Speaking of Spring

Although I'd barely know from the chill wind which bites my nose every time I set foot outside, officially, it has at last been declared Spring here in the UK.  Despite the cold, it should be said, our daffodils are boldly trumpeting their arrival and making a rather fabulous effort to cheer the local parks and gardens.

If I wrap up warm, it's a lovely time of year for walking, with new shoots appearing each day on trees and delicate pastels making a shy appearance in local beds and borders.  Polly and Betty definitely have Spring in their step; they can't wait to ditch leads and run free at every opportunity!

Speaking of Spring flowers, the Camelia Dad gave me for my birthday many, many years ago, is flowering well again this year!  It survived our house move nine years ago and being transplanted from pot to muddy border, then took root and grew contentedly in its new corner. I introduced my Grandson to his Great Grandad's special 'flower' last week.  He's too young to understand the importance of this shrub yet, but I know Dad will be watching us chatting together in the garden and I don't for one second doubt, he'll smile down with pride at his Great Grandson's first horticultural explorations!

And it goes without saying that Springtime should always lead to a crop of pretty new teddy bears, so between looking after Toby and walking my girls, I will be working on them.  I hope to have a pretty soft green alpaca bear to share with you shortly and in the meantime, have made a montage of spring bears past and present for your enjoyment ...

:-)

Is it so small a thing
To have enjoy'd the sun,
To have lived light in the spring,
To have loved, to have thought, to have done.

Matthew Arnold
From the Hymn of Empedocles