Signposts of Spring

I’m not exactly sure what signifies the arrival of spring for me; it’s not any one thing. There’s a certain something in the air, an intangible shift as the days begin to lengthen.   I become aware of the gentle swell of birdsong. Long before the temperatures rise, I start to feel it: That wistful transition from late winter to early spring, almost overwhelming, a marker of time passing.

 But by now, gentle reflection has been replaced by eager anticipation. The tempo builds and with it all the familiar signposts of spring start appearing: First, the snowdrops, then after a brief hiatus,  daffodils are everywhere! This spring has been all about narcissi for me, from the big, bold sunshine yellows to the dainty, palest milkwhites. Drifts and drifts of them at Hidcote and Batsford Arboretum in the Cotswolds, our visit there this week a happy accident rather than a destination point.

 And the magnolias, their bright pink, waxy flowers the size of dinner plates, against a clear blue sky! Gorgeous! Cherry blossom may be iconic but it’s a bit too subtle for me; give me the blowsy  blooms of magnolia any day! I love the simplicity of primroses and cowslips, as pretty as a picture postcard. Buttercup yellow celandines, allowed to run riot. The elegant, antique shades of hellebores amongst heart’s tongue ferns in the shady borders.

 But in our attempt to capture the scenic beauty through the camera lens of our phones, we run the risk of not actually seeing what’s in front of us. So take the time to really look around you, before you take your photos. Feel the warm air on your skin, turn your face up to the sun. Smell the scents of Daphne and Edgeworthia, up close and personal. Experience the scale of the towering trees above you. A feast for the senses.

 As the clocks spring forward one hour this weekend, like the wildlife amongst us, we emerge from hibernation. Surround yourself with nature at every opportunity. Celebrate! Spring has finally sprung!   

 Love, Caroline x