Today I saw more blackthorn blossoms, enough to make a garland in time for May day. It's partly that I was looking out for them more, but also a couple of days can make a big difference to flowers. But it's still true that locally the flower associated with May Day appears to be gorse.

The other tradition some of my dancing partners recalled was washing one's face in the May Morning Dew. I hadn't realised that the dew on the first of May is supposed to have more power than dew of other May mornings. So I'll be out in the garden first thing tomorrow morn, improving my complexion!

The cherry blossoms are nearly gone, but the horse chestnuts are in full bloom. I've seen a good deal of lilac, which my memory would have said blooms later on. Anyway, this is a beautiful time of year, always my favourite.