Another Visitor, Another Trip to The Orchard

My sister did leave over a week ago, but we did so many things that it has taken a while to go through all of the photographs. I had close to 700, and I whittled the group of keepers down to 230.

On her first full-day in Cambridge, the weather was promising enough for us to venture the walk across Grantchester Meadows to The Orchard at Grantchester. Although we were sprinkled with a light rain occasionally, the weather, while we were relaxing at The Orchard, was lovely. The daily rain and cloud cover, which we've experienced since May, makes one appreciate the hours or minutes of sunshine.

Carolyn thought the Newnham chemist shop was very quaint

Even on a gray day the Cam and the meadows are lovely.

Carolyn opted for Diet Coke instead of the traditional tea.

A friendly chaffinch

This chaffinch really liked my gluten-free almond cake

The Orchard's apples just beginning to ripen

Sisters surrounded by hollyhocks

Carolyn Arrives

Carolyn arrived yesterday, and, after a quick nap, she set out to familiarize herself with Cambridge. This is not a hard task, even on foot, as our town is just not that big. Here are a few photos from our walk, which Matt accompanied us on, to The Orchard at Grantchester.

Carolyn in front of our quaint, Newnham chemist shop

Carolyn bucking tradition by having a Diet Coke instead of tea.

Robin searching for food Carolyn had tossed into the grass.

This chaffinch really like my gluten-free almond cake.

Apples coming into season at The Orchard.

Amy, Carolyn and hollyhocks.

Birds and Bees

Days in the high 60s and sunny. Birds building nests in trees once again green. Bees, mysteriously disappearing around the world, in abundance and fond of paying building dwellers a surprise visit through an open window. The ice cream truck ringing its bell and playing its song down our street. Spring in Cambridge is lovely.

Song thrush on Llamas Land

Blackbird got the worm.

Chaffinch and song thrush on Llamas Land.

Pheasant on Grantchester Meadows.

House (or tree) sparrow in our backyard.

Ice cream truck on Owlstone Road
Dogwood (pretty sure) in bloom.

Roadside flowers at corner of Trumpington and Brooklands near Botanic Gardens.

Two More Birds Identified: Chaffinch and Starling

Sat by the bedroom window this morning—bird watching and going through financial paperwork (guess what I preffered doing). I was able, thanks to my bird book, to identify two more bird species: tfhe chaffinch and the starling. Here are two blurry photos of a chaffinch.