The First Week Of May

We've got the rain now. It's a bit rubbish isn't it when you can't get the washing dry or go anywhere without getting wet. We've only had it for the afternoon too, I guess I've been getting used to having dry weather. Those in the UK who have had to put up with rain for the whole of April have my sympathy.

I'm supposed to be making use of the cool wet weather to tidy the computer/craft room. Apparently my craft stuff was taking over and needed controlling. So, I've bought and built up some new big shelving units from Ikea. I've moved a smaller bookcase into the living room, and another from the living room to the dining room. However, I've only managed to fill one black bag with rubbish and two carrier bags for the charity shop, and the room (and indeed the rest of the house now) is still not tidy. Must try harder...

Anyway, I took some sunny photos last week when the weather was much better...

MollyTheCat loves lying in patches of sunlight in the living room.

A lurking snail, spotted while walking through the village after school.

A posy picked on the walk...

...later "arranged" in a jam jar.

I had some more fun with the tulips and my camera...

... sticking the lens right inside while on macro mode gave some groovy results.

I love daisies!

Thursday was polling day and the school buildings were in use for the voting. It was so nice to be able to spend an afternoon with just A (N was at nursery). It was a hot afternoon, we took it easy. The deckchairs escaped from the shed and A make her first daisy chain.

The camelia flower heads were starting to fall, still loving the pink blossoms.

Early May garden view. The deckchairs are positioned under the dappled shade from the birch tree as we were finding it too hot in the full sun (such wimps!)

Lastly, a couple of sky photos for the flickr group.

The last one of criss-crossed plane vapour trails looks like a saltire :-

"According to legend, in 832 A.D. Óengus II led an army of Picts and Scots into battle against the Angles led by Æthelstan, near modern-day Athelstaneford, East Lothian. Whilst engaged in prayer on the eve of battle, Óengus vowed that if granted victory he would appoint Saint Andrew as the Patron Saint of Scotland; Andrew then appeared to Óengus that night in a dream and assured him of victory. On the morning of battle white clouds, forming an X shape in the sky, were said to have appeared. Óengus and his combined force, emboldened by this apparent divine intervention, took to the field and despite being inferior in terms of numbers were victorious. Having interpreted the cloud phenomenon as representing the crux decussata upon which Saint Andrew was crucified, Óengus honoured his pre-battle pledge and duly appointed Saint Andrew as the Patron Saint of Scotland. The white saltire set against a celestial blue background is said to have been adopted as the design of the flag of Scotland on the basis of this legend."