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As you can see, swan mum has moved on to the next stage in the annual cycle and now has a brood of fluffy cygnets to look after – and, be it said, to train for the cameras. I tell you, those cygnets could teach the royal kids a trick or two about playing to the gallery. Anyhow, all toeing the line here – apart from Fred who, as usual, has got left behind…. I only realised they had hatched as I saw some pictures on Instagram as I was posting, so was lucky to catch them this morning.
And it was all action on my way down as, on the north side of Parliament Hill I had caught an outdoor, well distanced yoga class in full swing.
It seemed intrusive to get too close, but they all seemed to be having a good, stretchy time. (Apologies about the wind noise – it was quite blowy today.)
In fact, I had intended that tonight’s blog would be full of nothing except the tree work in my garden which happened this morning. But in my excitement I took so many pictures and videos that I have simply not had time to edit them for you. A delight in store…..
Meanwhile, two other small delights for tonight.
Our stately copper beech of two night’s ago, seen on top of its hill in the distance across the boating pond.

And this stunning flowering shrub seen along Constantine Road. Such a delicate lilac colour. Is it lavatera?

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What beautiful cygnets. The lilac coloured flower looks like a clematis, there are some out this early.
No, they definitely weren’t clematis, Emma – it was a large shrub. I did loo up lavatera on line the flowers are similar although I could not see that exact one.