Today is the first day of May

Today is 'La Fête du Muguet,' or lily of the valley day, in France, when friends and lovers give each other a brin, or spray of sweet smelling muguet to bring them luck. For days now supermarkets and florists all over France have offered tiny sprays for sale at rather inflated prices . But as luck would have it, I know that in a small corner of our garden, I will find a cache of these tiny white bells nestling against the house wall . They appear every year , just in time to celebrate the wondrous arrival of summer. Happy May Day!

Of course the first of May is also known as 'La Fete due Travail' or Labour Day. It is the one day when all workers are on holiday, and even supermarkets that normally open their doors on French bank holidays, remain firmly closed. Traditionally this is a day when workers and unions protest throughout France. But let us forget dissension for once in this small corner of France. The woods are full of blossom; the blue tits are flying busily to and from their nesting boxes seeking out food for their young, and there is the promise of summer to come. Gentle May is my favourite month of the year .