April showers bring May flowers

Tulips bring welcome colour to the garden in April

There is lots to do in a garden in the Spring

The woods are full of fresh green leaves, sweet smells and bright wild flowers

Today is the first of April and after having played a few practical jokes and had some light relief it is probably a bit sort of cheesy but it is hard not to recite Robert Browning's (1812-1889) poem "Oh to be in England"
So here it is to refresh your memory .

Home thoughts from abroad

Oh to be in England

Now that April's there.

And whoever wakes in England

Sees,some morning,unaware,

That the lowedt boughs and the brusheood sheaf

Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,

While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough

In England - now!

Well that is the first verse because it is only the first day and the second verse mentions May. We want to enjoy April now and the lovely light evenings.

When my Mum first came to stay with me in Italy it was March. She would tell me every day that she had to be back for the English spring. There was nothing like it in the whole world, she had to get back for it. I worked so hard to show her the delights of the Italian Spring, the thick, white cherry blossom, the carpets of pink and purple peach and apricot blossom, the magnolias, the Judas trees, mimosa, the jasmine, camelias and the beautiful lakes and hillsides. I did win her over in the end, especially as we had lots of cappuccinos and mushroom risottos on the way. A lot of our deep feelings of nostalgia probably come from what we grew to love as children.We were nearer the ground then, breathing in the heady smells, surrounded by birdsong while playing outside, delighting in the feel of the grass and the ferns and the  deep heady smells of the countryside.

These are some photos of my English Spring.

the Hambleden valley