Celebrating May

 Hawthorns in bloom also known as May flowers.

All along the hedgerows and lining some of the roads around the farm.

May flies

Cockchafers fly about near lights at night and are also known as May beetles.  

Here's one we found along the road as we walked to Sol's woodwork class the other day.  Sadly, he had an injured leg.  See my post about cockchafers if you want to know more about these wonderful beetles.

 Maypole dancing.  We decided to use a living tree as a Maypole this year.  We searched through the woods until we found just the right tree.  It was a young ash tree.  Traditionally, pine tree poles were used.  This tree had as it's neighbours a pine tree and a beech tree.  They must have been envious on this day of that young ash tree being adorned with flowers and ribbons and being such a central focal point.  We did ask the tree for permission and thanked it afterwards!

As we walked to the woods, we picked wild flowers along the way to decorate the tree with.  We picked hawthorn blossoms, cow parsley which is growing in abundance at the moment and another tall yellow flowering plant I haven't identified yet, but which also grows in abundance around the farm.

 

 

And our May celebration cake decorated with a sprig of hawthorn and ribbons and daisies.