May

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This is probably my favourite month, especially this year, when it is the first time we have had any real warmth combined with the sunshine since the start of the year. We've had some wonderful long days with beautiful sunshine, warmth and sunsets as well as a few miserable days where it seemed to rain all the time. Another reason I love this month is because of the bluebells, campions, foxgloves and rhododendrons which come out in a spectrum of colours. Also the swallows are here now, swooping around. I also love the longer days - daylight at around 0500 until nearly 2200 in the evening. This month, probably more than any other this year, has really felt like the start of the summer.

Tehidy Woods

Yesterday, my partner and I went for a walk in Tehidy Country Park on the other side of Hayle and Gwithian. The weather was beautiful and we were in time to catch, and be able to photograph, both the rhododendrons and bluebells in the wood. Later we went to take some refreshment at the Visitors' Centre Cafe before walking back to the car. Living in West Cornwall and not being over-burdened with woods, it was lovely to walk in one again, to hear the birds sing and watch the squirrels and Mallards in the wildlife area of the park. The presence of so many trees was very ennervating.

Swallows

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I'm sitting at my computer typing my blog and just watched a swallow swooping past. I am very fond of swallows and wait avidly each year for their appearance and mourn their migration when they leave again in September. They are such tiny birds and yet they have such a phenomenal aerial ability, being able to turn in midflight to swerve and swoop over hedges and around bushes in their search for insects. And they fly so far every year to arrive in this country and then back again to South Africa. I think they are truly amazing birds and I enjoy their presence and aerial skills very much.

The Joy of Summer Sun

Image by jurvetson via Flickr

After a cold and dreary winter;
After a cool and windy spring;
Is summer finally with us
With its sunshine and its warmth
To brighten and to enliven us?
Let's hope that it's truly so.

A Cappella Concert at Phillack on Sunday

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A Cappella, a Penzance based mixed voice early music choir, will be performing a concert in St Felcitas and St Piala Church at Phillack, near Hayle tomorrow night at 19.30. This concert features predominantly songs and madrigals from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as well as a flute solo. One of the songs, 'The Passionate Shepherd to his Love' , written by Christopher Marlowe in 1599, was set to music by a member of the choir, Bridgit England. Pippa Drummond, who previously worked with the English Philharmonic Orchestra among others and who is also a member of the choir, will be performing a flute solo at the concert. Songs that will be sung include; 'My Bonny Lass She Smileth', 'Justorus Animae' and 'Dindirin Dindirin'.

Importance and Responsibility

Noel Coward via last.fm

We all like to have a certain sense of our own importance and usually have to develop a sense of responsibility at some period in our lives. At the same time there can be occasions when we can get somewhat overwhelmed by our responsibilities and what we feel we owe to others. These are the times when I remember a phrase which I understand was attributed to Noel Coward: 'Nobody, simply nobody is indispensable'. Sometimes this can be quite comforting.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons

This is around the time of year when azaleas and rhododendrons come into flower and produce a beautiful display of colour. One of the best places to go to see this is Kew Gardens in London and when I lived in the capital my partner and I went on frequent visits to Kew. I was reminded of the beauty of azaleas and rhododendrons on Sunday when I went to St Michaels Mount and saw the beautiful garden there where these plants were coming into flower.

Music on the Mount

I've just arrived back from taking part, with two choirs, in the Music on the Mount Day. This happens annually, on St Michael's Mount just off Marazion in Cornwall and gives the opportunity for the public to hear a wide range of music, from different local choirs and bands, including brass and Samba bands, as well as some belly dancers. It was well attended and the sheer variety of music which was available was quite breathtaking.

Lichen

I think that lichen is a remarkable plant, made up as it is from an algae and a fungus who live co-operatively together to share nutrients. I have been told that the presence of lichen in an area is one indicator that the air is particularly clear there. I was delighted to see some lichen on the branches of trees near the cliffs on the walk I took with my partner yesterday afternoon. There was also Sea Campion and Thrift out in profusion on the cliffs with English bluebells coming into flower further inland. Oh I do love this time of year!

Mystery Shrub

Well to me it is as we inherited it when we moved into our present house. The reason why I'm writing about it today is that it is now in full flower with a profusion of orange flowers all over it which the bees are most enthusiastic about. I've looked it up in my trees and shrubs book but can't identify it from that. Not that the bees mind at all!

Interesting Times

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Well, yes we do seem to be in the middle of them. We have the economy which needs some kind of long-term balance and stability and the same goes for the ecology. Now in the UK, we have the spectre of a hung parliament and everyone trying to decide what is the best deal that is available for their particular party (and possibly the country). Personally, I don't think a hung parliament is such a bad thing as although it may be a bit indecisive, especially initially, it does also mean that no particularly idiotic actions are likely be agreed (issues like the Iraq War and Identity Cards come to mind here!). I was reading fairly recently in The Guardian that New Zealand has been working with a coalition system that gives no overall majority for some time and that apart from a rather bumpy start, it has been working out quite well. It is almost certainly true to say that it is time for a change to the current electoral system in the UK and the chance to implement a fairer and more representative voting procedure.

Welcome Fiat Panda

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Have just today taken possession of my new second-hand Fiat Panda. The steering is phenomenally light compared to my VW Golf and it is fun to drive. Of course the dashboard instrumentation will take a little while to get used to as will the general feel of the car but I'm optimistic about our future together.

Farewell Little Golf

Image by TheTruthAbout... via Flickr

Had bad news today when my car - a VW GOLF - was due to be taken to its MOT. The engine is on its last legs and it's not worth replacing it. I'm sad as this was my first real car and we've been through a lot together. Still when it's time to change, it's time to change. I was lucky enough to find a Fiat Panda which was for sale and am in the midst of sorting out the insurance and tax on it. What a difference in feel there was test driving the new car. I hope that we'll have a long and happy relationship together.

Herbal Medicine

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It might be unfashionable to favour alternative medicine after the bad media coverage that homeopathy recently received but I'm a strong fan of herbal medicine. I regularly see a herbalist who gives me the consultation time that would not be available with an NHS doctor. I pay for these consultations and the subsequent medicine but I feel that it is worth it. I have had, in the past, and also now, a number of health issues that require regular treatment using the NHS but I find that the herbal prescription treats matters which arise not only from my actual health problems but also the side effects that the prescribed drugs also contribute. There have been a number of occasions when the herbal prescription has relieved symptoms that my doctor was either or unwilling or unable to treat and I'm sure that my overall health has benefited from being treated by a herbalist as well as by the NHS. So I can definitely recommend this kind of treatment.

May Bank Holiday

Image by Mukumbura via Flickr

Well, at least in West Cornwall the weather is better than expected, with intermittent sunshine and quite a lot of wind. Flowers are continuing to blossom and I noticed some bluebells in our garden earlier this morning. These are the Spanish bluebells which blossom earlier and are lighter in colour than the true English variety which comes out here around the end of May. They add a very welcome burst of colour to the countryside. Also the gorse is wonderful this year, very plentiful and colourful. Perhaps nature is eager to get going after such a late Spring.