BITS AND PIECES 9

I wanted to start today's bits and pieces with this lovely cherry blossom on a tree in the grounds of OB's school. Phone pics I'm afraid but what a beautiful thing it is.

Our fears were not realised regarding the Ten Tors in that we weren't inundated with vehicles! Here is the tent near the road...

Tents in the early morning sunshine in the far distance:

This is the only picture I got of the teams.....those tiny coloured dots in the distance:

And the now extremely muddy tracks they trudged up and down:

Checkpoint Kestor.....

It was absolutely horrendous over the weekend, with high winds and rain. Rather them than me! Here's a Chaffinch with a windy ruff:

Guilty looking Sparrow

The bungalow next to my Mum's is for sale but the owners seem to be neglecting the front patch of lawn which is a foot high with grass and dandelions. Amongst this very depressing sight, I spotted four tulip buds, drowning at the edge. I'm ashamed to say I picked them and brought them home. They were absolutely beautiful:

The cows were right......it rained a minute or two later:

I love the tiny sliver of moorland beyond the darkness of the forest here:

Female Stonechat:

Scut:

Nib:

And the little half sibling of Number 3. I'm going to guess it's female and call her Tertia to continue the theme of three. No doubt the next time I see her, she will in fact be a he like last year. Hopeless. 

Sometimes I feel like the moor is the edge of a different world:

Those posturing colts again:

A snoozy one:

They really don't appreciate the views:

Green triangle:

A posy of flowers I picked for a friend from the garden a couple of weeks ago; I'd forgotten I'd taken this picture on my phone:

This rainbow was a full bow over our little hamlet and the moor but my phone couldn't get it all in:

Two days to go until I'm 50 and today I went on my customary trip to Exeter with a cheque from my mum, to buy clothes. A VERY successful session was had and I was back by 1.00pm to let the dogs out and walk them. The weather is improving and I may even be able to wear some of them on the big day when I'm meeting friends at a local pub in the morning for coffee in the absence of a party; I don't do parties. I have horrible visions of me sitting there on my own.................I'll take a book in case. SO until next time, here are the boys, static for once. Hope you had a good weekend and hello to a few more followers - you are very welcome.