Spring!

We moved to England at the start of the winter season. It was cold, wet and a few times it even snowed. There were several days when the wind would blow at 60 mph and wake us up at night. We did our house hunting those first few weeks driving through a completely frozen world. The trees were covered in ice and the fields white with frost. While I’m not a big fan of being cold I thought that there was a certain beauty to be found in the still serenity of that winter landscape. 

Mid-afternoon in winter

The sun would set as early as 3:45 in the afternoon. We’d have to hurry out to take advantage of as much of the daylight hours as we could. While shopping on a Saturday afternoon in Cambridgeshire, we’d pass vendors selling roasted chestnuts, tea, fried doughnuts, bacon sandwiches and hot pasties. A pasty is sort of like a hot pocket. The most basic pasty is dough filled beef, potatoes, and onions. It can also be made with other ingredients, but the great thing about a pasty is that it’s hot and you can eat it on the go. While not fancy, these were the culinary highlights of our winter wanderings. 

Through those long dark days of winter as I reveled in the beauty around us, I was told repeatedly to “just wait for Spring.” I didn’t really mind the winter, but I nodded agreeably. I love those cold days that were perfect for having a “cuppa” tea,  making a fire in the wood burning stove, and losing myself in a book, movie or playing a game with my family. Winter is the perfect time for this because you don’t feel too guilty about being so lazy. 

Well, a few weeks ago a drastic change occurred around here in what seemed to be almost overnight. Lambs were born in masses, heralding the arrival of Spring, and filling the fields with their silly antics and sweet sounds. 

Spring lambs

Leaves and flowers exploded everywhere in vivid colors practically shouting with their brightness. 

Fields of yellow rapeseed flowers, farmed for it’s oil, coat the land in rolling patches, like an artist swept the ground with a paintbrush of brilliant marigold. 

Rapeseed

Ladybugs are EVERYWHERE, much to my children’s delight as they spend endless hours in our garden capturing and studying them.

 My son and his friend even decided that one would be much safer in one of my kitchen cupboards which I discovered while making dinner several hours later. I was able to free him back to his outdoor ladybug family where I told my son he’d be much happier. 

Even our village’s resident peacock has begun his mating calls, shrieking from the tops of garden walls from sunrise to dusk. Sadly, he’s the sole peacock in this area and his cries are getting pathetic. I think we need to take mercy on this poor peacock and find him a mate! I’ve suggested getting one shipped in, but others here who’ve had to put up with his noise for the last decade think a better idea would be to ship him to a female. 

Temperatures the past few weeks have been in the 60’s and 70’s, a sharp departure from Britain’s usually cold, rainy Spring season. On a recent trip into London, we had a picnic in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace, and were tightly surrounded with Londoners sunbathing, napping, reading, or playing football. Sunny, warm days are enjoyed to the fullest because you never know when it might change again back to cool or rainy... 

Green Park, London

These temperate conditions explain why England is famed for it’s gardens. Plants and flowers grow in profusion here with little effort. 

Red tulips in London

I am not known for having a green thumb. In fact, it’s safe to say that any plant life I come into contact with has suffered a sadly low survival rate. Yet, in England, I’ve found renewed determination to garden and so far I’ve had some surprising results. I’ve planted several varieties of strawberries that are beginning to produce (gasp!) actual fruit! I also have an herb garden that’s easily providing enough bounty to supply both my neighbor’s kitchen as well as my own. All I can think is... It’s a miracle! England is an Eden in it’s own right. 

In the same spirit, it’s time to end my musings.The sun is shining and it’s time to do what people love to do best here. Take a walk or maybe ride a bike...Just be outside and enjoy the day.