Missing but active.

The month of March is nearly over . 

During the first few weeks I was busy Spring cleaning

our little holiday cottage La Petite Maison

for our first visitors.

A little French rustic adornment.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone wear the straw hat, 

but it's there just in case.

The weather was perfect to bring out the Olive tree.

We also had a lot to do outside 

 to make good after the damage from the mini tornado.

The terrace pergola and new fencing was finished in time.

For the first arrival.

Even the tulips that come up every year were in bloom. can you see them on the right ?

I'm still waiting for the pink ones I put in pots to flower. They wont be long I'm sure .

This is what they looked like last year.

March is nearly over, the clocks have been put forward an hour, 

I look forward to the longer days. 

The birds are singing morning an evening

Finding a mate

 To help build their nest

I don't think I've ever seen so many different types of finches 

altogether at the same time, in the garden.

Maybe it's because Mr France has chosen some 

different type of bird food, which he scatters on the ground.

and frantically building their nests.

We even had this visitor in the garden .

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera at the ready.

These photos are images from a source found on internet.

 The Hoopoe bird. 

I'm hoping they'll nest again near us.

We hear them but don't always see them.

There's new shoots popping up all around the garden.

What could be better. I love this time of the year.

I haven't been feeling well this past week. 

A nasty chest infection, which knocked me for six,

it was a pyjama week for me, thankfully it's slowly clearing up.

Now I'm looking forward to some warmer sunny days.

then I can get into gardening again.

Things have been put on hold, yet again. 

I was hoping to get things done 'gardening by the moon '

this Spring, but it wasn't to be. I would have liked to test 

to see if it did make any difference, when things were planted.

or pruned.    Now I'll never know.

Lets hope April won't be full of showers. 

Thanks for popping by

 and if you are new to my blog I hope you'll come back again .

Look forward to seeing you again soon.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

1 st. March Meteorologist Spring

When does Spring actually start ?

For me, it's when I see the flowers I associate with Spring, blooming in my garden.

So it's Spring in my garden it's arrived early this year.

According to the Meteorologist calender it's today the 1st March.

Take a look here to check

Then there's the  Astronomical seasons date which is 20th March 2016

A few were nipped and didn't get to stand up straight

so I cut them and made them into a small display.

Just three daffodils and a little greenery from the garden

 a few sprigs of Forsythia and catkins can make a pretty arrangements.

On the 1st March 1906 Edith Holden  wrote in her diary

March has come in like a lamb

with a warm wind 

and rain from the south west.

Exactly like it has been here today 110 years later.

Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady 

Full of such lovely illustrations. 

Do you like Country Magazines. if that's a yes.

you'll love Country Living UK.

It's high on the list amongst my favourites, as it is with Mary from

 A Breath of Fresh Air,.

take a look at her latest post, she tears out pages and puts them on her fridge. 

I keep some of my copies for several years 

as you can see this one is 2013

For those of you that still have snow 

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of my Spring.

I'll hope you'll come back and visit me again.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian