curiouswombat: (notes from a small island)
curiouswombat ([personal profile] curiouswombat) wrote2011-02-20 09:05 pm
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Spring is trying to spring...

Spring is trying to spring around here. There are lambs under the cut, and spring flowers! But, on the other hand, there was snow at the roadside when I went over the mountain road (in thick mist) yesterday. I think there may be a bit more winter to come.

I have had a long weekend off work, and managed to get my hair cut, find my (deeply buried in a pile of books!) external hard-drive, sort out some stuff for the church website, even do four loads of washing. Pity I didn't finish the story I had intended to get done. Instead I spent a couple of hours this afternoon reading stuff that I wrote in 2003/4 from the external hard-drive; Watcher/Vampire porn... and story, of course - I never do with PWP - well, hardly ever...

So, yes,

We have had rain almost every day this week - at least it feels like it. But it was dry enough yesterday afternoon to take mum's wee dog for a walk out on the Ayres. This is the northernmost point of the island - and the sea always looks choppy because the currents flowing up both sides of the island meet here - so you can get this effect even when the sea is not very rough.

Tiderace at the Point

Near where I park the car I noticed this pool - I am sure it was nowhere near this deep a month ago, I think the sea has scoured it out during the last couple of storms.

Pool at the Point

You can see, as well, what I mean about the tide-race even when the sea is not all that rough - this bit of sea is only about 300 yards from the other picture.

Now for spring. Black seems to be in for lambs this year -

Sheep 1

Sheep 2

As you can see, some sheep give you a very hard stare if you get close!

Even this, seemingly placid, ewe has a nasty glint in her eye - and was certainly fixing it on me.

Sheep 3

Although some of the ewes were not bothered about my presence on the roadside and allowed their lambs to keep on exploring.

Lamb

And a final touch of spring. This was the first week at church that we had spring flowers rather than winter ones. They made me smile.

Flowers in Church 20/2/11



But I still won't be at all surprised if I have pictures of snow by next week.

[identity profile] petzipellepingo.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Spring is trying to spring around here

Tell me about it "sighs". We've gone from around 54F/12C and sunny to heavy snow - at the moment - which will turn to ice later.

Lambs!! How fun.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
The lambs are always so good to see - although my mother pointed out, a little earlier in the day, that the wet weather is probably at least as bad for the tiny ones as snow would be - they chill quickly if wet.

We are mainly expecting rain and temperatures of 6-10C all week. But it really does seem to be showing the odd sign of spring.

[identity profile] just-ann-now.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Baby lambs! Eeee!

I did some garden work this morning - mostly raking, since I can't be bothered to do it in the fall. Snowdrops in bloom, daffodils and hellebores in bud, but, like you, I'm sure there's a bit more winter yet to come. (No crocuses yet; "A watched bulb never blooms when you're home to enjoy it", hee!)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
There are snowdrops out here, too - and I saw a small patch of crocuses when I dropped my friend from church off further down the village at lunch time.

I'm with you on the raking - I must go and gather up the partly composted leaves under the pear tree and put them in the compost bin - maybe tomorrow.

[identity profile] slaymesoftly.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Amazing pics, as always. Weather sounds similar to ours - snowdrops are up and so are the winter aconites (although not in great numbers yet), but now, after a day and half of gale force winds, it's cold again and we will get cold rain or snow tomorrow night and Tuesday. *sigh* One step forward, two back. :)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
It looks as if we are unlikely to get snow down as low as we are - the forecast for the week is 6-10C. But it looks as if it's going to be wet and windy.

[identity profile] talesofsnape.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
What does it say about me that I find the little black lambs particularly cute.

And on a completely unrelated topic, I decided to take the plunge with MISI and this evening has been dedicated to doing some temporary graphics and loading up the first few items. I'll probably play around with things a lot more and I can't seem to access my shop as I think the domain name isn't showing up yet (at least I hope that's what it is) but you might see some things you recognise here: http://www.misi.co.uk/handmade_gifts/0/1/1/16/jewellery/handmade-womens-jewellery

Tomorrow, I definitely either write or play with pliers.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I think the little black lamb look particularly cute too. Your stuff looks good on MISI - I hope it turns out to be a good site for you.

