Bien-être

So, for once in England at Easter, everything was just as it should be - because the sun came out weeks ago and, apart from a brief, wettish interlude, has stayed out ever since. A celestial gift after that long, harsh, ice-bound winter.

My family has been here; friends have visited; dogs have enjoyed long, leisurely walks by the river; hours have been spent outside, making the most of the unexpectedly glorious weather: 

In the garden, a double white lilac planted six years ago burst into bloom for the very first time:

There has been good food, much talk, including a lengthy discussion, with the Dear Daughter, about archteypes; there have been hot cross buns and - cake. I don't really do cake-porn on 60 going on 16 so no photos were taken of the pièce de résistance in its entirety, a lemon drizzle cake from this recipe, adapted for the Aga and definitely not stinting on the lemons, especially for the drizzle. (Not so much lemon drizzle as lemon drench - the scent of the Mediterranean on a plate.) It didn't last long and there's not much left:

The plate is hand-painted Sutherland bone china, possibly 84 years old, if family memories are correct, from the tea service my mother was given as a wedding present in 1927.  Much of it was destroyed in the Blitz and has been painstakingly replaced over the years. That touch of chinoiserie, very 1920s . . . unless someone out there can tell me otherwise. It's pattern number 1113, if that helps.

This evening, when the house was quiet again, the Edinburgh Boy and I walked up the hill to look at the sheep and their Easter lambs:

and to look back down the hill in the soft, spring evening light:

and across the fields to the village:

Home.

Comments

[Lynn]

How fortunate you Brits are to live where "long" winters are so short and spring is so beautiful. Count your blessings.

[Friend In New Zealand]

You so deserve this weather!!

[Lisa Stowe]

Lovely, lovely photos that bring back fond memories of traveling in similar areas. They also give me spring fever. Here, it's raining, with high winds and snow expected for the weekend. I'll spend the evening by the wood stove, with a stoked fire, crocheting or writing. And waiting for spring.

[Dancing Beastie]

Aren't we lucky with this long spell of spring glory. Your view of the village with its ancient church tower is utterly charming. Oh - and don't diss cake porn! All blogs need a bit of it from time to time! :)

[colleen]

Just back from France. They definitely beat us on the wild flowers and medieval hill towns but, as Dorothy said there really is no place like home.

[60 Going On 16]

Lynn: believe me, springs like this are very rare in the UK and last winter was one of the longest and hardest we have had for many years. So, yes we do count our blessings - when we do get a good spring!

Lisa: are you still having to keeping the woodburner blazing? Do hope the sun and warmer weather will visit you soon. (If it's any consolation, today is cold and grey here in England.)

Friend in New Zealand: well, I hope we have as good as a summer, especially in July, when you will be here. (Shrieks of joy.)

Dancing Beastie: on reflection, I think you are right about cake porn.

Colleen: oh, la belle France; I do hope you're going to give us some photos (and words).

[Teri and the cats of Curlz and Swirlz]

I am so behind in visiting but the rose caught my eye and I'm glad I stopped and saw your lovely weather...though the cake didn't do what the goat cheese did to me, lol.