Gulls

After a blissful lie in and a cup (or two) of strong black coffee, a walk on the Common with MrM and Louie, and a browse round the local shops before lunch. 

Then a couple of hours in the courtyard assisting MrM (i.e. handing him the tools...) to put up brackets for a hanging basket and bird feeders.

Slightly longer walk in the afternoon round one of the lakes near Powburn. Lots of birds on the island again - a huge colony of black-headed gulls and a few oyster catchers. All the lapwings seem to have gone. All sorts of birds on the water too - some cute little tufted ducks (evidently not keen on having their photo taken), coots, barnacle geese and swans among them. The trees are beginning to take on a hint of spring colour at last, and the pussy willow catkins (extra) are fabulous.