Hey, I've missed you all.......Long time no see............and Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, I've been there and back to England for a long family hospital visit. Which went really well!! Thanks to Bristol hospital and all their great staff

Can't say hospitals are favourite places though. And my God, England was FREEZING! Well, we went from -9 in Switzerland to about zero, but it was MUCH colder in England - because of the dampness, which I didn't really realize until now. It really does creep into your clothes and skin and bones. Mind you, it has been one of the coldest years in Britain. But how pretty it all looked! All those antique cottages, great oaks and quaint villages covered in snow..........

I did have to buy a warmer coat for England though

We were then stuck at Luton airport for two days (not very scenic). Actually, we stayed in a business hotel.  A very nice business hotel - full of suits and laptops and long dinners. Love those buffet breakfasts! Don't they set you up for the day! It's amazing how much longer it takes you, to prepare all that for yourself, when you return home  I MISS ENGLISH FOOD. But my God the portions in England are HUGE. We get about half that amount here in Switzerland! Those plates are huge!

Anyway, we've returned home to good old Switzerland and guess what? SNOW and lots of it!! So, all in all, we've now had about 5/6 weeks of consistent snow. I never thought the day would come that I got tired of SNOW. But, I think mostly it reminds me of our lost doggy and his final difficult months, trying to navigate his failing body in the snow and ice. Not very helpful for a dog who has difficulty walking  So, I guess I'm a bit off snow at the moment. I'm sure I'll mellow in time.........

Hubby paid for 'speedy boarder' on easyjet. Doesn't that just make you laugh: that phrase 'speedy boarder'!! I don't see the difference anyway, everyone just bundles on anyway, elbowing their way to a seat. And watch those old ladies......with very dangerous elbows.

I can't find you a picture of England. I was a little preoccupied with hospital visits etc - walking up and down Bristol highstreet in the freezing cold to think of photos. I can describe the children's hospital, if you like: it was new and had this huge kind of sculpture outside. Are they giant teething rings?? Anyone??

Well, I'm far too arty not to find one small photo for my blog. It feels all wrong......so let's have a look......

Spring Hope Primroses.

This is our lovely old neighbour Margaret's garden in spring. Who very sadly passed away last year. She will always be remembered by us. Always chatting over the fence, putting up with my terrible french so patiently, and always giving us the fruit from her garden ( by the bucket load). Anyway, every spring these natural primroses would appear all over her garden, in all conceivable shades of pink, purple and yellow..........so beautiful, bobbing their heads in the trickling sunshine. 

It was always one of the first signs of spring to me. RIP Margaret and Axle.