Winter walk

It was good to get out today and to walk around the fields in the winter sunshine. The shadows are still quite long but the greens of the mosses, brambles and foxglove leaves are becoming more vibrant. The streams were running well after the rain of last week and I enjoyed the sounds as I walked. No signs of snowdrops yet but the shoots of bluebells are appearing in sheltered places.

A welcome visitor

We had a lovely surprise this morning when looking out from the kitchen. At the top of the cherry tree was a green woodpecker. I've never seen one in the garden before but thought I had heard one. Its much bigger than the greater spotted woodpecker which visits the bird tables regularly. A good start to the new year.