Monday, April 02, 2007

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything

April has started in fine fettle. Yesterday being April Fool's Day, hubby informed me that he had had enough with work and was retiring- l was shocked but also relieved when l realized he was just pulling a fast one-lol. I wonder how many people yesterday were teased about tartan paint- that's an old one! Extra UK facts about the month of April HERE.
It’s the Easter holidays. The sun is shining and the locals are out in droves. T-shirt strolls along the prom and happy gratitude’s everywhere. Typical Scots- nothing brings us out faster than a bit of sunshine and an excuse to dress up in those frivolous garments at the far back of the wardrobe! That neighbour you thought had moved away or died is crashing around in his shed. Gardens and homes everywhere are getting the springtime facelift while the smell of freshly mowed grass swirls up your nostrils.
The coach loads of tourists have reappeared, spilling out onto the prom happy for the good weather and to be stretching their legs. l am glad for them too for this town can be rather dour when the sky is grey- and l'm not just talking about the buildings. It's almost as if our 'feel' and 'do' emotional thermometers are set to the same course as our local climate. There are more words in Scotland for bad weather than good- have a read for yourself HERE.
Talking about the weather is one thing we do well - the central peg of social intercourse for this country. Given the fact that we can go through so many different types of weather in one day- well, there's always variation. And there's never talk about the weather without a bit of folklore thrown in, such as 'check out the berries on the rowan, the fish aren't biting, when the cockerel crows at dusk, spit of the cuckoo', etc.

"If you don't like the weather in Scotland, wait half an hour and it will change"

l have to say thought that this past weekend has to be the best of the year so far. Unusual to see such pure blue sky and feel the warmth of the sun through your clothes - sun lasting all day!
l am sitting here typing away in shorts and T-shirt-lol. So much to get done around the house and then l'm headed up back to clear out the small shed and hang out washings. Rest assured l won't be wearing these shorts anywhere but home. The reason: Well it is only April and my legs are so white you can actually see a reflection! However l did get a bit of sun on my face over the weekend. Hubby and l did plenty of work out front and up the back too. We're almost finished with clearing out the driveway space. Our neighbour was thrilled to get some extra topsoil and us thrilled to give it away. The photo's below were taken last night. It will look much better when the tons of chuckie-stones go down for the drive ;)
Bests all.




14 comments:

Margaret said...

Dear Horizon, loved the extra April information very informative and interesting."Tartan Paint" brought to my mind a place called Maclean in New South Wales that has a huge Highland gathering every year around about now if I remember correctly. The light poles are painted half way up in differnt tartans. Looks great, fits the towns theme and prevents grafitti on poles.I will post about it one day and show photos.
Cheers and hugs margaret

Susie said...

Your garden looks like springtime!
Your daffodils are so cheery!
Glad you had some sunny weather to work on your tan :)
xoxo

Lorraine said...

I find your garden absolutely maddening. Golly, think if I spent any time in mine it might look anything like that?

Loved the Scottish names for rain...I'll need to learn some of those since we have very similar weather here and many, many varieties of rain.

Tammy said...

A beautiful day here too...as I type I hear children walking home from school...a radio in a nearby teens car blaring and over all a lawn mower sawing along...
I hope you got my email??

Val said...

Yes isnt the sun wonderful!

I must confess "dreich" was the first word I learned, in Oban, waiting for the ferry to Mull for the first time! Its probably the only one I remember too!

Driveway is lookin'good. "chuckie-stones?" my husband is a builder and has some good words for such things, but I havent heard that one pass his lips...yet. "Hoggin" may be one he would use.

Anonymous said...

Your effort really is making your garden beautiful. Love all the color.

Hugs,
Connie

Betty said...

Horizon,

Gosh, your flowers are beautiful and I like the different containers...

Your postings are alway so full of information and so interesting.

I hope you have a blessed Easter week.

Merle said...

Hi Sarah ~~ Your garden looks lovely and you obviously put a lot of time and work into it. Glad you are having some lovey Spring weather to brighten everything up. Thanks for your comments and yes that was Peter
my brother that I posted in first photo ansd he is in there with cousins also. No more dramas here
thank goodness. Take care, and have a lovely Easter with all the family home. Love, Merle.

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...

Your gardens look lovely. I've worn shorts in April before but I don't think it will happen this year. We have a very similar expression about changeable weather - just substitute 5 minutes for half hour. :) I think we need at borrow some of your weather terms to make our conversations more interesting.

smileymamaT said...

What a pretty garden!!! We say that about the weather in Eastern Canada...don't like it? Wait 5 minutes Although it's been snowing for about 24 hours now!!!
T

Carole Burant said...

Ooooh how I love your flowers...I can't believe how they're all in bloom right now! I have a few crocuses that are deathly afraid of opening up right now because of the winter weather we're having again! lol Loved all the information about April:-) xoxo

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Your gardens look wonderful! In Aberdeen we didn't see too many pretty gardens, but they do have amazing parks! thanks so much for sharing...Lidy

Kerri said...

I read this post just before running out the door to work earlier in the week...and apparently forgot to come back and leave a comment.
I so agree with your weather musings. We are the same the world over. I always feel so much more alive and content with the world when the sun is shining and providing lovely warmth!
Had to chuckle about your white legs. Mine would blind you, and the dry skin..oh my!
I especially love your entryway but all your gardens are looking so springy and pretty. I need to plant some primroses. Yours are beautiful. Are they Jonquils at the base of the tree? My mum always had Jonquils. I love their dainty little faces.
I so much enjoyed finding your comment in my mailbox this morning :) Thanks for visiting. I always love to have you stop by. xoxox

Anonymous said...

Hello, I was just looking at your blog, and you have a beautiful country. It looks like your yard is coming along beautifully. All those flowers are wonderful. I live in the states; Arizona. I have a hard time growing pretty flowers. Well, I like your blog, very good.
Donna Lea

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