Spring Greens (and Pinks)

Can you remember the post I made in January, about my word for the year? The word *Fresh*? I think about that word a lot, I carry it with me and hold it out in front of me from time to time to remind myself of my Personal Pledge.
Fresh flowers :: check. Fresh fruit :: check. Fresh projects :: check. Fresh Home :: hmmm getting there slowly. Fresh Me :: not exactly. It's taken me till now, April, to begin the tentative baby steps towards making a Fresh Me. Not easy you know. Sounds easy doesn't it :: yeah, eat better, get more fresh air and exercise, feel revitalsied, energetic, healthy!! But reality is, it's hard work making oneself feel Fresh. One has to feel motivated to do so.

Ok, shall I get to the point now, cor i could win a Gold Medal for rambling....the point is this :: last week, when I could no longer fasten my jeans up I decided that was IT. I was fed up with it (it being the condition of my body). I eat well in general, you know, healthy, homecooked meals, good ingredients, plenty of fruit and veg, a  little too much baking perhaps, but on the whole, pretty good I'd say. It's the exercise thing that I couldn't seem to get to grips with.  My daily walks along the canal to and from school were just not enough to generate that feeling I was after. That feeling of exhileration that comes when one raises the heartbeat, works the muscles, sweats a little.
So last week I enrolled myself. Yes I did! And I began to attend some Classes at my local gym. My first class was Aerobic Attack! Hard, fast, loud, a shock. Second class was lunch time Pilates. Soft, slow, gentle, a revelation. Can't say I'm exactly feeling Fresh yet, but I am nevertheless very hopeful for good things to come. I've made a start, and that has made me feel very good.

One of the lovely unexpected things that has come out of my jaunts to the gym is that it entails a walk across the park to get there and back. And as the aerobic classes are held in the evening, it means I'm walking through the park at a time of day when I would normally be at home doing pre-bedtime routines with the Little People. So it feels kind of extra special somehow, almost as if I should not be there, as if I've suddenly been granted permission to enjoy some previously forbidden delight. It's the light that does it for me...the light at this time of day is absolutely precious. The light and the greenery.

I have long had a fascination with the changing seasons, the passage of time through the 365 days that make up a year. Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn and back to Winter again. Something about the rhythm of nature which I constantly find fascinating, reassuring and inspiring. And I love that through learning to take photographs most days, it's possible to capture something of this seasonal rhythm and preserve it a little.

These photos were all taken at around 6:45pm one day early last week. I was so aware of the green all around, of the freshness and newness of it all, almost as if I was witnessing the essence of Spring itself.

These horse chestnut leaves were still all limp and soft and droopy, having only just unfurled themselves....

....and I just love how shiny and new the leaves look, how that particular shade of green is so very Spring like. And how it matches my Boden coat too.

Walking up through the park into the little copse of woodland at the top of the hill, pausing to look back through the trees....

....enjoying the late day sun. Magical.

This little path above leads to the top of the park. Last year, as it was our first Spring in our new house and town, I had no idea that the row of trees to the left there were cherry trees. Not until  April when the pink frothy blossom burst forth with a flourish.
This year of course I knew full well, and I have been waiting, waiting, waiting.
Above photo was taken 19th April. Newly unfurled baby bronze leaves, but blossom buds still tightly shut.

Waiting, waiting, waiting, another week goes past and the blossom is slowly beginning to open.

And finally today look, with the sun shining, the blossom is in full frothy pink bloom.

Hooray for Spring!



Hooray for Fresh Greens and Pretty Pinks!

Enjoy your day, enjoy the Springtime colours all around. And if you can get out and about in the late part of today, enjoy the sunlight and shadows too.

I know I will
xxxx

 
 

Comments

[Shelley in SC]

The gorgeous pinks and greens of nature are my favorite combinations. The colors of nature really can make you come back to life after the winter; can't they?!

[biyasimadahagirdim]

nice photos ;)

[Louise]

I haven't had a chance tp say Hi! Yet since you got back off your holibobs. This post is so refreshing, I hope you continue to enjoy your aerobics and I look forward to seeing your walk change as the year moves on.
Louise xx

[Sumea]

My very favourite colour is green, followed closely by my second favourite colour pink.
You have just made me very happy :o)
x
Sumea

[Julie]

Such a gorgeous shade of green, that springtime green isn't it. So bright, and to coin an apt word - Fresh.

Well done on the exercising front - that's very dedicated of you!

[Wendy]

Hi Lucy you 'sound' happier today!
Thanks for sharing these lovely fresh, lush photos, I havent been able to go out much lately so I really enjoyed the walk through your park.
L & H
Wendxxx

[Marie]

Beautiful pictures today.I love all that greenery and the cherry blossom is gorgeous just now. A bit spookily, I posted on my blog about walking in the park at about the same time too......ooooo! Good for you going to those exercise classes, I really must follow your good example :-)

[Stina]

Oh I wish I was there..just to walk in all that beauty... fantastic... something to dream about..:o)
Btw...started your hexagons the other day... it works super..:o)
Thanks for the pattern !!

[Wendy Wager]

Thank you for that. your blog refreshes the parts other blogs don't reach.
I followed your link to Barnitt's to check out shopping trolleys and found stepladders I'd been searching for for ages. I ordered some, they arrived damaged, but due to excellent customer service, I now have perfect steps. Can recommend Barnitt's and something else to thank you for.

[Tam]

Your pictures are wonderful! What a joy to be able to see that beauty everyday!

Good luck with the exercising!

[Linda O]

Beautiful photos, Lucy, such vivid colours.
The cherry blossom is very pretty.
Enjoy your excercise, you've inspired me to crochet, never know you may inspire me to excercise too!!!!
Linda O xxx

[Sarah]

Fabulous photos!!! I just love your town more and more.. Enjoy the exercise- it has been the best thing I have done for myself in a long time (besides picking up crochet again!). You will feel more refreshed and healthier the more you go!! GOOD FOR YOU LUCY!!!!

[Stacey]

Lovely pics, I love blossoms, there's so beautiful. What a lovely walk you get to do!