I've been patiently watching this tree over the past month. There are three cherries almost in eyeshot from the house and they are always very early to flower in spring. For the last couple of weeks I engaged C with the task of snipping some low hanging fronds to pop in a vase on the mantlepiece. You have to cut them before the buds have opened. The warmth of being indoors sends them into flowering overdrive and in around a week they have finished and start to litter spent petal everywhere. When indoors, I can detect a gentle scent but outdoors it gets lost, despite the far greater volume of flowers. The picture on the wall is a perfect match for the flowers. 

 


Meanwhile, the tree is resplendent in the spring sunshine.




The neighbours may well think I'm mad, going to town photographing a tree. I think you'd be mad not to.
Take care,

Sophie

Upon catching scent of this beautiful lilac bush, I turned to survey it's towering cloud of flowers; a heck of a storm brewing. Normally, I don't snap away at things in peoples' gardens but if something happens to be draping over into the pavement or road then I see no harm.

Last week Mum told me she had taken a few stems of lilac and popped them in a vase indoors yet could only smell them if she leaned in close. I'd want to be infused in a waft of lilac so would recommend a nosegay or 'mussie-tussie' a carried vase to keep a posy about my person. A new accessory for spring! After all, I no longer need to carry a bag with purse around with nothing to purchase.
 Aren't they divine?


I can't decide which shade I like best, or maybe a choice isn't even required.

Take care,
Sophie

Having such limited allowance for going out has lead to tactical calculations. A walk at dusk was just what the doctor ordered.


 Empty, as usual.


 The green flowers are Alexanders. I don't think I shared these before. I used to think they were unripe cow parsley of sorts but they stay green. My foraging book says something about them is edible so I might look into that in future.

 Crab apple blossom - the most delicate and pretty.
 Oak leaves

 Hawthorn flowers not yet close to flowering - yet elsewhere already in bloom.
 Many, many ground elder flowers which almost glow in the dark.
 The first bluebells. Sadly no trip to our regular haunts for them this year...
Probably shepherd's purse to finish.

Take care,
Sophie

Finally, the landscape is starting to re-green. The fresh leaves are appearing once again, all waxy and full of vibrant colour.


 All shapes, sizes and designs. Aren't leaves amazing? One year I will have to study the different names for identifying shapes.



 Tiny new trees are growing on the ground. Spy the next generation.

 GLorious blackthorn blossom in the sun. Bring on the sloes!



Take care,
Sophie

It's only been three days so far but already I'm fretting about the potential absence of our weekend walking. Mustn't dwell on such frivolous thoughts while there's such grievous chaos all around the planet...
The tally of pictures taken last week that I want to share is almost 50 which is most convenient for spreading out over at least a few days.
Today's instalment is the beautiful blossom and tree flowers - some less celebrated than others.










Take care,
Sophie