Hippety-Hop!

I nearly posted about this last week. But stopped myself, when it appeared my enthusiasm was premature. But today, as sunshine floods through the windows of Thistletonthwaite Castle, my suspicion is confirmed: 

SPRING IS HERE!

We can now stop worrying about newborn animals freezing in the fields.


A friend saw some tiny lambs wearing little coats, a sight I’d love to see.

It’s been such a long winter, and you struggle on, imagining bundling-up in a coat until June. Then, suddenly there is sun -- WARM sun. Too warm for a coat and scarf -- yippee!

A (Secret) Crush and Newborn Lambs

For a couple of years, I’ve had a huge crush I have not mentioned to anyone. My reason for secrecy was threefold: he’s an older man, a married man, and his dress-sense is slightly dated. But push those things aside (quickly!) and he embodies all I admire.

He’s intelligent, creative, and driven. He has soul. He draws and makes things out of wood. He writes wonderful short fiction and wonderful epics. His name is Philip Pullman.

And whenever I read one of his interviews, I feel enriched. Sigh...


(The Firework-Maker's Daughter, and Clockwork, or All Wound Up are two of my all-time favourite novels.)

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En-route to the Lake District for Easter weekend, I drove through Caldbeck Common -- where the ponies grow thick, winter coats.

Driving home on Tuesday, I jumped out of the car to snap the cutest newborn lambs… I’ve seen in all my life!!!

Click on the photos for bigger and better views!