Promise of Spring

There have been some wild, windy days, and more rain, but these are interspersed with bright sunny days that remind me Spring is NEARLY here......

A walk along the shore on the coral beach bring joy anytime, but especially in the sunshine and with Button!

And the air is beginning to be filled with the sound of the sea birds returning, lots more oystercatchers ( who don't catch oysters!) with their bright eyes and orange bills, plus a wee Sanderling hanging out with his/her bigger pals.

And some ringed plovers plus another Sanderling

They were all sitting on the old Sandside pier

Button waits patiently while I take photos.... this old building is perilously near the edge, one Winter storm will no doubt pull it onto the shore in years to come.

Over  by the Manse the ewes are being fed....

Meanwhile the tide is coming in.... Lots of seaweed washed up through recent storms.  Stromness in the distance looks like a tropical island! In fact it's the Orkney Mainland - the largest island in Orkney [yes I know we call it Mainland, to those of us in Orkney it IS!].

And back at the house and garden, things are growing again!  Willow buds coming on...

Crocus blooming among the daffodils (yet to bloom)

Dwarf daffs among the bare willow branches

And "home" looking good in the sun, with Ginger, the cockerel enjoying the rays, and the willows coming into bud.