The trees no longer tinkle they sing!

The tinkle of heavy icy trees as they sway in the winter winds is now but a memory. These days, they sing with happy birds and their shiny new spring leaves glisten in the sunlight. Blossoms are everywhere. The scarlet Rowan berries that added a dash of brilliant colour to the whiteness of winter have long fallen and now the trees are dressed in lush new leaves and laden with pretty white flowers that will become fruit for the next season. Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring bulbs of many colours have emerged from the sleeping garden beds.
Fruit trees and lilac trees are loaded with fragrant flowers. Even the weeds are growing furiously now that the soil has warmed and the days lengthen. Many are taking advantage of these balmy days bike riding, skating and strolling in the parks till late into the evening as twilight continues till almost midnight.
We have had many spring showers but the days and now between 8 to 20 degrees.

Apple orchards

The Adventurers find some lovely weeds by the river when they were watching the trains on the bridge.

more lush weeds

"What great time to explore the forest," said Happy Heart.

Our spring visit to St Petersberg was amazing although the signs of new spring greenness were not as advanced there as they are here a bit further south. Winter coolness still hung in the air even though the frozen river had thawed daffodils and tulips were giving a showy display. We were able to visit Catherine the Great's Palace and the many golden fountains of Peterhof which are both jaw droppingly beautiful! A few more weeks and the gardens would be fully decked in their new spring splendor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Palace 

The blue thing in the corner is an elaborate ceramic heating stove used in every room.

Peterhof gardens would be amazing too when all the trees have new spring growth. No photos can be taken in the Palace but here are a few of the outside and the Golden Fountains. The gold is real gold leaf, that's why it's so brilliant. Peter the Great originally designed the fountains with wood pipes and they are fed from a spring higher up so they are gravity fed. They are turned on daily at 11am.He also designed many trick fountains at various places on the estate.
Peterhof is grander than Catherine's Palace inside and also with the 100 or so amazing fountains. 
http://www.ticketsofrussia.ru/peterhof/gallery/ind6.html 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterhof_Palace

From the front of Peterhof

'Peter' the Great- that is!

Fountains flowing down to the Gulf of Finland at the back of the Palace.

The Chapel