Sunday 1st April 2018

Easter Sunday

The forecast was for cloud, cloud and with added cloud. But no rain. For now.

We had nothing really planned, so we began the day slowly, as is the case after an evening carding. Not that we drink lots, but by the time we get to bed it is two hours past our bed time, meaning we are a little bit groggy. So after coffee at half seven, on with the TV to watch the football on the i player. Jools sits beside me on the sofa, beading, and I watch the footy.

After that it is time for bacon. Thick cut smoked streaky from the butcher, and lots of them in each butty.

That brought us to half ten, and time to think what to do. Well, for the past few days I had been looking for Coltsfoot open, but I know there were some on Samphire Hoe, and if we went there I could check on the Early Spiders. So what's not to like?

Only we didn't get down there until half eleven, meaning there were dozens of other people out and about and few parking spaces. But if you use the overflow spaces then you'll be fine. And as it was there were the largest ESOs were two years ago, best start there.

Last year they almost all failed here, so with the much damper winter, I had high hopes, but as it turned out, I struggled to fine rosettes. There was a large one in the middle of the car park, but no others, even if there were patches of lush grass growing. DOwn the side of the path, I could see none at all. All the way up until nearly the end just before it plunges to the beach, we find four or five more rosettes, looking good with spikes forming, but there should be many by now.

Even on a calm day, the temperature was just seven degrees, and this is as warm as it has felt for weeks. Maybe that is why there are s few showing, the cold, dry west wind might have dried many rosettes out over the past month or so. But in a few weeks we will know.

We had arranged to meet Trish from the Rack in town at half one, so had an hour to kill before then. So, we drove into town, and I took the final shots of the St James development, now that all is left is the units to be fitted out, those that have been sold of course. ANd there seems to be twenty or so empty with none of them having potential tenants. Three years work to bring a cinema, a Nandos and a Poundland to the town. Seems like it is turning into another white elephant.

The car park, which is free for now, was mostly empty, might make for interesting photos, but is worrying if more retailers have not been tempted. Nandos seemed to be doing good business, with a steady stream of people going in.

We walk to the Mash Tun, get drinks and take a table at the back to wait for Trish and Mo to turn up. As you may remember, the Rack closed in November, and now they are making their final preparations for their move to France, though they can't make up their mind where in that large country they might like to move to. Nice choice to have, of course. The pub had supplied us with cheese and crackers, quiche and roast potatoes. Almost a full meal there. All good too.

We stay for three. Or I do, as Jools has to drive back. But I have dinner to cook, and sharp knives to wield. So, we say goodbye and walk over the road to the car park, and Jools takes us home.

I cook leg of lamb, and after the triumph last week, I do stir fry vegetables again along with the roast potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings, that rose so much they looked like little souffles

And it was all wonderful. Washed down by white fizz, all good stuff. And at least being a Sunday night, tomorrow is also a holiday, so we can laze around and relax. That is until Mulder brings in baby rabbit. I was on the phone at the time, heard a scuffle going on, only to see a grey streak flash past me. Mulder is in hot pursuit, and he catches the rabbit and it goes limp. Mulder drops it ready for me to eat.

Meow. And that was your Easter Sunday and first day of April.