Monday 3 March 2014

Hints.

George Moore, the Irish writer, called impressionism 'the rapid noting of elusive appearance.'   This morning, with my second cup of breakfast coffee, after the farmer had gone out for his morning walk, I thought how true that was also of the arrival of Spring.   In the same way that Monet caught a sudden shaft of sunlight on the waterlilies in his garden pool, we see sudden flashes of something or other which might indicate that Spring is on its way.

One which has been in evidence for a week or two now on sunny days popped up in the book I was reading (Roger Deakin's Notes from Walnut Tree Farm) when he mentioned the arrival of gnats - he called them 'the outriders of Spring.

Today is a lovely, still, warm sunny March day.   A Monday which my mother would have called 'a good wash day'.   A true daughter I have just pegged my washing out on the line in the full sunlight.   Gnats are dancing in shafts of sunlight, the birds are going mad - robins, sparrows, blackbirds, a wren - all vying to be top bird, and the ground, still very wet from the months of rain, is actually steaming.

I don't know what it is about Spring.   The other three seasons all seem to merge into one; but by the time March comes round we are all desperately searching for signs that Spring is coming.   We call out to walkers passing by our farm 'aren't the nights drawing out?', or we remark that we had tea without putting the light on, or we didn't light the woodburner til early evening.

Well, I can feel it in my bones and I am sure you can too.   And if anyone tells me Spring began on March 1st - whatever the Met Office may say - it jolly well didn't.   The first day of Spring is March 21st - almost three weeks away yet - so I shall continue to watch for those outriders.

13 comments:

Elizabeth said...

This is so thrilling - what a delight. You are very good to peg out the wash.
Here it is 22'F with light snow...and not the least hint of spring!

Heather said...

I love your header Pat and won't mind if my hellebores all meet one day and take over the whole garden! The weather has been so erratic - one day it looks, feels and sounds like Spring and the next we are plunged back into cold, wet and windy. However, as we haven't really had Winter yet I wonder just when Spring will arrive. It will be most welcome when it does.

Cro Magnon said...

I'm pleased to see that you note the start of Spring as being on the 21st. I note that 'officially' the Spring equinox is on March 20th. Like you, I shall stick to the 21st.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Sticking to the 20th-21st. Only hope I have since is is snowing to beat the band here.

Linda Metcalf said...

We are so ready for Spring here! This morning the temp is 1 degree with a -17 wind chill...sleet and snow on the ground so I'm putting lots of bird seed out and there are about a dozen red birds staying close by so beautiful!

MorningAJ said...

March 1 is only for meteorological reasons to make it easy to compare years. They use December, January and February as winter - so Spring has to start on March 1. (Summer on June 1 etc.)

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

If there is really a first day of spring then the seasons themselves should surely be informed so that they can sort out appropriate weather.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Our hings of spring are slow this year - we still have 7 inches of snow in the yard - but that should be gone soon, as it is raining hard now. A few crocus have been spotted - daffodils are showing just out of the ground - won't be long now - I hope.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Our last frost date is supposed to be March 10. Came late last year. With freezing rain and ice headed our way this evening I see no hope to make that date. Our redbud trees are blooming. I fear for them with last night's freeze and tonight's precipitation. And I live below the Snow Belt! Spring, Spring - where art thou!

Dartford Warbler said...

Here in the wet, mild, southern winter we have had flies and gnats around all winter!

thousandflower said...

I always think of the first day of spring at Candlemas, February 2, halfway between the equinox and the solstice. It may still be cold but that is when you can really see the light coming back. I've been watching nest cams of eagles nesting in the US and they are laying their eggs in nests covered with snow showing that light rather than heat indicates spring to them.

thousandflower said...

I still have patches of snow in shady areas and the remains of a huge snowman that Joel and Siri made in the yard. Oh, I wish I could get my laundry outside. Not yet here.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Amazing that Margaret tells us of eagles with snow and eggs in their nests! (thousand flower)
Thanks also Morning AJ for telling us why the Met Office refers to the first day of Spring as March 1st.
Blogland is full of useful information isn't it.
Thanks for the visit.