The shortest day

At last we've reached the winter solstice - and can start to look forward to increasing daylength. We have had a hoar frost for the second day in a row, making everywhere appear like Narnia.

This wintry scene was taken in the grounds of Thorpe Hall, a Cromwellian building now used as a hospice by the Sue Ryder Foundation, and within walking distance of our house. It looks very rural, but in fact there's a dual carriageway at the bottom of the hill, and the city centre is just over a kilometre away, behind the trees.

This area of parkland isn't heavily used and can be quite good for wildlife. I had good views of a bullfinch, two jays, a green woodpecker and a rather scrawny looking fox, though no chance of photographs while holding two dogs on the lead. I also noticed a pair of crows exhibiting pairing behaviour, visiting an old nest and re-arranging twigs. A first sign of spring in the depths of winter!

Thanks for all the good wishes yesterday - Pete is a little better today and the antibiotics seem to be having an effect. The only problem is that Alex seems to have gone down with it now! I'm trying to ignore the odd symptom - I simply don't have time to be ill!