Seasonal | Pilgrim's Perch

Lily of the Valley

As spring unfolds the delights of the garden gradually reveal themselves and almost every day something new unfurls tentative green leaves or delicate fresh blooms. Suddenly a new perfume wafts its way into the consciousness and we discover another hidden gem.

One such bringer of joy is the beautiful lily of the valley, or convallaria. The tiny, bell-like flowers hide shyly amongst the long spear-like green leaves like fragile strings of pearls and the sudden breath of perfume energises the senses. It is said that when the lily of the valley blooms, happiness returns. Another belief is that the nightingale, one of our songful migrant warblers, will not return until this jewel-like flower blooms.

White lily of the valley peeping through foliage — A shy lily of the valley peeps through…

Christian legend tells that the tears Mary shed at the foot of the cross fell to the ground and were turned into these pure white, delicate flowers. The Victorians loved to assign qualities to flowers – lilies of the valley represented beauty, purity, sweetness and humility – for this reason they often find place in wedding bouquets.

Wedding bouquet with white flowers — Lilies combine with other beautiful blooms in wedding bouquets

The French name, porte-bonheur, means ‘bringer of happiness’ and it is traditional to carry posies of lilies on May Day, to celebrate the arrival of spring. The scent of the plant is renowned for alleviating depression and bringing a sense of wellbeing and security. (But, like so many plants that look and smell wonderful, it is poisonous if eaten.)

A posy of lily of the valley fills a room with its glorious fragrance — A posy of lilies of the valley fills a room with its glorious fragrance

Much loved by perfumers lily of the valley provides high notes for many soaps and scents. It has always been popular – but to encounter it in its natural setting is exceptionally special.

Swifts – a Joyful Return

Excitement in our household here in the UK – the swifts have returned!

We always greet these harbingers of summer with great joy. Here for such a short time they are a reminder of the fragility and wonder of nature. They are pilgrims of a special kind; such tiny birds, travelling vast distances at amazing speeds in their quest for survival.

The swift - an intriguing bird — The swift – an intriguing bird

Our swifts will have returned from Africa, where they spend the winter. Before this was understood it was believed that swifts spent the winter hibernating in the mud at the bottom of ponds!

Flying high and fast swifts feed on insects taken in flight. The scythe-like silhouette of the swift is immediately identifiable, as is its shrill, screech-like call. Watching them wheeling, swooping and diving in the sky is one of those wonders that gladdens the heart. It’s almost as if they indulge in aerodynamic gymnastics for the sheer joy of it.

Since Roman times swifts have nested in buildings rather than in holes in trees or cliff faces. Older buildings – barns, churches and traditional houses – provide nooks and crannies ideal for these acrobatic little birds to breed and rear young – and that’s the only time they ever rest from flight. Swifts have a small beak but wide gape and they’re able to gather small insects at the back of the throat, where they use saliva to form a bolus that can be regurgitated and fed to their young.

Swifts have tiny feet with forward-pointing toes and they are unable to perch on wires like swallows. They can’t take off from the ground, either. If you see one of these beautiful birds grounded take it gently in your hand, raise your hand slowly with the swift’s head facing outwards and encourage it gently into flight. They have a life span of up to ten years – during that time it has been estimated that they could fly a distance equivalent to the moon and back.

A swift flies the equivalent of the distance to the moon in its lifetime!

Their conservation status is not known accurately owing to the difficulty in surveying a bird that spends its life flying. However, indications are that the population has declined in recent years, especially in England and Scotland. Their future survival depends on successful breeding – we can help by placing artificial swift boxes on the outside of our houses, either fixing them to walls or using one to replace a house brick.

So, let the summer begin. Rejoice in the swooping, screaming and chasing of the swifts, as they revel in their summer-long party. No social distancing here!

Easter Day

Easter Day dawned sunny and bright, birds carolling a joyful song of high spirits and zest for life. Usually we’d be up at daybreak, a bonfire on the beach and the excited lighting of the Easter candle. Church bells ringing a peal of praise; the choir singing; packed pews and a host of folk eagerly greeting Easter Day with praise, prayer and Easter eggs.

But not this year. The coronavirus situation means that we are all confined to home, our churches are locked and our liberty restricted. It all feels very strange. Completely alien to the freedom we usually enjoy, celebrating the Great Festival in whatever way we might choose.

Usually, one of the happy spectacles of the season is the decorating of churches following the austerity and solemnity of Lent – a time when no flowers are to be seen in churches. As Easter arrives this changes dramatically. Altars, windowsills, pedestals – every nook and cranny – is decked with spring flowers. A cacophony of bright blooms bursting with light to celebrate the new life the Easter message proclaims.

Something I have missed most this year is the Easter Garden. Created by youngsters (and some eager grown ups!) on Holy Saturday it waits, forlorn and bare. Stones and pebbles depict the garden shielding a tomb-like cave. The tomb, where Joseph of Arimathea has laid the body of Jesus following the events of Good Friday. This tomb is sealed with a large stone… There seems to be little hope here.

But what is this? Any other year and Easter Day arrives; suddenly the garden is transformed. Small fingers have created a blaze of colour, blooms and rejoicing. The stone is rolled away; the tomb lies empty and the message of the risen Lord gets through at last to the disciples…

Easter garden in church celebrating the good news of the risen Jesus

So it was poignant, walking past our lovely little church on Easter morning in warmth and sunlight, knowing that the door was locked and and access barred.

But we were in for a surprise…

In the doorway of the church, on bench and doorstep – the faithful had been at work and here were their offerings of flowers and decoration.

Easter bunnies celebrate spring and new life

A simple combination of tulips and freesia lightened a dark corner.

An offering of spring flowers for Easter

We may be in lockdown but the Easter message still comes through… I am reminded of words from the 17th century poet George Herbert:

‘The Church with psalms must shout, no door can keep them out…’

In this case, just as the risen Christ bursts from the tomb, just as psalms fill the air, so the glad news of Easter will get out.

Happy Easter everyone!

Traditional Easter lilies — Easter lilies