Hmm - maybe I should do a post about MISI - I only found it by accident, so I guess most people don't know it exists.

[identity profile] talesofsnape.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
I guess I'll just have to wait and see whether anything moves on MISI. It's definitely more user friendly than eBay, and at least you can put down a proper price for things, rather than feeling anything that doesn't go for 99p will be ignored. I was amazed when I went to upload pictures and discovered you were allowed 5 for each item as opposed to eBay who charge extra if you have more than one. (Hence the ruler and the pennies - won't be using those in a main picture again soon.)

[identity profile] clodia-metelli.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Those flowers are so cheering! I like the yellow gorse as well, and the little black lambs.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
They say kissing is in season when the gorse is in bloom.

Of course this tends to mean there is no 'closed season' - there is always gorse in bloom here somewhere!

[identity profile] inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Your lamb photos almost make me want lambing to start!
Edited 2011-02-20 22:05 (UTC)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
They are rather sweet lambs. Ballavair (the name of the relevant farm) always have nice solid wee lambs by mid February.
shirebound: (flowers)

[personal profile] shirebound 2011-02-20 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Awwww, wee lambies!

All those signs of Spring are very encouraging.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Lambs are always cute - but I think black ones are possibly even cuter than the white ones.

It was an early winter here - so I'm hoping this really is an early spring.
jerusha: (Default)

[personal profile] jerusha 2011-02-20 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Woolly lambs are too adorable, and the flowers are beautiful! It does seem as though spring is coming, although I believe the temperatures are going back to frigid this week here.

[identity profile] zanthinegirl.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
here too, and I noticed daffodils actually blooming yesterday!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
We are expecting 6-10C all week - not warm, but at least too warm for snow - or so they tell us.

[identity profile] zanthinegirl.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I noticed some of the daffodils planted in the front of work were blooming yesterday! Mine aren't even close, though they've started poking out of the ground. I am quite a bit higher than work though and that seems to be enough to make a difference.

I love the contrast in that second picture. The gravel and the sea just make an interesting shot!

And the ewe with the twins should be a "Bitch, please" icon IMO!
Edited 2011-02-20 22:32 (UTC)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I noticed some of the daffodils planted in the front of work were blooming yesterday!

Near Mum's I noticed there were a few that had reached the 'spike' stage - they might be in flower by next week.

I like that second picture, too. And that ewe with the twins really is giving me the evil eye!

[identity profile] estelcontar1.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
These are glorious photos. I loved the one with the cute lambs exploring through the flowers. It's no wonder the spring flowers brought a smile to your face. They are lovely.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
The lambs look as if they are really enjoying exploring the gorse bushes - it's a good job they have nice thick coats because that stuff is seriously spiky!

[identity profile] estelcontar1.livejournal.com 2011-02-22 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
I know. I saw a lot of gorse bushes while visiting Wales last year.

[identity profile] azalaisdep.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
We've got crocuses and snowdrops up, though the daffodils only just beginning to bud. But the birds are singing, and it's getting light when I get up now and not always dark when I leave work - actual daylight, hurrah!

Lovely pics - and intriguing to see the sea off the point, there; I've seen similar things off Land's End and various other "end-of-the-peninsula" places...

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
It's lovely to go out and come in in daylight, isn't it? I saw crocuses earlier today - the first really open ones this year. I'll have to think about tidying the garden up a bit soon.

[identity profile] lindahoyland.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
They are gorgeous.I love the lambs and the spring flowers. I have crocus out and the daffodils are budding.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think there are any crocus bulbs left in my pots now - but I noticed some in bloom at the side of the road when I dropped my friend off at her house after church, and some daffodil spikes near Mum's - so spring is trying!

