At Last

Posted by Tania Kindersley.

The blossom has arrived. I cannot tell you what a banner day this is. I have been looking enviously at pictures from the south, all gaudy and verdant and fecund. Now, at last, our tiny white cherry flowers are starting to unfurl. The horse chestnuts have their first fledgling leaves, and even the beeches are showing signs of life.

The dogs and I just went out into the amber evening light, and there was blossom:

And green leaves:

And the glory of the dry stone wall, of which you know I never tire:

And more blossom:

And the light dying on the hill:

And, of course, two exceptionally photogenic old ladies:

It was all very calm and quiet and the election felt a long way away.

Talking of the election: I have no deep political thoughts today, except that I cannot see how all this is going to end, not just on Friday morning, but in the long run. The only thing I would say is that I am growing a little weary of hearing all the party leaders devote their entire pitch to 'ordinary hard-working families'. I am not sure I qualify. I start to yearn for a party which would like to appeal to cussed single feminists with dogs.

Happy bank holiday.

PS Oh, meant to say - Virginia the Pig SURVIVED. It was a horrid mystery illness and we still are not sure quite what ailed her. She took on a terrible death rattle at one stage, but the tough old dear pulled through. I took her apples this morning and she looked really quite perky.

PPS Did I thank properly for all the incredibly kind comments about the book? Thank you, thank you.

PPPS Sarah was on Woman's Hour this morning. Do go and listen if you can get the iplayer. I think she has the most magnificent radio voice.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s5h62/Womans_Hour_03_05_2010/