SPRING

It seems spring has finally arrived, it is just amazing how much the weather has changed over the last couple of weeks. Not so long ago we were under 8 inches of snow and the whole country seemed to come to a standstill for a week. Now the sun is shining, the snowdrops are in flower and the weather is milder. It makes going for walks so much more enjoyable.

We have a hill near our house with a tiny country lane and I tend to take the boy down there for walks, if we don't want to go to the Tarka Trail. I have been down there in all types of weather but I think this time of year is one of my favourites as it is not too warm, all the plants are starting to get back there greenery after the winter months and the birds are in full song. There is also a nice aroma which just helps make everything nice and peaceful.

With the milder weather I have also managed to get out for more bike rides. I have found a nice route where the first half is up a gentle incline so that when I turn round the way back is all gently down hill which means I can get up a real turn of speed which is great fun.

Well only a couple of weeks until I return to sea, I will miss the rest of the spring but at least I will be due off around August so I should catch the last of the summer and the beginning of Autumn. I hope we have good weather this year as I really want to go wild camping out on Dartmoor. I don't know why I want to do this I just think it will be going back to the routes of camping and it should be more peaceful than a camp site. Saying that though hopefully all of us might have a night or so at a camp site as I think little Beth might enjoy it.