Thursday 30 April 2015

Goodbye April


I often compare life and feelings to the weather; April has illustrated this perfectly I think. It's been unsettled, stormy and at times it's felt as though we were being tossed about on the high seas. Other times have been sunny and serene and still.

Thank you all for the support you've offered through your kinds words. I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond to all your comments. There's been a sense of keeping our heads above water and just trying to maintain a bit of normality. Difficult to do during a time of crisis, but we're slowly getting there.



April has been a month of walks. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Joe and sometimes with the three of us. These photographs were taken whilst walking along the interestingly-named Michael Wife Lane. It's a strange place - I think this is maybe where autumn comes to reside each year when it's time is over.


A landscape of faded colours and bare trees, lichen and stone.


Family walks seem to require a little bit more by way of entertainment. If Joe's little legs are going to be carrying him any distance we need to factor in animals and paddling and trains and pine cone hunts. So more often than not it's a trip to the 'Deep Dark Wood' as he calls it (a pine plantation on the edge of the village) or 'Durdle Dale' (Irwell Vale). The latter has all the requisite attractions - ponies, chickens, splashy puddles and a little station.



The recent spell of warm, breezy weather resulted in much washing being dried on the line. And lunches eaten outdoors (with ice lollies for dessert). Joe's new Favourite Thing.



The house purchase seems to be going well so far; we're both most excited about the prospect of having a proper garden again. A little garden, granted, but we'll squeeze productivity out of every last inch.


The new garden also has a gate leading directly out into a field where Herdwick sheep graze. And apparently the farmer (our soon-to-be next-door neighbour) is fine about children playing there. So fingers crossed the more detailed survey we've just arranged doesn't come up with anything too frightening...

How sweet is that little woodland garden in the picture? It belongs to the village primary school. What a great place to sit and listen to stories.


There has been much pottering at home too. Planting and growing and planning. My geranium cuttings are now flowering so we have bright red blooms on the kitchen windowsill. And the chilli plants are beginning to bear fruit. Jay has planted beans and pumpkin seeds and we have some dark red sunflower seedlings reaching towards the light.

My magnolia Stellata has been beautiful but is now losing its flowers. The daffodils (we planted a variety pack of bulbs) are still going strong and some of them are so pretty, particularly the smaller ones. The fern's starting to unfurl and our huge Hosta has put out lots of tightly-curled leaves.


I visited my stepdad, Alan, on Monday and his pond was a-squirm with tadpoles. Joe was transfixed. I was so pleased to see little violets, my mum's favourites, dotted about all over the garden.

Alan also has some envy-inducing peonies with big fat buds. I adore peonies. He said I can have one for the new garden (I know they don't like being moved but apparently, if not planted too deeply, they'll flower quite happily).


So, April has been a busy month. A hard one in many ways but also a joyful one. Joe's so inquisitive and it's lovely to go exploring with him as the spring progresses. To look at lambs and birds, to examine flowers and to touch and smell. 

May is almost here. One of my favourite months of the year when the hedgerows really come to life and everything suddenly becomes green. We still have bluebells and wild garlic and hawthorn to enjoy, a trip to Scotland and my birthday (a Big One)...


Again, thank you for your kind words during what's been a very hard time. I really do appreciate them. 

Wishing you a wonderful May.



21 comments:

  1. Such gorgeous photos. The school's woodland is enchanting, I bet the children love it there. Good luck with the survey and everything. The countryside where you are looks beautiful, a wonderful place to grow up I think. Look after yourself Sarah. CJ xx

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    1. It is a lovely place. There are grotty bits as with most, but not too many.
      Thankyou - I'm managing to maintain some balance at the moment and it's a good feeling :) x

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  2. Loving your photos, I'm not always a fan of black and white photos but they all look lovely. I also spotted Joe eating my favourite ice lolly, I think during my two pregnancies I kept that company in business!! I went through box after box. Sarah

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    1. I keep meaning to do more black and white pictures but it only works with certain photos...
      Mini Milk are my favourite ice lollies. I bought Joe a box of supermarket's own but they're just not the same!

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  3. These images seem so calm and serene - what lovely countryside to surround yourself with. Hopefully May will bring brighter days and feelings for all. xx

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  4. I love how you find pleasure in the small and simple things and thanks for sharing your lovely photos. Hoping that May brings peace and hope to you and your family.

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  5. Lovely pictures, well captured! be careful with those fabs, I think we got stuck on them at that age and I couldn't get past a shop without having to buy one, well for a while anyway! it was also during a stressful time when I found it hard to say no...! good luck with your new house purchase, it sounds exciting, new horizons sound good. X

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  6. I hope that May will prove to be a little easier than April has been and will bring some good things your way! xx

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  7. May is the month we moved - this time last year...I'm sure it will bring you lots of luck and the chance to feel settled once again, like it did for us. Sorry to hear things have been pants, I do hope all is ok. And if there is anything I can do, well it goes without saying.

    Gorgeous pictures (always) and huge hugs. Xx

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  8. Hope May brings you light, and warmth..
    Amanda xx

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  9. Sarah you make my heart sing with all those beautiful photos. I hope May brings a little more normalcy to your lives. xxx

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  10. I hope May is a good month for all of you. These photos are beautiful. I'm glad to know Joe is such a fan of ice cream. :)

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  11. I'm glad you've found happy moments in difficult times, and that May brings both calmer weather and more happy moments x

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  12. it does sound like you have found some calm amidst the sadness, and, as ever, your pictures are beautiful x

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  13. He had a great April! Wonderful moments and wonderful photos!
    I hope to have even more lovely month of May!

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  14. We've enjoyed some outdoors dining in April - even if it was just a snack, much tastier outdoors (and less crumbs to hoover!). Here's hoping May is a wonderful month! xx

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  15. Wishing you a wonderful May too Sarah.

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  16. Good to hear the house sale is progressing. I don't have little legs but, like Joe, I do enjoy a few animal diversions on my walks (though they're mostly dog shaped here!). Enjoy the Bank Holiday.

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  17. Life's been hectic here too, and reading this post I feel like I just took a break and walked with you. And it was lovely. Thank you.

    Fingers crossed all continues to go well re. the house :)

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  18. Wishing you a wonderful May Sarah. It's my favourite month. So much prettiness and my birthday too. Bee xx

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  19. Aren't kids just brilliant at forcing us to focus on the here and now, especially when there is sadness and stress around? Your pottering looks and sounds delightful. As someone who's just moved from a house with a small garden to a big one, I'd take the small one again. It's easier and it makes you more creative. I'm glad the house move is progressing smoothly. You deserve some good news! xx

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