Our first crocus

We expected Pip to arrive by 9am this morning in order to pick up Helena and go to a sad occasion of the funeral of their former colleague, Lyn. I had promised to have a strong coffee ready for him as he had come 35 miles from Bristol.

As I made s coffee for myself before he arrives, I spotted Bomble sitting on the table looking out at the same view that Woodpeckers blipped yesterday. He obviously had decided not to go out onto the frosty ground until the bright sun had melted it all away; so I took some pictures of him.

After Helena and Pip had left, I went outside the door but without Bomble who had by then retired to our bed for the day. When I spotted a crocus flower opening, I was overjoyed, and laughed, as it seemed to confirm the imminence of spring. The sun must have only just warmed it, because by the time I'd finished taking some pictures its petals had opened fully, and its colours seem diminished by the glare of the sun.