Easter Monday

This is the first year since we've been married that we have spent Easter on our own, just the two of us together (there's a song in there somewhere). It has felt strange but pleasant.

Today the sun has struggled out and is gaining confidence with every passing minute. It makes the fresh new leaves look ever brighter and there is a sense of burgeoning life waiting just below the surface to spring forth.

Every Spring there are trees covered in white blossom in the forest. Many times I've picked a sprig and brought it home to identify. I've always forgotten its name by the next year! This year I wondered if photographing it would help me to memorise it.

It is (I think) the Common Wild Cherry or Gean.

It is a good furniture timber and is valued as a turnery wood for items like bowls.

Foresters like to see it growing on the edges of plantations as it suckers freely and coppices when cut.