We have sunshine. I took a longer walk than usual, striding along the top road with the warm wind in my hair, skylarks singing in the heavens and solitary seagulls hanging at jaunty angles against the clear blue sky. I checked the wires for newcomers. The wires were empty. Soon, I thought.
Soon.
As I got home, it came to me: might it be warm enough for what has become an event of annual significance? I stood and sniffed the air, palms upmost, considering. Yes, it might. And indeed, it was. The clock was already nearing five, but it was definitely warm enough to sit for a while outside, under the blue sky, and breathe in the springtime.
A pot of tea, a pile of books and a curious, contented cat. What could be better? For the past two summers I have sat outside in this spot, always with Harri for company but now she is gone. And with no prompting, Jackson has taken her role in this small ritual. His presence fills me with gratitude and gentle memories.
Which book? Should I continue with The January Man? I’m reading a chapter a month, since the book is structured as such. Christopher Somerville writes of a walk every month – somewhere in the UK – and as he walks and writes, he describes the countryside that he passes, bringing nature alive, and he muses on his relationship with his late father. I’m finding it a delightful book: beautifully written; poignant, tender and enlightening. I began April’s chapter last night and it’s my favourite chapter of the year so far. Stitchwort is abounding on his walk – and also on mine. I feel connected to this book.
Or perhaps I shall begin Rebecca? I have the new Virago edition, produced in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the novel’s publication. I’m eager to start it, despite having read it several times before. I’m eager to read this edition – as if it will make any difference to the tale itself. The anniversary is next month, and the Fowey Festival, which celebrates Daphne du Maurier’s life and work, is also next month. It’s the right time to begin this edition of Rebecca.
But I decide on the Dickens. Not Charles, but his great-granddaughter, Monica. As a child I loved her books but I had no idea of her literary connections and it would have meant nothing had I known. I’ve never read anything of hers since then. But I plan to read one of her adult novels in time to write about it for her birthday on 10th May and I chose – at random since I know so little of her adult work – The Winds of Heaven. I have it here on the table, along with the other two books under consideration: a dove-grey Persephone edition with beautiful end papers and pages smoothly white and enticing. I have come late to Persephone and I think I may now be addicted. There is so much pleasure to be taken from simply holding a Persephone. This is the book I pick up.
Tea poured, cat curled on a cushion, birds singing, wind soughing softly, I open the book and begin. I discover, to my great satisfaction, that from the very first page the book is light and witty and sharply observant and what’s more – it opens on a windy afternoon in April! This is absolutely the day to get reacquainted with Dickens’ great-granddaughter.
I am settled. All is peaceful for some while. Tea is drunk; cat is petted. Inner smiles and chuckles bubble merrily as I turn the pristine pages.
What made me glance up at that moment? Who knows. I imagine though, that I caught a flash of movement above. I glanced up and there it was. A single solitary and somewhat bemused swallow.
I cannot say, as I have in previous years, that ‘the swallows have come’ because so far there is just the one. It hovered, seemingly uncertain. No aerial antics; no swooping curves and soaring arcs; no chittering on wire and rooftop. Just this one solitary swallow with its forked tail and its plump white breast, its dark wings and rufous throat. A single swallow who seemed in that moment, to be regarding me just as I regarded it. A tiny pause at the end of an arduous journey across land and sea; a tiny pause in which we each observe the other, and perhaps an instinctive recognition that the swallow is home for the summer. The vanguard, leading the way for its fellows. For underneath where I sit, on the elevated decking, last year’s crafted nest is waiting.
The sunshine has come; the swallow has come. Though there will of course, be grey days and wet days, I am confident in saying with the swallow, spring has come to Cornwall.
The view from here on this soft and mellow April afternoon has been filled with small and simple joys. And I am content.
A Corner of Cornwall 
I saw my first swallow today, too. Jackson is a beautiful cat, he looks well loved. I’m enjoying a barbecue in Talybont this evening. Let’s hope the sunshine lasts. 😎
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Yes, he’s a stunner, Paula. As is his quieter housemate (wouldn’t want her to feel left out 😉 ) Hope you enjoyed last night’s BBQ. Gloriously sunny again today. Hopefully with more swallows arriving 🙂
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Yes, it’s a gorgeous day here too. Off to Barmouth in a mo to do a spot of shopping. I love cats. 😊
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Your late afternoon sounds positively idyllic Sandra. Also, I must say your writing flows like poetry. When are YOU going to write a book?
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Ah Lynne, you’re too kind! It appears that retirement leaves no time for writing a book…. I’m too busy searching the skies for swallows, and trying to catch up on the ever-rising tbr 😀 (You really don’t help there at all! 😉 ) Seriously – I do have a book – no, a story, it can hardly be called a book yet – sitting patiently in the background. I tinker with it when the mood strikes and I did screw up my courage recently and submit a short story; that was a first. So who knows… maybe one day! We all have a book in us, right? (And the encouragement helps a lot – thank you 🙂 )
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Blow some of that warmer weather up here! I’m still waiting for a swallow sighting and it was only 13 celsius here when the weather forecaster said it would be 18. I enjoyed Winds of Heaven not that long ago and I think I’ll treat myself to a Rebecca re-read soon too.
