Botanical glasshouse beauty

Orchids and  perhaps Guzmania lingulata

I don't know what this plant is, but the flower 

looks like a butterfly from afar.

The flowers and other plants are real.

Of course, the birds are not,

but they do add to the exotic atmosphere
in the glasshouse.

Chinese New Year Celebrations

A Chinese New Year Festival at the Sheffield Winter Gardens to showcase the various talents of the Chinese community in the city has been taking place today.

I went to have a look at the colourful decorations and activities that had been organised by the city University. (This year is the year of the snake).

There were games and calligraphy demonstrations and I found that I was more dexterous than I had thought as I was able to use chopsticks to pick up chocolate balls and transfer them into another bowl!  As a result I was given a small prize as well as the traditional envelope containing a chocolate coin.

We were offered green tea and sweets and although I missed the dancing and music which was taking place this afternoon I enjoyed talking to the young people who had put on this interesting festival of Chinese culture.

Today is Shrove Tuesday so later on I shall be making pancakes with a sprinkling of sugar and a squeeze of lemon.  Do you make pancakes on this day?  If so, do you have a favourite recipe?