Bluetiful!

This Sunday whilst making my way into the heart of the city I was moved to see a sign pasted to a defaced bill board announcing THE BLUEBELLS ARE OUT; a call to the urbanites to reconnect with the rhythm of nature, to draw them away from the hustle and bustle, to see something wonderful. At the moment, all over the country, the woods are filling with the unforgettable scent and heart-stopping display of colour which is the bluebell extravaganza. The end of April and the beginning of May heralds an eruption of springiness; ferns and bracken uncurling, birds approaching the pinnacle of their exuberance, hundreds of flowers exploding from every available crevice, zesty new leaves, lambs bouncing around. New life is vibrating all around us regardless of our human agenda. The traffic screams down the road and the rabbits sit in the green fields, unblinking. Despite the misery and panic of the news headlines yesterday was such a beautiful day, melting into a gift of an evening. I binned all thought of homework, piano practice and spelling tests and we wandered off with a basket of bread and cheese towards the woods. The church bells were ringing on the other side of the hill, a cuckoo was calling, and the other birds were singing their hearts out; it was awesomely lovely. Up the hill we plodded, until suddenly, there they were: a mass of blue, breathtakingly intense, and a gentle scent lingering on the breeze. We were stopped in our tracks; even the children were awe-struck for at least a SECOND before they remembered the food in the basket. Only the dog was immune; tearing through the precious display in a crazed figure of eight, reveling in the decapitated blooms spraying in her wake, deaf to our horrified cries. We spent a couple of hours munching and wandering through the blue and green woods. It was an unexpected gift, a detour from the usual pattern of the week, a small piece of heaven. Ignore the economic 'downturn' for a moment, close your ears to swine-flu panic for just a little while and push to one side your daily cares. Just wander away from it all, walk away from the traffic noise and busy people. Pamper yourself with an hour of stillness, listen to the birds, breathe the fresh air, sit on the damp earth; banish everyday thoughts, soak up the scent of the flowers. Where is our time to stop and stare? Grasp it! Re-schedule; stifle your separation anxiety and turn off your mobile. This show will make you happier than retail therapy, calmer than a spa-break and remind you what it is all about. Shake the spiders out of your wellies, get in the car, catch a bus, peddle your guts out, saddle your pony: just make sure you don't miss the bluebells! Enjoy your May Bank Holiday! Vikki

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