Outdoorsy Shite Top Trumps: March

[Slubberdegullion]

Flora or Fauna.

Extra points for a photo.

Handicap will apply to those in Forrin. Monthly win will not automatically go to, for example, a Cougar spot. The Cougar will need to be doing something awesome, like fighting a bear or doing sudoku.

Oh and the blackthorn is out of bud and into flower, a positive frenzy of lace. The postman nearly didn't escape without a very determined pet lamb (enterprisingly put its self forward for adoption. Have also washed the bobble hat and am awaiting the call.

I do hope there is a range of branded bobble hats in the Olympic merchandising panoply.

Incidentally, does anyone remember the Animal Olympics? It was a programme they showed in 2004 before the Athens Games. John Motson provided the commentary and I have honestly never in my life laughed more at a programme. They scaled animals to be human sized and competed them against each other in certain events. One highlight was in the high jump when the flea jumped right out of the stadium.

Oh beggar posted twice again.
Do I get any pointed for my yellow hammer he comes every morning for food when I feed the bene. It dosnt have to be March. But he turned up again This morning.

And fleas are more difficult to get rid of than dead nettle.

The Queen would probably like the dog display etc much more than whatever has been planned - she's an outdoorsy shite sort of lady.

Anyway... there are bluebells in Lancashire today (on the hill in Witton country park). Looked like proper English ones. And the first fresh shoot of coiled-up bracken.

I noticed that a few of our bluebells are coming into flower now. Which gave me a spasm of anxiety that they might be Spanish. I think not, though, as they are all in woodland which is apparently not what the Spanish ones like.

I'm very glad to see that the Olympic ceremony arrangements are coming along so well. I had been a bit worried and embarrassed at the thought that being British will implicate me in the status of host in the face of a naff ceremony organised by Boris. But all the suggestions here are very proper. Can we add a mass choir singing "Oooh it's nice and sunny now" to the tune of some great Wagnerian aria?

We can also do On Ilkley Moor Bah Tat (sp?) specially for Violetwellies.

I reckon the Queen would enjoy this thread as well.

I have seen Spanish bluebells today . I would say it's unlikely that anyone would be seeing the British variety yet, though of course would be happy to be wrong. Spanish ones have smaller, more "flowery" bells and are paler blue, whereas British ones are that gorgeous deep blue and have longer bellier bells.

Sorry, that post made me look like a know-all wanker. I'm not, honest.

Am I really thick or just slow?

Hurrah for The Great Outdoors!

Ahem. I am also a bluebell snob and definitely saw English bluebells. I may go back and take a photo for you tomorrow to prove this.

A bluebell snob
That well known thing. I am a cow parsley snob myself. Can't stand that ghastly imitation stuff.

S'okay norf, I believe you.

Hurrah indeed! The Great Ourdoors is here!

I also love cow parsley and am thrilled to hear there is a snobbery option. What is the inferior stuff ?

I think that cow parsley snobs don't distinguish between forrin and domestic varieties, like bluebell snobs; they just choose to call cow parsley "Our Lady's Lace" instead. I've def heard it called that, and I love it that one plant has such a delicate and such an anti-delicate name.

Dunno what it's called. But it's chunkier than proper cow parsley.

"Our Lady's Lace" - I like that

I know it as Queen Anne's Lace.

I'm liking your improved Olympic opening ceremony very much. YYYY to giant maypole and Alsatians jumping through hoops.

And instead of the usual willowy beauty in national dress, medals should be presented by a sturdy young thing, in stout shoes shoes, white lisle stockings and a tweed walking skirt.

Oh yes! With a daysack and some Kendal mint cake.

And capable hands.

Tanned, with short, sensible nails.

With scratches on, from pruning rose bushes, picking blackberries and fearlessly wrangling pets.

It's a Betjeman dream. I rather adore her myself.

And bullocks too of course.