[LezH]

Can't think of many reasons to be here aside from work but a walk round Lincoln's Inn Fields with the dog in the pleasant warm morning sunshine persuaded me to think positive for a change.

The daffs and crocuses look resplendent; the smaller trees are throwing buds with the hawthorn showing its first shy dust-pink blossom; a rainbow shimmered in the sprinkler - a vote of thanks here for the park staff who work so hard to try and keep the Fields looking good despite so many peoples' efforts to the contrary; cheerful yellow forsythia and japonica floribunda, something with red sealing-wax petals and furry jade leaves, a wild strawberry/raspberry-type plant with puce blooms dash their careless colours against the freshly-watered beds; the dark old holly trees harbour their wealth of wildlife...

I saw: bumble-bees; wood pigeons; blue tits; greenfinches; blackbirds; starlings...

A wrong-coloured squirrel interrupted a territory dispute between a pair of crows and a pair of magpies. The crows, ominously near the greenfinches' patch, look set to live down to their collective noun when the hatching starts. The Magpies were collecting nesting material so I contributed some of Franklin's fur - much to his indignation. I often imagine all the little chicks wearing their Japanese Akita jumpers and keeping nice and warm on those cold nights. Franklin, of course, isn't too happy about the 'tugging of the tufties' (as the ceremony is known domestically!) but, well, he has to contribute somehow. (Before the howls of protest by dog-lovers everywhere I have to disclaim that no dogs were harmed in the making of this nest: I am just helping the natural moulting process along and all that suffers is Franklin's dignity)!

I have a pen-sized digital camera that was so cheap it should have been in a cereal packet, but nevertheless I'll try and get something to show for my moning stroll sometime soon...

Lez

Thanks very much for that. There were some lovely touches to your report.

I used to stroll around that area years ago (before I was into birds!) and loved it.

Do post some pictures next time!

[Doug]

Thanks Lez - lovely description - tickle Franklin's tummy for me, will you?

[T0ny]

Not Freewheelin' Franklin, is he ?

Tony

[LezH]

Thanks Doug; consider Franklin's tummy tickled. It's not so hard to find these days as, like mine, it's winning its battle for supremacy with its surroundings.

No Tony, at 12 years old he's anything but freewheelin'! He used to pull me around the streets of Covent Garden on me bike (at great speed I must add with fatherly pride!) and in his youth there were occasions when he pulled me along the forest tracks of North Wales on a 3-wheeled rig - but sadly, at his age, the only freewheelin he'd be up to would be down a steep hill on a skateboard.

It comes to us all...