Mat, Oddie and I walked the ford loop via the churchyard path. Primroses are now abounding in the hedgerows and daffodils mirror the lichen on the gravestones.
The Herdwick lambs were arousing the interest of a couple of neighbours. One is quite black, the other pure white. The farmer explained that Herdwicks normally ‘throw’ black lambs. A white one is very unusual.
The Furzey Gardens alpacas normally pretty well ignore me when I pass. 
Today they showed a great deal of attention. It wasn’t until later that I realised they must have picked up Oddie’s scent, which is often not too savoury.
This afternoon there was a definite sense of spring in the air. The sun shone and the garden birds flitted and swooped about. I am beginning the recognise the languid loping line of the various tits aiming for the feeder. I was able to stand very close without frightening them away. It is amusing how they make for the shrubbery behind their food; perch there until they are sure it is safe to dive for the seeds, nuts, or fat balls; grab a morsel and flit away. 
Indeed, one particular long tailed tit seemed less timid than a robin I startled. Interestingly, there seem now to be three robins vying for territory. We wonder which one will win out.
While Mat, Jackie and I played Scrabble this afternoon, we watched a number of large rabbits bounding and chasing each other across the lawns.
Later, Becky, Flo, and Ian joined us and we all dined on Jackie’s shepherd’s pie followed by Sainsbury’s sticky toffe pudding and custard. Jackie drank Latitude 35 degrees S; Tess and I drank two different red wines; Ian had Peroni; and Mat, Becky and Flo abstained.
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