Tulips at the Winery, Beaune, Bourgogne. 03/04/2011
“Les hirondelles sont là!” ~ “The swallows are here!” The phonecall from my friend’s brother heralded the official beginning of spring in France: the arrival of the swallows was proof of the season – as though any further proof were needed. Buds were sprouting on the trees, cherry-, apple- and plum-trees were covered in blossoms, and hardy bulbs were blooming in every city park and private garden.
There is something magical about the transition between seasons in a temperate climate. The air is alive with possibilities as new colours transform the landscape. It is one of the things I have missed most, living in the tropics where we joke about having three seasons: “Hot, hot, and hotter!” Growing up, I always loved feeling the change in air quality and watching the transition of colours as the seasons turned. And, after a seemingly endless Canadian winter buried in snow, spring, and it’s association with crocus, skipping ropes and Easter eggs, was particularly special. Spring is both a real time and a metaphoric symbol of growth, renewal, new life, and hope.
Green Lawns Waiting for Summer Garden Parties, Hostellerie Saint-Martin, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, Auvergne, 30/03/2011
Wet Country Lane, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, Auvergne, 30/03/2011
Forsythia Means Spring! Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, Auvergne, 30/03/2011
This stay in France during March and April was the first spring I’ve experienced for many years. Although the weather was changeable (often wet with chillingly cold winds; typical spring weather, really), I relished the rich scent of the warming soil, the sharp perfume of tulips, jonquils and other bulb flowers, and the subtle colours of new grass and emerging buds. Everywhere we went, the smells, colours and sounds of spring were all around.
Buds, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, Auvergne, 30/03/2011
Man Walking his Dog, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, 30/03/2011
New Apple Blossom ~ Gnarly Old Tree, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, 30/03/2011
Violets on the Forest Floor, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, 30/03/2011
Fluffy White and Grey Clouds Over the French Countryside, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, 30/03/2011
Wet and Muddy in their Winter Coats ~ Shaggy Black Horses, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève, 30/03/2011
Jonquils in the Street, Beaune, Bourgogne (Burgundy), 02/04/2011
Short Sleeves and Blossoms, Beaune, Bourgogne (Burgundy), 02/04/2011
Tulips and Daffodils in the Street, Beaune, Bourgogne (Burgundy), 03/04/2011
Tulips the Colours of Sunshine, Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, 05/04/2011
Large Crucifix ~ Christian Symbol of Rebirth ~ Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, 05/04/2011
The Other Springs: Orange Flowers Outside the Vichy Spring Water Rooms, Vichy, Auvergne, 06/04/2011
Fresh Greens, Montségure, Ariège, 21/04/2011
Fountain Flowers, Toulouse, 24/04/2011
Colours and Textures ~ Saint Sernin Cathedral, Toulouse, 24/04/2011
Golden Poppies, Toulouse, 24/04/2011
France in the springtime: a true sensory delight!
The year’s at the spring
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hillside’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn;
God’s in His heaven
-
All’s right with the world!
~ Robert Browning
Enjoy the season.
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I forget that in Bangkok you miss the subtleties of the changing seasons, I expect you have a prevalence of flowers but rarely the contrasts of which you speak. The things we take for granted as we rush through our busy lives, enjoy the magic of (spring) or in our case Autumn, with the crisp air, the coloured leaves and the excuse to curl up with a good book on the lounge or tucked warmly into bed. Finally my favourite time of year, a reason to dress well, not be sticky and to enjoy a good meal with friends… all without the beads of perspiration associated with our summer. Oh and listen to Lance whine as he mourns the loss of summer, and reminds me how much he hates winter…hmmm our differences make us stronger I hope
Funny, isn’t it? Even in Sydney I missed the “seasons” I was used to, and would drive to Canberra for spring smells and autumn colours. Sydney seems to lurch into summer with very little notice! 🙂