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I’m blowing hard, Katrina but we have no wind here at all this morning so I’m not very hopeful that I’m helping! (I can tell from our friendly wind turbine sitting on the near horizon.) Good to hear that you enjoyed WoH – I think I shall love it 🙂
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A swallow? Wonderful, but way too early here I think. Like you, I passed the afternoon in the garden reading. I’ve just finished The Poisonwood Bible (wonderful) and am reading Robert Hughes’s Barcelona, suggested by many on my FutureLearn course. No cat. No tea. But quite content.
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There were swallows sighted in North Wales yesterday – so Paula at The Book Jotter tells me – so they’re on the way to you, Margaret. How interesting that you loved the Poisonwood Bible. I really ought to give it yet another try! I hope the cough is finally subsiding 🙂
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I do feel lots better, but the cough is hanging on. Do try the Poisonwood Bible. Maybe when you know you can have a bit of a run at it, and get several chapters under your belt at once?
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Yes, that’s good advice. I generally have various books going along in parallel. I’ll find a point where I can maybe focus on just the one! My daughter would be gobsmacked if I read it. (even more so if I read it and liked it!) Talking of daughters – all the best to Ellie for Sunday. Hope it isn’t too hot!
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That cough is taking its time in going… Hope you don’t shout yourself hoarse on Sunday!
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I loved The Poisonwood Bible, too–maybe I need to re-read that!
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So many books, so little time! 🙂
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Worth a second read, definitely.
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That sounds like the perfect way to spend your day – and what a cutie Jackson is. I hope the two of you have many such wonderful days together.
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Thank you, MarinaSofia. Jackson is a delight – as is his little housemate, Jemima. A house without a cat or two is not a home for me 🙂
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Isn’t it a shame that so many physical books are being replaced by e-books or shoddily bound hard covers. There is nothing like holding a well printed, well laid out, well bound book. Young people are getting back into the business of hand printing some books after my generation sold all the printing equipment from art schools. It is fun to hear how the young people found their presses in basements or warehouses.
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I do use e-books, Elizabeth, and there is a place for them, but I agree with you: real books can be things of great beauty and physically holding one adds hugely to the experience of reading the words within. How encouraging to hear that hand-printing is being revived. I was given a handmade notebook as a gift. It’s gorgeous. (Though I’m struggling to feel comfortable writing in it – it seems a shame to sully the pages!)
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I made a book once and never felt any writing lived up to the book.
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Exactly! But they are lovely objects in themselves 🙂
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According to my diary the first martins arrived a week ago last year. No swallows in this part of Cornwall yet. Dawn & dusk chorus is in full throttle though.
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I looked hard at this swallow in case it was a martin, Simon. Though we don’t seem to get house martins at all. Perhaps we’re too isolated – insufficient buildings around. I agree about the dawn and dusk chorus – lovely. And I heard my first yellowhammer of the year last week.
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Sounds a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and beautifully written! Spring is beginning to spring even up here in the frozen north… 😀
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I hope you melt up there very soon, FF. And I hope Tommy and/or Tuppence deign to join you when you’re reading, be it indoors or out 🙂
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You have the power to freeze the time. It is always a joy to read your writing.
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You’re always so kind, Uma 🙂 Thank you!
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We now share welcome sunshine. A very well written description of an idyllic afternoon
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Many thanks, Derrick. Another sparkling sunny day stretches ahead!
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It does, indeed
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I love that expectant cat face! I thought The January Man was a lovely read.
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I think I heard of The January Man from you, Rebecca. I’m loving it 🙂
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You write your afternoon so delightfully. It really does sound perfect and I’m glad Jackson intuited his role and played it well. We have moments here, too, where we’ll say, “It’s official–summer has begun”–I like the little rituals.
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I think it’s the little things, the little rituals, that often mean the most and linger in the mind 🙂
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Beautiful…
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Andrea. Hope it won’t be long before you feel like blogging again. Your presence is missed 🙂
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What a beautifully written piece. I can just imagine myself sitting in your garden…you’ve inspired me to reach for a book and a cup of tea!
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Enjoy! 🙂
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Lovely Sandra- as usual. A book, a cat, a glass of something delicious, an observational and appreciative eye, and a beautiful Spring day- perfect. xx
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It was lovely, Pat. And so important to notice these things 🙂 (Email STILL in progress!) xx
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Mine too- long overdue. xx
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I am coming to this post rather late, so you may well have more swallows around by now. But it is always lovely to see even one. Completely agree about the seductiveness of Persephone books – they are gorgeous. I am going to London next month for a couple of days and am planning to squeeze in a visit to their shop. Fortunately for my wallet, I will be restricted in how much I can carry, but I look forward to an ‘immersion experience’! 🙂
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You’re very brave, Liz; I’m not sure how strong-willed I would be in the shop! We’ve just returned from a few days in the far west – where I saw several swallows and much else besides. Quite sorry to be home in fact! Enjoy London 🙂
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Brave or foolish…! 🙂
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