‘Spring is the time of plans and projects’ (from Anna Karenina) and for me, after what seems like a long absence, I’m embracing spring and all its seasonal beauty and forging ahead with this blog once more.
I’ve had some new subscribers of late (thank you) and to all existing subscribers who continue to read my posts, thank you also. I’m not sure if blogs are a ‘thing’ anymore but I carved out this little place of mine online simply to share thoughts and photos. And after some stops and starts, I am eager to get going again and breathe new life into this space with the new season.
The Daffodils
Winter seemed very long this year, not especially cold but definitely very wet and windy. Thankfully April has seen a return to something resembling normal, seasonal weather and there has even been some spring sunshine. Anyone who knows me, or follows me on Instagram, will know I am a huge fan of daffodils and it is a highlight for me in early spring when they come into bloom. I can’t help but smile when I see their hopeful, happy faces pop up around the garden. It makes all that effort planting them in October so worthwhile.
Embracing spring – a love of daffodils
Blackthorn
Elsewhere, and weather permitting, I’ve been out with my camera, capturing seasonal scenes. Cherry blossom is always a favourite subject for photographers but for me, it’s the unassuming blackthorn blossom that draws me in. Not only because it grows anywhere and everywhere but also because it flowers for weeks, while cherry blossom is beautiful but so fleeting. It’s hard to believe those dense thickets of black stems can produce such delicate blossom. A few weeks ago I read an article about it in The Guardian. The author Josie George described blackthorn as ‘ They won’t think of leafing for a while yet, and so there is only this dark and light, each flower the colour of freshly washed linen‘. I thought that described it perfectly. You can read the full article here:- https://www.theguardian.com
Embracing spring – the draw of blackthorn blossom
The bluebells
Now, as we approach the end of April, the bluebells start to make their appearance. Usually we would visit Portglenone to witness the spectacle of thousands of bluebells in the forest. However, we are taking a short break to the coast. Instead, I contented myself with a little smattering of bluebells at a local park. I’m not entirely sure if these are English bluebells, Spanish bluebells or perhaps a hybridised version of both, growing as they were amongst the wild garlic. And while I would prefer them to be the native English bluebell, I was still happy to see them regardless.
Well, as I write this, it is now early evening and the sun is shining. I am going to take a trip round my little garden and check in on the seedlings in the growhouse. I have, of course, always yearned for a greenhouse but we simply don’t have the space. And with the windy weather these past few months, it’s maybe just as well we don’t have one ! Tomorrow morning, with a cup of coffee in hand and still in my PJs, I will take another wee trip round the garden to check in on things and see if the slugs have come out overnight to spoil my parade. Anyone else do this ? I do hope so.
Until next time (which will be soon), take care. And feel free to leave a comment below. It feels good to be here again.
Paula x
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Always lovely to see your photos. Your blackthorn pics really show how lacey and pretty the blossom is.
I’ve heard that English Bluebells only flower on the one side of the stem and Spanish on both. x
Aw, thank you so much. Yes I read that too. The ones I saw today seemed to be both! How are you? Hope you are keeping well.
Beautiful photos as always!! So happy spring is finally here!! 💐
Yes, it’s great spring has finally got going…🙂
Welcome back, lovely photos of blackthorn and daffodils. Look forward to reading about all your adventures in the garden and beyond again. X
Aw, thank you. It’s been a while. How are you ?
I don’t know if blogs are still a thing either but I have just come back to mine too. Love your photos.
Thank you Sarah. And yes, we need to keep our blogs going !
Glad to see you Paula and to see your lovely photos. The daffodils are pretty much gone now here and the cherry blossom is nearly over.
Thank you Andrea. Hope you are keeping well.
I am thanks.
Welcome back Paula. I’ve been dipping my toe back into blogging as well. Lovely photos. Blackthorn is one of my favourite trees. They are English Bluebell – the easiest way to tell is that English Bluebell flowers tend to hang from one side of the curved stem- as shown well in your last picture, Spanish ones are more evenly distributed and on straighter stems. Hybrids do exist – but yours look like English ones to me 🙂
Oh thank you for the clarification. That would make sense as I found them in an old piece of woodland next to wild garlic. Hope you are keeping well 🙂
A classic combination that is good evidence of it being the real thing. Often the wood Anemone grows with the two. I’m good thank you:)