Monday 25 May 2009

Glorious

How wonderful May is. When the weather plays fair it's just about my most favourite month of the year. I adore the autumn but May is so very beautiful. The hedgerows are bursting with blossom, pottering about in the garden without a coat really is possible, there are two Bank Holidays, Springwatch is back and its our wedding anniversary (7 years today - not bad!)

Funds are a little too tight to splash out on celebrating and really all we wanted was a chance to chat with each other. So, on Saturday night (thanks to the grandparents), we went for the most wonderful twilight walk along the lovely Caldon Canal that slips through our village.
Gosh what a peaceful evening we had. I think we passed two other walkers but mostly we had cows, sheep, herons, tawny owls, some tench or perch popping up to eat the midges and lots and lots of swallows and house martins for company.
We strolled along, chatting and exploring and stopped at a smashing little pub we know for some refreshment. I'm still thinking about it now; amazing how good a few miles of gentle water, gazing at bluebells, cow parsley and hawthorn blossom frothing along the banks, and the time to really talk can make you feel. We got home just after dark, very relaxed and remembering what it really is that makes us not such a bad pair together.

Saturday here was superb. One of those blissful days when there sky is the brightest blue and not a cloud to be seen. As usual we popped along here and the display was simply amazing. We did all the traditional fete activities (bumped heads on the dodgems, ate drippy ice lollies and watched the Maypole and Morris dancing, you know the sort of thing.)


Today the cloud crept back in and thunder rumbled far away down the valley. Our lovely friends who live hundreds of miles away, called by en route back south and we had a fun afternoon catching up together and scoffing. The rain brought the birds and their voices out later on. As the light dropped they grew louder and louder and the May blossom glowed along the hedgerows.

This is the view from our bedroom, I think it was blanketed in snow last time I showed it. Now the valley is the greenest green, speckled with yellow buttercups and tiny white daisies. It takes your breath away. Glorious May.

21 comments:

LinenandRoses said...

Congratulations on your Wedding Anniversary. Sounds like you celebrated in the most wonderful way. It's my parents, Sisters and hubbies Sisters Wedding Anniversaries all in May. Popular month. Love your descriptions of May and particularly of the birdsand their voices growing louder as the light drops. I adore listening to the birds at this time of year both in the early mornings and evenings. We have a pair of blackbirds nesting right next to our patio and it is magical.

This Vintage Life... said...

Happy Anniversary Steph! Time together is something you can't buy isn't it?

Lush is a good word for this time of year...everything goes a bit downhill from now on :)
Springwatch is something I miss not having TV...I used to love (and hate!) to see all the baby birds in their nests. Will they survive, or won't they? Oooh, the drama!
Deb x

Karen said...

Happy Anniversary Steph and Woody. We have had lovely storms down here in Sussex (one at 8.00am and then another at 8.00pm!) The boys and I love them especially the wonderful smell after the rain has stopped. We are so happy Springwatch is back too. My youngest son went off to bed afterwards and saw bats flying around outside. They usually don't appear until July so he was delighted. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures. Karenx

Lola G. said...

Glorious indeed!

Hen said...

What lovely pictures of the countryside. May is a month so full of promise, I think. Happy Anniversary to you both, glad you had some special time together which always seems so scarce once children are on the scene!
Hen x

Schotzy said...

Beautiful photos, and May is lovely, especially this year with all the rain we've had here.

Pink Feather Paradise said...

Sounds like a fantastic weekend, I think Mr P and I could do with some us time... I might have to try and organise something now he's home...

What fantastic traditions, and the flower art work is amazing...

take care
Alex
x

alice c said...

Happy anniversary to you both - and wishing you another year filled with wonderful family outings!

...Nina Nixon... said...

Such lovely pictures Steph, thank you for sharing such a beautiful walk and the way you talk through it - ahhhhhh so relaxing.

And that fair lots like fun it reminds me of the fairs when I was younger - tradition and quaint, perfect.

May is wonderful isn't it! Not too hot, not too cold just right - though as you say when it is not raining which today it is here, but that's OK lots to catch up on in the house and maybe even some baking.

Happy Anniversary and have a lovely week,

Nina x

ps. thank you for the flower advice I am utterly useless!

driftwood said...

happy anniversary xxx

loved your photos and all your treasures in the last post too

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to the both of you
I can't think of a better way to spend the evening.
Thank you for sharing such charming images.
I am not sure about the pub though. NOT lol!
Sal and I are surrounded by several pairs of blackbirds and when they strike up the chorus, boy! is it loud?

{Love, Love, Love} said...

Happy anniversary, loving the pictures x

Pipany said...

All sounds lovely Steph. You do live in such a pretty area. I love May too, especially when it plays fair and today we have the sun back again. Happy anniversary xx

our shabby cottage said...

Congrats on the anniversary Steph. Lovely photos of May!

Frances said...

A very Happy Anniversary to you.

As you wrote, those views really are breath taking in their beauty. What gorgeous spring landscapes surround you.

Cheers!

Bobo Bun said...

What a perfect way to spend your anniversary Steph. Really to have time to appreciate one another without being interrupted every second is a big gift. That walk looked heavenly as did the fete.

Lisa

Joshy and belle said...

it sounds perfect, and the fete looked fun too xx

periwinkle said...

belated anniversary wishes , best way to spend it :-)

Emma Herian said...

It looks like you had a romantic and lovely anniversary, belated congratulations!
I too have actually spent some time to enjoy May, its beautiful!
Emx

Helen said...

Lush is the word!! Your first photo is gorgeous. Happy anniversary, I have just discovered your blog, I will return . . .

Heather at Happy Chippy Junk said...

What a beautiful heaven like land you live in!!