The mystery at The George Hotel

Where was the snowman?!

Julie, who comes to care for Mum, had been at The George at 0630, building a cheerful snowman (with daffs in his hair and sporting a water float). She teaches Aquafit in the pool.

She brought a photo to show us.

When I went out later, I started at the hotel and walked through the garden to see the snowman. The heavy snow overnight was already melting, so I did not want to delay.

There was no sign of him in the garden.

I tried around the back of the hotel.

No snowman but I did find this invader in flower (more later).

I sent a WhatsApp message. Julie told me that I needed to walk along an inside corridor. That worked. The snowman was in a tiny courtyard, but accessed only from the pool. No joy with a photo (and he was already leaning backwards in the sun.)

Now to the mystery plant. I was puzzled because it looks like butterbur but is much bigger. It turns out to be the Japanese butterbur. It's in the coltsfoot family; I'm always looking for them in March.

I'd noticed how invasive it is. It grows gigantic leaves. The stems, "fuki" are edible.

So now you know.

I visited Jenny and Dennis and Kate and admired Jenny's new electric chair.

Lesley C came to visit this afternoon. We had a good chat and she brought one of her prints for Mum to see.

We are promised a heavy frost and icy paths tomorrow, possibly more snow too, but we have been very lightly affected in comparison to other places.