At the crack of dawn....

Alas, duty calls even for our male guardian who, with our female guardian, so kindly keeps us in a manner to which we have become accustomed. This does sadly mean that when many are enjoying the Easter Time break, our guardian rises early to go about his work. Today was one such day; however, these early starts are not lost on our female guardian who relishes in the quiet morn with not a soul about bar the birds, bees and animals of the countryside. The cuckoo has been heard a number of times over this Easter time and the wood pigeon has cooed at us from its lofty perch, the sound resonating down the chimney whence it sits. Despite the forcast, the sun has risen and the dew is glistening. Our footprints as we walk the estate making darkened furrows in which my sister and I delicately trip behind our guardian, with her cup of early morning tea in her hand, as we survey the land. As the sun rises, dew laden cobwebs and glistening diamond moss upon the apple trees are revealed. The apple trees appear to have burgeoned overnight with both acid green young leaves and the most delicate of pink and white apple blossom from which the hum of a busy bee can be heard. Such a glorious time of day in which to muse upon the delights the day may behold.

My guardian takes great delight in the natural flora and fauna of the countryside and cannot contain her joy at the sight of the cow parsley - a delicate white frothy flower, typifying the english country lanes in spring. I know of old that great jugs of these flowers will appear at regular intervals until the very last blossom has waned. Such simple pleasures to be had.