Nearly there!

It is only just over a week ago that these photographs appeared on the blog. The azalea bush was showing a lot of colour in the buds ... but none of them had opened into the glorious full display that marks the beginning of the spring riot of colour in the front garden. It is the best time there with a number of small shrubs in different colours and then the great rhododendron and the lilac just a bit later.This orange beauty is the first of the bunch and I watched it every day over the past week.

Suddenly it is in almost full blossom and, when the morning sun strikes it, you see the most wonderful splash of vivid orange that you could imagine.
Today's 365Project picture is this one!

 Aren't those flowers magnificent?
Maybe one should be rather more subdued during Lent?  But you couldn't help but be cheerful when you see this every time you open the door.

 The whole bush is coming alive ... and then ... as you move in for a closer look ... a whole new world of detail opens up.

 These petals looks as if they've not quite shaken off the crumpled folds of their bud state and will need a day or two of good sunshine to relax and stretch out properly.

I took only half a dozen shots this lunchtime ... the remainder of the day was pleasantly busy with home communion, preparation and then preaching at the first of the Holy Week services.  There was a good crowd out and I was delighted to see so many of Saint Nicholas' folk there ... nearly a quarter of the congregation!
And now ... Samuel Pepys probably had it right when he ended so many diary entries in the same way:
.... and so to bed!

May God support us all the day long, 
'till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, 
and the busy world is hushed, 
and the fever of life is over, 
and our work is done! 
Then, in his mercy, 
may he give us a safe lodging, 
a holy rest, 
and peace at the last.

Cardinal Newman (maybe?)