Tulip Festival

Firstly, thank you for all the hearts on my little ducklings image which is sitting second on the popular page, and also the hearts on my sunrise image from yesterday. It's been a good week for photography!

Gavin got back from his day trip to Zurich last night, he walked in wearing a mask and since then we have tried not to be in the same room as each other as part of the quarantine requirements. He slept in the guest room, we are eating meals apart, and in fact I have hardly seen him today, so we are following the requirements to the letter. His meetings yesterday were conducted outdoors on a hotel terrace, all of the people they met with in Zurich were tested prior to the meeting at Gavin's company's request, so it actually seems safer than a day in the office in London, yet quarantining is required. Gavin had another PCR test today, he had to go to an approved testing centre that is part of the 'test to release' scheme. His other tests are booked on day 5 and again on day 8. 

Today has been gloriously sunny with cloudless blue skies, such a beautiful day. I had booked a ticket to the tulip festival at Hampton Court Palace - Gavin was meant to come with me but when I realised he had to quarantine I did not book for him. 

The tulips were at their best, such beautiful colours and petal shapes. It was also very quiet, wonderful not to go to places that are crowded. I took so many photos and was torn between blipping the tulips or the magnificent architecture of the palace, but I liked the jewel like colours of these tulips en masse. I have added some extras including one of the horses pulling the cart to take visitors around the gardens. I also wandered into Home Park and saw a swan sitting on her nest of eggs, herons, grebes and a coot family with many tiny (ugly!) cootlings. It was a good photography day!

Adam had his second Pfizer vaccine today which is good news - he did feel ill with side effects this time, but felt nothing after the first vaccine. It's good to see the results of Covid trials starting to be published now, and this report is very positive about both the Pfizer and the Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine.