22c, Worcester: Friday, 19th April, 2019.

February and March were like May.

Now April is like June.

It's fair to say that the swans and ducks 

have had plenty of bread today.

Blossoms by the alms houses.

A change of shifts, Gheluvelt Park, Worcester: Thursday, 18th April, 2019.

Just as we are walking through the park on our way back home from town

the male swan (furthest from the camera) is getting off the nest and 

the mother is preparing to take over.

We can see 5 eggs. 

Hopefully, the other 2 are still there under all the feathers and nesting material.

Mum grabs the chance for a wing stretch……

…….before carefully settling back down for the next shift.

Aunt Louise's 95th, Bassett's Pole, Warks: Thursday, 11th April, 2019.

Main course consumed.

Birthday dessert arrives.

Happy Birthday Aunt Louise.

BSB Test Day, Silverstone: Tuesday, 9th April, 2019.

11:15-ish.

We start our day with a quick shifty around the Pit Garages.

This is Superstock rider Luke Hedger.

Olde fella taking photos of stuff in the garages.

12:05-ish.

The BSB second session has just started 

and Joe Francis exits the pit lane on his BMW.

Bradley Ray takes the slightly damp Copse carefully on his Suzuki.

We spot Richard and Simon and walk back with 

them to the Paddock Cafe for a spot of lunch.

All the sandwiches are dated 8/4/'19.

Just a whole day out of date.

We report it. Staff thank us for telling them.

We have to exist on snacks.

Appalling. Silverstone really should do better.

1:15-ish.

With 'lunch', such as it was, over we all trek to The Wellington Straight 

to see if we can get some closer shots of riders doing 

wheelies as they change gear and so on.

This is Ryan Vickers on his Kawasaki.

Dan Linfoot on his Yamaha.

Glenn Irwin on his Kawasaki.

Long-sighted photographer needs two people to tell him 

if the shot is in focus and whether the front wheel is off the ground.

Richard and Simon both announce 'no and no!

2:15-ish.

Three intrepid BSB fans (Simon, Richard, and Vicky) 

head back to the car park.

After saying goodbye to Richard and Simon we head back to 

the Paddock cafe in the vain hope that it now might 

have something edible and sustaining to eat.

All the out of date sandwiches have been taken 

away, which is something, but all that they have left is vegetable pie and chips.

We have one portion between us washed down with tea.

On the way back to our car we spot Peter Hickman and……..

…….Andrew Irwin (we think).

3:15-ish.

We are worn out.

We've only eaten vegetables.

Vicky's going to drive us home now.

Of course, as soon as we are on the A43 the sun comes out.

It's like a spring day.

Isn't always the way?

Vicky's 57th, Worcester: Sunday, 7th April, 2019.

Lunch at the ASK Italian restaurant.

Chicken Caesar Salad, huge slices of garlic bread (shared), 

washed down with San Pelligrino lemonade.

Vegetarians look away now.

Belly Pork in gravy with roasted new potatoes and broccoli.

Pouring warm caramel sauce over hazlenut gelato.

Walking home thru' Gheluvelt park and the female swan conveniently 

stands up so we can confirm that she still has 7 eggs.

Good.

Birthday greetings from Great Nephew Humphrey in Brighton.

Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park (one of Vicky's Birthday presents): Friday, 5th April, 2019.

First port of call:

a spot of early lunch at the Temple Guiting Pantry.

Lovely.

Now inside the farm and it's time to take a close-up of a lamb.

The first of many no doubt.

Vicky is proud to introduce her namesake.

Victoria and some of her piglets.

Giving a friendly (as opposed to hungry) lamb a fuss.

The piglets are the centre of attention.

Touchy-feely until you actually touch them.

Then they run off.

More lambs to fuss.

We've wandered into the Animal Barn to find a sheep jam 

caused by two of the sheep refusing to go in the right direction.

Watching lambs being born in front of their very eyes.

They just shoot out!

(The lambs, not the eyes).

Olde fella with an-ever-expanding bald patch 

scrutinising sheep and their lambs.

I'm just a few hours old, me.

Easy winner of The Most Appealing Kid of the Day Award.

On the Rare Breeds Through History Trail now.

Many mouths to feed.

Two bags of food isn't going to be enough.

Gissus a kiss.

Not sure what these are but they are hungry.

Olde fella in need of a cuppa tea before departure.

Winding lanes and Cotswold stone are the order 

of the day as we make our way back home……..

……..in sharp contrast to The M5 just north of Tewksbury.

Ho-hum.

Ludlow Farm Shop, Ludlow & Gheluvelt Park, Worcester: 27th March, 2019.

About to go and spend just over £8.

Well, someone's gorra keep our economy going.

About to buy two small jars of jam, 

a bag of salad and a naughty sausage roll.

The things we have to do when Vicky's taking the photos.

Where we've just had 'brunch'.

Cost loads more than we spent in the shop.

Heading out of Shropshire and back into Worcestershire.

Back in Worcester and the chance to take a quick 

walk around the park to check up on the swans.

Still seven eggs. Phew.