Great Spotted Woodpecker

This beautiful bird is a regular visitor to Mum's suet feeder, close to the kitchen window.

Until today I have only managed to catch glimpses of him as he flies away at the first sign of any movement.  This time with a close up lens I was able to stand back and take a few pictures.

This feeder is designed for small birds really and to keep squirrels out so he has to work hard to reach the suet while balancing.  His tail is obviously a very important part of the balancing act..

None of the photos unfortunately show the back of his head - which would reveal whether he is in fact she.. males have a red patch at the nape of the neck.  Or it could be that both birds are taking turns at feeding and collecting food for their young.  They are certainly making significant dents in the suet!

Moreton in the Marsh

Driving along the Fosseway today the weather was very changeable - bright skies followed by black clouds and downpours.

No time to stop and explore but the traffic was busy and so I took the opportunity, in the inevitable queue in Moreton in the Marsh, to take a few shots from the car.

It is a very pretty place but always seems to be full of cars and coaches.

Perfect Peonies

The peony in Lauren's garden is ready to bloom...

Some of the flowers are ahead of the others..

The full blown flower is very beautiful..

All kinds of Allium

Having photographed the purple allium in Lauren's garden over a week as it opened, another photo today as the ripening flower/seed head continued to grow and develop.

The varieties of allium that are available are amazingly diverse and there is another one coming along which is completely different.

Waiting and .... cooking

Keeping ourselves busy today in the kitchen.  While I made a vat of spaghetti bolognese for the freezer, Lauren made a blackcurrant and apple crumble..

We were both amused to see the effect that Lauren's 'anytime soon' shape had on the cat face on the apron she was wearing..

Flowers here and there

Yesterday James bought Lauren these lovely red roses which are coming out beautifully.

Today, James's Mum came to visit and to have lunch with us and brought beautiful pink roses and sweet peas.

Back in Reston, David has photographed the first pink rose by the side of the house.

There are a few more coming out.

Today he has been busy replenishing the soil in a trough alongside the decking and filling it with new plants.

Waiting and .. shopping

Today we went to some shops near Stratford and succumbed to two new outfits for baby - one featuring steam trains and one Paddington.

This is despite the fact that we know that David has been to the Memorial Weekend sales in the U.S. (second only to Black Friday in the US shopping year!)..

I also bought a new knitting book - forgetting of course that socks are likely to be knitted on four needles - a new challenge for me.

My final purchase today - a toy and book set featuring a slug who wants to be a snail.  Whatever next ..