shaped  Oak tree: here the hedge is old showing signs of having been layed, but now a machine does the quick trim early enough so as not to disturb nesting birds.  Song birds were in full swing this sunny morning.

This bank is probably an old one, reinstated is the past thirty or four years with newer hedge plants.

Turning back we have clear views of St Cuthbert's tower with the Cathedral behind, whilst Glastonbury Tor just on the horizon on our right.

Amongst the primroses, tiny white flowers of Potentilla sterilis aka Barren Strawberry

Barren Strawberry

I am joining Cathy whom I am sure will have a 'clever and thougtful post' as well as lovely garden flowers. Having just read Cathy's post I can testify to this, and it is worthy of lengthier reading.  Bon Courage everyone.....