The First Mild Day of Spring.
A few years ago, I remember being, for once, in the right place at the right time. It had been a cold spring, and, for the first time that year, I took the bus to Newmarket for a bit of shopping.
On the way over, I looked out at the lines of dark straight hedges either side of the road. Here and there, I saw a slight green haze touching the deep brown twigs. Spring was on its way, but even so, seemed a long way off.
That day turned out pleasantly mild with more than a touch of sunshine. I started back while it was still light so that I could enjoy the countryside. As we sped down the road back towards Cambridge, I was amazed to see that the hedges, all the way, had turned to bright leafy green. Spring had sprung!
I was so glad to have been out on that day, to see the change from morning to late, from winter to spring in a day. The image of those newly green hedges remains in my mind to this day.
It happens year after year, thank God, and I hope we never lose the ability, especially after the kind of winter we have had, to greet the return of spring with delight.
Liz Wells
