And There We Are, The First Day Of Spring.

 A new season, new beginnings. 

Yeah, finally winter is over and done with. Although quite a few die-hards are adhering to their convictions that an extremely cold spell is still ahead. Oh well, just like the one the newspapers predicted at the start of this winter - they mentioned the coldest winter yet - making us all rush out to batten down the warmth hatches. Still waiting, still happy.

Like clockwork the sun is out with a great show of strength and solidarity for this spring ahead. May it bode well for everyone. The mornings are of course still slightly on the chilly side but one can't have it all.

The season of drying one's laundry out for all and sundry to see is here and I love it. Nothing more soothing than to go up to hang out the washing and nothing more depressing at the start of winter realizing that many months ahead the washing will be wrangled over a drying horse. 

The birds have been tweeting at the top of their lungs since yesterday and mistakenly I thought they too were happy about the change of seasons. No, when I happened to glance outside to their feeding platform I couldn't believe my eyes. There one of our feral lodgers had taken up residence. Sitting mightily pretty on the outer rim of this bird-feeding-house. To lazy to hunt she thought she'd just sit and wait for supper to fly into her mouth. No wonder that our bird community were screeching at the top of their lungs at this affront!

This spring we can all hope and pray that life will return to normal for a country. To pray that certain individuals will finally come to their senses and stop this madness. What does it say about humanity that these acts of horror and evil are happening in front of our eyes if we are lucky and if not, are happening to us. History will not judge our generation well, and perhaps there is a small glimmer of hope for peace with the new season ahead.

Biggi

A Little Bit Of Spring Goes A Long Way.

 The season heralding warmer times ahead.

" Spring is the time of plans and projects. "

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

" It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart. "

Rainer Maria Rilke

" From the end of spring new beginnings. "

Pliny the Elder

" Nothing ever seems impossible in spring, you know. "

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Ingleside

" You are reborn with the roses, in every spring. "

Juan Ramon Jimenez

" Spring is the best life coach; It gives you all the energy you want, 

all the positive thoughts you wish and all the boldness you need. "

Mehmet Murat ildan

" Spring is the time of the year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade. "

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

" Daffodils are yellow trumpets of spring. "

Richard L. Ratliff

" The point is that the pleasures of spring are available to everybody, and cost nothing. "

George Orwell, Some Thoughts on the Common Toad

" There's nothing more beautiful than watching trees getting dressed up for Spring and Summer. "

Charmaine J  Forde

Biggi

A Feeling Of Spring Is In The Air.

The last of winter's downhill stretch...

The sun is out most days and the bitter cold is being warmed away bit by bit. Just for good measure the mornings and evenings still have a hint of wintry cold but even that wanes in intensity loosening the icy tentacles of winter one warm day at a time. The air seems spritzed by a special perfume that signals the start of spring albeit be it mixed in among the wafts of chimney smoke doing the rounds. Air pressure tends to dictate the severity of our local smog and of course coldness.

The buds are coming out of hibernation and it won't be long now before the forest comes alive again. A special time when colour is etcho-sketched almost overnight. The grass has had enough of slumbering lazily through the winter and is shaking off its muddy protective cover in order to get back the green hue of normality.

Spring has so many meanings to so many. To some it is a fresh start, for others a welcome end to winter and for some the opportunity to plant the next crop. From one week to the next the vineyards, fields and yards have become centers of activity with the various players planning their summer's crop. Gardens are sculpted, kitchen gardens planted and fields seeded all with a cheerful undertone because there is only one way for the weather to go...more pleasant.

The blue seems here to stay, hurray!

Biggi

Spring Revival.

A glimpse of spring.

On the off chance that we lose the way, each direction leads to a winery or two.

A flower arrangement outside our front gate.

A cheerful reminder of good times ahead.

A front yard that makes one stop to take a closer look.

These yellow beauties beat the odd few outside our gate hands down.

Parts of the forest are getting thinned out and these wood piles are sadly everywhere.

Biggi

Spring Is Sprinting Toward Us.

Eisenberg takes on another layer of beauty.

