More signs of spring

About a week ago, I had a visit from a friend of mine from the Netherlands. We've known each other for something like 45 years and, though we rarely meet now, when we do get together all those years drop away. He was en route to walk the Dales Highway, one of our long-distance footpaths, wild camping along the way... so his backpack was about as big as me and looked about as heavy too! Thankfully, he was able to leave it for a while at my flat and we had a walk along the river bank in the sunshine. It's still rather cold but the brighter, lighter days are really encouraging the blossom and wild flowers. 

Magnolia blossom is coming out and hasn't yet been browned by a frost. Hopefully it'll last a while. It looks gorgeous against a blue sky. 

In the woodland edges, lesser celandine was mingled with white wood anemones, the combination even prettier than either flower on its own... a constellation of white and yellow stars. 

The river was reflecting the blue of the sky, though disappointingly there were few birds about. 

My friend's knowledge of wildflowers and birds is extensive. He even knows most of their names in English, so I always learn a lot on our walks. I was assuming the little flowers (below) were some kind of violet but they are actually called ground ivy due to their habit of spreading by creeping, rooting runners.  They have tiny flowers in a delicate blue, and little heart-shaped leaves. 

By Hirst Lock, the painted boat is planted with daffodils, though it's beginning to look a bit rotten in parts.  We were so busy chatting that I didn't take many photos but this handful sums up our walk.