Every cloud has a silver lining

Washing loads of clothes this morning - Tim and his mates are going ski-ing for a week on Sunday. This afternoon the sun came out and so I stopped what I was doing and went outside to enjoy it. There were massive clouds in the sky which blotted out the sun for a few minutes but it was mainly bright and one could even feel a little warmth! Down by the gully where the old hazel coppice grows I was surprised to find my first real catkin, or lambstail of the spring. This specimen had developed from the tight little brown tail to an elongated one and already yellow. It was difficult to photograph satisfactorily so maybe another time when there are more of them. A sign of hope!

Margaret in Australia emailed to say their house is all right in Ipswich but they have no power. They were just returning from Perth and were dreading what they were going to find in the town. Luckily their home is situated on a hill.