As I am sitting here at the kitchen table, looking outside and with the window open it is a refreshing change to hear the neighbourhood bird society tweet the early morning away. Gosh, there is one ring or should I say cheerleader of a bird that trumps all the others.

One does wonder what they tweet about and perhaps they tell stories of the various homes that they perch outside of. Why shouldn't birds gossip? Pretty sure that there would be plenty of material to be exchanged...

Mausi is enthralled by the many little birds diving for sunflower seeds, those that Bob has put there, right in front of her. Luckily the mosquito netting keeps her away from sinking her teeth into the bird society like a farmer of yore used his sickle to cut a swath of wheat. Just now I could have sworn that I heard a bird laughing at her not being able to chase it. More of a taunting really.

Yesterday was a picture perfect day, with blue skies, warmer weather ( even though it was minus 3 in the early morning, we did put a load of washing on the line later on and thankfully it dried ) than usual and going for a walk was manna for any soul. Of course yesterday being the day after Fasching and the various parties held, nary a soul stirred except for a few.

Along the edge of the forest the trees have thrown off the shackles of winter and are sprouting the tulle of spring. The stark bareness of many tree branches are suddenly dotted with bits of colourful buds. Some more than others and some make me think of Easter which isn't that far off.

Somehow I feel sad waving goodbye to winter. Winter is a time to hibernate and garner strength for the busy seasons ahead. Once the first buds of spring are here, the days seem to disappear with alarming haste. Be that as it may, the rural lifestyle is a treat and I treasure it dearly.

Biggi

The Colourful Bookend Of March.

Hard to believe that tomorrow we'll all be fools!

The Burgenland Troika...Vines, Fruit trees & the vibrant kaleidoscope of nature dotted everywhere and reminding us that is is a piece of paradise.

Seemingly nothing special, yet it is the lifeblood of nature. A place for bees to recharge and be nourished, and a place for the air to take a breather.

A perfect setting for a murder mystery, don't you think? The nebulous haze lingering in the air reminds me of those old black & white movies such as: The Hound of the Baskervilles.

The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Novels

To refresh your mental browser, another image of brightness...these Forsythia shrubs are gracing many a garden in our village and it is so lovely to see flashes of yellow while driving through.

A budding crab apple shrub right outside our front door. With each day, more and more spill out of their winter dormancy. Very soon all will be abuzz with the yellow & black lifesavers...bees.

Isn't it a nice image of nature to bid March adieu and welcome April, despite starting a bit foolishly!

Biggi

The Blue Skies Of Spring.

A magical awakening after Winter.

As much as I like the hibernating time of winter, I have to admit that seeing a blue sky that portents a warm day is an elixir for my soul. The birds are tweeting their joy at finding more food with happy abandon and hopefully soon the buzzing of bees will be heard.

Winter is nice and cozy especially whilst reading a book on the sofa, cat on lap and glass of Blaufränkisch at my side. You know, there is just something so fabulous about seeing snow flakes pirouetting towards an awaiting ground because it gives you even more reason to snuggle up.

Of course there are a few minor twitches of dislike associated with winter. Doing laundry, or rather drying laundry is not as easy as it is in warmer weather. We don't own ( nor want ) a tumble dryer, so we hang each load of washing on a rickety clothes rack in the middle of our bathroom. Rather bothersome to hang up a load over those closely set strings.

Oddly enough we also do less laundry over the winter...suspicious indeed! Well, with our recent batch of warmer weather, we've hung up a few loads of washing outside on our beloved washing line. The sun has been appearing at odd times but has been accompanied by a cold wind which ironically enough blew the washing dry that much faster.

Walking about in our neighbourhood, I haven't seen any occupied washing lines and again, Bob and I are the odd ones out, especially since Bob has chopped our hedge to the bare branches. Oh yes, walking passed our place yesterday, I saw a few of my delicates prominently swaying on our line.

Once I was home, I speedily took down those few items and hung them up inside because I didn't want to see them floating all over the neighbourhood due to a gusty wind...

The yellow hue is a welcoming marker on these boulders...

The blue skies are welcome.

