h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Spring is officially here. But can it be said that winter has well and truly gone? Probably not, even though today gives every indication that we've seen the last of snow and ice for a few months. At the moment the sky is blue and everything seems ripe for the blink-of-an-eye transition into summer that we call spring.

Hi, John,

Here in the Midlands Spring has sprung well and truly, but I still think Winter could come back at any time. Early good weather in the past few years seems to have brought a rotten June, so I am making the best of it.

Buds are on the lilac, primulas and daffodils are out, and everything is sprouting. I gave the lawn its' first cut yesterday and it rained last night so did it just in time.

The squirrels and birds are definitely in the mood, especially the pigeons and doves It makes such a difference to everyone's mood, and my hubbie even started painting ceilings today! A very big job for him, with his emphysema, but he puts up a good fight. He is shattered tonight, though.

The only thing to spoil the day was Network Rail contractors stripping the railway banks of all vegetation just as the birds are looking to nest and find food I hate the sound of chainsaws - legalised vandalism to me


Websailor

I've been busy lately with my own chainsaw, I'm afraid, cutting the bottom branches off trees so that the kids who mow the grass in the parks don't bump their heads. Hopefully, that won't have disturbed the birds and beasties too much. At this point there's barely a hint of spring, despite the official proclamation; although I have heard a few very early returnees singing away in the woods somewhere, even a woodpecker looking for frozen snacks.

There's not much sign of spring in the garden yet, except for the odd early bulb making a brave show where soil warms up quickest near the house.

Tell your hubby I shall have to have a word with the union if he doesn't stop showing me up. It's much too soon for that sort of exertion.

JTG

Now, behave, JTG,

You tell the union and I shall sulk till Xmas It has taken years to get him to do it. It was only when I said I was going to do it that he started. Whether he will finish them is another matter. He has done one, so two or three ceilings to go, but I shall probably do one or two when he's not looking

You see, the bowling season is about to start so I can twist him round my little finger (for about two weeks) then I shan't see him for dust for months He went for a *friendly* game this afternoon. I dread to think what the other games are

It helps to keep him fit and in the fresh air which helps his breathing. The winter is a bit of a struggle.

There are so many flowers and bushes in flower, much too early, so I hope we don't get a return to the snow we had a while back. (just a little bit ) I doubt you would register it as snow!! My friend in Winterpeg sent me some photos of what Canadian snow looks like, and it's lovely from this distance

It has been glorious here today, too warm to work really We are being threatened with hosepipe bans by early summer if we don't get some rain soon, well, lots actually. I am expecting it about June when I start doing outdoor events again

The kitchen is calling so better Hope your spring is sprung soon. The Whooping Cranes will be back to Wisconsin from Florida by then, all 45 of them.

Websailor

Hear, hear.

I haven't even begun to rake the sticks and other winter debris from the lawn...

They're calling for wet snow here again tonight. And it's nice and 'raw' today with a cold driving rain and stiff breeze.

Hi, Jimi.

It looks like suggesting the possibility of spring so early was tempting fate just a little too recklessly. It's been snowing for about an hour now with a more than a hint of freezing rain every so often. Looking out of the window at the moment it's hard to imagine whatever it was that suggested spring. I must have imagined it.

Websailor, I hope you're not one of those wives who resort to dirty tricks like hiding a fellow's bowling ball when there are job around the house to be done. I shall have to come around and start picketing.

JTG,

Moi! Hide his balls Now would I do a thing like that Anyway our house isn't big enough to hide anything

The other thing is I am glad to see the back of him and have some time to myself so why would I stop him going? The jobs are not that important to me anyway!! So, I can't give you an excuse to pop over to the UK to picket

Sorry to hear about your false Spring. You and Jimi seem to have some nasty stuff at the moment. I don't expect our good weather to last, but we'll see. We are used to having every kind of weather in one week. It doesn't pay to put winter clothes away, even in July and August.


Websailor

Tuesday was so nice here that I made a tee time at the local golf course.

I don't know if they'll let me play if it's snowing!

Maybe they'll let you go tobogganing, Jimi.

Websailor, it would have been a nuisance trying to get the placards through customs. Besides I doubt that the hubbies union would have sprung for the airfare. Think I'll make a snowman...

JTG

JTG,

you're right - not a chance

Websailor