Why have I still got the blues, but I don’t need saving? Well the blues here are the flowers which bring back sweet memories. Bluebells have always meant a lot to us as a family. Their blooming heralds the spring. Spotting the blues amongst the trees whilst driving along brings a smile. These wonderful flowers making the most of the dappled light before the tree canopy covers over completely.

The beautiful original British violet-blue bells hanging lop-sided off the dark green stems. They grew in the woods next to the house where I was born. The blues making a carpet to play next to each year. Those oak woods were full in springtime with white wood anemones, buttercups, bluebells and children having fun. The odd cow also got involved when it escaped the farmer’s field next door.

Bluebells fight with the wild garlic for space and to be the strongest scent in the woods in Sussex  in early Spring. A much-needed walk with a friend last year, as we shared the ways in which we were coping with supporting our parents. How sad it can be to try to keep going forwards knowing that you are losing a loved one every minute of each passing day.  Busy bees. Us and the insects which welcome the early nectar that these flowers bring.

Yet the beauty has been shared. Many years ago (before the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibited it) some bulbs from our garden were taken by my dad’s family to Canada. On a recent visit  my great-aunt confirmed they are still blooming there.  Comfort. Love. Protected.  A walk in the bluebell woods can be very restorative.

“The Blues”  was on show and SOLD at the HACS group selling exhibition themed “Light’ at the Apple Store Gallery, Hereford in July 2017. 10% of proceeds was gifted to Age UK.

See more about the technique used to create The Blues in the previous blog.