Straight into Summer

April seems to be masquerading as mid-summer around these parts and in most of England too. This must be the third Spring in a row that we've had the paddling pool out, eaten breakfast, lunch and tea in the garden and spent sunny afternoons in the woods. Spring seems to be harsh and short nowadays. Just a few weeks ago there were frosts and cold winds but before the month is out we've been catapulted into summer.

Already the beech leaves have unfurled and things are romping away in the garden and the greenhouse. A bit too soon if I'm honest because its a few weeks yet before I can plant out our tender crops and flowers.

But we're revelling in it too, especially as summers recently seem to all be over by mid July when the cloud, rain and Atlantic fronts roll in for weeks on end. So today has been an exceptionally good Good Friday. A quick trip to town this morning to collect the meat for our family lunch on Sunday and then, after another alfresco lunch, we headed up to our favourite shady spot for a stroll through the bluebells.

They're just emerging and the delicate scent is just beautiful when you walk into the woods. There were plenty of other wildflowers too; red campion, bugle, unfurling ferns and what I think might be a common orchid but I'm not sure. Any ideas?

There's nothing we like more than being out in the woods, exploring.

And gathering too. A little wild garlic came home with us - (there are swathes of the stuff and I was very careful to take just a few leaves). Some will flavour our curry this evening and the rest I think will be nice as a cheesy toasty snack tomorrow. Hurtling into summer is rather delicious.