In the nineteenth century, Alexander Buchan, a Scottish meteorologist was famous for predicting that at certain times of the year, temperatures may wobble and deviate from normal.

One of these so called 'Buchan's  cold spells' could occur in May and certainly this year, after a warm  April during which I turned off the central heating the cool weather in early May prompted me to turn it back on again.

However, the sudden drop in temperature didn't halt the burst of blossom and wild flowers which had been given an early boost in April's warm spell.

Be that as it may, the main stimulus to trigger flora and fauna into springtime activity is in reality increasing day length.

I love the frothy white cascades of hawthorn blossom which can also drape the trees in pink or red. In combination with an understorey of cow parsley the perfume is pleasant to us but unlike the earlier flowering blackthorn, it doesn't seem to attract butterflies and other insects so perhaps its nectar is less potent.

Coming into bloom now are two most attractive flowers, namely yellow flag iris (pictured) and my favourite of all the ox-eye daisy, also known as dog-daisy or moon-daisy. At one time an extract derived from the daisy  was prepared to hopefully cure a variety of ailments and diseases.

The flag iris, gracing margins of ponds and waterways was used by Louis V11 as his 'fleur-de-lys' which he proudly paraded on his crusades, the 'lys' being a corruption of Louis, hence flower of Louis.