Return of the Cock Pheasant! Cannot be sure of course but he certainly looked like the one that visited the bird table before Christmas (see photo gallery) -
very calmly strolling around before giving an indignant squawk on finding the table bare! He then departed in a dignified manner watched by our two bemused cats Holly & Ivy.

What a difference a few dry days can make, and a welcome change from the bitter east wind of last week. The mares have now been moved from their almost bald (& frequently muddy) winter quarters onto bright green grass!
The next events are: Bella goes to "school" to learn how to be a sensible riding prospect for our granddaughters, while her mother Daisy awaits (with many a heavy sigh) the arrival of her next son/daughter around 28 May.

Daffodils are on the wane but primroses still going strong and bluebells appearing; hawthorn and beech leaves bursting out and birds singing mightily - the countryside is definitely waking up!