a traveller returns to Normandy

The traveller is returned from warm, sunny Cyprus 

where we were lulled to sleep by waves breaking on the shore

just metres below our balcony.

I have yet to sort through the many photographs 

which I took on that jewel of a Mediterranean  island

 but promise to share some of them with you soon.

Today we awoke to a very different morning, the garden glistening under a light

shimmering of frost.

After the sun came up and blue skies appeared 

I went outside, with my camera, to record the signs of Spring's early arrival in Normandy.

 pretty primroses

 daffodils in bud

delicate purple crocus with deep orange stamens

Mother Nature really knows how to make an entrance.

towering silver birch trees 

the trunks seem to glow in the sunlight

 the papery bark makes interesting patterns,

I've been playing with picmonkey again

this time using the out of focus bokeh technique

I like the effect but think I need to investigate further just how to use the feature correctly.

Joining Mrs Matlock for Alphabe-Thursday

where the letter N for Normandy is spotlighted this week.

and Karen @ My Little Home and Garden for
Sunlit Sunday

Alphabet-Thursday. P is for Printemps

Can you believe it?

This is my 400th post!

I'd like to say a great big thank you to all my followers 

for supporting me since I began blogging

 almost four years ago. 

What a great time I've had, sharing my life with you and learning about yours.

Here's to the next 400!

Here in Normandy it's Printemps, again!

image from google

Not Printemps the world famous Parisian department store!

I'm talking about this Printemps.................

When spring takes centre stage to announce
 "All right, Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close up".

The weather on Tuesday was lovely.

 Although still chilly we enjoyed blue skies and sunshine.

Everywhere I looked in the garden spring was bursting out all over,

to the soundtrack of a chain saw!

S the G is back!
(Sean the Gardener, soon to be starring as the Rotivater in the Potager)

Linking this springtime post to Jenny Matlock's

Alphabe-Thursday gathering

@off on my tangent.

Click here to peruse more peas!

(sorry, I've got gardening on the brain!)

Sunday walk.

The weather is still dank and dreary, grey skies and no sunshine.
Nevertheless, we enjoyed our walk through the Normandy countryside this morning where I found some interesting trees to photograph.

Back home, the wet weather isn't dampening the spirits of our daffodils, thank goodness.

They are beginning to brighten up several flower beds now, beautiful Heralders of Spring!
bon dimanche.

Linking to Mosaic Monday @ the little red house. 

Mary has a wonderful vintage themed mosaic today that everyone will enjoy.

Outdoor Wednesday - Spring has sprung!



Spring lambs with their mums.
4 sets of twins.



Spring flowers in our back garden.
The bees were already hard at work on the white ornamental cherry blossom.

Not too much time available to blog since Mme Fleur arrived at the weekend and Mr Darling Husband flew the coop for a business trip to the UK!

I just had to share some pix, taken on a recent Sunday morning, of the new lambs that Jacques the owner of our village epicerie has in the field next to the shop.

Also some very quick snaps taken in our back garden Tuesday afternoon whilst Fleur & Ben were chasing around like whirling dervishes, bonding over a tennis ball.

All the shots I took of their playtime were too blurred to share but I'm sure you can picture the scene, n'est pas?

Joining Susan for Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer and Jill @ The French Cupboard for French Inspiration Thursday with this slice of rural Normandy Life.