Sunday 8 May 2011

Summer clouds

Along the lanes, across the fields and up and down the valley clouds of cow parsley and hawthorn blossom are cloaking the countryside in May.
England is at its most glorious, softest, gentlest best in Maytime. 
Cow parsley seems to frame even the most ordinary things around the village and sets off every view to its finest.
Foaming creamy clouds blanket the verges and the very welcome rain showers this weekend have refreshed the greenery too and now it zings.
On our stroll this evening, just before bedtime, the lowering sun tinged everything with gold and I felt very rich and showered with nature's gifts. Oh to be in England now that summer's here...
P.S. Thanks for all the lovely comments and compliments on my sister's street party. It was a really special occassion and I've loved hearing about how everyone joined in the celebrations across the globe; especially you hardy types who got up at the crack of (or even before!) dawn and dressed in your finery. I'm sorry but the teatowel a few people asked about wasn't ours so I can't tell you where it came from. There are quite a few versions avaibale on ebay though if you're still looking for one. Xxx

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh!Indeed, it's beautiful!
I so want to visit England next spring, if all goes well!!!
Have a nice week!

Magic Bean said...

It's just all so, frothy. We must be the luckiest country on the planet. Ax

Vintage in a Teacup said...

I love cow parsley!! I have a particular fondness for it as it was the main flower to decorate our wedding three years ago on Tuesday! Your post has brought back lots of lovely memories of a special day! Thank you xx

Unknown said...

Agree, agree! I posted about May's frothy white loveliness too. It has been so dry here has been going over too quickly for my liking, maybe the recent showers will revive it. Beautiful gate pic, and the cow sign popping out of the cowparsley is a cracker! x

Vintage Tea Time said...

Lovely photos - I love cow parsley - as you say, it frames everythin g so prettily. Abby x

Little stitch and me said...

Beautiful photos, I love cow parsley too, shame it makes me sneeze.

silverpebble said...

It is my favourite time of year (and my favourite flower, for that matter). Your images are beautiful and have reminded me that it's gorgeous right here, on my doorstep.

Michelle said...

Thank you for sharing some lovely photos, the cow parsley looks makes everything look even more romantic!

Please may I? said...

Very beautiful photos Hun.

X x

Barri-Jayne said...

Your photographs are very lovely. I'd love to be able to take walks in the countryside. Parks in London are great, but just not the same xx

Unknown said...

Lovely photos - May blossom and cow parsley are two of my very favourites. It is so pretty isn't it. England looks fantastic right now X

LandGirl1980 said...

You have literally just ended a perfect day out for me - perfectly!!! Cow Parsley is one of my faves too :)

Frances said...

I've always thought that cow parsley was so pretty, and also thought (but might be wrong) that it's akin to what we call Queen Anne's Lace over here in the States.

Your photos all just sing May!

Miss Holly said...

I just love to see your site pop up on my screen....I just want to get in and be there!! So beautiful....heaven!!! Thank you for the lovely stroll!

Sofisan said...

beautiful! thanx for the stroll.

Rubyred said...

We are surrounded by Cow Parsley too! I love it!
Really enjoyed the evening stroll, thank you!
Have a lovely week!
Rachel x

Helen said...

Gorgeous photos as usual,
Love Helen x

salty pebble said...

we had wet clouds and almost two hours of blissful sunshine house sitting in cornwall...but like you the photos looked so green and lush. we made the most of it!
i love your walks, so dreamy x

melanie said...

Such lovely pictures, I do love the countryside :) xxx

Catherine said...

Very pretty! Cx

bibbitybob said...

What beautiful photos - definitely England at it's finest! x

Pomona said...

Our lane is full of cow parsley - it does look pretty, although it makes my daughter sneeze. I love its other name, Queen Anne's Lace.

Pomona x

Sandi said...

What beautiful countryside photo's, you do live in a pretty area.
It is so cold here this morning (not as cold as the UK tho.
x Sandi

Naturally Carol said...

These scenes are such a contrast to your snowy winter ones..hardly recognisable as the same country! The countryside is very beautiful in May.

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

I can just close my eyes and breath it in Steph - that distinctive smell of Summer and the countryside.

I love your picture of the gate - you make me crave the country....birds song, sweet smells, lazy afternoons and picnics on grass - just the best.

take care and have a lovely day,

Nina xxx

ps. The front garden is all mine and I've planted it in that way - it looks so lovely with the mix, but the allotment belongs to the boys - I just dabble! N xxx

Joanne said...

Ahhh...
Your photographs are stunning once again.
My daughter and I spent time perusing them last evening...such joy they bring...along with dreamin'
Thank you for taking the time to share as your posts are such a blessing to us!
All Loveliness!
Joanne

Joanne said...

Just adding...
You sweet son is just so precious as he points to the sky and holds the remains of a dandelion...way too cute!
Smiling here,
Joanne

Rowan said...

What a really lovely post - seeing these photos makes me realise just how beautiful hedge parsley is - and the May blossom of course.

Anne@Kitschy Vintage said...

I just found your blog and am enchanted with the beautiful pictures. I love to be in England at any time, but spring is just so lovely! Thanks -- I'll be back to visit often.