Grey Days
Never Ending Winter
1/27/20262 min read
Never before have we known such a wet period. It began well before Christmas, and seems to be continuing for the next two weeks at least. The ground is sodden, and the skies are totally grey. Little wonder that I am searching round for inspiration: something to show you how wonderful it is, here in the South of France. Albeit that we have passed the Winter Solstice and the days are getting longer, I struggle to find anything to bring hope.
Today, I took a walk around our property. Will summer ever return? The swimming pool overflows with rain water, unloved and unused; children's swings lie idle, and sunbeds have been long abandoned. All colour seems to have been bleached from the landscape, save for the brilliant green moss that is thriving this year on our walls and stone steps.
But wait. What are these broad green leaves growing in the grass? Whilst they don't look very pretty, I am delighted to see them...
...That is because they will develop into the beautiful barlia orchid. What's more, these orchids will merely be a prelude to many more wild orchids , from the mauve pyramidal orchid to the delicate spider and bee orchids. Keep faith that spring will soon be here, and watch this space.
