Well spring is definitely here at Swallows Nest Farm. In fact, it arrived a few days before the end of August with some very warm, beautiful blue-sky days and lots of spring colour in the flowers. And of course the swallows are back for the summer. They seem to be having such fun dipping and diving and reclaiming their nests left abandoned over the winter.
We've been in full swing preparing for the warmer months with lots of pruning and reclaiming areas that were let go over the last few years. (We've been busy with our baby girl who has major health issues and this has meant the farm has been a little neglected in areas.) Whilst doing some heavy duty pruning during the week I came across this gorgeous little nest. It's tiny with the eggs being around the size of the end of my thumb. So cute!! And definitely a sign of spring.
And there has been no shortage of gorgeous weather over the last few weeks. Wow! It makes your heart skip a beat sometimes.
Of course, the bulbs are blooming madly. While we were out driving the other day, we came across this incredible field of daffodils. Spring!! With a capital S!!
Yellow is such a "springy" colour. And set against those clear blue skies, it just sings. The Leucadendron Safari Goldstrikes are glowing and gorgeous.
I've been madly picking them. They're so much bigger and more productive than last year.
And the stem length has been fantastic! 1.4 metres tall, some of them are. And they've been generously snipped leaving plenty on the plant. I think they're almost too tall to use ... maybe!
Our local school hosts a flower show just as spring starts and we love to donate flowers. It's just another indicator that the seasons are turning - lots of fresh new spring colours!
And that amazing, glowing yellow!
The flower show is always a feast for the eyes. These little beauties were done by the kids at the school.
The huge variety of daffodils are truly mind blowing!!
The variety of natives available in spring is fantastic too, and makes it a delight to create bouquets and bunches. I'm going to soak up the blue-sky days and the riot of colour while I can, because I know that spring can also bring cruel winds, and freezing weather. It snowed here in September last year! There's so much to be done around the farm in spring and in the business of harvesting, time will fly and before I know it, summer will arrive. But I'm intent on savouring the sweet moments of spring this year!
