Blossoms and More Blossoms

The air is scented with the many blossoms that have emerged in the last few days. Where not long ago there were bare brunches now everything has come into bloom. Not much fun for the allergy sufferers as all the trees seems to be releasing their pollen simultaneously!



But, oh what a feast for the eyes! There seem to be blossoms in every shade of pink. A profusion of petals!



It is impossible not to stop and stare with delight, to take in the delicacy, to let oneself ponder a single blossom in the midst of the sea of flowers.



Soon this show will be over and green will overtake the pinks. Spring is the season of changes when each day demands that Mother Nature's work be admired.

Spring in a Rush

No time here for spring - it happens in a rush. Our temperatures jump around in so-called spring with days of summer-like weather interspersed with cooler spring temperatures. A week of "summer" has jolted all the flowers and leaves to grow at once.



Tulips share the stage with daffodils, primroses and all sorts of spring blooms. Magnolias bloomed and dropped within a week.




What a pleasure to see the plethora of colours after the white of winter.



Each day brings new changes from blossoms to leaves. The world around is bursting into colour.

Spring at Parc-des-Rapides

Photos: May 2, 2015

I'm not sure what it is about the rapids, but I love to watch the water. The constant change of the movement mesmerizes me. I watch it swirl and stare where the smooth surface suddenly turns into a choppy, seething rush over the hidden rocks.



All around in the park, a spit of land reaching into the river, spring's arrivals are busy. Bird songs accompany the powerful sound of the rapids. 



Some are here to stay for the summer. Others stop by on their way farther up north.



This heron has found his fishing spot. The water is low this year. We need some rain to fill up the rivers and streams and to dampen the forest floor to lower the risk of fires. Spring is here. A good rain will help things grow.

It's Really Here

It felt like it would never come, but as happens in Montreal, spring suddenly appeared with temperatures in the teens (C)  and growth has been rapid. Although traces of snow can still be seen in north-facing wooded areas in parks, or where there are remnants of snow banks in parking lots, it feels as if winter is long past. We suddenly have collective amnesia about the cold and don our lighter clothing, walking about with our faces turned towards the sun.



Flowers seem to grow before our eyes. One day sprouts poke up and the next day blooms start to appear. Everything seems to be in a rush to make an appearance. Each day the landscape changes.



No slow spring here! No time to savour each new growth. Spring is here in a rush.

Portobello Road

Photos: March 31, 2015

In all my trips to London, I had never gone to Portobello Road. We took advantage of a sunny day to stroll, poke around the stores and soak in the atmosphere.



Antiques mingle with newer items; antique stores with tourist shops.



You can find jewellery, and household goods as well as fruit and vegetables!



Just around the corner I found these buildings. Each tries to stand out from the others. This is definitely a colourful area.

Walking Through Regent's Park

Photos: March 30, 2015


London has some wonderful, expansive parks. This was my first visit to Regent's Park.I was impressed by the variety of water fowl. It is always a delight to stroll away from the bustle of city streets.



This bird was testing the water, searching for food. Its bright beak looks glued on!



It is always the flowers that catch my eyes. These magnolias were just opening; I like the way they seem to perch on the branches.



The English seem to have a love of formal gardens. This kind of orderly display would be quite foreign to my city's parks.



A bonus of travelling is that I get to experience spring twice. I won't be seeing blossoms like this until some time in May in Montreal.

A Taste of London

I have been to London a number of times because my brother lives in England. Family sometimes guides vacation plans. I still manage to do some "sight-seeing" during my British sojourns. There is something special about emerging from the tube and being in Trafalgar Square. This is a view of the National Gallery. I went to the exhibit, Inventing Impressionism, about Paul Durand-Ruel and how he brought the art of the impressionists to public attention.




Just off Trafalgar Square is St. Martin in the Fields (no fields around now!). Apparently there has been a church on this site since Medieval times. On this visit I only saw it from the outside, but many years ago I went there with my children. We ate in the cafe in the crypt and did some brass rubbings at the Brass Rubbing Centre.



A visit to the British Library to see the Magna Carta exhibit took us past St. Pancras. What an imposing building! The exhibit was quite extensive and fascinating. As always, I am moved when I am so close to touching history.



Another stop was at the British Museum.We went to the exhibit Defining Beauty: the body in ancient Greek Art. While it was interesting and worth seeing, the two exhibits mentioned above made more of an impact on me.



Not all was about museums. I love to walk in London and walk we did! It was great to have a taste of spring after the cold winter in Montreal. I feasted my eyes on the flowers and green grass, celebrated the blossoms and enjoyed walking with my head held high instead of being pulled into my coat like a turtle. And for the two of us - early music lovers, no trip is complete without concerts (we went to 2) and a visit to a music shop (I bought a few pieces and am looking forward to playing).