Some thoughts about spring. And themed tourism.

The bluebells in my garden are flourishing nicely. The aquilegia, which soon will fill my front garden with a mass of pink, purple and white flowers, are just beginning to bloom. There are poppies on the way and soon there will be buttercups. Some people regard these last two as weeds, as they do dandelions, but I rather like my wild garden. There is even a bit of honesty. However in the bluebell woods, along the rather pompously names Forest Path, the bluebells are still rather sparse. We went for a second look the other day. 

I’ve just had a lift home from Oldham town centre with a friend. As we drove past the now rather faded daffodils along the roadside, she commented that the daffodils in her garden have not flowered yet. Spring is a bit crazy this year. It must be the changeable weather that does it. You notice it in people’s clothing too. Columnist Emma Beddington commented on this the other day:

“I was dressed – in my opinion correctly – for the meteorological conditions (cold, windy, non-negligible threat of rain) in a woolly hat, jumper and padded jacket, a classic Yorkshire springtime combo. But a man heading towards me walking his dog apparently had a wholly different take: he was wearing a singlet, shorts and flip-flops. We glanced at each other in mutual incomprehension, then walked on.”

I keep having that same experience as I walk along in a warmish jacket, hat and gloves and see women with bare arms, men in shorts and t-shirts, and young girls dressed for the beach. We’re no longer Yorkshire here but we used to be before they altered all the boundaries. We shluld respect the weather conditions. 

Until last year, whenever Granddaughter Number Two came home for a visit from university one of the first things she wanted to do was visit a certain local cafe where they served chocolate Guinness cake, in her opinion the best chocolate cake anywhere. Then the cafe closed down. She has been seeking an alternative source of most excellent chocolate cake ever since, to no avail! I read today about a fashion for “bakery tourism”. Apparently people travel long distances to specific destinations mainly so that they can sample the best croissants, the best pain au chocolat and other such delicacies. Some cycle long distances, which they feel justifies their indulging in sugary treats. Others, however, simply travel by car, bus, plane, train and queue up outside bakeries! How odd!

I suppose it takes all sorts!

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!