Our Easter Holidays

 Our Easter holidays have been a little disjointed this year! M came home from uni earlier than J, which has meant that she has already returned to uni, whilst J is still at home.  My husband had a week and a half off work and is back today, whilst I am now halfway through my Easter holidays!  We managed to visit my parents in Norfolk for a few days, but unfortunately it was timed with my coming down with a flu-like bug!  It is unusual for me to be ill, so this really was bad timing!!  I managed to drag myself around Norwich one day and we popped into a couple of craft shops another day, but I was exhausted and in bed by 6pm!  Luckily I don't seem to have passed it on to anyone else.  I took very few photos whilst we were away; a sure sign that something wasn't right! :)

I took this basket of plants as a gift for my Mum

 and came home with a few purchases:-

some Merino fibre and hand-dyed silk for spinning

 and some fabric for project bags and a cushion.

 Back home we spent a quiet couple of days whilst I recovered.

Luckily I had made a our Simnel cake

and some Easter rocky road before we went away, ready for our return.

 We are on a health kick so most of the baking was for the children, but I have had some cake and hot cross buns! :)

The weather has been glorious, so mid week we went to RHS Wisley.

The scented displays in the glasshouse were amazingly perfumed!

 There were many beautiful orchids on display.  I particularly like the green orchids

 and wacky shaped ones.

 Outside the trees were full of blossom.

Magnolia x loebneri Ballerina.

 Stachyurus chinensis

 I always like to visit the Alpine House.

Primula auricula Purple Velvet.

The meadow was carpeted with spring blooms.

 Narcissus cyclamineus with primulas.

 Brimstone butterfly on Pulmonaria.

 It was a glorious day and we even got a little sun tanned!

 Over the weekend we popped down to Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth for a spot of shopping

 and we were lucky to get two free tickets to see this film.

 Both my husband and I enjoyed it.

At home our garden is full of spring flowers and I have been busy at the allotment and in the greenhouse, but I shall save that for a separate post so that this one doesn't turn into another mega post! :) x