Ngaio's away in Salzburg, organising an exhibition of work so it's just us chickens today. Off to Sladers Leigh to keep an eye on progress on an overcast day.

English Nature's description of Rose Wood mentions "Meadow saffron", also known as "Autumn crocus" and which we have photographed flowering in Kings Wood. This is the spring form - just leaves in spring, the flowers bloom in autumn. Weird.

Ngaio's been keen to spot the first anemone of the year ... this one's a bit nibbled but a welcome sight nevertheless.

A photographer's dilemma: which camera? I took along the Minolta as well as the little Ixus because I expected to do some macro work. I used both, just to get a sense of the differences in the image. This is Common Toothwort and a White Violet.

We didn't expect to see Ladys Smock blooming, its other common name is "Mayflower". It was actually blooming a few days ago, in late February.

Another plant mentioned in the English Nature description of Rose Wood is "Dog's Mercury" and it's also abundant in Kings Wood.

Finally, just to make a point: the Spindle tree is unremarkable for most of the year.