
We had a drive up the coast today and came across these ponies on Annstead Dunes , a Northumberland Wildlife Trust nature reserve north of Beadnell. This was a small herd of six Exmoor Ponies, one of our native breeds. They were brought here some years ago as part of the reserve’s management plan. Several groups of ponies graze on the course grasses, which allows wildflowers to grow, improving the biodiversity of the site.

The Exmoors are very distinctive: bay with a pale “mealy” muzzle, pale underside and ring around the eye. We catch sight of them regularly when we drive up this stretch of coast, sometimes grazing, sometimes trotting along the dunes in a tight herd. It’s always lovely to see them.
We drove south to Howick, where there is a place to park by the Northumberland Coastal Path. K took the dog for a walk while I looked around to see what I could see and did some knitting.

The sea was quite calm, so conditions were reasonable for spotting whales and dolphins but nothing was about, and not many birds either, just a few gulls and a pair of eider ducks.

You can just make them out as dots on the water: the striking black and white male and the drab brown female. Eiders often mate for life. It’s too early in the for this pair to be breeding yet though.

With nothing else about, I got on with my knitting. I’m still making my socks -it’s a very compact portable project for knitting on the go.

There are some definite signs of spring about. We saw these winter aconites growing under a hedge on our trip out today.

All of a sudden there are clumps of snowdrops everywhere, including these in our garden. We do often get snow in February or even March, so winter will be with us for a while yet, but it always feels positive to see the first flowers of the year.
What is your favourite sign of spring?
The flowers are so hopeful that spring will arrive, eventually:) My favorite sign of spring is daffodils. They are my favorite spring flower:)
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I have a vase of shop-bought daffodils in the house right now and they are so cheerful
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I really like my first sign of Spring way back in December when the bulbs first start to push their leaves though the soil, then I know that the year is turning. Then comes that first whoop when the first snowdrop opens, such promise. The snowdrops and aconites are now out in the garden and its just lovely. I love the pcitures you have shared of the pnoies, I didn’t know they were there. Thank you.
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I’m so glad you like the photos. Spring bulbs are the most optimistic of plants!
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What beautiful countryside! You’re so fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing flora and fauna (the ponies are exceptionally sweet!).
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We are very lucky. Northumberland is a beautiful place to live.
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I just love reading your posts. Your pictures are beautiful and the way you talk about what you’ve done or where you’ve been makes me wish I could travel there myself. ❤
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Thank you so much. I love living where I do – it’s such a lovely part of the world.
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