March 3 - afternoon tea by the apple tree.

Blossom on the Japanese quince.

Pretty wild flowers (lesser celendine) beneath the apple tree.

Keith inspecting the cherry plum tree which we planted.

The deer ate most of the cherry plum tree last year and almost killed it, so we have enclosed it in ...

22 March - trees by the river bank coming into leaf.

Leaf buds showing on the Aspen tree.

Lunch in the park.

A walk to the barrage (weir). The view south along the valley taken from the farmer's bridge.

The view south along the valley from the barrage.

Wild flowers in the back garden.

Wild flowers in close up.

The north bridge. The deck timbers are old and need to be replaced.

The underside of the bridge. It was constructed by our neighbour Jo-Jo and is very sturdily built.

The sub structure of the bridge comprises steel beams supported on concrete pillars, all of which ar...

The original wooden sleepers are bolted in place and are not easy to remove.

After removing the first few of the old sleepers and removing the soil and grass which covered them ...

Brunhilda, the tractor, makes light work of carrying the old sleepers away and installing the new on...

Lowering the second of the new sleepers into place.

After laying 31 new sleepers the bridge deck is three quarters complete.

The bridge is 8.4m long and 2.6m wide. As the tyre tracks show, it has no difficulty supporting the ...

Pretty wild flowers on the river bank by the apple tree.

Wild flowers in close up.

The nearby village of Pavie is holding a gardening faire. Scarecrow-like figures scattered around th...

A micro station like the one we plan to install was on show at the faire.

Lots of pretty flowers, mostly familiar types.

April 5 - leaves and blossom on the apple tree.

The tall Apsen tree by the stables is also coming into leaf.

Another walk to the barrage (weir). View south along the valley.

Another walk to the barrage (weir). View to the south west from the farmer's bridge.