The Joys of Spring
“Spring is the time of plans and projects“
Leo Tolstoy
Never have we needed the joys of spring more than 2021. We have mostly been in enforced hibernation since early November, thanks to lockdown 2.0, then tiers, then lockdown 3.0 was thrust upon us. My poor pasty skin is crying out for some Vitamin D. Grey skies and constant drizzle just added to the miasma of despair. And we couldn’t even book a holiday to lift our spirits.
But there are signs of change afoot. In autumn, I liberally flung some bulbs in our garden and now the crocuses are peeping out. Last year’s sole daffodil – nattily christened Dylan – seems to have brought his family to the party this year, and they are just waiting to explode in a riot of colour. Our local DIY store – that’s where we spend date nights these days – has filled it’s aisles with parasols and firepits and gazebos. And supermarket shelves are filled will bunnies and fluffy chicks and chocolate eggs. Spring is surely upon us. And with it, finally, comes a sense of cautious optimism.
Spring Cleaning
We’ve been in our new house for a little over a year now, and we’re pleased at the odd jobs and projects we’ve managed so far. Working from home gave us the chance to get workmen round to erect a new garden fence, and to repave our driveway. We had a new radiator fitted in the bathroom. And Mr Fletche has given a splash of colour to our interior doors. And with the changing of the season it’s the turn of the garden to get a little makeover. The aforementioned new fence will be painted. We’re planning on laying stones on the muddy area at the side of the garage. And then it’s the fun part, buying pots and plants. Spending the spring getting the garden summer-ready.
Spring In My Step
It’s been tough to motivate myself to get outside this winter. My work from home space is a converted cupboard, which means no windows and no natural daylight. During last summer one of my favourite things was taking my lunch in the yarden with a book, or doing laps around the garden whilst on a phone call. And we’re only a five minute walk from a lovely small park which has the most beautiful cherry blossom on display in the springtime. I’m looking forward to warmer days when I can get a dose of sunshine on my lunch break.
Spring Break
Usually we like to make plans for a getaway in the spring. Of course, we avoid the school holidays like the plague but Mr Fletche’s April birthday usually gives us an excuse (as if we need one) to make plans for a spring break. In previous years we’ve been to Paris, Copenhagen and Amsterdam in April. It rained on all three trips. Last year, Japan was on our spring radar. Look how that one turned out.
At the moment, the spring diary is empty. Mr Fletche’s birthday falls before that magic target “outdoor hospitality” date of 12th April but at least we can celebrate by meeting friends or family outdoors. But we are tentatively looking at getting away on a UK staycation at the end of the month. We’re a big fan of self-catered accommodation anyway so I’ll be scouring the cottage/airbnb/glamping sites for the perfect destination.
And maybe, just maybe, we will take Mr Tolstoy’s advice and start making plans for the year ahead.
A lovely written post and totally agree. Spring can’t come any quicker.
Thank you for reading and commenting Neha – what are you looking forward to most about spring this year?
There are already signs of spring over here. The fields are full of beautiful wild flowers! I can;t wait for some more sunshine and the ability to get out and explore! Hope you can make some plane for the spring diary soon.
Oh, that sounds wonderful! Unfortunately today has gone back to being chilly again – I think planting some new flowers in the garden yesterday may have been a little premature 😂
This is such a beautiful post. Really enjoyed reading about your new blooming garden and things you have to look forward to. I hope you manage to get away for the Mister’s birthday. I’m feeling all spring-like now after reading this.
Thanks Bejal – a little sunshine and a few flowers definitely lift the spirits don’t they? x
April is a nice time to have a getaway. Steve’s birthday is 24th April and we used to always go away even just a staycation. Not sure what we will do this year to celebrate.
At least you can hopefully hit a pub garden for Steve’s birthday this year! Poor Chris is having his second birthday in lockdown 😩 Hopefully you can get something booked once some restrictions start to be lifted x
We also have 2 birthdays this week before the magic ending of lockdown. But I guess they got away with having a real one last year, and we all need a lockdown birthday for posterity before the road to Spring and freedom takes us with it. We rolled over last year’s Easter, on to this year and now on to next year but it does feel like the tide is turning and we may actually get to see it for real again soon.
This’ll be hubby’s second birthday in some sort of lockdown – I got away with it in September and even got to eat in a restaurant! Remember them? Plans can be rolled forward – we have done the same and trying to forget the year of no travel 😩
Ahhh loved reading this. I need to know when your hubbys birthday is now. I am the 6th April so another stay at home birthday for me to! Still, I do feel heopeful for the light we can see now
His is the 5th! Hoping we’re free to travel in 2022 as he’ll be celebrating a zero ending birthday (well, I’ll be celebrating, he’ll be commiserating :D)
I’m so glad Dylan brought his mates to the party – it’s such a beautiful spring so far! Much, much needed.