Spring has Sprung

Even last week we still had a frosty morning and most people were still wearing hats and scarves. But just in time for the holiday weekend fine, warm weather has arrived and we took a quick trip to Farmleigh this morning.

I thought I would remember to make a post for my blogiversary - but somehow I misremembered that it was the first week in May when in fact my very first post was  of magnolia blossom in the Botanic Gardens in April 2009. We thought of the Botanics this morning but knew we didn't have enough time to really enjoy it.

Birds and foliage...

 It was hard to capture the lilies starting to grow under the water, but this is close to what I saw.

Wooden garden bench

Magnolia and Cherry

The title says it all. I love magnolias, I think they are so beautiful and sculpturual.

A Somewhat Sunny Saturday

Friday morning was bright and sunny - and busy. The forecast was for rain on Saturday, but when it too was bright and sunny, we got up and headed over to Farmleigh to enjoy it. It didn't last long - it was already pretty overcast by the time we headed to the duck pond in Phoenix Park, but it was lovely to get out and see the sunshine.

There were a lot of raindrops on all the bare trees - like little shining crystals.

OK, so I took this on the 9th, but photo prompt #10 is rust, and I thought of it when I was taking this photo

They are working on  renovating the yew hedges, so I took this photo of the noticeboard describing the process.

Spring...

We had such beautiful weather this weekend. I think that the guy I saw walking around with no shirt on was a bit over-optimistic, since the air temperature was only about 12°C / 54°F , but driving back through the park in the afternoon we saw plenty of people enjoying picnics and barbecues. Most of them were more suitable dressed for the weather, just happy to enjoy the sunshine.
In the morning we took a short trip to Farmleigh...

Farmleigh

As promised, a few photos from Farmleigh last week:

It was a beautiful morning, but bitterly cold. The witch-hazel smelled just beautiful, as did the wintersweet growing against the outside of the walled garden. And the birds were in full song...

This last photo is obviously not Farmleigh at all - it's a reflection (and reflection of the reflection) of a sculpture outside the civic offices in Blanchardstown. On another lovely sunny morning...

Spring is Springing

I had some rather disheartening news in the post yesterday, so in the afternoon I went for a walk along the canal and had a wonderful time listening to all the birds singing their hearts out, and seeing the signs of Spring. And this morning I had time to go for a good walk in the park after doing the shopping.

I've been noticing the chestnuts greening up nicely as I walk to the local shops, but this is the finest I've seen yet.

Front of Farmleigh, with cherry trees.

Snowflakes

Good grief - a tree peony on its way already!!

Love the acid green with the tulip

As soon as I stepped through the gate into the walled garden I could smell the viburnums. It's a shame there's not yet a way of sharing scent - at least video allows for sound.