April Showers Bring Monsoon May....

April showers bring May flowers.  Well, even though it is May, it seems that the rain is determined to stay.  We went from drought to flood warnings and the radio says that this is not the proper type of rain.  Hrumph.  I just know that I have not seen that fiery, bright ball in the sky that is rumored to be the sun often lately.  One of the Dj's on Absolute Radio claimed that we were in the middle of "Monsoon May".  Great.  Even with the high amount of rain that we have been receiving, we are still on a  hose pipe ban/watering restriction, though Sean did hear that 19 counties were taken of out of drought levels.

There at least is the yellow in the fields.  The British farmers have winter barley and oilseed rape in the fields right now.  The oilseed rape is flowering and it provides a beautiful yellow in against the green.  It is at cheerful!  And when the sun comes out, it looks so lovely against the blue sky and fluffy clouds. The smell is just as nice as the picture might suggest.

The picture above was taken on one of the recent days that we were able to enjoy the sun.

The daffodils have finally disappeared and the oaks finally have leaves.  There are still tulips out and so are the Iris.  We are seem to be moving out of the spring and the temperatures are slowly rising.  We have yet to turn our boiler off as the house is still chilly at night with the temps reaching down into the 40's F which is about 4-6 Celsius. 

I can't wait to take my camera out and take pictures of all the spring flowers.  Geraniums grow wild along the road.  The rhododendrons are starting to bloom.  The Wisteria is blooming as well and I recently saw a tree with beautiful blue colored flowers in it.  It was breath taking.  Now if the sun would only shine.  I think that we are in for more rain....

We see a pair of fox terriers sometimes on our way to school and they already have gotten their spring cuts.  Chip is very shaggy and in definite need of a hair cut as well.  Luckily, I brought his clippers!

Today the weather was beautiful.  It was sunny with a bight blue sky which was filled with white puffy clouds and sun.  The temperature even hit 60F or 16 Celsius.  Liam, Cian and I planted a bunch of flowers and veggies in pots.  I planted peppers, cilantro, tomatoes, lettuces and some carrots that are just for containers.   I left a pot free for basil.  I love fresh basil!   Cian also learned to ride a two wheel bike, kind of... though if you ask him, he will flatly deny it.

Even though the temperatures are still quite cool the kids are swimming in the outdoor heated pool at school.  The rain does not mean a cancelation of outdoor activities.  Cian swims in rain or even swam in hail.  They play sports in the rain as well.  If they let the rain stop them in England, they would never do anything outside.  

Good thing I have my mac and wellies!