Equinox

This is a solargraph. It's essentially a very long exposure pinhole photograph showing the sun's path through the sky from winter solstice (lowest) to spring equinox (highest). It's my first attempt and although it didn't quite go to plan (it was supposed to be landscape!) I'm just glad it worked - three months is a long time to wait for a result!

0624/1804

It's finally light enough to visit the allotment after work, and warm enough to eat my lunch outside in the sunshine.

I've just had a weekend of catching up (or attempting to at least!). I got lots of work done on the plot - it almost looks under control. I'm looking forward to a year of fruit, herbs and leaves (all low maintenance you see). There may also be the odd bean and perhaps the occasional beetroot...

All of a sudden it feels like spring, and there are plenty of wild plants to gather. I spotted some early hop shoots down by the river last week, although the ones on my allotment have yet to make an appearance. There are nettles and other green leaves in abundance now, and the first flowers are beginning to bloom. I love the plum and blackthorn blossom which is everywhere at the moment - if you see white or pink candyfloss trees remember to check them later in the year for potential harvests of fruit!

I picked some gorse flowers yesterday - I was originally considering making wine but I didn't have the motivation to pick enough for that so instead I made do with bright yellow gorse flower tea.

0709/1727

0715/1722

Some early childhood memories from "the old fields":
Hedges of Hawthorn and Blackthorn, grasses taller than me, the family digging for Pignuts, my brother chasing and studying butterflies while I collected flowers to press or make into photograms in Dad's wardrobe-darkroom.

I was so happy then. I had far less to worry about than I do now - but all those things still make me feel happy.

Today I spotted the first few Blackthorn flowers of the year. Tonight I drink my last little bit of Sloe Gin :)

0737/1700

At last we've had some snow! Which is only fair, I think, after the bitterly cold winds these last few weeks.

I went for a walk around my local nature reserve this morning. In between the whiteness and the withered fruits which still hang on the branches, I spied a few signs of new life. Not confused flowers or Winter plants this time - but green leaves on the Elder and the Hawthorn.

We may get more snow yet, and it's still too dark in the evenings for allotmenteering or foraging, but I'm ready. I've had enough of the numb fingers and toes now. Come on Spring!

:)

Just a quick blog entry to show you the e-card my brother Chris drew for my birthday - I love it!



I wish my cat would really ride in my basket like that.

Come to think of it, I wish she would help out a bit more on the allotment too...

2012

Christmas and the solstice have passed, the holiday is almost over and we've started a new year. I'm noticing signs of spring before we've had any proper winter weather - there are tiny buds on the trees, Daffodil shoots coming up in the hedgerows and Lords and Ladies peeking out from under the leaf litter. Today I even saw Cow Parsley in flower (confused perhaps) and eggshells dropped far from the nests of careful (but not so wise) birds.





My resolution is to make a positive, personal record of 2012 in my paper diary. I am going to write about, draw or photograph one event at the end of each day - something that has made me happy.