Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals

After what seemed like the longest, most bizarre winter of our years here so far (which included at least 4cm of snow every month since November), spring arrived later than normal.

I have grown to love all the seasons here, (although with less emphasis on winter obviously.) Summer is a reward. Autumn and spring bring THE most amazing display of colour. And spring usually goes on for weeks. The crocuses come and go. Then the daffodils come followed by the magnolias blooming and tulips popping out. The city is abundant with blossoms of bright pink and soft pink and green pink, and green white- there’s a cobbled road in a posh area that has tall trees that seem to blossom white and green together.

After a few weeks the blossoms drop or get taken over by the brand new shiny green leaves that supply shade in the summer.

I love watching the leaves unfurl as the sun draws nearer- it reminds me that this is what we as people look like as winter fades away, mostly obvious by the menagerie of bodies that adorn the city parks during lunch times and in the early evenings. It ALWAYS reminds me to be grateful of our garden, and take note of the vast differences between South African cities, and European cities.  Aside from people streaming across Sandton Square from shop to shop, SA’s don’t generally gather together in huge public spaces to socialise and soak up the sun.  Granted, a fair bit of South Africans don’t live literally on top of each-other in tall apartment blocks, which is the norm for the bigger populace of European city dwellers. South Africans also treat the sun differently, but that’s what you get if you have sun 90% of the year.

This year has been different. From 2 perspectives.

Firstly, the evolution of the seasons seemed to appear in the blink of an eye this year. One day we had bare naked trees; the next time you looked at them, they would be an abundance of blossoms, and where normally the blossoms hang around for a remarkable period of time, this year the blossoms have been quickly swallowed up by new fresh green leaves.

The magnolias in la centre ville lasted less than a week- I have an Instagram friend (is that even a thing?) who lamented that she missed instagramming them this year- they’re always so picturesque. (Instead she discovered apple orchards near her village which may have been even more picturesque). Regardless of who is instagramming whatever, this season has brought an absolute abundance of magnificence. Am I gushing much?

The other difference this year is that we’ve been able to watch the seasonal changes in our garden.

I’ve realised that if you live in the centre of a city, the changes are less obvious- one minute the magnolias start opening; the next minute those trees are covered in glorious green. You don’t really get to ponder the awesomeness of God and Mother Nature. But for us, we have literally watched as hyacinths have pushed their way out of the soil to reach the warmth of the sun.

I’ve observed that the pruned roses have come to life with the MOST perfect coloured leaves (mostly I’m relieved at this. I thought at the end of last summer that we had killed the roses with dreaded fungi but I can be grateful to this one aspect to deep European winters- they kill rose funguses and the like).

We’ve picked tulips to put in a vase.

We’ve remarked to each other that the cherry tree is blossoming very late, only to see 8 hours later that it is covered in an array of white blooms.

I’ve discovered the raw delight of peonies growing, how amazing!

Our grass is covered in picturesque little daisies and my mint and thyme has suddenly revived, despite living in a pot on the patio throughout winter.

Even a friend who I spend an hour walking with during the girls ice skating lessons has commented that I’m a different person now under this spring sunlight!

It would appear that we have arrived fully in the very heart of summer- this week has seen temperatures reaching 26 degrees, we haven’t seen a cloud in as many days that I’ve lost count now, and we’re all wearing sun dresses and flip flops.

The cycle routes are busy, rush hour cycle-traffic is actually a thing, and I even got scolded by a policeman for wearing earphones whilst on my bike. One thing I am missing is having the long afternoons to myself. I am envious of my time from last year when we could let the kids stay in the park late after school, and have dinner in the veranda as the sun sets.

My landlady commented to me last week that she had imagined the smell of our braai fire, knowing well that we would take the first opportunity to cook and eat outside. And she was of course very correct.

It’s weeks like this that make the winter almost worthwhile. It’s nice to have reason to be grateful for something for.

Sigh. I could go on for another thousand words, but if I don’t publish this immediately, it may as well have never been written. Thank you for staying with me while I have blathered on for far too long.

We’re off to Ireland on Saturday for a much deserved family holiday. We’ll be meeting Dad who is taking a working holiday on the Emerald Isle. Naturally, we’re packing for rain and 13 degrees, but I could almost do with some cool again. (Ooh. Did I really just say that?!) I am looking forward to eating some seafood in Galway, taking in the breathtaking Atlantic coastline that is rugged and majestic, and of course, having a Guinness in Dublin.

Will be in touch soon. The weather seems to have ignited something new in me again.

Best wishes and all my love,

Moi.

Xxx