[identity profile] bojojoti.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
We've enjoyed some sunny, warm days, and Bojoette did see another robin today, but we are hardly done with winter.

How far a drive is it from your home to your mother's?

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 11:04 am (UTC)(link)
We think of robins as winter birds. Many of them are still here in the summer, but less noticeable - more of the summer migrants around, and also some of our winter robins over-winter from Scandinavia.

It's about 16 miles to Mum's using the mountain road, 20 or so using the coast road.

[identity profile] bojojoti.livejournal.com 2011-02-23 09:53 am (UTC)(link)
How interesting! We consider the first sign of spring to be the return of robins.

That's not too long a drive at all.

[identity profile] nutmeg3.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
Sheepies! Lambs are so seriously cute, though I confess that doesn't stop me from eating them on occasion. And we had a couple of gorgeous days, but now it's cold again and we're due for more snow or snowish stuff on, I think, Tuesday. :-(

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 11:05 am (UTC)(link)
The cuteness doesn't put me off eating them either - although it is the red meat I eat least, but it's a matter of taste not scruples!

[identity profile] nutmeg3.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 01:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I love the taste, but I rarely eat it because it's so expensive, plus I don't often eat out. And I'm a terrible cook, so I never even try cooking it at home.

[identity profile] keswindhover.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
Sheep are particularly good at staring. It's one of their talents.

And I love the geometry of your beach pool, and all those attractive shades of blue and grey.

No lambs here yet, but it can only be a matter of time.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
I really like that pool too. It will be interesting to see whether it is still there/still looks the same in a month or so. I will report back, perhaps.

Sheep really do seem to have a Paddington-like ability to give hard stares!

[identity profile] cairistiona7.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Spring and warmth and lambs and daffodils... and snow. Sounds like the weather around here as well. Lovely photos, as always. I want one of those little black lambs!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The wee black lambs are really cute - white ones are sweet, but the black ones are even cuter.

Today it is wet and grey - I have had the lights on indoors all day.

[identity profile] ayinhara.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
We have snow again this morning. But it will get above freezing tomorrow, so we should lose most of it. We had just had a big melt over the last week and almost all of the snow and ice were gone. I did see the stems of some spring bulb plants in a garden. Also there was a bush in the park that had a haze of new leaves.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-02-21 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I think we are likely to have snow up on the hills sometime this week - it just feels like it. But at present it is wet, wet, wet. And grey, very grey.

[identity profile] cbtreks.livejournal.com 2011-02-22 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
Lambs! And daffodils! (Oh, daffodils - it's nearly March 1 and I can't find my daffodil pin. I never can on March 1.) It's so nice to see signs of spring.

We had a few days of spring but have 3+ inches of snow again.

Does the Isle of Man have any sand beaches or all rocky? (I don't think I remember seeing pictures of sand beaches in your LJ but I might be forgetting.)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-03-27 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Aargh! I didn't know your comment was here - it presumably fell into the comment e-mailing black hole.

We do have some sandy beaches this is Peel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/voirreys_pics/4511767796/), and this is Port Erin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/voirreys_pics/3437946810/).

[identity profile] cbtreks.livejournal.com 2011-03-27 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! I'd forgotten about this as well - I'm amazed it made its way out of the black hole. (I think things are fixed now - hope I'm not speaking to soon.) Now that I've seen those photos, I think I might've seen them before in your LJ (?) but it's been awhile. Those beaches look nice.

[identity profile] ningloreth.livejournal.com 2011-03-27 10:48 am (UTC)(link)
I'm trying to catch up on all the posts I missed whilst writing my [livejournal.com profile] dmhgficexchange fic, which nearly killed me...

I love all the little lambies! But that second picture is totally surreal and reminds me of my Aelvorn -- don't fall into it. You don't know where you might end up!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2011-03-27 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
But that second picture is totally surreal and reminds me of my Aelvorn --

Oh yes! It could so easily be a gateway to a different dimension.