If you could bottle the weather we`ve had in the last few days.......well, not sure what you`d do with it but it has been pretty much perfect, especially for strolling around. Clear skies, really warm sun kept in check by a sweet gentle breeze and nature on the brink of "bustin` out all over". Fresh green on the trees, especially the beech which take the prize (as they do in the autumn) and every shade of yellow - golden gorse, the broom a little paler while great swathes of the landscape are covered in the fierce lemon yellow of the ubiquitous oil-seed rape with its unique pungent scent.
On many of these beautiful days we start off draped in the haar* which, as well as making everything drip gently, coats all the familiar landmarks in gossamer and puts time on pause as we wait to see if it will linger all day or drift away. Mostly, in the last few days, it`s done the latter, drawing back to reveal a flawless late Spring day before creeping back in as the sun goes down and everything cools.
Best of all, or perhaps mundanely, with the nagging jeopardy of it all collapsing any minute into the more usual "changeable" (i.e. four seasons in one day) everything emerges to take full advantage: the cattle are released from their winter sheds and scamper wildly round the fields; people find their shorts and white knobbly knees are everywhere; barbecues, advertisements for camping, convertible cars with their hoods actually down for once and restaurants put their tables and umbrellas out on the pavement. Unfortunately some shops also decide it is time for the air-conditioning which is really not necessary in these northern climes in May and can spoil the mood, leaving you shivering before you reach the fruit and veg. But hey-ho, we can kid ourselves.
Meanwhile, dogs and I have indulged ourselves with walk after walk, no extra clothing required, breathing in the multi-layered scents and fragrances, watching the bees and butterflies linger on the dandelions which are in full flower just now (more yellow) and listening to the cacophony of bird song.
Just now it is grey, a bit muggy and starting to drizzle. Apparently we`re due thunder and, tomorrow, deluge. Plus ca change and all that.
* "haar" - from the Middle Dutch apparently...or Old Norse...take your pick.......prosaically, just means sea fog.
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