The weather turned spring like for Friday and Saturday. Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin brought plenty of gale force winds and plenty of rain. There’s a chance that this February could finish up as either the wettest, windiest or mildest I’ve recorded in 13 years.

However, Friday and Saturday both turned out to be lovely sunny days. There was a chilly breeze which took the edge of the temperature but it was nice to be out and about. We decided to take Ruby for a walk at Nostell Priory on both days. I forgot to take my woolly hat on Friday but I didn’t make the same mistake on Saturday. I did wonder if the storms would have brought down any of the mature trees on the estate but as far as I could see they seemed to have escaped unscathed.

My main surprise was how well the paths had dried out. I expected that Ruby would manage to cover herself in mud by the end of her walk but that wasn’t the case and she only needed her paws washing when we returned home. We did keep to the drier parts of the estate.

The area of meadow that floods in winter has become a small lake due to all the rain of the last few weeks.

Perhaps we might consider doing some gardening providing this little spell of fine weather continues. I think it’s about four weeks since we visited the allotment. We need a few more fresh leeks and some parsnips so a visit over the next few days might be on the cards.