What a difference a day makes.

But the aquilegia is very happy, in its shady north facing concrete crack, protected under the roof.

Wild Salad

Full of flavour, full of nutrients, fresh and free.

I love it when I can go for a stroll,

 fresh air, exercise, new thoughts and ideas 

and come home with lunch!

What do we have here?

Chickweed, dandelion, Jack in the Hedge, sorrel, salad burnet, wood sorrel, ribwort, 

wild garlic, 

daisy and clover.

 Delicious, healthy and free.

The view today.

A few rules to take into consideration when foraging:-

• Know your plant. Some plants are deadly poisonous.

• Are you allowed? Is the plant protected by law? Have you asked the owner of the land?

• How clean is the area? Do cars run right by? How many dogs visit? Preferably pick edible plants at least 25m away from any cars.

• Collect into a basket or cloth bag, keeping different species separate.

• Make sure the area is left looking untouched. There is abundance out there, allow it to re coop itself and continue to be enjoyed by others.

• Make sure you have the time and energy left to process your pickings.

Sounds of Wengen in Spring

Take a moment to enjoy the sounds and colours of a peaceful, tranquil Wengen in spring.

The Joys of a Late Spring

Back in Wengen and it's spring. 

The fruit trees are in blossom, 

the tulips are still blooming 

and the fresh green of the new leaves of the trees

 is beautiful to behold.

Usually I miss spring, both ways. When I go back to the UK after the skiing I hopefully catch the end of the bluebells. This year I saw them coming into bloom, and enjoyed the thrill of the daffodils. 

Spring is apparently a month late.

 The cowslips have been out for a while.

Primula veris

The early purple orchids are starting to appear up here in Wengen.

 They are easy to spot from the train up, look to the banks right side just after pulling out of Lauterbrunnen.

Orchis mascula

 

 

 

Lady's smock is delicious to eat in salads. 

The leaves are a peppery watercress flavour.

Cardamine pratensis

The mountain streams are in full flood.
 

These garden gentians are a fabulous colour. 

I haven't seen them out in the wild yet.

It snowed at the top yesterday.

 Here you can see how near to the village it came.