We’re on a big rail trip, seeing spring further south. Great crested grebes doing a mating dance in Zurich, swifts in Milan and Naples, swallows in Pompei.
The Holly King is still battling The Oak King for the seasons: frosty mornings and chilly nights with beautiful clear starlit skies, Orion and his winter companions slowly sinking out of sight... the Sun warming the land, teasing it back into life.... planting wildflowers for the birds and insects... daffodils brightning the park... our blackbirds breeding.... tulips starting to bloom. And not knowing what coat or jacket to wear!
Orion leaving us is bittersweet...on the one hand, he's my favourite and really lifts up the winter nights. But he brings winter and I feel that only when he's gone can it properly warm up!
Orange tip butterflies. Ive never really noticed them before , but after reading about them in the almanac they seem to be everywhere. So flitty flitty . - a literal fleeting glance but every time ive seen them i exclaim out loud like a five year old, “Orange tip!”
It’s all about the leaves, fresh and green. Young beech leaves put to steep in gin for Beech Leaf Noyeau.
The Jack Russel declared it was Spring with a sunny paddle in a stream while I picked a bunch of wild garlic. Looking up I saw a bank of white wood anemones and the first few bluebells.
Walking along the river at the back of my house picking wild garlic to add to pasta when I get home. In the garden the Peonies are in bud very early, too early really and the Camelia flowers are dropping their pink petals.
A woodland walk amongst the bluebell carpet, their nodding flowers in a race to open with the lime green canopy above. Wild garlic gathered from beside the secret stream. Everything is so early with all this heat! The garden is already about to burst with flowers usually opening for my early May birthday.
A week of new Spring arrivals - a blackcap singing it's heart out in our neighbours cherry tree, and a pair of swallows dancing around the visitor centre at our local nature reserve, where we were also lucky enough to see adders unfurling in the sunshine. The waxing moon has hung in the sky every afternoon as if painted on a bright blue canvas.
A sneaky couple of days off work to do nothing but go for walks along the river and breathe in the woodland air. Avoiding my usual canal walk as the geese are too hissy protecting their nests.
We returned from our first backpacking trip of the year, this time a very sunny Scotland - boiling hot afternoons and freezing nights. Wandering amongst lochs, through valleys and beneath mountains. Camping by abandoned houses and sandy beaches to be kept awake by capercaillies and pine martens. A walk up Ben Nevis with delightfully clear views from the top. Feeling a deep sense of belonging with the other lost souls/soles we met on the way. Struggling now to return to a reality that doesn't feel quite so real. It's good to read your posts here: Spring in full swing!
Yes! I'm really still landing, I said to someone it's like I fell in the deep end of the pool and have come out with a new skin! yes what a coincidence! x
First bluebells of the season here in Perthshire and some other May in April signs too ❤️🏴
We’re on a big rail trip, seeing spring further south. Great crested grebes doing a mating dance in Zurich, swifts in Milan and Naples, swallows in Pompei.
how very exciting Anne . what a wonderful way to travel , seeing the changing land and skies
have a good trip !
Thanks Maria!
How fantastic Anne - it sounds so lovely x
Thanks Sue!
Gosh, that sounds fabulous! We did a rail trip to Switzerland in February and went from spring back into winter: both lovely.
Sounds great!
That sounds fabulous Anne, hope you are having a lovely time
Thanks Cathryn!
The Holly King is still battling The Oak King for the seasons: frosty mornings and chilly nights with beautiful clear starlit skies, Orion and his winter companions slowly sinking out of sight... the Sun warming the land, teasing it back into life.... planting wildflowers for the birds and insects... daffodils brightning the park... our blackbirds breeding.... tulips starting to bloom. And not knowing what coat or jacket to wear!
Orion leaving us is bittersweet...on the one hand, he's my favourite and really lifts up the winter nights. But he brings winter and I feel that only when he's gone can it properly warm up!
The almost full moon suspended in a clear blue sky. Blossom spreading across the trees. Birdsong. Sunshine but with a chilly breeze.
Fields of yellow oil seed rape. My eyes are streaming with hayfever. The hedges are lots of different shades of green with leaves unfurling.
loads of yellow oil seed rape in all the fields around our village, is it just me or is it early this year.
Orange tip butterflies. Ive never really noticed them before , but after reading about them in the almanac they seem to be everywhere. So flitty flitty . - a literal fleeting glance but every time ive seen them i exclaim out loud like a five year old, “Orange tip!”
ASPARAGUS! Grown locally, from our nearby greengrocer, pure joy.
It’s all about the leaves, fresh and green. Young beech leaves put to steep in gin for Beech Leaf Noyeau.
The Jack Russel declared it was Spring with a sunny paddle in a stream while I picked a bunch of wild garlic. Looking up I saw a bank of white wood anemones and the first few bluebells.
Walking along the river at the back of my house picking wild garlic to add to pasta when I get home. In the garden the Peonies are in bud very early, too early really and the Camelia flowers are dropping their pink petals.
The nightingales are back! What joy they bring!
A woodland walk amongst the bluebell carpet, their nodding flowers in a race to open with the lime green canopy above. Wild garlic gathered from beside the secret stream. Everything is so early with all this heat! The garden is already about to burst with flowers usually opening for my early May birthday.
A week of new Spring arrivals - a blackcap singing it's heart out in our neighbours cherry tree, and a pair of swallows dancing around the visitor centre at our local nature reserve, where we were also lucky enough to see adders unfurling in the sunshine. The waxing moon has hung in the sky every afternoon as if painted on a bright blue canvas.
Wonderful warm sunny days with a cooling breeze and I even sat in the garden soaking in the sunshine - a rare moment for me as I'm always on the go!
I love the way the tulips open their hearts to the sunshine and fold themselves up to keep warm at night
A sneaky couple of days off work to do nothing but go for walks along the river and breathe in the woodland air. Avoiding my usual canal walk as the geese are too hissy protecting their nests.
Avoiding hissy geese definitely sounds like the best plan 😄
by the river with my collie Joy
the waters gentle murmur, her irises at her side
welcome the weary traveller
and the soul can breathe once more
We returned from our first backpacking trip of the year, this time a very sunny Scotland - boiling hot afternoons and freezing nights. Wandering amongst lochs, through valleys and beneath mountains. Camping by abandoned houses and sandy beaches to be kept awake by capercaillies and pine martens. A walk up Ben Nevis with delightfully clear views from the top. Feeling a deep sense of belonging with the other lost souls/soles we met on the way. Struggling now to return to a reality that doesn't feel quite so real. It's good to read your posts here: Spring in full swing!
I got back from Scotland a week ago too and am still settling. Such an experience, good to hear about your adventure too!
It's a weird feeling isn't it?! That's such a coincidence! Sounds like you had a good experience too X
Yes! I'm really still landing, I said to someone it's like I fell in the deep end of the pool and have come out with a new skin! yes what a coincidence! x