When I realised that we were likely to move from France to England in the Spring, I immediately became anxious – no – panic-stricken, at the thought that this year we might be too late to enjoy one of the glories of English life: daffodils. Of course, there are daffodils in France, and spectacularly so in hidden woodlands such as the one we visited last April.
But whilst the French have daffodils, they don’t do daffodils as we do here. All over England, they’re in pots in urban courtyards, crowded into suburban gardens, rambling over country gardens. They form part of the roadside verges on tiny D roads, march along urban by-passes and ring roads, line dual carriageways, and romp across traffic roundabouts. Householders buy them two and three bunches at a time and place jugs and vases full of them all over their homes.
I shouldn’t have worried. Since the moment we arrived, they’ve been at their spectacular best. It’s impossible to feel anything but joyful when passing by whole armies of those bright yellow flowers nodding cheerfully in the breeze.
And goodness knows, we’ve needed distracting from the tasks in hand. Since we arrived ten days ago, we’ve found a home to rent, started the daunting process of re-registering our car in the UK (you can’t buy a tax-disc without having an English MOT, you can’t get an English MOT without an English number plate, you can’t get an English number plate until….. you get the picture), organised moving our goods, registered ourselves hither and yon, started the process of catching up with British friends, tried to maintain contact with French friends…..
…and finally, of course, I’ve changed the title of the blog. The header, showing our transition from the Pyrenees to the Pennines, was master-minded by our friend, the talented amateur photographer Richard Bown. He already has a family history blog, but I really hope he’ll begin a photography blog soon and share some of his fantastic images with you. If he does, I’ll let you know. Because you will want to subscribe.
*William Wordsworth: ‘The Daffodils’
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Lovely to get this and congratulations on your new title – I wondered what you’d call it and this is excellent. Congratulations too on the many things you’ve achieved in 10 days, and don’t worry, you won’t lose this subscriber!
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Thank you! Good to have you along for the ride.
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Glad to see you’ve settled in…excellent:)
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‘Settled in’ is coming on far too strong. But we’re getting there…
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Great job on the new look … and, yes, the British certainly “do” daffodils! Lovely!
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Thank you. I’m so hoping the daffodils last till Easter. Those and the little lambs are quite a special sight.
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Good to see you’re ‘back in the saddle’. I’m amazed you can find the time with all the other excitement.
We’re off to Laroque for Easter, I’ll report back, but obviously not as well as you always seem to.
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Oh, do look at how the new town council – and mayor – is performing. Anything to see that last of the former incumbent 😦 . Have a great time and give Laroque all our love
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What a great welcome those flowers have given you! I need to make it a point to be in England in springtime someday! Congrats on getting through at least part of the transition–looking forward to hearing more!
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It IS a special time in England – do come! And yes, I’ll keep you all posted.
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Daffodils are probably my favourite flower – the first ‘proper’ ones of the year. Each autumn I plant up every empty pot with them, and a few tulips, to welcome in the sunshine. The new banner photograph is beautiful – a great concept,
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Thank you. Richard – take a bow! Yes, it was always one of the things I missed terribly in France. Daffodils are quite simply wonderful.
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Nous vous suivions sur les dolomies ariégeoise ,nous continuerons de vous suivre avec plaisir dans les parcs des Pennines
.Dans les Pyrénées centrales les jardins de vos compatriotes se signalent par des plantations de daffodils jusque dans les fossés au bord des routes !.
Je vous ai un jour proposé de vous guider vers un lieu de mémoire de notre histoire commune (1939/45) dans les Pyrénées .Cette offre reste valable s’il vous prend un jour l’envie d’y revenir .
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Oui, c’est vrai. Nous anglais apprécions beaucoup les jonquilles. Et oui, c’est sur et certain qu’on va revenir, et je voudrais bien visiter le lieu de mémoire que vous proposez. Merci! Que faire pour vous contacter?
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Margaret – Lovely photos – you certainly have gotten quite a bit done in a scant amount of time – our flowers have yet to pop – thank you for the reminder that spring will soon arrive… It is spring break and we have taken in skiing, a baseball game (like rounders or cricket), and are on our way to visit with in-laws… Hoping to write soon… Lots going on and many ways of making it count! Love the new header!
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No daffodile yet? So you’ve got it all to look forward to! My son and his wife are shortly to come exploring America for three weeks. I shall enjoy travelling vicariously….
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Where are they visiting – it is a vast wasteland errrr I mean country!
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Oh goodness, I’m so embarrassed – I can’t exactly remember. They start out in Washington and take in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachians generally. They’re great walkers, and indeed lovers of the States so they’re hoping winter will be over by the time they arrive!
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sorry, Margaret, a bit late – hope all these daffodills still are flowering – so beautiful, like paradise now……..// looking forward to the next spots – annaxxxx
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Oh yes, it’s still beautiful Hope it’ll last another week or so……. xxx
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Love the new header. Where have you “settled” ? i read this post having noted the 4 pathetic daffs in my garden in A-V..On the other had I have masses of promroses and helleborus orientalis and argutifolia. Now back in a wet E Sussex where the early daffs are very tatty and the Tete-a-tetes by the front door have definitely gone.
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Oooh, don’t say that. They’re still at their glorious best here, though they won’t make it through to Easter. We move to North Stainley on Tuesday. It’s just outside Ripon, and I’m bound to do a post about it very soon.
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Hope it goes well. I’ll await the post.
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All go tomorrow then….. Thanks!
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