Signs of spring to come...

It's been a stunning, sunlit day - with temperatures still hovering around zero, but feeling colder.  This has not deterred the iris bulbs, they're going strong.

I had an appointment for routine breast screening this afternoon. All went well; it's not a comfortable procedure, but I'm grateful that it's back on offer after last year's Covid hiatus. And the Covid precautions have all become routine now: masks all round, screen at the reception desk, waiting area seats taped off to ensure social distancing, you get changed in the consultation room rather than a separate cubicle and you make a speedy entry and exit via a one-way system. All clear and reassuring.

I'd parked the car some way off in order to clock up some steps (got to keep the Fitbit happy).  This gave me an opportunity to walk back via a nearby park, which has a large lake in the middle. It's partly frozen at the moment, and crowds of ducks, pigeons and seagulls were pacing about on the icy stretches, looking less than happy. See rather hastily edited extra.

Then I got home and enjoyed an hour and a half's catch up on Face Time with Barbara, a very old friend in Indiana.  Our conversations are much more cheerful now that Trump is no longer in office :-)