Dear Spring, Are You Really Here Or Is It An Elaborate Hoax Of Mr Winter?

Yellow flowers are popping up all over, and I am popping over to a neighbour...

There is a type of branch, which I tend to associate with Easter. This branch looks like it has tiny fluffy or furry buds on it and at the moment all over our neighbourhood, these branches are arranged in vases.

Officially, the wintry season is still a month longer, yet yesterday we had temperatures of 20 degrees while a year ago we were clad in half a meter of snow. Everyone is a bit thrown off with the timing of warmer weather but despite the oddity of it, the vineyards are teaming with activity. Snip, snap all over. Let's just hope that Mr. Winter isn't planning a sneaky surprise return as this would cause havoc to the blossoms.

The sunshine was still doing its magic at four o'clock and I meandered up the road to visit a delightful elderly lady, whom Agatha Christie world would have coined a spinster. She has a good sense of humour coupled with a rather vivid interest in people. The world may pass her by, but not when it is in the vicinity of her window. She doesn't miss a thing and would be an excellent character in a murder mystery. A perfect witness...

I have always enjoy having a chat with her and often some tidbit of interest falls into my lap. Yesterday's was a hint, that should I ever have to have my stomach looked at ( and yes, that horrible snake like camera is involved ) it is recommended to have an injection to knock me out first. Don't worry, I would have asked for it in any case...

To a lot of people, she might seem just like an ordinary little elderly lady living alone, but once you get to chat with her, you realize that there is a fabulous history of a life hidden behind the ordinary label giving to her by society.

The sad truth of it is that her ilk are walking history books. I say sad, as nobody takes that much of an interest in local history anymore. If only they would take the time and sit down for a chat with her, they would see the magical awakening of history that can only be done by the brush with a first hand view.

Life before, during and just after the Second World War was far from easy in our village. In fact it was jolly hard and it just goes to show how strong her generation is, because I have a suspicion that our generation would not have managed that well. Never mind the younger, connected lot. Just imagine living a life without electricity or running water, never mind not having enough to eat...

Biggi