It’s beech week and the swallows have arrived!

Actually, I’ve only seen one swallow, which is a bit worrying. We had quite a storm a couple of days ago and so I’m fretting that some of our swallows might have had a rough ride on the last part of the journey back from Africa. Hopefully they will turn up.

As for beech week … its a bit late but as thrilling as ever.

What’s beech week I hear you ask?

It’s  the week when the beech leaves suddenly burst open. In that first week they are a most beautiful subtle, yet vibrant shade of green – quite translucent when the sun is behind them. So fresh and lush, and just the most perfect signal that summer isn’t too far away. It only lasts a short while – after a week or so they seem to become more … solid, somehow. I relish it while it lasts.
We have a few beech trees in our part of the Pistyll Gwyn wood, but there are many more along the road, so it is quite spectacular.

Now I am waiting for the oak and the ash, which will be first and will we be in for a soak or a splash?

Update: 15th May. They are here – the other swallows. 

All is well at Pistyll Gwyn.