They said it would only be a 24 hour inconvenience. Essential work, part of a bigger project to replace old metal gas pipes with new plastic ones in our area. The supply would be turned off in the morning and switched on again the same day. Also a small hole may have to be dug somewhere on the driveway.

So far it’s been a week. To be fair, when the supply has been turned off it has been switched back the same day, but small holes have turned into large and very deep holes, the front flower border has been trampled under foot and everything should have been completed before the weekend. That’s when they discovered the new mains pipe wasn’t strong enough for the job further up the road, so they are all back today.

Hence, the road is awash with yellow fencing, red and white cones, plastic pipes and all kinds of machinery. Not the usual view from the window, but at least it’s colourful !

The Whispering Knights burial chamber is said to date from 3,800 years BC, and is one of the earliest known monuments in Britain. It forms part of the Rollright Stones along with the King’s Men stone Circle and the King Stone itself, although these are thought to be much later in date.

Legend has it that the Knights were conspiring against their king.

Despite the threat of rain earlier in the week, four of us went to sketch in the grounds of Chastleton House.There are so many doorways and gateways leading into different parts of the garden and through to outbuildings. Windows too, in unexpected places. I found this little window low down on a wall and was drawn to the surrounding textures of wood and stone.

I also like the sense of mystery of doorways and windows, especially in older houses. How much can we really see through them and how much is left to the imagination? How much history have they witnessed? How many secrets do they keep?

After one of the wettest months anyone can remember, the only good thing is to see the Bluebells spilling out from the woods and onto the roadside verges. Despite what is happening to our climate, Spring remains a magical time of year.

In this dreary rain-soaked Spring, it is a joy to see the all-too-brief moments of sunshine in the garden!

Adding to the collection

At this time of year, the garden springs to life again – hence the name of the season! As soon as it starts to be a little warmer, all the little bulbs which have been sleeping under ground start to push their way up in the hope of catching sight of the sun, and once they start there seems to be no stopping them. Snowdrops, daffodils, tulip, forget-me-nots… now two recent paintings, Musari and Snake’s Head Fritillary are available as greetings cards.

Muscari, or Grape Hyacinths, really bring the garden to life at this time of year. It is hard to believe that some people hate them because they “make the place look untidy”, but for me it is their rampant wildness taking over many of the borders which have been so bleak during the last few months, which herald Spring like no other. I love their blue-purple lushness, especially when seen against a backdrop of yellow Daffodils.

Do you love them or hate them?

Due to Mother’s Day and a certain persons birthday, the house seems to be full of flowers at the moment. I liked this vase of tulips for the variety of colours. So often it seems if you go to buy a bunch of flowers, they all come in one colour, so it’s nice to be able to flip from one to another.

Despite the wind and the rain we are enjoying at the moment, Nature is determined to set things in motion by coaxing our Spring bulbs out of hibernation. It always amazes me how they are able to withstand the kind of weather which sends us running for cover.

Still a little early for full grown daffodils, but these Tete-a-Tete make a good addition to a still life, especially when it’s raining outside.