Damsons in snow

The last day of March goes out with a bang - we woke up to that special light that tells you that snow is on the ground. I quickly got my jeans and sweater on and took the camera out into the garden, where irises, crocus blooms and damson blossoms were all outlined in soft white.  It was only a thin scattering of snow, really, but it looked beautiful. Most of the damson blossom has yet to open, so I'm hoping that not too much damage will  have been done.  The other fruit trees are all quite late to blossom, so I'm hoping they'll do OK.

This afternoon we drove out into the Peak District with Diana. Not for a real walk, as she has some foot problems at the moment that would have made it difficult on the slippery surfaces. But we stopped off at The Bird Cafe just outside Hathersage, where bird feeders hang just outside the windows. The treat of the day was watching a yellowhammer a couple of yards away.  Details of the cafe here:  https://www.thebirdcafe.com/

What can I say about this week's news?  I think I'll avoid the temptation to rant about Johnson et al, at least for today.  Dishonesty about 'partygate'; unspeakable callousness about the cost of living crisis.  This is where we are.

But there was one news story, from Ukraine, that I really wanted to note and share here.  It's about the railways, and the way in which the staff have faced up to danger and stayed in post, keeping the trains running and enabling millions of refugees to get to safety. Once the trains deliver refugees to safer areas near the border, they return eastwards with supplies of food and medicines. This is worth a read:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/31/the-people-who-keep-the-refugee-trains-running-out-of-ukraine-photo-essay