Biggi

An Average Yet Stunning Day In Burgenland.

A Tulip does have power.

For the last few days I have been driving passed this red beacon. It is so hypnotic swaying in the wind on the corner of Reiger's Winery, that I parked the car and took a few photos. To get a better angle, I was crouching down on the pavement with my eh, backside towards traffic...I just hope motorists saw my camera, otherwise they might have thought I was a bit strange!

Oh, I cannot get enough of these. Illuminous indeed with a perfect emerald green tapestry.

On Monday, Bob and I walked via Höll into Deutsch Schützen as Bob needed to get eye drops from the pharmacy. Our new motto is: why drive if we can walk there! Of course it isn't a hardship when we see such lovely images. This is the lane leading up to the Chapel. The hill closest to us is the Eisenberg.

Yesterday we took a leisurely turn around the pond behind our house. We don't normally walk this way but were astounded at the beauty of it. A gently rolling hill surrounded by luscious meadows and orchards.

A bath with a difference. Bob thinks that it is for the buck to have water. I tend to think that someone likes to lounge and ponder life amid a buzzing orchard.

The pond in question. On the top left of the picture you can see a bit of our house. The white house!

Bob was digging in our garden and discovered this old bottle. Intact too, which is surprising as he was using a hardy spade. A treasure trove of old metals and bottles.

To end off, red tulips that are planted inside the war memorial in Eisenberg. They are a pleasure to behold.

Biggi

Dandelions And An Almost Hidden Cat.

A gardener's restraint, brings a whole lot of natural awesomeness.

There is a bank in the garden where the dandelions are heads above their fellow dandelions living on the straight and narrow of our garden. Bob's been itching to mow their abode, but I've persuaded him to wait a few more days. Urban jungle isn't all bad!

To the left of these dandelions is their fan base of green blades, waving in the wind. Absolutely fabulous.

Another dose of herbs...oh yes, dandelion tea is very good for one. It doesn't taste bad either. Dandelions are also the landing place of many bees and yet another reason to delay the mower.

The famous wagon wheel does look better with the green support.

Do you think we feed her too much? The camera does add 10 pounds, doesn't it?

Madam is not amused! She has perfected that bored look of a model. Yet, she loves the long grass and flowers all around her and when she thinks we're not looking, she wallows in this long grass.

Too be honest, our little feral Tigger is a good sport and lets me take endless amounts of photos. There she is posing in her go-to place of safety. Her inner sanctuary which ironically leads to the pigsty.

Biggi

A Walk In The Park Seems More Like It.

Spring continues on glorious terms.

Bob and I walked through the forest behind our house yesterday morning and gosh, we were rewarded with eight buck...only this one was caught on film.

This should be called Wood Avenue as it is so amazing to see. Shadows, sunshine and tall trees. Bob was in the lead and so far we hadn't needed any breadcrumbs. At the top of Wood Avenue we had to make a choice.

" My old man and the forest. "

We chose right(ly) and as Bob is a superb navigator we didn't need to use breadcrumbs. We did a semi-circular amble in the forest. This glade was a place of beauty, rustles and good air.

A day without a photo of blossoms-no! When we emerged into this bright sunshine, these two trees were attracting my attention on the edge of the forest. Blue, green and white is a perfect combination.

Very soon these blooms will drop and reveal the true nature of each tree. Honestly, at the moment I don't know which tree is what. Apple, cherry, peach, plumb or just plain tree.

It pays to look up! Feels good to see this colour arrangement, doesn't it?

Biggi

Ah, Three Cheers For Those Lovely Spring Flowers.

A rock star, a yellow beauty and a few stray cats...

This purple number seems to be holding fort or rather being the lone star of the rock! Anything else as a backdrop to it would have paled in significance.

These yellow bundles of joy are on all of our lawns and should be called "Gladness " as one can't help but be glad to have seen them.

A perfectly shaped petal complete with a two tone yellow.

The humble, simple and most loved Daisy.

An early morning view of Eisenberg with the church featuring prominently. A spring morning that combines a warm sun with tentacles of cold air is unbeatable for beauty. Combined with a misty horizon it is tops.

