It’s wild out there
Spring in our corner of the little blue planet is rather pleasantly wild – with flowers, that is. We were here in April/May and were once again struck by the abundance of beautiful flowers that spring (no pun intended*) up out of seemingly nowhere as soon as the sun turns up the heat a tad.
It’s our greatest joy to go for long, early morning walks through the vineyards that surround our village – especially after a bit of a downpour, when the fields are sparkling clean and dewy fresh.
I have no idea what all the flowers are called, but I am always blown away by how perfect they are: from the big purple and yellow cannas (we even saw a black one, but sadly didn’t get a photo of it); to dainty, itsy-bitsy tiny blooms that can so easily be overlooked; to the grand displays of fire-red, fragile poppies that remind us of the valour of those who died in wars and peacekeeping operations. Each flower is unique and perfect, their appearance brief but also consistently predictable. Cultivated flowers are beautiful, for sure, but wild flowers just seem to have a will to live and to turn an ordinary landscape into something quite remarkable.
Do yourself a favour and walk far and wide every day. Bend down to see the small blooms tucked away at the side of the road; do not under any circumstances touch the stinging nettles, even though they lure you in with their pretty flowers; and spare some admiration for the various grasses that elegantly wave you on your way.
Oh, and do remember to take your antihistamines, as this is prime hay-fever season (life can’t be perfect, after all).
Here are some of our favourites:
Please be mindful of our little neighbours
they may be “just weeds” but gosh, they’re tenacious
* That’s a fib, it was intended
