Louloulapomme: Spring is Sprung, the Grass is Riz

April 5, 2013

This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.

daffodil-flower-clip-art-14Spring is definitely emerging here in France and when I watch the UK news channels I can’t believe some of the horrendous weather conditions there.  Quell bizarre, as they say in this part of the world.  Since our move here I have noticed how much we now live and eat by the seasons.  No more imported foodstuffs for us, unless it comes from Spain and that’s only four hours from here so I don’t have any carbon footprint qualms where that is concerned.

asparagus-colorAs our weather has been warming I’ve noticed how my menus are changing.  No longer rich (but low fat!) casseroles and cassoulets on offer to our guests but I am now planning confit of duck accompanied by finely shredded cabbage braised with garlic and bacon lardons,  with smoked salmon soufflé starters.  A French friend has recently introduced us to warmed, small Camembert cheeses, sprinkled with cumin and soused in eau de vie, which you then stand back and light before presenting to your guests.  Make sure the flames are out before you eat otherwise you can do a pretty mean impression of a fire-eater!  Not long now before the markets are bursting with thick stems of luscious asparagus, white, violet and dark green.  I have to admit I go into asparagus overload when the season starts and have been know to have it for breakfast!!  Do I care?  No…

hoopoesWe get really interesting wildlife around here and some of our more interesting birds are passing through on their way to more northern parts, or feel it is warm enough to settle here after their return from migration.  We get strange little birds called hoopoes.  I feel they are a caricature out of a comic book and we noticed the first one this year a couple of weeks ago and then yesterday our mating pair were strutting and preening around the garden.  They remind me of a delicate mechanical digger, as they peck and strut around looking for grubs, with their two inch long, curved beaks and warning crest on their heads.  They are also extremely bold and taunt the cats as they march around but are too clever to be caught.  When they take off their flight is rather like an untidy, lurching flap as they show off their black, white and peach colours.

As I write we have a bit of drizzle today but it’s 15* after temperatures of 21* last week, but even that can’t dampen the spirit of spring in the gardens and hillsides. Towers of candy floss pink and white plum and prunis blossom, waxy magnolias, crocuses and daffodils are appearing in the gardens. Wild violets, celandine, and meadow clary adorn the hedgerows – every year I never cease to be amazed that the countryside, which looks so dead in the winter and reminiscent of what I call Hobbitland, manages to reinvent itself and come back with renewed energy and colour.  Don’t worry UK – spring may be bypassing you this year but fingers crossed for a scorching summer – or come to SW France…

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