Not too fond of the paparazzi, are they? Nothing nicer for a cat than to lounge lazily on a sun kissed pavement while doing a mini pedicure.

Biggi

Spring Is Really Finally Here Again...

The sun seems to be on schedule.

A good measure of spring in a way is, when you can put your laundry on the line and it comes back dry and augmented with that special something...no, not bird poop but a mixture of aromas made up of grass, flowers and nature's good cheer.

As soon as the birds tweet us awake and when nature's alarm clock is accompanied by a clear early morning sky, most of our villagers do a load of washing and proceed to hang it on the line before eight o'clock.

Seeing that laundry swaying on the line in all its cheerfulness, is one of my personal metrics of spring. A clean sweep affair...

Bob was searching for a missing sock early yesterday morning, and there was only one place left to look: The laundry basket. Of course he was almost speechless when he realized that there were 28 pairs of missing socks at the very bottom of our laundry basket. I don't know how to explain it, but catching up with all the laundry is a near impossible task to achieve.

You know, our washing line was rather fun yesterday morning with its 56 odd socks swaying in the wind. Spring still means that the hedge is kind of see through as the foliage is still in infancy. Anyone who walked or drove passed our abode might mistakenly have thought that we have a sock fetish! Although....Bob never wears matching socks because he considers a mismatched pair a sign of good luck!

Anyway, Spring is here and the whole Northern Hemisphere seems to have a spring in their step...

Iris's are making a colourful point outside our front garden wall. The stony base makes them even more attractive.

Casting a friendly shadow.

I hope you'll have a fabulous day today...

Biggi

No More Washing Drying On A Spindly Stand In Our Bathroom!

My personal yardstick of when Spring is here and Winter is over.

Having lived in South Africa for so long, I must admit that I got spoiled by the hot weather. Washing a load in your machine was barely hung on the line, and it was dry. Bone dry. Extra sun kissed dry.

In fact, in Summer one could do 4 or 5 loads a day and they would be dry, dry without the help of a tumble dryer. Tumble dryers do tend to make everything feel damp and cloying. Never mind how quickly the clothes get threaded.

Bob and I must be about the most adventurous couple of ' laundry-ists ' in our area. Even though technically it is still Winter, the moment either of us spots a ray of sunshine, the washing is on our line...toute de suite. Again, we must be known as the silly foreigners. In the colder months, our hedge is devoid of foliage and all is apparent. Even knickers blowing in the wind.

" Please Schatzi, don't hang my undies on the line, just in case the wind blows them off! "

At times the washing is almost dry, at times it is dry with a lingering feeling of being frozen ( yes, the temperature is still hovering around 10 degrees yet sunny ) and at other times the washing is bone dry but has an aroma of smoked ham / cedar or worse. When it's cold, the wooden stoves of our neighbours run at maximum capacity, blowing smoke onto our laundry spot.

If you've ever hung a load of washing on a spindly clothes drier in the bathroom, you will understand why we put our washing outside even in winter. Hanging anything over, on and between the rungs of the clothes dryer usually involves a few choice words and each of us tries like mad to make the other one hang up the washing...

On Sunday we did two loads of washing and it dried on the line...a clear signal that Winter is moving on to other parts of the world.

Biggi

The Darling Buds Of March Are A Sight For Winter Weary Eyes!

Goodbye dear Winter...

These beautiful harbingers of Spring are in my parent's garden and are aptly called Snow Bells. Don't they look like little bells of happiness?

Remember those posters in the 1990's, where you had to stare at it, in order to see something else? Well, look and tell me if anything pops out for you - if not, simply enjoy the farmlands.

These do remind me of Easter and the Easter Egg hunt to come. Chocolate surprises all over the garden...

Our part of Südburgenland is the proverbial paradise for walkers and wine lovers alike...most of these routes do pass by and end at our area's treasures:Buschenschanks

A pop star on his stage...as soon as the sun's up, tweets and chirps are heard.

Another perfect day in the Weinberg...vintners were out and about pruning their vines.

Biggi